Who Makes Costco Golf Balls? Costco Golf Balls Reviews [2024!]
Right after Costco released Kirkland Signature golf balls in 2016, I picked a four-piece ball pack to check how they perform. The balls performed well beyond my expectations. The price of these balls was much cheaper than urethane balls used to be.
Qingdao SM Parker makes these golf balls for Costco. It is a Chinese sports equipment company that has an exclusive contract with Costco to supply these Kirkland balls.
I will share all the insights about the manufacturer of Costco golf balls, their materials, and their performance today. Read till the end to know things that you might be looking for.
Costco Golf Balls overview
Golf balls typically have three types of covers. These are urethane, surlyn, and ionomers. Urethane golf balls give better performance than surlyn balls, so they are used by professional golfers. But the problem with these balls is they cost a lot.
Costco addressed this problem by releasing high-quality Kirkland golf balls in 2016. After the release, these balls became highly popular among golfers for two reasons. One is their amazing spin rate and control. The other is their cost-effectiveness.
Later, Costco stopped selling the four-piece balls and launched the new three-piece balls due to a lawsuit with Acushnet Holdings Co. It manufactured Titleist balls and sued Costco for violating its patent.
Who Makes Costco Golf Balls?
Qingdao SM Parker Golf Co. Ltd is responsible for producing high-quality Kirkland golf balls for Costco. This sports equipment company is located in Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China. It has modern manufacturing facilities to produce a wide range of golf balls.
The company uses high-quality materials and advanced technologies to improve the performance characteristics of its golf balls. As a result, Costco golf balls or Kirkland golf balls have superior distances, spin, and control characteristics.
Qingdao SM Parker uses rigorous testing and quality control processes to maintain the performance standards of the golf balls. Besides, It packages golf balls nicely to give a premium feel while being highly affordable.
What Costco Golf Ball Models Does This Company Make?
This Chinese manufacturer of Costco golf balls currently produces three different models. You will find the following models of Kirkland golf balls in Costco.
Kirkland Signature Distance
These balls are made to improve the carry distance of the golf balls. The distance is almost similar to Pro V1 golf balls when you use a 7-iron.
Kirkland Signature Tour Performance
This model is known for its excellent carry distance and control performance. Its spin accuracy is also higher, which can be compared to premium balls like the Pro V1. Golfers who want high-performance but budget-friendly golf balls can check this out.
Kirkland Performance
With a solid design and 338 dimples, this is the top-of-the-line ball from Costco. It provides amazing carry distance, spin, and control, which can be compared to premium balls like the Volvik Vivid or Titleist Velocity.
What Materials Are Used in Costco Golf Balls?
Let me give you a detailed idea of how the three-piece Costco golf balls or Kirkland Signature golf balls are made.
- Core: Kirkland Signature golf balls are made with soft and highly elastic rubber to maximize the carry distance. Both amateur and pro golfers love these balls for the improved core.
- Mantle: This is the middle layer between the core and the cover. Synthetic resin is used in this layer, which interacts with the soft cover. This layer optimizes the spin of the ball for iron and wedge shots.
- Cover: Kirkland Signatures balls made by Qingdao SM Parker have a urethane cover that increases the durability. Besides, it reduces the spin rate so the drivers are longer. The greenside control of these golf balls is also amazing due to the urethane cover.
Difference Between 3-Piece and 4-Piece Costco Golf Balls
Here are the key differences between the 3-piece and 4-piece Costco golf balls.
Core
The main difference is in the core construction. In 3-piece balls, the core is made of a single layer of rubber. But 4-piece balls are made with two layers of inner core. It often contains resin besides rubber.
Compression
Due to the increased layers, 4-piece golf balls have a higher compression than 3-piece golf balls. So, they might have a higher carry distance.
Spin
The spin on 4-piece balls is higher. Be it around the green or off the tee, the excessive spin is harder to control compared to the spin of 3-piece balls.
What Is the Price of Costco Golf Balls?
Last time I checked on the Costco website, these balls were being sold at $34.99. On Amazon, they are priced at $23.04-37.94. I am talking about the Kirkland Signature Golf Balls in white. Yellow balls of the same model are also available at the same price.
For your information, this is a two-dozen pack. You get 24 three-piece urethane cover golf balls inside the packet. So, the price of each ball gets down to $1.46. With these affordable balls, you won’t repent that much after losing the ball.
How Does Costco Golf Balls Perform?
I have tested Costco golf balls against some other well-known ball brands. In terms of distance, Costco golf balls fall a bit shorter than the Titleist balls. The compression, spin, and accuracy are superior to low-price balls. Depending on the playing style, they can sometimes be at par with Titleist or Callaway golf balls.
FAQ About Who Makes Costco Golf Balls
You might have some more questions regarding Costco golf balls or other golf equipment in mind. I tried to answer the questions below.
Q: Does Costco sell golf clubs?
Yes. With a plan to expand its product lineup, Costco launched golf clubs in 2020. The Kirkland Signature 1 club set has become popular among budget-conscious golfers.
Q: Does the same company make Costco golf balls and golf clubs?
You might assume that the same manufacturer makes golf balls and golf clubs for Costco. But that is not correct. Costco has a contract with the Southern California Design Company for delivering its Kirkland golf clubs.
Q: Are Costco golf balls the same as Titleist?
Not exactly. Titleist is a leading name in the golf ball industry. So, its golf balls provide superior performance. But Costco golf balls aren’t so bad and can give a good fight to Titleist balls.
After reading this article, the Kirkland signature golf balls appear very similar to the DT Titleist balls of the 1970s. Would this be a correct assumption? (Thanks, Vince Breedlove, “vinceebreedlove@gmail.com”)
Yeah they have kind of similarities