Best Persimmon Driver Ever Made

In the modern golfing era, where composite materials and advanced engineering have revolutionized the game, the classic persimmon driver holds a special place in the hearts of many golf enthusiasts. Crafted from the dense and beautiful persimmon wood, these drivers were once the gold standard for professional golfers and amateurs alike. Among the many persimmon drivers that have graced the fairways over the years, there is one that stands above the rest: the MacGregor Eye-O-Matic M85.

A Brief History of Persimmon Drivers:

Persimmon drivers date back to the early days of golf, with the first models emerging in the late 19th century. These drivers were crafted from solid blocks of persimmon, a hardwood known for its density, strength, and resistance to wear. Persimmon drivers remained the go-to choice for golfers until the 1980s and 1990s, when the advent of metal and composite drivers began to eclipse their popularity.

 

The MacGregor Eye-O-Matic M85: The Crown Jewel of Persimmon Drivers

The MacGregor Eye-O-Matic M85 is widely regarded as the best persimmon driver ever made, and for good reason. Introduced in the late 1950s, the M85 quickly gained a reputation for its impeccable performance and craftsmanship.

1. Design and Craftsmanship: The M85 is a testament to the skill and expertise of MacGregor’s clubmakers. It features a sleek, aerodynamic design with a black insert on the clubface, a distinctive “eye” screw, and a whipping on the hosel. The club’s deep, rich finish highlights the natural beauty of the persimmon wood, making it a true work of art.
2. Performance: The M85’s performance is nothing short of legendary. Its low center of gravity and high moment of inertia translate into exceptional forgiveness and distance off the tee. The club’s precise weighting and balance make it easy to control, allowing golfers to shape their shots with ease.
3. Endorsements and Legacy: The M85 has been endorsed by some of the greatest golfers in history, including Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. These legendary players all used the M85 at various points in their careers, contributing to its iconic status in the world of golf.
4. Customizability and Collectability: One of the remarkable aspects of the MacGregor Eye-O-Matic M85 was its customizability. Golfers could choose from various shaft materials, including steel, aluminum, and even hickory, as well as different lofts and lengths to suit their individual preferences. This made the M85 not only a top-performing driver but also a personalized experience for each golfer. The M85’s craftsmanship, performance, and connection to golf legends have made it a highly sought-after item for collectors and golf enthusiasts alike. The rarity of well-preserved M85s in mint condition adds to their value, and some have been known to fetch thousands of dollars at auction.
5. The Return to Persimmon: In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in persimmon drivers among a niche group of golfers who appreciate the feel and nostalgia associated with these classic clubs. Companies like Louisville Golf and Tad Moore Golf have capitalized on this trend, creating new persimmon drivers using traditional methods and materials. While these drivers may not outperform their modern counterparts in terms of distance and forgiveness, they provide a unique playing experience that some golfers find unmatched.
6. A Lasting Impact on Golf Club Design: The MacGregor Eye-O-Matic M85’s design and performance have left a lasting impact on golf club design, even as materials and technology have evolved. The focus on optimal weighting, balance, and aerodynamics that made the M85 so successful can be seen in the design of modern drivers. The M85’s innovative insert and “eye” screw have also inspired the development of more sophisticated clubface technologies, such as adjustable weighting systems and variable face thickness.

Best Persimmon Drivers of the 1980s

Brand	Model	Loft	Material	Notable Player Users
TaylorMade	Burner	9.5°	Wood	Mark Calcavecchia, Greg Norman
Ping	Eye2	9.0°	Wood	Bernhard Langer, Seve Ballesteros
Titleist	PT 15	8.5°	Wood	Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins
Mizuno	Pro 250	9.0°	Wood	Tommy Nakajima, Payne Stewart
Callaway	S2H2	9.0°	Wood	Gary Player, Phil Mickelson

Best Persimmon Drivers of the 1990s

Brand	Model	Loft	Material	Notable Player Users
Titleist	975D	9.5°	Wood	Davis Love III, Phil Mickelson
Ping	TiSI Tec	8.5°	Wood	Lee Westwood, Jesper Parnevik
Callaway	Big Bertha Warbird	10.0°	Wood	Tom Lehman, Ernie Els
TaylorMade	Burner Bubble	8.5°	Wood	Justin Leonard, Tom Kite
Mizuno	MP-001	9.5°	Wood	Nick Faldo, Bernhard Langer

Best Persimmon Drivers of the 2000s

Brand	Model	Loft	Material	Notable Player Users
Titleist	975J	9.5°	Wood	Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson
TaylorMade	200 Series	8.5°	Wood	Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen
Ping	ISI Titanium	8.5°	Wood	Jim Furyk, David Toms
Callaway	Steelhead Plus	10.0°	Wood	Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie
Cleveland	Launcher	9.0°	Wood	Vijay Singh, Jerry Kelly

Best Persimmon Drivers of the 2010s

Brand	Model	Loft	Material	Notable Player Users
Titleist	975D Titanium	8.5°	Wood	Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth
Ping	G5	9.0°	Wood	Bubba Watson, Hunter Mahan
TaylorMade	R9 SuperDeep	9.5°	Wood	Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose
Callaway	X Hot Pro	8.5°	Wood	Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els
Mizuno	MP-650	8.5°	Wood	Luke Donald, Webb Simpson

Best Persimmon Drivers of All Time

Brand	Model	Loft	Material	Notable Player Users
Titleist	PT 15	8.5°	Wood	Curtis Strange, Lanny Wadkins
Ping	Eye2	9.0°	Wood	Bernhard Langer, Seve Balle

 

Conclusion:

The MacGregor Eye-O-Matic M85 stands as the best persimmon driver ever made, a timeless classic that helped shape the game of golf for decades. While modern materials and technology have largely replaced persimmon drivers in the bags of today’s golfers, the M85 remains a symbol of golf’s rich history and a testament to the craftsmanship and skill of the clubmakers of yesteryear.