Equipment
Costco apologizes to shoppers who couldn’t purchase Kirkland Signature golf balls
Costco’s Kirkland Signature golf ball is arguably the hottest new product in the golf world, and so far the company has been unable to meet demand — so much so that Costco issued an apology to its members who unsuccessfully tried to purchase Kirkland Signature golf balls yesterday.
After being sold out for weeks, the golf balls were restocked on Costco’s website on Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. EST, but were sold out again within 30 minutes. Widespread slow site speeds and errors were reported on Costco’s website by shoppers trying to purchase the golf balls, including me.
I’ve spent 30 minutes of my life trying to buy golf balls online from Costco. Put that on the list of things I’d never thought I’d say.
— Zak Kozuchowski (@ZakKoz) December 20, 2016
Like other products by Costco’s in-house brand, Kirkland, the company claims the new golf balls deliver performance on par or better than leading products at a reduced cost to its members. And according to slews of GolfWRXers, the claim is valid.
The Kirkland Signature golf balls have spawned a 111-page thread in our forum that has racked up more than 312,000 views in four months. We first highlighted the craze on our Front Page in October — “Golfers are going CRAZY over Costco’s Kirkland Signature golf balls” — and the article has been viewed more than 181,000 times.
Like the golf balls played on the PGA Tour, the Kirkland Signature uses a multi-layer, construction and a urethane cover, but Costco sells the balls for a drastically cheaper price: $29.99 for 24 golf balls. That breaks down to an average cost of $1.25 per ball. Market leaders Bridgestone, Callaway, Srixon, Titleist and TaylorMade sell golf balls with similar designs for between $3.16 and $3.99 per ball in the U.S.
The Kirkland Signature golf balls use a four-layer construction and are produced by golf ball manufacturer Nassau Golf Co. Ltd in South Korea, which also makes its own line of golf balls.
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- Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7 X
6-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8 X
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade Tour Preferred MC 2011 (4-PW)
Shafts: Project X Denali Blue 105 TX (3), Project X 6.5 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50-12F), Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (56-14F), Callaway Jaws Raw (60-08C)
Shafts: Project X 6.5 (50), True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 (56, 60)
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Jailbird Mini DB
Grip: SuperStroke Zenergy PistolLock 1.0
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Check out more in-hand photos of Daniel Berger’s clubs in the forums.
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What are the driver and shaft combinations of the best golfers in the world? For gearheads, it’s an endlessly interesting question — even if we can only ever aspire to play LS heads and 7 TX shafts.
At this week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans, GolfWRX got in-hand looks at the driver setups of a wealth of players.
Check out some of the most interesting combos below, then head to the GolfWRX forums for the rest, as well as the rest of our galleries from New Orleans.
Rory McIlroy
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @8.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alex Fitzpatrick
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Daniel Berger
Driver: Ping G430 LST (10.5 degrees @9)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Wrap
Rasmus Hojgaard
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
Grip: Golf Pride MCC
Alejandro Tosti
Driver: Srixon ZX5 Mk II LS (9.5 degrees @10.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS T1100 75 6.5
Grip: Golf Pride MCC Plus4
James Nicholas
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (8 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Kevin Streelman
Driver: Titleist TSR3 (10 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Black 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Sang-moon Bae
Driver: Callaway Paradym Triple Diamond (9+ @8)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue 6 X
Grip: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Russ Cochran
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke (9 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD TP 6 X
Grip: Golf pride MCC Align 
MJ Daffue
Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Max (10.5 degrees @9.5)
Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green RDX 65 TX
Grip: Golf Pride ZGrip Cord Align
Check our more photos from the Zurich Classic here.
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- Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic.
Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond Prototype (16.5 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Utility: Callaway Apex UW (21 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei AV Raw White 85 TX
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (3), Callaway X Forged (4-PW)
Shafts: KBS $-Taper 130
Wedges: Callaway Jaws Raw (52-10S, 56-10S, 60-06C)
Shafts: KBS Tour 130 X
Putter: Odyssey Ai One Milled Eight T DB
Grips: Golf Pride MCC
Check out more in-hand photos of Hojgaard in the forums.
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Daniel Berger what’s in the bag accurate as of the Farmers Insurance Open. More photos from the event here. Driver:...
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Rasmus Højgaard what’s in the bag accurate as of the Zurich Classic. Driver: Callaway Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (10.5 degrees)...
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Cray Cray
Jan 12, 2017 at 9:00 pm
As of today 1/12/17 – Kirkland Signature golf balls are no longer even on the Costco site. Not out of stock…Off the site completely.
Moe Mow
Jan 13, 2017 at 8:57 am
I saw that the other day. Ive been checking their site regularly to see when they would be back in stock… When I checked a couple days ago the Kirkland balls were no where on the site.
I was trying to figure out the reason???….
maybe they are not selling anymore?
maybe they will bring them back at a higher price?
maybe they took them off completely because they were getting too many inquries about them?
what ever the reason I hope its not to raise the price… that would put me off
Alfredo Smith
Jan 18, 2017 at 3:21 pm
I have read that it was basically a ‘one time buy’ and that a 3rd party, not the OEM made the sale, which will never happen again because the original manufacturer knows what transpired and will not undercut itself. Important fact is that the ball was an over-run of a euro tour ball!
TBE
Jan 8, 2017 at 6:09 pm
Best ball ever made, better than most Tour Ball in the market today. Dont care how much the price 15 or 60 a dozen these balls is in the bag and replace my current gamer v1x.
The ball performance comparable to 2009 TM RED LDP, and longer that the original Topflite gamer V2 the green box which i gamed before.
Atlantagolf
Dec 23, 2016 at 11:30 am
I got to try them out when they first came out and loved them. I spread the word within my circle of friends – What a stupid I am! – Now I can’t get any more of them.
I wish Costco had a way to find those members that are price gouging them on eBay and ban their Costco memberships for life!
James
Dec 23, 2016 at 9:44 pm
Yes, if you play these at $15 a dozen their is no way you will ever pay more the $15 a dozen for any brand golf ball….(yellow and pink ball users excluded).(High Level ball users may not go for them) How could you pay $15 or more for any WILSON< TOPFlITE<Pinnacle<Bridgestone etc again.
Dennis Jones
Dec 22, 2016 at 9:26 pm
A few hours later they were for sale again but only for about 30 minutes. I was able to get 2 dozen.
golfstarclient
Dec 22, 2016 at 7:10 pm
I don’t see Costco being able to meet the demand anytime soon. I’ll check their website again in a few years. in the meantime Steinmart has refurbished prov’s for $14.95.
TheFootballGolfer
Dec 22, 2016 at 6:02 pm
I understand the hype. I was able to buy some last time and by far a great ball. Only downside is durability of ball. Seems to scuff easier than most tours balls. But at the price who cares.
This will be my ball for a while.
Charlie
Dec 22, 2016 at 10:26 am
Generalize much?
david
Dec 22, 2016 at 9:27 am
I’m happy you guys and gals all are so supportive of the golf industry, that’s what makes our economy better. Me though, I’m just a cheap sob, at the age of 61 and 80 plus rounds per year I’ve never purchased a golf ball in my life. I find about 20 balls per round but only keep the Pro V’s, Taylor mades and Srixons. Finding golf balls is a great distraction while waiting for others to play. I give balls away or hit them out at the range I’ve got so many. I never did figure out why people actually buy them!
ooffa
Dec 22, 2016 at 12:42 pm
you must be a joy to play with or to play behind.
arnold palmer
Dec 24, 2016 at 8:26 am
I was just thinking the exact same thing.
Titty681
Dec 22, 2016 at 3:29 pm
I am the same with clubs. I never buy new clubs. That’s why I have a bunch of wedges and short irons I find near the green, in by bag. I even found a driver one time. Maybe one day I will find a putter but until then I will keep blade-ing my wedges until I get the ball in the hole.
2ndShot
Dec 26, 2016 at 10:07 pm
So, you are the guy that kept my favorite wedge !! There should be a rule that demands that all lost clubs be returned to the clubhouse and kept there for at least 2 weeks before being given to the finder.
Mad-Mex
Dec 22, 2016 at 5:05 am
Those bashing these balls and defending Pro-V 1’s are the same elitist golfers who we all see at the tips, playing the most expensive clubs then drible the balls 10 yards short of the Ladies tee’s,,,,
Just like I tell those who bash Cameron fans (and I am far from being one) no one tells YOU how to spend your hard earned cash, don’t tell others how to spend theirs.
Tim
Dec 23, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Agree, if spending for the best is what makes your golf fun for you, do it…..if your going to play from tips and do not belong there then go straight to ball and keep the game moving..no one on a daily round needs to follow the BS idea of waiting your turn to play…here is a sign that should be around every tee box and every green “NO ONE NEEDS TO WAIT AND WATCH THEIR BODY PLAY BEFORE BEING READY TO PLAY THEIR SHOT” WAITING YOUR TURN TO PLAY ONLY BELONGS IN HIGHER LEVEL TOURNAMENT PLAY, AND MAYBE, BUT NOT IN STONE, ROUNDS OF GOLF ON PRIVATE COURSES.
Forsbrand
Dec 22, 2016 at 4:56 am
Is it because these golf balls are very long and controllable or the fact that I you play with a fifty yard slice or hook they’re so cheap that if you lose them it doesn’t matter?!
mp37
Dec 22, 2016 at 3:46 am
I dont know where you guys play but the courses I can afford do not have those US Open greens. I don’t need tour balls that check up too much too early and last only a round.
BJB
Dec 22, 2016 at 2:47 am
snuck on the site and ordered 4 dozen this afternoon…we’ll see if they actually show up, no idea how they randomly went back on sale the next day after selling out
moses
Dec 22, 2016 at 2:01 am
This shortage got them a bunch of free marketing and will be a staple for golfers for years to come.
TR1PTIK
Dec 21, 2016 at 9:04 pm
This is the dumbest fad ever… Most golfers have little to no real need for a tour level ball and could just as well play any ball available without affecting their crappy score. If you just wanted to save money you could have picked up 72 Maxfli’s from GolfGalaxy during their Black Friday sale for $30. Pretty sure Wilson Fly’s are almost always like $5 for 15 at Wally World as well.
Charlie
Dec 22, 2016 at 10:25 am
You’re new here, aren’t you?
2ndShot
Dec 26, 2016 at 10:19 pm
I don’t run into too many guys still using wooden clubs and featheries !!
Brian K
Dec 21, 2016 at 8:09 pm
Nassau in Korea is the main factory for most of Taylormade balls.
James
Dec 23, 2016 at 9:48 pm
Check that pro level balls for taylormade are made in South Carolina. Korea is home to second level balls such as all the two piece models…..
Teaj
Dec 21, 2016 at 6:37 pm
There are some things that you cannot account for, one of which would be beefing up your bandwidth to support a higher than normal usage. On top of that why would you spend the extra bucks to do so for a single product release that will most likely not happen again for a while. The only way to get around this is to release it in stores and let the members have dibs… just saying.
have a good one
Taylor
Dec 21, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Remember the Lady ball?
ooffa
Dec 21, 2016 at 5:15 pm
titliest should apologize for over charging all these years!
greg
Dec 21, 2016 at 3:08 pm
What is reeeeeally crazy is the asking price on some of the Ebay listings.
Brian
Dec 21, 2016 at 8:26 pm
And why the heck would you spend Pro V1 or B330 prices for these balls? The whole reason for their hype is because they’are as good as those ball for cheap. If you’re going to pay brand name prices for the K-Sigs, you’re defeating the purpose.
Big Mike
Dec 21, 2016 at 2:19 pm
Logged in well before 8PST /11 EST and could not buy them. Come on Costco get the production lines running.
Mark
Dec 21, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Zak, you are capable of better writing than this – “Like other products made by Costco’s in-house brand, Kirkland..” and “are produced by golf ball manufacturer Nassau Golf Co. Ltd in South Korea”. Only one company makes/produces these balls.
Zak Kozuchowski
Dec 21, 2016 at 2:22 pm
Mark,
My mistake. I did not intend to imply that the balls are manufactured by Kirkland, and have edited the story to eliminate the confusion.
Chuck
Dec 21, 2016 at 1:16 pm
It would seem that even Costco knows that this is the sort of advertising that money can’t buy. I love the apology. It generates a whole new round of advertis- er, stories in the golfing press and sports pages.
I wonder how many new memberships they get out of this.
If they really are Nikes, I hope they are RZN Blacks. (My favorite discounted/discontinued ball from last year.
Speaking of what balls really are, is there any good comparo photography of Kirklands, Pro-V’s and other urethane balls sawed in half?
Launch monitor
Dec 21, 2016 at 3:23 pm
who cares whats on the inside, look at the performance specs on this site head to head with Titleist instead….they actually exceed the prov1 and are equally as durable if not better.
ahw74
Dec 21, 2016 at 1:01 pm
It wouldn’t surprise me if these were nike balls rebranded.
Jalan
Dec 21, 2016 at 3:41 pm
Nike’s better balls were made by Bridgestone. Kirkland made by Nassau Golf Co. Ltd.
I bet you know who the guys on the grassy knoll were, too.
Jalan
Dec 21, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Big on conspiracy theories, too? Higher end Nike balls are made by Bridgestone. Ksigs are made by Nassau Golf Co Ltd in Korea.
I’m guessing you know who the guys on the grassy knoll were, too.
Golfguru
Dec 30, 2016 at 10:18 am
They’re not.
JE
Dec 21, 2016 at 1:00 pm
Folks are buying them and reselling for profit: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kirkland-Signature-Golf-Balls-1-dozen-SHIPS-NEXT-DAY-/272492999376?hash=item3f71d932d0:g:GPoAAOSwMVdYIsJZ
Steve
Dec 21, 2016 at 12:55 pm
I got online as soon as the “out of stock” went away and took maybe 5 minutes per key stroke, which seemed forever, but I did manage to get 2 boxes. I hope they live up to the hype. Not a big fan of the eBay sellers but I guess it is always a case of supply and demand. I am glad they limited the purchase to 2 boxes.
Canadian Boy
Dec 21, 2016 at 12:28 pm
Who quotes themselves when writing an article to show an example of an issue ? Lol . Too lazy to spend an extra 30s using the search feature on Twitter
DJ
Dec 21, 2016 at 12:19 pm
sell them in the store. golf balls for $29.99 plus tax is nice, but throw in a hot dog and soda for $1.62 and that’s a deal
Jim
Dec 21, 2016 at 10:56 am
Skip them and buy Snell MTB balls instead. Not that much more and they get delivered in a couple of days too. Great quality and a lot less costly than the ProV1’s out there. Same idea as the Costco ball, just done better in my opinion.
Joe
Dec 21, 2016 at 12:00 pm
Huh? Snell is 31.99 a dozen. How is that “not much more”? math seems to indicate that you could get 6 dozen($75) for about the same as 2.5 dozen Snell($78).
Jim
Dec 21, 2016 at 2:54 pm
OK, so it’s a little exaggeration on my part. My point is there are other options that cost a lot less than Prov1s is all.
Tim
Dec 21, 2016 at 3:17 pm
Ok if you want a good ball for $20 a dozen try the C-4 at MG GOLF…
Math Man
Dec 21, 2016 at 8:29 pm
6 dozen at $29.95 (2 dz pack) would be $89.85…. not $75.
Brian
Dec 21, 2016 at 8:30 pm
For just a couple of bucks more than Snell, I can walk into my local super store and get B330’s for 3 or 4 bucks more and don’t have to wait for shipping.
Steve S
Dec 21, 2016 at 10:32 am
Glad I got my 2 dozen back in Nov. I wonder what this is going to do to Titleist and callaway ball sales? Lots of folks getting Kirkland under the tree this year?
BradT
Dec 21, 2016 at 10:10 am
I grabbed 5 boxes back when they allowed that many. Havent been able to play them a ton yet but what I have im really impressed. 60 sum bucks for a dozen pro v1’s is ridiculous. Hank haney leading off his show talking about them and mygolfspy report as I type this. Of course hes bashing them.
IHateGolfIsAwesome
Dec 21, 2016 at 11:32 am
Screw that shill, Haney. He sells swing snake oil for his betterment, not yours. Sold out his student for a few bucks. I don’t believe very much that comes out of his mouth.
R0B
Dec 27, 2016 at 7:45 pm
+1…
Haney is lame.
Swingblade
Jan 7, 2017 at 3:06 pm
Haney is far beyond lame. He’ll say anything if he can make a buck.
Lester Diamond
Dec 21, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Hank Haney is a hack.
AA
Dec 21, 2016 at 1:52 pm
Hank Haney is God.
Tim fish
Dec 21, 2016 at 10:03 am
I hit the ball . Found it to be very high spin of the driver and 20 yds. Shorter than pro v 1 x
AA
Dec 21, 2016 at 1:53 pm
That’s the truth.
Joey5Picks
Dec 21, 2016 at 3:54 pm
20 yards shorter? I don’t think that’s possible as Titleist themselves say the difference between all their balls is 3 yards max.
Tim
Dec 23, 2016 at 9:38 pm
your not counting the fact anyone can hit a ball shorter if it is in his head the ball is going to go shorter. as far as Titleist is concerned that 3 yards max is only when hit by a consistent swing PRO. Lot of guys/gals used to playing a PROV 1 level ball will hit say a Titleist Velocity to far every time.
Dennis Jones
Dec 21, 2016 at 8:30 am
I got 2 dozen in the cart and 2 hours later, I got a notice that they couldn’t process my order because they were sold out. I don’t think they expected the heavy rush on their website.
cgasucks
Dec 21, 2016 at 10:01 am
That’s not right…once the items are in your cart they’re reserved for you and nothing would take tat away from you.
Michael Moran
Dec 21, 2016 at 10:07 am
Not true. Because at checkout some people bump quantities and with simultaneous uploads on a crowded server, it’s not only possible, but likely.
Scott
Dec 21, 2016 at 11:45 am
Hold on for something in your cart for 2 hours? How about 2 days? Or 2 weeks? Although I agree that someone should be able to complete their purchase in a reasonable amount of time before losing the item, that would not be a very good business model to hold something forever.
Jalan
Dec 21, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Not so.