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RussBaribault

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Kirkland Golf Balls
« on: January 19, 2017, 01:30:44 PM »
http://myavidgolfer.com/blog/uncategorised/costco-kirkland-balls-never/

Guess Kirkland Golf Balls are gone......I missed the chance to buy them.
“Greatness courts failure, Romeo.”

“You may be right boss, but you know what, sometimes par is good enough to win”


David_Tepper

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Buck Wolter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2017, 04:36:00 PM »
I got 4 dozen on a whim after Thurman did a twitter review--didn't realize they would be collectors items
Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience -- CS Lewis

BCowan

Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2017, 05:45:47 PM »
This was the golden thank you note to all hardcore golfers in the game.  Now the man is one up on us....

Richard Hetzel

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2017, 08:00:34 PM »
They were Nassau Golf overruns that Costco bought up and rebranded. More than likely just like the Taylor Made LP Red for a few years ago.....probably a loss leader just to get people into Costco.....Titleist is breathing easy now....
Best Played So Far This Season:
Crystal Downs CC (MI), The Bridge (NY), Canterbury GC (OH), Lakota Links (CO), Montauk Downs (NY), Sedge Valley (WI)

Buck Wolter

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2017, 09:48:48 PM »
They were Nassau Golf overruns that Costco bought up and rebranded. More than likely just like the Taylor Made LP Red for a few years ago.....probably a loss leader just to get people into Costco.....Titleist is breathing easy now....
Something tells me Costco won't let this die -- they smell margin. If they can sell 100k more memberships by buying Nikes capacity (or convincing Snell or Vice to sell them some) and taking their normal slim margin that's ~$10m? Worth a couple calls.
Those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience -- CS Lewis

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #7 on: January 22, 2017, 09:47:35 AM »
They were Nassau Golf overruns that Costco bought up and rebranded. More than likely just like the Taylor Made LP Red for a few years ago.....probably a loss leader just to get people into Costco.....Titleist is breathing easy now....
Something tells me Costco won't let this die -- they smell margin. If they can sell 100k more memberships by buying Nikes capacity (or convincing Snell or Vice to sell them some) and taking their normal slim margin that's ~$10m? Worth a couple calls.

I think the problem is that there aren't very big margins in the golf ball business in the first place, and Costco will have a hard time duplicating the price that they were selling these balls for as a regular production instead of an overrun like this apparently was.  I don't know if any of you remember the Kirkland golf gloves a few years back; they were as good as any golf glove I ever had, and they were selling for about $6 a glove.  They are long gone, too, and I don't look for them to come back, either.

The selling point of the Kirkland brand is usually more about quality than low price anyway, and at that, you have to buy in bulk.  This price of $30 for two dozen was a complete anomaly; I don't look for it happening again anytime soon.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

JJShanley

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #8 on: January 22, 2017, 10:33:31 AM »
I've no idea about the performance of the ball, but their proponents struck me as combining the "I'm a vegan" memes with 9/11 conspiracy theories when talking about the ball on social media.


And I say that as a Costco customer, who always eats the second slice of pizza.

Ulrich Mayring

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #9 on: January 22, 2017, 12:09:09 PM »
Quote
there aren't very big margins in the golf ball business in the first place
You would be surprised if you found out about the production cost of golf balls - even the Pro V1. The markup is huge, 100% doesn't even begin to describe it!

Ulrich
Golf Course Exposé (300+ courses reviewed), Golf CV (how I keep track of 'em)

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #10 on: January 22, 2017, 12:51:32 PM »
Quote
there aren't very big margins in the golf ball business in the first place
You would be surprised if you found out about the production cost of golf balls - even the Pro V1. The markup is huge, 100% doesn't even begin to describe it!

Ulrich

Ulrich,
I was speaking of the margins for the retailer between the wholesale cost and the retail price, not the difference between the retail price and the production cost.  Golf balls, like most products, have production costs far below the retail price; your $500 TV didn't cost $500 to produce; lots of people had to be paid along the supply chain prior to you leaving the store with the TV.

Costco didn't produce these golf balls, and won't be going into the production business.  This ball was a phenomenon because it was being sold at one-third the market price for a premium golf ball, which is probably approaching the production price and FAR above the wholesale price available to retailers.
"Golf...is usually played with the outward appearance of great dignity.  It is, nevertheless, a game of considerable passion, either of the explosive type, or that which burns inwardly and sears the soul."      Bobby Jones

Cliff Hamm

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #11 on: January 22, 2017, 02:22:44 PM »
If you're not familiar with Snell golf balls they are more than worth a try.  Designed by the codeveloper of the original Pro V1 as well as many other golf balls. Read the bio.


I love the "Get Sum", except the name. Buy six dozen and they're about $15 a dozen.   For the better player the ball is less than $30 a dozen.


https://www.snellgolf.com/

BCowan

Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #12 on: January 22, 2017, 10:22:44 PM »
If you're not familiar with Snell golf balls they are more than worth a try.  Designed by the codeveloper of the original Pro V1 as well as many other golf balls. Read the bio.


I love the "Get Sum", except the name. Buy six dozen and they're about $15 a dozen.   For the better player the ball is less than $30 a dozen.


https://www.snellgolf.com/

Cliff,

   Thanks for this tidbit.  Snell is on my radar now. 

Jon Wiggett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2017, 04:09:53 AM »
Quote
there aren't very big margins in the golf ball business in the first place
You would be surprised if you found out about the production cost of golf balls - even the Pro V1. The markup is huge, 100% doesn't even begin to describe it!

Ulrich


Ulrich,


you are correct about balls sold at full whack but once you take into account the reject, over production balls sold dirt cheap, etc that margin comes down pretty steeply. There is a lot less money to be made in golf balls than there used to be.


Jon

Joe Schackman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2017, 10:03:20 AM »
To piggyback on the Snell endorsement I tried some of the Vice Golf balls and found them to be totally adequate. I'm not too particular about the golf ball (outside of Pro V1s). I'll pretty much play anything as long as it doesn't feel like a rock. The Vice Balls are reasonably priced and performed as good as most balls.

Mike Sweeney

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #15 on: January 23, 2017, 10:13:13 AM »
I tried the Kirkland and did not like the feel (hard to me) of the ball.


Love the Snell Tour Ball. I did not know about the "Get Sum" ball, so I have not tried it.
« Last Edit: January 23, 2017, 05:45:51 PM by Mike Sweeney »
"One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us."

Dr. Carl Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

Adam Warren

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #16 on: January 23, 2017, 05:40:42 PM »
The Snell is great.  I have been playing for the last 1.5 years.  I mix in a few others here and there, but the Snell is my tournament/gambling ball.

Steve Slotemaker

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #17 on: January 23, 2017, 06:51:10 PM »
I bought 4 dozen TaylorMade TPx and still have 2 dozen, but have made the switch to the MG Golf Tour C4.  $19.99 for a dozen 3-piece urethane balls.  I have found no difference in performance from the TaylorMades and mostly play the MG now because (1) its less expensive and (2) given that I still have TaylorMades in my closet, I like the ease of identifying my ball.  Nobody else is playing the MGs...so either I'm the fool or they are.   ???

Ronald Montesano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #18 on: January 23, 2017, 07:07:48 PM »
Full Disclosure: They sponsor BuffaloGolfer.com and are based in Buffalo.


OnCore is releasing its tour ball, the Elixr, in the next few weeks. i'll be champing at the bit to play this one. I like the previous balls, but I need a tour ball.
Coming in 2024
~Elmira Country Club
~Soaring Eagles
~Bonavista
~Indian Hills
~Maybe some more!!

BCowan

Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #19 on: January 23, 2017, 07:50:10 PM »
I tried the Kirkland and did not like the feel (hard to me) of the ball.


Love the Snell Tour Ball. I did not know about the "Get Sum" ball, so I have not tried it.

   Wish I'd known about the Snell Tour and MG Tour Golf Balls.  Tired of driving across town for Pro V Practice balls that are $30+ bucks a dozen.  Then every now and then I tell my host or friend that I purchased these Golf Balls back home and that I didn't steal his club's range balls  ;D :D .  It's always good for a laugh.  The case study of paying less for balls vs using something a Top tour player does and paying more for it.   Word of mouth vs affirmation/marketing 
« Last Edit: January 23, 2017, 07:54:47 PM by Ben Cowan (Michigan) »

BHoover

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #20 on: January 23, 2017, 07:58:52 PM »
I miss the old Molitor balls.

Cliff Hamm

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #21 on: January 23, 2017, 08:16:08 PM »
Another plus for Snell is no need to mark your ball to tell it's yours, as no one else will be playing it...

Matt MacIver

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #22 on: January 23, 2017, 08:28:30 PM »
Another plus for Snell is no need to mark your ball to tell it's yours, as no one else will be playing it...


We'll...used to be that way when I started 1.5 years ago. Now three out of four in my group play them. While I haven't noticed a drop in feel or playability, I have noticed that the red number starts to bleed when it gets wet...from the dew, or otherwise.

Richard Hetzel

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #23 on: January 24, 2017, 11:43:11 AM »
I miss the old Molitor balls.


You may be the ONLY one out there that does!
Best Played So Far This Season:
Crystal Downs CC (MI), The Bridge (NY), Canterbury GC (OH), Lakota Links (CO), Montauk Downs (NY), Sedge Valley (WI)

Brian Finn

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #24 on: January 24, 2017, 11:43:54 AM »
A fellow gca-er shared this with me in the Spring, and I purchased a box of 50 for $100.  It's as good a ball as I have played, at any price. 


http://taylormadegolf.com/Lethal-50-Pack/DW-SY652.html#start=2



New for '24: Monifieth x2, Montrose x2, Panmure, Carnoustie x3, Scotscraig, Kingsbarns, Elie, Dumbarnie, Lundin, Belvedere, The Loop x2, Forest Dunes, Arcadia Bluffs x2, Kapalua Plantation, Windsong Farm, Minikahda...

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