When Costco’s Kirkland Signature golf ball first hit warehouse cabinets, it took {the golfing} world by storm. Right here was a urethane-covered ball for lower than $20 a dozen—one thing trade consultants had deemed unimaginable till the retail big made it occur. Whereas the three-piece choices that adopted—now of their fourth technology—have by no means fairly lived as much as the efficiency of that legendary authentic, they’ve maintained a cult following largely due to their insane worth proposition.
Costco’s legion of loyal followers is aware of the drill: seize a scorching canine and a dozen golf balls for what most manufacturers cost for 2 sleeves. It’s bulk shopping for at its best and, for years, Kirkland has dominated the under-$20 urethane area virtually unopposed—if solely as a result of just about nobody else was enjoying in that sandbox.
However now there’s competitors within the warehouse aisles.
Sam’s Member’s Mark: The choice to the choice?
Lately, we revealed information displaying how the brand new Kirkland Efficiency+ stacks up in opposition to the Titleist Professional V1. What we didn’t let you know is that on the identical time, we examined one other challenger: Sam’s Membership Member’s Mark Professional Collection 2 golf ball. In the present day, we’re evaluating the efficiency of golf balls from the largest names in bulk items. How bizarre is that?
Since Costco’s launch, they’ve basically owned the ultra-affordable urethane class. With Sam’s getting into the fray, we needed to see how this different warehouse ball in comparison with what has change into the de facto gold normal in budget-friendly premium golf balls. Consider it as rotisserie hen versus … properly, different rotisserie hen, however in your golf bag.
The query isn’t whether or not both of those balls will dethrone the Professional V1—they received’t. The query is: Within the battle for warehouse supremacy, which bulk retailer makes the higher golf ball?
Let’s dig into the information.
In regards to the check
To execute the check, we partnered with CoolClubs, one of the crucial revered names in membership becoming and robotic testing. Nearly all of testing was performed outside at SunRidge Canyon Golf Membership in Arizona.
Information was collected with Trackman (drivers and irons) and Foresight GCQuad (wedges).
Whereas the bigger check will probably be performed at three speeds, for this smaller check the driving force’s velocity was set to 100 mph. Irons have been examined at 81 mph whereas the wedge check was designed to duplicate a greenside shot of roughly 40 yards.
Sizzling off the gauges
Earlier than turning the check over to the robotic, we took some fast measurements on our Ball Lab gauges. Word that the pattern measurement is a bit smaller than what we’d usually run for the Ball Lab. We merely needed to get a basic concept about compression, weight and diameter.
Compression
On our gauges, the Kirkland Efficiency+ measured 97. That’s roughly on par with the Professional V1x and a four- to five-point bounce from earlier Kirkland fashions.
The Sam’s Member’s Mark Professional Collection 2 measured roughly 96, ever-so-slightly softer than the Kirkland ball.
Weight
As was the case in our earlier check, there was nothing significantly noteworthy within the weight measurements of any of the balls. The Kirkland Efficiency+ was once more barely heavier however each fell properly inside the confines of the USGA guidelines.
Diameter
Likewise, the Kirkland Efficiency+ was, on common, the bigger of the 2 balls.
The Sam’s Member’s Mark was smaller though I’d say each would fairly fall on the bigger finish of the tour class.
Consistency
Once more, noting that our pattern measurement was barely smaller, the Kirkland was barely extra constant throughout the board, however I couldn’t in good religion say it affords a significant high quality benefit.
With that out of the way in which, let’s take a look at what occurred once we hit the golf balls.
Driver information
BallBall SpeedLaunch AngleSpin RateMax HeightDescent AngleCarry YardsTotal Yards
Kirkland Efficiency+145.0413.282,85785.1434.60239.82267.75
Sam’s Member’s Mark144.6413.062,82990.5436.58239.04264.52
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Observations:
Ball speeds have been comparatively shut with the Kirkland producing about 1/2 mph extra ball velocity on common.
The Sam’s Member’s Mark launched a bit decrease whereas producing much less spin.
Notable, regardless of the decrease preliminary launch, the Sam’s ball produced a better peak trajectory.
By the numbers, the Kirkland spun a tick greater than the Sam’s ball, however the variations should not vital.
The Kirkland additionally edged out the Sam’s in carry and complete distance with the significant distinction within the latter probably attributable to the steeper descent angle of the Member’s Mark.
Driver dispersion and consistency
Observations:
Whereas wind can’t solely be excluded as an element, the Kirkland Efficiency+ produced the tighter downrange dispersion by a significant quantity.
7-iron information
BallBall SpeedLaunch AngleSpin RateMax HeightDescent AngleCarry YardsTotal Yards
Kirkland Efficiency+117.5719.244,951101.1048.38167.41176.93
Sam’s Member’s Mark117.5819.114,71499.4147.42168.22178.92
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Observations:
On 7-iron pictures, ball speeds have been just about similar. This isn’t stunning given the same compression of the 2 balls.
The Kirkland produced greater than 200 rpm of extra spin, flew increased and landed a bit extra steeply which explains the small distance benefit for the Sam’s ball.
The broad strokes takeaway right here is that the Sam’s Members Mark Professional Collection 2 and new Kirkland Efficiency+ are extra related in efficiency than the Kirkland and the Titleist Professional V1.
7-iron dispersion and consistency
Observations:
Whereas it may be troublesome to determine from the form of the ellipses, the Sam’s Member’s Mark produced a slighly smaller (7.4%) dispersion space.
Wedge information
BallBall SpeedLaunch AngleSpin RateMax HeightDescent AngleCarry YardsTotal Yards
Kirkland Efficiency+43.6035.935,56622.4341.8536.7841.83
Sam’s Member’s Mark43.1336.525,30622.4342.2536.1341.18
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Observations:
Regardless of the low-speed influence, the Kirkland produced practically 1/2 mph extra ball velocity, whereas launching practically 1.5 levels decrease.
The Kirkland ball produced roughly 250 rpm extra spin.
Carry and complete distance numbers have been related though there was some variation in how these numbers have been achieved.
Wedge dispersion and consistency
Observations:
The size of the chart inflates variations between balls.
Even with allowances for small numbers, the Kirkland ball was extra constant from entrance to again.
The Sam’s ball was a bit tighter from left to proper though you’d be hard-pressed to search out any significant variations past the upper spin charge of the Kirkland ball.
Which One’s Higher?
As with most issues in golf, it depends upon what you’re in search of.
In the event you’re chasing worth, each the Kirkland and Member’s Mark balls ship loads of bang for the buck. They’re urethane-covered, supply cheap efficiency and value about half (or much less) than a dozen Professional V1s.
However once we dig into the numbers, the Kirkland ball reveals some clear benefits, particularly off the tee.
With the driving force, Kirkland posted higher complete distance and tighter dispersion which suggests extra predictable efficiency and fewer huge misses. The low preliminary launch of the Sam’s ball, paired with increased peak top (and what we imagine will show to be above common spin charges for the class), suggests a ball which may battle in windy circumstances.
With irons, Member’s Mark was a bit tighter when it comes to dispersion space however the variations in spin, top and distance have been minimal.
Whereas the Kirkland dispersion chart is a bit simpler on the eyes, wedges have been a draw with no statistically vital variations in efficiency or consistency.
It’s additionally price noting that whereas each balls spun fairly properly, Kirkland tended to spin a contact extra throughout all golf equipment which could go well with gamers who desire a bit extra stopping energy into the inexperienced.
The underside line
Neither of those balls is ideal and so they’re not meant to be. The right ball doesn’t exist however if you happen to’re in search of a low-cost urethane possibility that holds up surprisingly properly from tee to inexperienced, Kirkland Efficiency+ nonetheless holds its personal because the class benchmark. Whereas I want there have been extra separation between these two worth choices, the Member’s Mark Professional Collection 2 is a worthy challenger. That mentioned, based mostly on this information, the unique warehouse ball nonetheless has the sting.
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