Equipment
Kirkland Signature Golf Balls are… back?!
Until they sold out of stores, Costco’s Kirkland Signature Golf Balls had the most buzz of any golf ball maybe ever, and they had GolfWRX members going CRAZY. It’s easy to see why; the 4-piece urethane golf balls were selling for only $30 per two dozen, roughly one third of the price of comparable products on the market.
It appears that a new “Kirkland Signature Performance One” golf ball has popped up on the USGA conforming list, updated on March 1.
Based on information presented by the USGA, there are two Kirkland Signature models on the list — “Performance One” and “Tour Performance” — manufactured by SM Global LLC based in Seoul, Korea. The original Kirkland Signature golf balls were stamped “Tour Performance,” but a new “Performance One” is now on the list. According to the USGA conforming list, the Performance One will have a 4-layer construction and 360 dimples just like the original Costco ball.
So, does this mean the Kirkland Signature golf balls will be back in stores? And how much will they sell for? What exactly is different about the new balls? For now, the future is uncertain, but this could be a good sign for fans of the Costco golf balls.
See what GolfWRX members are saying about Kirkland Signature Golf Balls.
- LIKE438
- LEGIT27
- WOW15
- LOL12
- IDHT8
- FLOP11
- OB4
- SHANK53
- Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 80 TX
5-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 (18 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana D+ 90 TX
Irons: Wilson Staff Utility (2), Titleist T100 (4-9)
Shafts: Mitsubishi MMT 100 TX (2), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F @51, 56-14F), SM7 (60-10S)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100 (48-56), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (60)
Putter: Scotty Cameron T-5 Proto
Grip: Scotty Cameron Black Baby T
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Plus4
More photos of Kevin Tway’s WITB in the forums.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Editor’s note: This is an excerpt from a piece our Andrew Tursky originally wrote for PGATour.com’s Equipment Report. Head over there for the full article.
The timing of Lowry’s putter changeup was curious: Was he just using a Spider putter because he was paired with McIlroy, who’s been using a Spider Tour X head throughout 2024? Was Lowry just being festive because it’s the Zurich Classic, and he wanted to match his teammate? Did McIlroy let Lowry try his putter, and he liked it so much he actually switched into it?
Well, as it turns out, McIlroy’s only influence was inspiring Lowry to make more putts.
When asked if McIlroy had an influence on the putter switch, Lowry had this to say: “No, it’s actually a different putter than what he uses. Maybe there was more pressure there because I needed to hole some more putts if we wanted to win,” he said with a laugh.
To Lowry’s point, McIlroy plays the Tour X model, whereas Lowry switched into the Tour Z model, which has a sleeker shape in comparison, and the two sole weights of the club are more towards the face.
Lowry’s Spider Tour Z has a white True Path Alignment channel on the crown of his putter, which is reminiscent of Lowry’s former 2-ball designs, thus helping to provide a comfort factor despite the departure from his norm. Instead of a double-bend hosel, which Lowry used in his 2-ball putters, his new Spider Tour Z is designed with a short slant neck.
“I’ve been struggling on the greens, and I just needed something with a fresh look,” Lowry told GolfWRX.com on Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship. “It has a different neck on it, as well, so it moves a bit differently, but it’s similar. It has a white line on the back of it [like my 2-ball], and it’s a mallet style. So it’s not too drastic of a change.
“I just picked it up on the putting green and I liked the look of it, so I was like, ‘Let’s give it a go.’”
Read the rest of the piece over at PGATour.com.
- LIKE0
- LEGIT0
- WOW0
- LOL0
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK0
Equipment
Webb Simpson equipment Q&A: Titleist’s new 2-wood, 680 blade irons, and switching to a broomstick Jailbird
With seven career wins on the PGA Tour, including a U.S. Open victory, Webb Simpson is a certified veteran on the course. But he’s also a certified veteran in the equipment world, too. He’s a gearhead who truly knows his stuff, and he’s even worked closely with Titleist on making his own custom 682.WS irons.
On Wednesday at the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship, I caught up with Simpson to hear about his experience with Titleist’s new prototype 2-wood, how Titleist’s 680 Forged irons from 2003 ended up back in his bag, and why he’s switching into an Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Cruiser broomstick putter this week for the first time.
Click here to read our full story about Simpson’s putter switch on PGATOUR.com’s Equipment Report, or continue reading below for my full Q&A with Simpson at Quail Hollow Club on Wednesday.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
GolfWRX: It seems like you’ve been a little all over the place with your irons in the past six months or so, and now going back to the 680’s. Is that just a comfort thing? What’s been going on with the irons?
Webb Simpson: Titleist has been so great at working with me, and R&D, on trying to get an iron that kind of modernizes the 680. And so the 682.WS took the T100 grooves, but kinda took the look and the bulk and the build of the 680’s into one club. They’re beautiful, and awesome looking. I just never hit them that well for a consistent period of time. It was probably me, but then I went to T100’s and loved them. I loved the spin, the trajectory, the yardage, but again, I never went on good runs. Going through the ground, I couldn’t feel the club as well as with the blade. So last week, I’m like, ‘Alright. I’m gonna go back more for…comfort, and see if I can get on a nice little run of ball striking.’
So that’s why I went back.
View this post on Instagram
OK, that makes sense. I know you had done some 2-wood testing recently. Is that in the bag right now?
It’s like day-by-day. I used it at Hilton Head every day. Valero, I used it one round. And this week, me and my caddie will do the book every morning, and if it’s a day where we think we need it, we’ll just put it in and take the 3-wood out. I love it because it’s a super simple swap. Like, it doesn’t really change much.
Yeah, can you tell me about that club? I mean, we don’t really know anything about it yet. You know? I haven’t hit it or anything, obviously.
It has grooves like a 3-wood. Spin is perfect. And it’s honestly, like, everything is in the middle of a 3-wood and driver number. Trajectory, spin, carry, all of it. So, a Hilton Head golf course is almost too easy to talk about because, you know, there, so many holes are driver 3-wood.
Valero, our thinking was we had two par-5’s into the wind, and we knew that it would take two great shots to get there in two. So instead of hitting driver-driver, we just put it in. And I used it on those holes.
Hilton was a little easier because it was off-the-tee kind of questions. But Colonial will be a golf course where, you know, there’s a lot of driver or 3-woods. It’s kind of like a backup putter or driver for me now. I’ll bring it to every tournament.
So it’s, like, in your locker right now, probably?
Well, it would be. It’s in my house [because Webb lives near by Quail Hollow Club, and is a member at the course.] It’s in the garage.
Oh, yeah, that’s right. Do you know what holes you might use it out here if it goes in play?
Potentially 15, depending on the wind. Second shot on 10. Could be 14 off the tee. The chances here are pretty low (that he’ll use the 2-wood). But, like, Greensboro would be an awesome club all day. I’m trying to think of any other golf courses.
There’s plenty that it’ll be a nice weapon to have.
It’s interesting, the wave of 2-woods and mini drivers. Like, it’s just really taken off on Tour, and all the companies have seemed to embrace it.
Yeah. The thing I had to learn, it took me, like, at least a week to learn about it is you gotta tee it up lower than you think. I kept teeing it up too high. You need it low, like barely higher than a 3-wood. And that was where I got optimal spin and carry. If you tee it up too high, you just don’t get as much spin and lose distance, I don’t know if that’s just a mini driver thing.
And you obviously have a Jailbird putter this week. What spurred that on?
Inconsistent putting. I’m stubborn in a lot of ways when it comes to my equipment, but I have to be open minded – I just hadn’t putted consistently well in a while. And I’m like, ‘Man, I feel my ball-striking coming along. Like I feel better; for real, better.’
If I can just get something in my hands that I’m consistent with. Being on Tour, you see it every year, guys get on little runs. I can put together four to five tournaments where I’m all the sudden back in the majors, or in the FedExCup Playoffs. You can turn things around quick out here. I’m like, ‘Man, whatever’s going to get me there, great.’
My caddie, David Cook, caddied for Akshay at the Houston Open and he putted beautifully. Then, I watched Akshay on TV at Valero, and he putted beautifully. And, I’m like, ‘I’m just going to try it.’
I’ve never tried it for more than a putt or two, and I just ordered what Akshay uses. It was pretty awkward at first, but the more I used it, the more I’m like, ‘Man, it’s pretty easy.’ And a buddy of mine who’s a rep out here, John Tyler Griffin, he helped me with some setup stuff. And he said at Hilton Head, he wasn’t putting well, then tried it, and now he makes everything. He was very confident. So I’m like, ‘Alright, I’ll try it.’”
And you’re going with it this week?
Hundred percent.
Alright, I love it. Thank you, I always love talking gear with you. Play well this week.
Thanks, man.
See Webb Simpson’s full WITB from the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship here
- LIKE26
- LEGIT3
- WOW1
- LOL1
- IDHT0
- FLOP0
- OB0
- SHANK2
Dave Portnoy places monstrous outright bet for the 2024 Masters
Things got heated at the Houston Open between Tony Finau and Alejandro Tosti. Here’s why
Justin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
Tiger Woods arrives at 2024 Masters equipped with a putter that may surprise you
‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
Report: Tiger Woods has ‘eliminated sex’ in preparation for the 2024 Masters
Two star names reportedly blanked Jon Rahm all week at the Masters
Report: LIV Golf identifies latest star name they hope to sign to breakaway tour
Neal Shipley presser ends in awkward fashion after reporter claims Tiger handed him note on 8th fairway
What we know about Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D-printed Avoda irons
Kevin Tway WITB 2024 (May)
Kevin Tway what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
Matthieu Pavon WITB 2024 (May)
Pavon’s WITB accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Ping G430 Max (9...
WITB Time Machine: Rory McIlroy’s winning WITB, 2015 Wells Fargo Championship
Then-No. 1 player in the world Rory McIlroy began the week at the Wells Fargo Championship at 3-1 odds, if...
Akshay Bhatia WITB 2024 (May)
Akshay Bhatia what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wells Fargo Championship. Bhatia is deciding between drivers. More photos...
-
19th Hole3 weeks agoJustin Thomas on the equipment choice of Scottie Scheffler that he thinks is ‘weird’
-
19th Hole3 weeks ago‘Absolutely crazy’ – Major champ lays into Patrick Cantlay over his decision on final hole of RBC Heritage
-
19th Hole2 weeks agoLET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
-
19th Hole3 days agoReport: LIV star turns down PGA Championship invite due to ‘personal commitments’
-
19th Hole1 week agoGary Player claims this is what ‘completely ruined’ Tiger Woods’ career
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks agoTeam McIlowry (Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry) winning WITBs: 2024 Zurich Classic
-
Equipment1 week agoGolf fans left surprised by LIV’s choice of course for its 2024 individual championship event
-
19th Hole1 week ago
LIV star splits with swing coach after working together for 14 years
rory
Jul 12, 2017 at 1:01 pm
COSTCO always raises they’re prices over time as product becomes more popular….but we all just keep buying so I would bet a million$$$$ prices will be higher and if not right away they will soon be $20/doz not $15/doz
Gorden
Mar 29, 2017 at 8:12 pm
The company that made balls for Taylormade in South Korea may have been replaced by a company in Taiwan…could not find any thing on the web about this..if so that South Korea company is free to make as many balls as Costco can sell?????
Frank
Mar 10, 2017 at 6:19 pm
I’m wearing pants and a collared shirt. What’s your point? Have fun with your Top Flite XLs!
Bert
Mar 6, 2017 at 8:41 am
I’m confused, the new replacement ball has been tested by the USGA and is on the Conforming List but is exactly the same as the one they previously sold. Was that ball on the Conforming List and if yes, why would an exact ball need to be tested? Oh it’s just a name change, then if that’s correct why aren’t they on the shelves? Sorry I’m always a skeptic.
Tony Rich
Mar 4, 2017 at 10:07 am
My 09 Vokey will outperform any of your new wedges.
I will take any $10 wedge from the used bag with square grooves and skin circles around your ball…smizzlle.
Brian
Mar 4, 2017 at 1:30 pm
It’s your story, tell it how you want
Fat Perez
Mar 4, 2017 at 5:35 am
More like the clown prince.
Rocco
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:52 pm
Hey- you talking bout my RocketBallz?
Still better than anything out there!
Frank
Mar 10, 2017 at 6:17 pm
Ping I-15 outperform anything else I put in my hands.
Fat Perez
Mar 3, 2017 at 6:44 pm
Kirkland Signature………For the guy rocking the red “Make America Great Again” hat.
Limmet
Mar 4, 2017 at 12:44 am
So, for the victorious guy then…
Joey
Mar 4, 2017 at 8:12 am
@fatperez this is a golf forum. No need to shove your political views onto people. ??????
chip
Mar 3, 2017 at 2:11 pm
They forgot to mention the 3rd ball
zing! I know, I know…
TR1PTIK
Mar 3, 2017 at 11:54 am
My club fitter gave me a Ksig to try. I haven’t even messed with it. I’ll eventually check it out when the season is in full swing, but I don’t get all the hype. I’ll still order 5 dozen Vice Pros or Pro +s at the beginning of every season. Not enough incentive for me to bother with Costco or the possible variability of the Ksig. Think about it. If they are in fact overruns of another product and they don’t have their own engineers and such to ensure quality and consistency – who’s to say the ball you played last month will be the same as the ball you play next month?
KillerPenguin
Mar 3, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Because it’s a urethane ball that costs $1.25 a piece. I’m a budget golfer with a bazillion handicap who plays 12 year old irons acquired second hand and am a Costco member so I’m exactly the person who will line up to buy this. At that price, and at my level of skill, I’m willing to roll the dice on consistency between balls. My consistency in squaring the club face at impact is a much bigger issue than the quality of the ball I hit.
TR1PTIK
Mar 3, 2017 at 2:07 pm
So at your skill level and consistency, why do you feel the need to hit a urethane ball? Why not just buy the Wilson Fly for $5/15?
Just playing the devil’s advocate here. No offense. I just think the type of players that truly need that level of playability should also be thinking in terms of consistency and quality. With plenty of other players in the market and so many unknowns (currently) about the development of Ksisgs, why all the fanfare? I absolutely agree that the Titleist premium needs to die and other OEMs seem to recognize that (new Z-Stars @ $39.99/dz and similar pricing from Callaway).
ABLE
Mar 4, 2017 at 9:03 am
I’m with TR1PTIK on this one. If you’re a high handicapper (I can relate, I shoot over 100) then a four-layer urethane ball is a novelty and you really could be playing with used balls. If hitting consistently is your biggest problem, the quality differences between a Noodle, Velocity, Chrome, RocketBallz, Pro V1 and a used ball will be indecipherable. The only difference I can tell between a Velocity and a Noodle or Nike is that my wallet gets lighter when I hit a Titleist into the bush.
Hifade
Mar 3, 2017 at 11:39 am
I’ll bet these new balls are completely different, but Costco is trying to capitalize on the original demand. The first run were balls manufactured with Taylormade cores that TM had left over and unloaded to Costco (like selling scraps). When they were gone…..they were gone. I highly doubt this new version is constructed with the same components.
Tom
Mar 3, 2017 at 3:28 pm
were in the heck did that info come from
OingoBoingo
Mar 3, 2017 at 4:08 pm
I’m thinking the same place as unicorns and faeries as it’s pure fiction and speculation.
Dr Troy
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:38 pm
Hifade is right. That info was relayed on the golf channel during a special clip on the craze for the Ksig…Its not fiction or speculation.
Dr Troy
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:43 pm
Hifade is right. That info was relayed on the golf channel during a special clip on the craze for the Ksig…Its not fiction or speculation.
DC1
Mar 3, 2017 at 10:50 am
Maybe there will be a softer version, and a firmer version…like prov1 and x?
ABLE
Mar 4, 2017 at 8:58 am
Probably not. Costco has a tendency to market a single product that goes after the market leader, rather than having four versions. Kirkland isn’t known for its variety within the brand.
Josh
Mar 3, 2017 at 10:30 am
Most urethane covered balls are made by big OEM’s in America by American workers. These balls are made in Korea. If you buy these balls, but complain about jobs being lost overseas, you are a HYPOCRITE.
setter02
Mar 3, 2017 at 7:55 pm
Super happy that you play clubs that were 100% manufactured in N/A, wear shoes that were made here, use gloves that were also made here, clothing, sunglasses, electronic devices, etc… I mean, I wouldn’t want to call you a hypoc…
Donald Quiote
Mar 3, 2017 at 10:28 am
I cant wait till these are on sale in the BST for $70 a dozen.
Garry Pierce
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:43 am
I doubt the price will change much. Think like a retailer. They have these products called advertisement loss leaders. Laymen’s term. Gets people in the door, to spend more money. Costco found out people were buying more than a couple dozen balls. Costco is one of the best at getting people to spend money.
MT
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:16 am
People are talking about which overruns these will be not understanding where golf balls are made, how golf balls are made, and the background of the golf balls history.. This isn’t history class so I won’t get into all that business, but for those that think there is that big of a difference in a golf ball…… Welcome to never never land
Joey5Picks
Mar 3, 2017 at 12:46 pm
Excellent point.
Peter Pan
Mar 3, 2017 at 1:05 pm
Big difference. Titleist doesn’t spend millions on R&D for nothing. They make better golf balls. Choppers may not know the difference but tour professionals do. It all depends whats most important. A somewhat better ball or saving $$$.
Brian
Mar 3, 2017 at 1:23 pm
Lol…titleist doesn’t spend millions on ball R&D, they spend millions putting those balls in the hands of pros to fleece ship like you out of $50 for a dozen.
Frank Cruz
Mar 3, 2017 at 1:12 pm
Fully agree!
Golfguy
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:16 am
Might not be the same ball as before. Depends on whether they could get their hands on the same components. I thought they were out of the Taylormade cores.
chris b
Mar 3, 2017 at 8:51 am
Let the hype begin! Wonder which overrun this will be?
Dat
Mar 3, 2017 at 8:43 am
If they produce these for a full season, Titleist will go out of business.
The dude
Mar 3, 2017 at 12:23 pm
….yup that’ll happen…lol
Brian Connellan
Mar 3, 2017 at 8:37 am
My guess is that Taylor Made felt “Tour Performance” was too close to “Tour Preferred” so they had to relabel it. Hopefully the ball itself is the same
DING DING DING!
Mar 3, 2017 at 1:02 pm
I think you nailed it.
Ronny
Mar 3, 2017 at 8:29 pm
The fact we are seeing the words Kirkland and Tour on the golf ball seems like a stretch. Next up-Kirkland Tour irons.
All so wrong on so many levels.
LaBraeGolfer
Mar 3, 2017 at 8:26 am
I have a feeling they are going to sell the comparable ball for a lot more and then the ball that is the same price as the old one will be a two piece distance ball. I hope I am wrong, I would like to try them if I stop in while they have them.
baba black sheep
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:01 am
I’ll bet you’re right. Rather than just jacking the price up to where it should be on the Tour Performance ball they probably just had the manufacturer stamp Performance One on it so they can sell it for more by calling it a newer and better ball.
Scott
Mar 3, 2017 at 9:18 am
Maybe you did not see the chart at the bottom. Both balls appear to be 4 Piece. I am not sure what the “SC” means for the Tour Performance ball. Soft Compression maybe?
Lopey
Mar 3, 2017 at 10:24 am
SC means Solid Core.
They aren’t going to jack up the price. They’ll make them membership only and use it to sell memberships. They do this with a lot of products. Sell them at cost and make no profit but use them as leaders to sell memberships.
Jim
Mar 3, 2017 at 11:45 pm
…So far, they seem to be pretty smart with their other offerings. They aren’t losing money on these, and they made the entry at a time when the “regular” golf market was generally depressed….Dick’s eliminating the PGA pros & shrinking the sqft in golf, Nike quit…I doubt they’re looking to jump in much beyond this and risk mission creep….just like when NIKE SWORE TO US – absolutely swore they’d “never end up like Top Flite”. “We’re just going to have these two premium balls (DD & TW) one mid-price and one soft”… keep it simple and they’ll do fine.