Equipment
The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company, in it for the love of the game
At the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show, GolfWRX took note of some impressive gear seemingly appropriate for its gear heads, which will be featured over the next few weeks. For this second feature, we are highlighting the MacKenzie Golf Bag Company based in Lake Oswego, Oregon.
The story of the MacKenzie Golf Bag Company is, to date, 30 years in the making and certainly worth a little bit of your time. That remains true, even if you never find yourself considering the purchase of a MacKenzie golf bag, because in your heart you’re a golfer playing for the love of the game. Originally, a product of a trip to St. Andrews, Scotland and the Old Course in 1985 by Peter Jacobsen, the Original MacKenzie Walker is timeless in its style and singular in its craftsmanship.
Designed to keep things simple and honor the journey of playing golf, rather than the destination, the Original MacKenzie Walker has changed very little since 1985, i.e., two pockets and a single strap. What else would you use to carry your old Acushnet Bullseye Flange or even better Spalding Chicopee?
On the other hand, the company has experienced its ups-and-downs, changes in ownership, and struggles that all small business endure in trying to keep the doors open. In 2006, the MacKenzie Golf Company was merely hanging on, however, when Todd Lohrer (who favors both the Bullseye and Chicopee in his golf bag) stepped in and took over day-to-day operations. Over the past 10 years, Todd and his employees have not only saved MacKenzie, but also turned its golf bags into one of the most recognizable symbols in the game of golf today.
That success is the result of a combination of factors, but none more important than the valuable employees (10-15 these days) that build MacKenzie golf bags in Portland, Oregon by hand from scratch. The company mantra being, again, simple enough: do everything humanly possible to craft the best all-leather golf bags in the known world. As part of that process, MacKenzie sources high-quality leather (typically, Austrian or Swiss in origin) and takes to heart every detail that goes into every bag. It’s not a marketing tagline, as these bags are made by hand with that basic purpose driving every decision, both big and small.
In discussing MacKenzie with Todd, it became apparent that the love of the game is also what drives the company at its very core. The enthusiasm for MacKenzie and the products it produces is evident, and with addition of a new managing partner last year, there is only more good stuff to come from MacKenzie. Many of those golfers (not necessarily just the so-called “golf purists”) that feel an intensely personal connection to the game tend find their way to MacKenzie in order to purchase their dream bag. With custom options and unparalleled quality, whether it be leather or waxed canvas, a MacKenzie golf bag tends to become a statement about the golfer and his or her love of a simple game meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. Quality over quantity has been and will continue to be the norm for MacKenzie. To boot, MacKenzie is a strong supporter of the Evans Scholars Foundation, and caddies in general.
In some cases, these golf bags are purchased as a symbol of an important accomplishment, memorable experience, or special occasion and are treated as an heirloom to be passed onto new a new generation of golfers. MacKenzie golf bags, in that respect, are more than a symbolic golf bag, but rather woven into the fabric of family and golf for some. With that comes a certain amount of responsibility that MacKenzie wholeheartedly accepts as well as desires creating, in part, the deep sense of pride with which every golf bag is made.
While the future is always an unknown, it’s a good bet for the MacKenzie Golf Company that continued growth and exposure are on the horizon. On a practical level, MacKenzie is steadily moving toward reduced turnaround times for golf bags with a goal of approximately two weeks in its crosshairs and an updated website that is likely to do justice to the products made by the company.
Presently, you can keep an eye on MacKenzie by checking out its website or signing up for its newsletter. For additional pictures of MacKenzie golf bags, I recommend the MacKenzie Walker Galleries.
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Whats in the Bag
Taylor Pendrith’s winning WITB: 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Accra TZ Six ST
3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 80 6.5 TX
7-wood: Ping G425 Max (20.5 degrees) Buy here.
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 90 6.5 TX
Irons: Srixon ZX (2, 3) Buy here, Srixon ZX7 Mk II (4-9) Buy here.
Shafts: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 6.5 90, 6.5 100 (2-3), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Cleveland RTX 6 Tour Rack (46-10 Mid, 52-10 Mid, 56-10 Mid, 60-9 Full) Buy here.
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Putter: Odyssey Jailbird Versa Buy here.
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy Flatso 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
The winning WITB is presented by 2nd Swing Golf. 2nd Swing has more than 100,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
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Whats in the Bag
Ben Kohles WITB 2024 (May)
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth Plus (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 8 X
Hybrid: Titleist TSR3 (19 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue HB 9 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4, 5), Titleist 620 CB (6-9)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (46-10F, 50-12F, 54-12D, 60)
Shafts: Project X 6.0
Putter: Scotty Cameron P5 prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Ben Kohles’ clubs in the forums.
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Whats in the Bag
Kris Kim WITB 2024 (May)
- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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Hugh Leonard
Feb 25, 2016 at 7:49 pm
I have used a ballistic Walker for 3 or 4 years. It can carry a full set, balls, tees, and a jacket. I put on a cart and walk with it (when I walk I usually carry 12 clubs). Great bag but sometimes I wish it had a double strap.
Joe
Feb 25, 2016 at 5:34 pm
A taste of old world quality, fantastic bag. But, it is a niche product. For the greatest number of golfers it does not hold enough, and the greatest number of golfer use push cart or ride. Made for the in shape person who walks, and does not carry a lot of equipment.
Fahgdat
Feb 25, 2016 at 3:39 am
Why? Cumbersome, not enough pockets, too small, uncomfortable to carry and gets really heavy when wet in the rain and starts to get crusty in the dry weather if you don’t keep it oiled. Totally worthless. Waste of money for usefulness, only good for decoration on the wall. But I guess if it’s used for that and people can afford to buy it, more power to them.
Michael
Feb 24, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Quality in these bags is Un matched. Makes other “high quality” bags like sun mountain and ping seem like junk.
They will last forever, and are truly unique and can be one of a kind.
The Ballistic walkers can be had for $300 and will easily last twice as long as the $150 stand bag.
Milo
Feb 24, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Definitely a niche product, I wonder what the profit margins are on these bags, I’m assuming it’s expensive to get leather from Austria and Switzerland.
Nick Green
Feb 24, 2016 at 12:50 pm
You’ll have this bag in 30 years and be able to pass it on to the next golfer in the family. Where will your nylon bag be then?! The best made, hand crafted bag in golf.
joro
Feb 24, 2016 at 12:32 pm
Hey come on now, it is just the thing to put you overpriced PXG Woods and Irons in, along with you overpriced Forged Vokey Wedges and your vastly 500 Dollar Cameron Sucker 4 Putter. Good God, you will be the talk of the course. Now all you need is a few 5,000 Dollar an hour lessons from Paul Azinger and off you go. Wonderful
ROB HARRIS
Apr 15, 2018 at 5:14 pm
IT HAS BEEN PROVEN OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
YOU CAN NOT BUY A GOLF GAME!!!
Chris
Feb 24, 2016 at 12:28 pm
They used to offer a ballistic nylon option called the Ballistic Walker. It has leather trim and retains a very high end feel but was much more affordable. I have one and it’s a great bag! I use it and a half set of clubs and have never been happier walking a golf course. Love my Mackenzie.
JMytro
Feb 24, 2016 at 12:18 pm
These bags start at $695 and go up to $2000 per bag…More expensive than most full sets of clubs…No thanks, ill stick with my stand bag that was $129…
Matthew Bacon
Feb 23, 2016 at 9:51 pm
Just buy a Jones bag for a fraction of the cost.
Chuck
Feb 23, 2016 at 10:24 pm
100% agree. I love my Jones bag.
Kevin
Feb 23, 2016 at 7:39 pm
These are nice looking bags, was interested in maybe picking one up later, then I saw they cost the same, if not more than a full set of irons. Ill pass, but they sure do look nice.
golfraven
Feb 23, 2016 at 4:40 pm
Mice idea and certainly great craftmanship, however prices are very steep. good luck to them.
Joey5Picks
Feb 23, 2016 at 3:41 pm
That green and yellow bag has a toilet seat on it!
Chopper
Feb 23, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Next time I am in the market for a thousand dollar golf bag, I will know where to go.
MP-4
Feb 23, 2016 at 1:54 pm
Such a nice bag. 🙂