Equipment

The MacKenzie Golf Bag Company, in it for the love of the game

Published

8 years ago

Feb 23, 2016

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.

MacKenzie’s booth at the 2016 PGA Merchandise Show.

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?

This Miura bag is an Original MacKenzie Walker (mahogany, trimmed in bittersweet). It has an 8-inch diameter at the top and two pockets. It can be ordered from Miura, any of their affiliated custom fitters, or MacKenzie.

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.

The University of Oregon is the first NCAA school with which Mackenzie has developed a licensed relationship.

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.

A Sunday MacKenzie Walker (7-inch diameter opening, single pocket) made of sage waxed canvas and trimmed in mahogany leather. The material is waterproof, durable, and its finish is said to “get better with age.”

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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17 Comments

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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- 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!!!
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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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…

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Matthew Bacon

Feb 23, 2016 at 9:51 pm

Just buy a Jones bag for a fraction of the cost.

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- Chuck
  
  Feb 23, 2016 at 10:24 pm
  
  100% agree. I love my Jones bag.
  
  Reply Report comment
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.

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golfraven

Feb 23, 2016 at 4:40 pm

Mice idea and certainly great craftmanship, however prices are very steep. good luck to them.

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Joey5Picks

Feb 23, 2016 at 3:41 pm

That green and yellow bag has a toilet seat on it!

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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.

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MP-4

Feb 23, 2016 at 1:54 pm

Such a nice bag. 🙂

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Equipment

A shocking Backstryke putter appearance + 7 interesting gear photos from the Zurich Classic

Published

16 hours ago

Apr 25, 2024

Andrew Tursky

Welcome to New Orleans, where TPC Louisiana plays host to the 2024 Zurich Classic. In between breakfast beignets and nightly Creole feasts, PGA Tour players are also competing in the unique two-man format at the Zurich this week.

Although the vibes in Nawlins are a bit lighter-fare than the recent back-to-back competitions the Masters and the RBC Heritage signature event), the gear news was no less serious this week.

We spotted some recent changes from Rory McIlroy, a very rare Odyssey Backstryke putter, dove into the bag of legendary New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, and spotted Patrick Cantlay continuing to test new equipment.

Get your beads out and crack your crawfish, because it’s time for an equipment rundown from The Big Easy (meaning New Orleans, of course, not Ernie Els).

See all of our photos from the Zurich Classic here

Rory’s on-and-off lob wedge

Since the end of 2023, Rory McIlroy has had an on-again, off-again relationship with a Titleist Vokey K-Grind lob wedge. In his last start, it was on, and the wedge is back in the bag again this week. We got a great look at the complicated grind that McIlroy uses.

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A full look into McIlroy’s bag above also shows that he switched out of the TaylorMade BRNR Mini Copper that he used at the RBC Heritage, and he’s back into the Qi10 core 3-wood. As we discussed last week, McIlroy will likely keep the BRNR around as a course-specific club, trading it in and out for the 3-wood.

See Rory McIlroy’s full 2024 WITB from the Zurich here

Turning Back the clock

Unless Tommy Gainey is in the field, it’s unlikely you’ll ever see Odyssey’s Backstryke technology make an appearance on the PGA Tour.

But then, when you least expect it, Russ Cochran shows up.

For more than a decade – since the 2013 Sony Open in Hawai’i – Cochran has been stuck on 599 PGA Tour starts. This week will be his 600th.

Cochran is in the field at the Zurich this week playing alongside Eric Cole, whose regular caddie is Reed Cochran, Russ’s son.

The Backstryke putter was first released back in 2010, and its unique design helps shift the axis point of the putter closer to the CG of the head. And, the putter is getting a nod this week at the Zurich Classic, thanks to Cochran’s 600th career PGA Tour start.

The putter is certainly awesome, but don’t forget to check out Cochran’s full WITB from this week.

Drew Brees with a Super Bowl winning Scotty Cameron putter

Drew Brees, a legendary retired quarterback for the hometown New Orleans Saints, made an appearance at the Zurich’s Wednesday Pro-Am, playing alongside Zach Johnson, Ryan Palmer, and current Saints QB Derek Carr.

Brees’ bag included a TaylorMade Stealth2 Plus driver, a BRNR Mini 13.5-degree, a Stealth 5-wood, a mixed set of P-790 and P-760 irons, Milled Grind Hi-Toe wedges, and a custom Scotty Cameron “New Orleans Saints” putter, which Scotty made for Brees following his Super Bowl MVP-winning performance in 2010.

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It should also be noted that Brees has his Venmo QR code as a bag tag.

If you’re gambling with Brees on the course, just know that not having cash won’t work as an excuse.

Brilliant.

See Drew Brees’ full WITB from the Zurich here

Stricker’s unrecognizable putter

Steve Stricker has made numerous upgrades to his bag recently, including a new TSR3 driver and T100 irons, but his longtime Odyssey White Hot No. 2 putter is still going strong. It’s the most recognizable unrecognizable putter ever.

Here’s a better look at Stricker’s flatstick, which he started using back in 2007.

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Patrick Cantlay has opened the equipment-switching floodgates

Over on the PGA Tour’s Equipment Report this week, we covered Cantlay’s recent switch into Ping Blueprint S irons, and a Titleist TSR2 driver.

Cantlay hadn’t switched irons for about seven years, so the iron switch he made at The 2024 Masters came as a shock to the norm. He simply isn’t one to change gear very often, so anytime Cantlay makes a switch, it’s news.

It seems the floodgates of equipment testing have opened up a bit for Cantlay, who was also spotted testing a custom Scotty Cameron blade putter on Tuesday this week. By Wednesday, Cantlay was back practicing with his familiar Scotty Cameron T5 Proto mallet, but it’s certainly something to keep an eye on going forward.

Daniel Berger’s custom Jailbird site lines

Berger, who’s currently using Odyssey’s Ai-One Mini Jailbird mallet putter, has a unique 3-dot, 2-line alignment on the crown of his navy-white-navy-white mallet putter. Looking down at the putter, it’s easy to see why this alignment system would help; it just seems impossible to set up to the ball off-center, or misaligned to the target.

Also, for anyone worried, you can rest easy. Yes, he’s still playing the 2013 TaylorMade TP MC irons, which we highlighted in our recent “Modern Classics: Old vs. New” video testing series.

FitzMagic teams back up

Brothers Matthew and Alex Fitzpatrick are teaming up once again at the Zurich this year, and Bettinardi Golf hooked them up with some festive “FitzMagic” headcovers to match this week.

See what else is in Alex Fitzpatrick’s WITB here

And, with that, we say goodbye to the Zurich Classic in New Orleans. Don’t forget to check out all of our photos from this week, including 30 unique photo galleries full of equipment photos.

We’ll see you next week in Texas for the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson!

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