Equipment

GolfWRX Exclusive: Costco Kirkland Signature wedge set coming soon (plus new balls for 2021)

Published

6 years ago

Aug 31, 2020

For gear heads, there is always a small amount of cynicism when a new company enters the golf equipment game. These companies are typically small startups selling big promises—but in the case of Costco and its new Kirkland Signature three-piece wedge set, we have one of the biggest forces in retail disrupting the golf equipment space and offering golfers performance and value as they have never experienced before.

The Costco Kirkland Signature 3-piece wedge set

Just over a month ago, we were the first to report on the Kirkland Signature wedges on the USGA and R&A conforming clubs list. Since then, there has been a lot of speculation on how and when they would be released.

Once again, GolfWRX was granted an exclusive interview with Tim Farmer, Costco vice president and general merchandise manager, to discuss the new three-piece wedge set along with a number of other new products being introduced in the coming months and into 2021—but before we get into the details of the new wedges and more, its time for a refresher.

History of the Kirkland Signature brand, from Costco

“By taking the lead in sourcing and formulating new products, co-branding with premium national and international brands, and partnering with top manufacturers around the world, we’ve created an exclusive range of (Kirkland Signature) products that reflect our members’ tastes and exceed their expectations.”

Costco’s approach is to capitalize within a market where they believe an opportunity exists to be a price disruptor to other products currently available, and they are taking dead aim at golf.

The original golf breakthrough came with the introduction of the Kirkland Signature Tour Performance four-piece ball in late 2016. The story goes, Costco was approached by a manufacturer with its own IP on a golf ball design and the opportunity to produce a ball under the Kirkland brand. Independent testing conducted by a third party and Costco’s own internal testing proved the four-piece ball offered exceptional performance. The ball was then approved and shortly after arrived in warehouses.

“That’s when things went a little crazy,” says Farmer.

The $1.25 Golf Ball That Flew Off Costco's Shelves Is Only Growing ...

The price of $29.99 for two dozen four-piece urethane balls seemed too good to be true, but in the age of social media and launch monitors, golfers were buzzing, and the balls sold out almost immediately company-wide. Demand and buzz even created a secondary market where the golf balls were selling for 4-5 times their initial price including on eBay.

Costco was both shocked and excited, and the ball became the proof of concept that its own line of golf products could be in high demand by members.

The Kirkland Wedge set story

With the success of the golf balls, it was just a matter of time before Costco got into the club business, and its first product was the KS1 putter, which was a milled design with adjustable weights. Much like the golf balls, consumers were excited to test the new putter, and it quickly sold out across all locations and online—creating a rabid secondary market, much like the original ball.

The wedge shares a similar creative story to the putter in that Costco buyers approached a well-respected design firm, in this case, the Southern California Design company, to develop the wedges and work with a manufacturer for production. This isn’t SCD Co’s first time working in golf either—it had a hand in the (visual) creation of the Cobra AMP Cell irons, and another company Indi Golf and the StingRay wedges.

From concept to creation, the Costco team was deeply involved, and once prototypes were developed it was time for testing.

“The Kirkland Signature wedges have been independently tested and rate extreme high compared to other top brands in the industry” – Tim Farmer

This is a key to the Kirkland Signature promise – “To create products that meet or exceeds leading national brands,” and considering the more simplistic nature of wedge design relative to other clubs like drivers and fairway woods, that involves multi-material construction and other forgiveness mechanisms along with potentially expensive graphite shaft options. Wedges across the industry have fairly generic stock specs and shafts, which creates the potential for Costco to excel in the space.

The wedges won’t have multiple bounce or grind options like wedges from entrenched golf brands, but when you consider the vast majority of golfers have little understanding of those specs anyway and are mostly concerned in making sure they have a gap, sand, and lob wedge, these play the part extraordinarily well. The designers even made sure the soles feature both the loft and club designation (G) 52 degrees, (S) 56 degrees, and (L) 60 degrees.

The Kirkland Signature wedges have a traditionally shaped teardrop silhouette with moderately cambered soles and have milled groves to offer maximum spin and short game control.

Costco Kirkland Signature “Milled face Technology” wedge specs

Consistent with other packaged golf clubs, the specs reflect the greatest opportunity to offer a set of three wedges to the largest part of the golf consumer bell curve

Construction: Cast from soft 8620 carbon steel, with milled faces to maximize spin
Lofts & Lengths: 52°- 35.5″, 56°- 35.25″, 60° – 35″
Shafts: True Temper Wedge shaft (Steel only)
Grip: Proprietary Kirkland designed grip – Manufacturer undisclosed
Right-hand only

PLEASE NOTE: We at GolfWRX are doing what we can to secure wedges for in-hand pictures!

Availability & price

According to Farmer, the wedge set will become available online and within the top 50 US (golf) sales stores in the first week of October, with plans to expand into more stores moving forward.

The price for the three-piece set will be $159.99, which prices each individual wedge at just over $53 a wedge—an absolutely unheard of price point for a brand new OEM wedge.

As a newcomer to the golf space, Costco and its buyers are constantly changing their outlooks for products, and I have been told they have forecasted for a higher demand for the wedges compared to the KS-1 putter (which we will talk about in a moment) meaning for those early adopters, it should be a little easier to get your hands on a set when they hit shelves—or in the case of Costco, the warehouse floor.

Other new products on the horizon

When I last spoke with Tim Farmer about the launch of the KS-1 putter, I asked about other potential new products, and although at the time he was vague in confirming anything beyond a potential replacement to the popular three-piece ball, in our most recent discussion he was able to confirm that a new three-piece ball design has been finalized and should be in warehouses towards the end of October and into early November this year and priced at $24.99.

The last product confirmation from Tim is a completely new Kirkland Signature four-piece urethane performance ball with the current timeline having them arriving online starting in early 2021 and priced at $29.99. Unreal value in the golf ball market.

We would not be performing our journalistic duty if we didn’t remind you that it was just over a year ago when Costco initially launched its second-generation four-piece ball that struggled with quality control and was quickly pulled. Those customers who did purchase them were refunded immediately—which is another shining example of Costco’s commitment to customer service and standing behind all of its products.

With that in the rearview mirror, Tim told me they are very excited about the new four-piece urethane ball and are looking forward to getting it into golfers’ hands.

Last but not least, for those still interested in getting their hands on a KS1 Putter, Tim was excited to inform me that stores, which previously carried them, as well as the online store, should be getting a restock around the middle of October.

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Ryan Barath

Ryan Barath is a club-fitter & master club builder with more than 17 years of experience working with golfers of all skill levels, including PGA Tour players. He is the former Build Shop Manager & Social Media Coordinator for Modern Golf. He now works independently from his home shop and is a member of advisory panels to a select number of golf equipment manufacturers. You can find Ryan on Twitter and Instagram where he's always willing to chat golf, and share his passion for club building, course architecture and wedge grinding.

24 Comments

Pingback: Top 21 Kirkland Golf Clubs Latest 2022 - Blog - G?i Qu?n áo ?i M?
EdR

Nov 5, 2020 at 11:33 am

Costco is discriminating against left handers!!

None available for us!

Reply Report comment
Matt Derian

Oct 6, 2020 at 4:24 pm

Any sightings yet?

Reply Report comment
John M

Sep 8, 2020 at 4:00 pm

Just ordered Kirkland putter weights off Costco site. Hurry! Make sure you hit refresh

Reply Report comment
- Dave
  
  Sep 8, 2020 at 5:25 pm
  
  You are the man! I check every morning. I just got one. Thank you!
  
  Reply Report comment
Jason

Sep 6, 2020 at 12:56 am

Current balls are rubbish. Hope the new ones are better

Reply Report comment
StanL

Sep 2, 2020 at 7:23 pm

So, how do we know which costco stores are the top 50 in golf equipment to be able to purchase in store? Their website leaves a bit to be desired

Reply Report comment
Tom Davis

Sep 2, 2020 at 12:02 pm

At least the 54 and 60 degree clubs HAVE to have some bounce. Has Costco published what the bounce of those clubs will be?

Reply Report comment
- Bob
  
  Oct 24, 2020 at 7:38 pm
  
  10 degrees on the 52 and 56 8 degrees on the 60 is what is on the box. In stock at La Quinta Costco
  
  Reply Report comment
jim

Sep 2, 2020 at 10:27 am

LOVE THIS QUOTE. “Wedges across the industry have fairly generic stock specs and shafts, which creates the potential for Costco to excel in the space.”

Reply Report comment
Jack Nash

Sep 2, 2020 at 10:25 am

Play the 3 piece ball and it’s great.

Reply Report comment
Howard Hayden

Sep 2, 2020 at 10:20 am

Are quoted prices for the new balls for a dozen or two dozen?

Reply Report comment
- Tom Davis
  
  Sep 2, 2020 at 11:57 am
  
  Two dozen
  
  Reply Report comment
Jarnio Bubly

Sep 1, 2020 at 7:52 pm

If one of these kids signs with Costco Kirkland and wins with a freshly developed full set of these at the extremely lower price points I wonder how it’d change the equipment industry?

Reply Report comment
- Gianni's Dad
  
  Sep 1, 2020 at 8:06 pm
  
  Spieth ditches the 009 for the ksig1 lol
  
  Reply Report comment
Dave Sims

Aug 31, 2020 at 10:59 pm

C’mon for real? You can get like new Cleveland’s and Vokey’s for $49 on eBay. Who gonna buy wedges with a big Costco Sig brand writing on the back. They look like Kmart clubs, anybody for some KSig Vodka to match you 60*?

Reply Report comment
- sinkster
  
  Sep 1, 2020 at 11:00 am
  
  Careful with Ebay as at that price point most certainly fakes.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Brian
  
  Sep 1, 2020 at 6:15 pm
  
  Chinese counterfeits, perhaps.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Sam Snead
    
    Sep 1, 2020 at 8:04 pm
    
    There are probably a hand full of contract manufacturers who make irons and wedges in China for 90% of the golf industry. These CMs make the top tier to bottom and possibly heads that are later turned into fakes. Basically if a company provides tooling and/or drawings they will make it. The same concept as Endo making all the heady forgings. Price is dictated by the amount of quality, materials and marketing.
    
    That being said, if I we’re saving money on a wedge I’d go used or get some Wilson harmonized. Anyone who says groves wear out hasn’t looked at photos of Gene Sarazen’s or Seve’s club faces
    
    Reply Report comment
Annsguy

Aug 31, 2020 at 10:02 pm

This should make for some fun debate in the morning.

Reply Report comment
Mashed Potato

Aug 31, 2020 at 4:18 pm

Is it true that they only come in packs of 10?

Reply Report comment
Matt Smith

Aug 31, 2020 at 2:08 pm

Has several key similarities to Vokey wedges

Reply Report comment
- jgpl001
  
  Sep 1, 2020 at 5:26 am
  
  Yes, it comes in 52, 56 and 60 deg lofts, it has grooves and a true temper shaft and a grip…..end of..
  
  Reply Report comment
GMac

Aug 31, 2020 at 1:59 pm

I just purchased the Kirkland putter this past Friday online. Currently in stock. No weight kit available.

Reply Report comment

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Whats in the Bag

Christiaan Maas WITB 2026 (June)

Published

3 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D LS (8 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 6 X

3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9 TX

Irons: TaylorMade P770 (3), TaylorMade P7CB (4), TaylorMade P7TW (5-PW)
Shafts: Fujikura Ventus Black HB 10 X, True Temper Dynamic Gold X100

Wedges: TaylorMade Prototype (50-SB09), TaylorMade MG5 (56-HB12, 60-LV07)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold S400

Putter: TaylorMade TP Juno

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x

Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord

Check out more in-hand photos of Christiaan Maas’ clubs here.

Equipment

TaylorMade MySpider Tour and Tour X: More customizable build options now available

Published

3 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Alistair Cameron

TaylorMade Golf’s MySpider program underwent a substantial overhaul over the last month. Firstly, the company launched the option to customize the Spider ZT model, and now the program has returned with the MySpider Tour and MySpider Tour X.

The revamped page now gives golfers complete control over every visual and functional detail of their putter on the popular Tour and Tour X head, with every cosmetic idea thought of. In MySpider Tour, golfers can choose from four head finishes, 16 paint fill colors, nine Surlyn face insert colors, three aluminum insert options, six sightline configurations, and four hosel options — L-neck, small slant, double bend, center shaft. Six sightline options are available in MySpider Tour, including the optically engineered True Path alignment system. MySpider Tour X gives builders the option of four head finishes, four hosel configurations, and five sightline options, also including True Path alignment.

One of the more interesting features of the new MySpider program is the availability of three distinct face insert options. Along with the usual Surlyn Pure Roll insert trusted by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, which can be customized from nine colors, golfers can now also select firmer options. Two are offered with the black aluminum Pure Roll insert, slightly firmer than the traditional insert, or for the firmest feel, golfers can choose from two colors of milled aluminum inserts.

Another fun addition to the MySpider Tour is the ability to use the “Tommy Sightline.” The custom alignment aid design, which was first drawn onto Tommy Fleetwood’s putter by PGA Tour Rep James Holley, is based on the milled sightline on his Spider ZT head. There are five shorter lines on the left and right of a longer central line serving as the traditional short line alignment aid.

See below for the full specifications sheet for MySpider Tour and Tour X:

MySpider Tour

MySpider Tour X

Equipment

Then and now: Comparing Rory McIlroy’s current setup to his record-breaking 2019 Canadian Open victory

Published

6 hours ago

Jun 11, 2026

Alistair Cameron

In Rory McIlroy’s first appearance at the 2019 RBC Canadian Open, he crushed the record books to earn his 16th PGA Tour title in dominating fashion, winning by seven shots over Shane Lowry and Webb Simpson.

McIlroy’s score of 22-under-par 258 is the lowest 72-hole score to date at the Canadian Open, and his closing 61 is also the best final-round score in the history of one of golf’s oldest tournaments. Finally, with his win in 2019, McIlroy became only the sixth player to win the career Triple Crown, adding to his victories at the U.S. Open in 2011 and The Open Championship in 2014, joining Tommy Armour, Walter Hagen, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino and Tiger Woods in a coveted list.

So, with that, why not compare his current setup to the clubs he used to break all the records?

Driver

2019: TaylorMade M5 (9 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees @8), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 7X (45 5/8 inches)

McIroy led the Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee in 2019; he’s doing the same in 2026. Between now and then, McIlroy has switched from the Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 70 TX (a shaft with slightly more feeling in the tip) to the original Fujikura Ventus Black 7X, having just made the change to the heavier version from playing the 60X.

What’s interesting about McIlroy’s 2019 setup is that the weighting on his driver is actually set in the high-draw setting, using the T-Track weighting system, whereas in the Qi4D, he’s currently using a heavily rear-weighted setup. (Two 13-gram weights in the rear and only two 4-gram front weights.)

The TaylorMade M5 driver he played in during his Canadian Open win was the company’s first head that they claimed to design to initially exceed the USGA’s COR limit, and then injected with tuning resin to bring it back in bounds.

Fairway woods

2019: TaylorMade M6 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 80 TX; TaylorMade M5 5-wood (19 degrees), Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei CK Pro White 90 TX
2026: TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood (15 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 8X; TaylorMade Qi4D 5-wood (18 degrees), Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black 9X

The TaylorMade M6 fairway wood that McIlroy was using during the 2019 season is still in the bag of some of the best golfers on Tour in 2026. Just check out Justin Rose’s winning setup from the Farmers Insurance Open earlier this year. This year, though, McIlroy has still been searching for his top-end-of-the-bag setup, having played both the new Qi4D and the Qi10, which he won the Masters with.

The same shaft swap can be seen in the fairway woods as the driver, along with slightly less loft on the 5-wood.

Irons

2019: TaylorMade P750 (4) Buy here, TaylorMade P730 (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0
2026: TaylorMade P760 (4), TaylorMade Rors Proto (5-9), Shafts: Project X 7.0

The biggest difference between McIlroy’s custom set and the stock P730s is the groove design. While the P730s were constructed with 14 MX-9 grooves on their milled faces, McIlroy’s proto heads instead use the higher-spinning, 16-groove layout of the TW2 grooves. Other big differences between the sets are that McIlroy’s 7- and 8-irons have thinner toplines, are 1 degree stronger in loft, and are 1/4 inch longer than the original P730 builds.

With McIlroy’s 4-iron, the switch from P750 to P760 sees a transition to a two-piece construction with Speed Foam in it, which allows McIlroy to launch the ball slightly higher, with more workability.

Wedges

2019: TaylorMade Milled Grind (48-09SB), TaylorMade MG Hi-Toe (52-09SB, 56-09SB, 60-LB09), Shafts: Project X Rifle 6.5
2026: TaylorMade MG5 (46-09SB, 50-09SB, 54-11SB, 60-08LB @61), Shafts: Project X 6.5 (46-54), Project X 6.5 Wedge (60)

Between 2019 and 2026, McIlroy’s focus on his short game has been much more apparent. It was the reason why he switched back to the TP5 golf ball, to help with launch, spin and control with his wedges leading up to his career Grand Slam victory in 2025. The most apparent changes to McIlroy’s wedge setup are his lofts and bounce. He’s slowly delofted his pitching to a sand wedge, but has increased the loft on the lob wedge, bending his current 60-degree to 61. With that, adding more loft to his lob wedge also slightly increases the bounce and leading-edge sit point, so, as a result, he plays a lower-bounce lob wedge compared to 2019. The MG5 wedges are also softer than the first Milled Grind option from 2019. McIlroy also no longer plays the full-face grooves found on the Hi-Toe.

Putter

2019: TaylorMade Spider X
2026: TaylorMade Spider Tour X

Notice anything similar. Yes, the copper finish on Rory McIlroy’s Spider X putter in 2019 is a slightly more reflective finish than the recently released torched PVD finish. McIlroy was using the True Path alignment system, but now uses only a single white sightline.

Ball

2019: 2019 TaylorMade TP5 (#22)
2026: 2025 TaylorMade TP5 (RORS)

As mentioned above, McIlroy had transitioned from the TP5 to TP5x golf ball since his victory in Canada in 2019, but now is black with the same style of golf ball as his victory at Hamilton Golf & Country Club.

Grips

2019: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
2026: Golf Pride MCC

Interesting, McIlroy actually used Golf Pride’s Tour Velvet Cord grips during his victory in 2019 (it was during a 2+ year switch to the corded TV) as opposed to his usual MCC grips, which he has played for most of his career.