SCHAUMBURG, Illinois (February 2008) – With an eye toward enhancing its longstanding reputation for premium quality and performance, MacGregor Golf for the first time has selected Nippon Shaft to supply stock steel shafts for three of its new iron sets being marketed under the new "MT" brand.
Nippon Shaft products will be stocked in MacGregor’s MT PRO-M irons, MT PRO-C irons, and the MT Forged Cup Face irons, according to Hiroyuki Fukuda, head of sales and marketing for Nippon Shaft USA.
"Nippon Shaft is extremely proud of its relationship with MacGregor Golf, which is the oldest golf equipment company in the world," Fukuda said. "The components Nippon Shaft is providing to MacGregor meet out high quality standards and are designed to help golfers of all levels be the best they can be."
The MT PRO-M and MT PRO-C Forged irons, which are aimed at serious players, will be stocked with Nippon Shaft’s "mid-weight" N.S. Pro 1150GH shaft. It weighs 115 grams and is constant weighted in the 3-iron through pitching wedge, meaning each iron weighs the same notwithstanding its length.
MacGregor’s MT Forged Cup Face irons, which are aimed at low-to-mid handicap players, will be stocked with the classic N.S. Pro 950GH lightweight steel shaft irons. The 950GH was the first was the industry’s first sub-100 gram steel shaft that offered high quality and performance. A lightweight shaft helps increase clubhead speed and reduces wear-and-tear on the body.
"MacGregor Golf is proud to offer Nippon Shaft products in several of our new "MT" branded iron sets for 2008," said Reid Gorman, President of MacGregor Golf. "We strongly believe Nippon manufactures world-class, high performing shafts that will complement our classic yet innovative head designs."
The difference between Nippon Shaft and other mid-weight or lightweight steel shafts is that Nippon Shafts are 100 percent made in a state-of-the-art Japanese factory using unique proprietary materials and a specialized heat-treatment process, Fukuda said. The manufacturing process is overseen by a highly-trained and veteran staff that operates according to the highest manufacturing standards in the world.
"Nippon Shaft is better because it provides golfers with better overall control; superior distance control, superior trajectory control, and superior shot-dispersion control," Fukuda said. "Because Nippon makes good shafts, the ball goes where you want it to go."
Nippon Shaft is the No. 1-selling steel shaft in Asia with more than 80 percent of the market and ranks No. 2 in North America. Currently, more than 100 touring professionals worldwide use Nippon Shaft products, resulting in more than 50 victories in the last three years, Fukuda said. All shafts sold by Nippon Shaft are made in Japan in order to maintain the highest quality labor and technical expertise.
Nippon Shaft is a subsidiary of privately-held NHK, a Japanese automobile parts manufacturer based in Yokohama, Japan. Nippon Shaft’s North American headquarters is in Schaumburg, Illinois.
About MacGregor Golf Company
MacGregor Golf, the oldest golf company in the world, has a storied 110-year history filled with innovation and PGA Tour success, including a record 59 Major Championships. Based in Albany, Georgia, MacGregor Golf creates PGA Tour-inspired and aesthetically appealing golf equipment that tastefully incorporates the latest game improvement technologies. MT Drivers, Fairway Woods, Hybrids, Irons, Wedges, and Bobby Grace Putters are marketed under the MacGregor brand.
Contact:
Barry Cronin
Cronin Communications, Inc.
847-698-1801 (o)
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bcronin@cronincommunications.com
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