By ED TRAVIS
Luxury car maker and longtime Formula 1 racing team McLaren has started an iron line under the McLaren Golf name with the first two off the starting line being a tour model and a player’s distance model.
Fast Facts
McLaren Series 1 Irons
Better player category
Blade
Metal Injection Molded heads
Internal tungsten weights
Structural mesh back
Stock lofts: 5-iron 26°, pitching wedge 46°
Stock shaft: KBS Tour
Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
At retail May 15
$375 per club
McLaren Series 3 Irons
Player’s distance category
Modern cavity back
Metal Injection Molded heads
Carbon fiber in cavity
Internal tungsten weights
Structural mesh back
Heel cut sole
Stock lofts: 5-iron 24°, pitching wedge 44°
Stock shaft: KBS Tour
Stock grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet 360
At retail May 15
$375 per club
WYNTK
It may seem like an odd entry into the hypercompetitive golf club market, but car maker McLaren has over 60 years building some of the fastest race cars in the world and 35 years making eye-grabbing street cars, so they know how to handle the intricacies of club making.
They have entered at a time when there is an upward trend in the number of players and number of rounds being played sparked by the Covid shutdown and the gear business is selling almost everything they can manufacture. McLaren says at least for now sales will be made on their website McLaren Golf and through custom fitters Club Champion and True Spec Golf.
They have staked out the ultra-premium end of the market and though not the absolutely most expensive irons available they are priced at more than double the popular Callaway Quantum Max irons.
Significantly McLaren is not planning on distribution through any of the big-box golf retailers. Neil Howie, CEO of McLaren Golf, said at the launch, “We’ve been working toward this moment for some time and there’s a real sense of anticipation in seeing it all come to life. Behind the scenes, we challenged every part of the process – from materials to construction – to uphold the exacting standards and constant pursuit of excellence that define McLaren. To now introduce these irons to the world and see them in the hands of golfers is incredibly exciting.”
