Buy the Vintage MacGregor Response ZT 615 Putter Online – Own a Piece of 1986 Masters History

For golf purists and collectors alike, some clubs transcend the sport to become absolute legends. The MacGregor Response ZT 615 Putter is arguably the most famous flatstick of the late 20th century. This is the exact, oversized aluminum mallet that a 46-year-old Jack Nicklaus held high in the air while wearing his iconic bright yellow shirt, sinking the legendary birdie putt on the 17th green to secure his historic 1986 Masters victory.

Whether you want to add a blue-chip collectible to your display vault or buy a vintage high-MOI weapon to cure your modern putting woes, this legendary club is built to deliver.

🛒 Shop Vintage MacGregor Response ZT Putters on eBay (DA: 93)

 The “Joke” Putter That Saved the 1986 Masters

When MacGregor’s chief designer, Clay Long, first showed the oversized aluminum prototype to Jack Nicklaus in 1985, the Golden Bear looked at the massive, blocky head and famously asked, “Is this a joke?”

However, after rolling a few balls on his office turf, Nicklaus realized the radical shape solved a fundamental golf problem: alignment and twisting.

Unmatched High-MOI Forgiveness

Long before “high-MOI” (Moment of Inertia) became an industry buzzword, the MacGregor Response ZT 615 pioneered the concept. By utilizing a lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum head stretching a massive 6 inches from heel to toe, the design pushed substantial weight to the outer perimeters. This revolutionary weight distribution meant that off-center strikes resisted twisting, keeping the face square to the target line.

 The Secret to Perfect Ball Roll

Despite its massive size, the aluminum body kept the overall head weight remarkably light. Nicklaus noted that once he adjusted to the lightweight swing feel, he could make the ball roll over much quicker and smoother than with his classic, heavy brass blades.

 Technical Specifications of the Original ZT 615

Why the Response ZT 615 Belongs in Your Collection Today

Following Jack’s jaw-dropping Sunday 65 at Augusta National, MacGregor—which had only planned to manufacture 6,000 units for the entire year—was deluged with over 5,000 orders the very next morning. They went on to sell more than 300,000 putters in 1986 alone.

A True Collector’s Masterpiece

Finding an original, well-preserved MacGregor Response ZT 615 with its patent-pending markings intact is highly sought after by golf historians. To read the incredible backstory behind the design and how the original club went missing for decades, check out the deep-dive history over on MyGolfSpy (DA: 61) or explore the legendary 1986 tournament archives at the Official Masters Tournament Portal (DA: 77).