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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- Kris Kim what’s in the bag accurate as of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. More photos from the event here.
Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 (9 degrees @7)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 60 TX
3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 Tour (15 degrees @13.5)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Diamana WB 73 TX
Irons: TaylorMade P770 (2, 4), TaylorMade P7MB (5-PW)
Shafts: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX (2), Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 Tour 120 X
Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 (50-09SB, 56-12SB, 60-11TW)
Shafts: Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 WV 125
Putter: TaylorMade Spider Tour
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Check out more in-hand photos of Kris Kim’s equipment here.
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TaylorMade is continuing its UDI/DHY series with the successor to the Stealth UDI and DHY utility irons: PUDI and PDHY (which the company styles as P·UDI and P·DHY). TaylorMade is folding the designs in with its P Series of irons.
TaylorMade outlined the process of developing its new utilities this way. The company started with the data on utility iron usage. Not surprisingly, better players — i.e. those who generate more clubhead speed and strike the ball more precisely — were found to gravitate toward the UDI model. DHY usage, however, covered a wider swath than the company might have expected with six-to-18 handicappers found to be bagging the club.
TaylorMade also found that the majority of golfers playing UDI or DHY utilities were playing P Series irons at the top of their iron configurations.
Can you see where this is going?
Matt Bovee, Director of Product Creation, Iron and Wedge at TaylorMade: “As we look to the future, beyond the tech and the design language, we are excited about repositioning our utility irons into the P·Series family. P·UDI is an easy pair for players that currently play P·Series product and P·DHY is an extremely forgiving option for players of all skill levels. It is a natural fit to give these players the performance in this category that they are looking for.”
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TaylorMade PUDI
TaylorMade PUDI technology cutaway (via TaylorMade)
Crafted with tour player input, TaylorMade sought to develop a confidence-inspiring utility iron that blends with the rest of the P Series irons. Also of note: Interestingly, the PUDI has a more compact head than the P790.
In comparison to past UDI products, the PUDI has a more traditional iron shape, slimmer toplines, and less offset with a little of the backbar visible at address.
TaylorMade PDHY
TaylorMade PDHY tech cutaway (via TaylorMade).
Larger in profile than the PUDI, the PDHY seeks to position center of gravity (CG) lower in the club for ease of launch. The toe height is larger and the profile is larger at address — roughly five millimeters longer than PUDI — the sole of the club is wider for improved forgiveness.
Club Junkie’s take
Golfers who feel like they are missing something at the top of the bag could find the PUDI or PDHY a great option. The look of the PUDI should fit the most discerning eye with a more compact look, less offset, and a thinner topline. If you want a little more confidence looking down the P-DHY will be slightly larger while still being a good-looking utility iron.
For being small packages both models pack a pretty good punch with fast ball speeds, even off-center. The feel is soft and you get a solid feel of the ball compressing off the face when you strike it well. Your ears are greeted with a nice heavy thud as the ball and club come together. The PDHY will launch a little higher for players who need it while the PUDI offers a more penetrating ball flight. Both utility irons could be the cure for an open spot in the top end of the bag.
PUDI, PDHY, or Rescue?
TaylorMade offers the following notes to assist golfers in filling out their bags:
- PUDI has mid-CG right behind the center face to create a more penetrating mid-to-low ball flight
- PDHY has a lower center of gravity to produce an easier-to-launch mid-to-high ball flight.
- Both PUDI and PDHY are lower-flying than the company’s hybrid/Rescue clubs.
- PUDI is more forgiving than P790.
- PDHY is the most forgiving iron in the entire TaylorMade iron family
Pricing, specs, and availability
Price: $249.99
At retail: Now
Stock shafts: UST Mamiya’s Recoil DART (105 X, 90 S and 75 R – only in PDHY)
Stock grip: Golf Pride’s ZGrip (black/grey)
PUDI lofts: 2-17°, 3-20°, 4-22° in both left and right-handed
PDHY lofts: 2-18°, 3-20° and 4-22° in both left and right-handed
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Equipment
Coolest thing for sale in the GolfWRX Classifieds (5/3/24): Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
At GolfWRX, we are a community of like-minded individuals that all experience and express our enjoyment of the game in many ways.
It’s that sense of community that drives day-to-day interactions in the forums on topics that range from best driver to what marker you use to mark your ball. It even allows us to share another thing we all love – buying and selling equipment.
Currently, in our GolfWRX buy/sell/trade (BST) forum, there is a listing for a Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
From the seller: (@wwcl): “Has been gamed as pics show. 33.5 includes original h/c and grip. $575 includes shipping and PP fees.”
To check out the full listing in our BST forum, head through the link: Scotty Cameron Champions Choice 2.5+ putter
This is the most impressive current listing from the GolfWRX BST, and if you are curious about the rules to participate in the BST Forum you can check them out here: GolfWRX BST Rules
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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.