Costco’s private label, Kirkland Signature, is quite the popular commodity among Costco members and regular shoppers there. The Kirkland golf ball is one such popular item that has built up a rivalry with the likes of the Titleist Pro V1.
The Kirkland golf ball in question is the Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V2.0. Costco is known as a bulk grocery store with aspects of Walmart and shopping malls rolled into one, giant warehouse. They’re not known for their golf balls, at least not until now. So how do the two rivals compare?
| Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V2.0 | Titleist Pro V1 |
| $15 per dozen | $48 per dozen |
| 1.62 ounces | 1.60 ounces |
| 100% round, larger urethane ball | 100% round, smaller urethane-cast ball |
| 3-piece construction w/firm compression | 3-piece construction w/firm compression |
| Solid level of quality | Excellent, all-around quality |
Price Comparison
This is where the major focus lies and it’s not as strange a reason as you think. These two golf balls are drastically different in price, with the Kirkland selling at between $13-$16 per dozen and the V1 pro often selling for three to four times that.
The Titleist Pro V1 is the king of golf balls, however, so that massive price drop is awfully concerning to new and veteran golfers alike when it comes to the Kirkland ball.
Weight Differences
Weight is a picky subject because no two golf balls, even from the same box, weigh the same. The difference is usually a couple of points in the tens decimal place, so it’s not much. However, Kirkland balls will occasionally exceed the rules limit of 1.62 ounces, while the Pro V1 almost never does.
For the most part, Kirkland balls are perfectly fine, however, and in tournament-level play, you might have to discard one out of every dozen Kirkland balls to stay within the rules.
Dimensions
The Pro V1 is smaller in diameter than the Kirkland, though both are rated as being perfect or near-perfect roundness. This is a concern for golfers who like distance because they know that the larger the ball, the shorter the flight, and Kirkland has the larger ball.
However, with a driver, the Kirkland ball will frequently outperform the Pro V1 in terms of nothing but distance, often by at least ten yards. With all other clubs, including down to the sand wedge, irons, and woods, the Pro V1 owns Kirkland in the distance measurements.
Design
Both balls are urethane balls with 3-piece construction, however, the Titleist Pro V1 is considered slightly different as a urethane cast ball, rather than a solid urethane cover. Both balls fall under the urethan category and neither separates itself from the other in terms of longevity.
Perhaps due to this subtle difference, the Kirkland has significantly less spin than the Pro V1 when golfers are using a driver and more spin than the Pro V1 with a wedge.
Quality
The Titleist Pro V1 is definitely the more consistent ball but there is nothing that truly separates them in terms of just out-and-out quality. Both have solid cores, both are urethane to one degree or another and both feature a similar number of dimples.
Much of what you are paying for with the Titleist Pro V1 is the name, Titleist. However, there’s no doubt the Pro V1 performs more consistently throughout. The manufacturer behind the Kirkland Signature is Qingdao SM Parker, a giant in the Chinese golf ball manufacturing industry.
The quality of the Kirkland golf ball, in terms of measurements against other competition, is equal to many, including the Titleist Velocity and the Volvik Vivid. However, the Pro V1 is another matter and there is a reason that it’s the number one golf ball in the entire sport.
If quality was measured by more than just the components that go into the golf ball, the consistency offered by the Titleist Pro V1 wins out, hands down.
USGA Legality: Kirkland Golf Balls vs Pro V1
Something to note is that the USGA has very strict rules, even for golf balls. If the golf ball breaks even one of these rules, then the ball is considered illegal. To see if a golf ball is legal or not, you can either check the USGA Conforming Equipment List, or the R&A Database. According to the USGA and R&A, both the Kirkland Golf Balls and Pro V1 Golf Balls are legal to use in any casual, high-level amateur, and professional golf outings.
All Things Considered
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Kirkland Signature golf ball. The fact that you can get 24 of them for $20 to $24 is astonishing for a urethane-covered ball. They’re great golf balls for golfers at all levels. The Titleist Pro V1 is just the better ball, sometimes by a razor-thin margin, in the end.