Kirkland Signature Golf Ball

The Kirkland Signature golf ball has caused a significant amount of controversy during its relatively short shelf life—but what is all the hype around the product actually about?

Well, for starters the Kirkland Signature is a left-field addition to the golf ball marketplace. It isn’t made by traditional manufacturers and is actually brand owned and sold by Costco—the members-only wholesaler of goods at low warehouse sales.

Secondly, it has been on and off the shelves due to impressive sales but also because of an alleged claim from Acushnet, the parent company of Titleist. They reportedly claim that 11 patents relating to the industry-leading Pro V1 and Pro V1X golf balls have been contravened in the creation of the Kirkland Signature.

It’s no surprise then, if Titleist views the Kirkland Signature golf ball as a threat to their position as the manufacturer of the ‘world’s best golf balls’, that Costco’s fledgling product has built up a cult following among golfers.

So what is it that makes the Kirkland Signature a future star among golf balls? It isn’t expensive at all, retailing in 24 packs for around the same price as 12 golf balls from other brands. Yet it stands up pretty well against the leading lights such as the Pro V1, Srixon’s Z-Star and AD333 and Callaway’s Chrome Soft X.

The Kirkland Signature is a four-piece golf ball with a urethane outer cover, making it a tour-standard ball. You should find spin levels sit pretty much in line with other brands using a similar make up, and you’ll also be surprised that the distances do not suffer either. In all reality, there’s not a significant noticeable difference between the ball and other more popular brands.

Perhaps where you might notice a difference between the Kirkland Signature and, say, the Pro V1 is on and around the greens. It can feel a little firmer than the ‘soft’ version of other brands, but at the same time, it doesn’t feel like you’re playing a ball marketed as being ‘firm’. It is all about whether it feels right for you. That is the very thing that manages to keep the Kirkland Signature golf ball available at such good value—the lack of marketing. It has created its own following with mass marketing in magazines, newspapers, websites and at golf events, and it is being sold by Costco in bulk with low costs in production which gives it a much better profit margin per ball.

Another thing you might notice is the durability. The Kirkland Signature golf ball is not as tough as others when it comes to scuffs, marks and impacts. This means that the balls will need replacing more often than other brands. But at the price you’re paying, they still represent value.

If you’re not a brand snob, or you go through balls quite quickly, then there really is no reason not to give the Kirkland Signature golf ball a try—so long as you can beat the rush for them as demand is outweighing supply. If you can get your hands on them, they are well worth trying out.