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BCowan

Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #50 on: January 31, 2017, 09:31:04 PM »
The guy who owns Snell designed the pro v1 and has 25 ball patents. Its the same as when Tad Moore went out on his own after designing clubs for Maxfli in the 80s and 90s

Ryan Taylor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #51 on: February 01, 2017, 09:53:16 AM »
The cheapest price I could find for Snell MTB's = $157.99 for 6 dozen golf balls / 72 balls = $2.19/ball

Titleist runs a purchase 3 dozen PRO V1/X get 1 free Loyalty Program every spring. Cost per dozen last year = $47.95 x 3 = $143.85 for four dozen. $143.85 / 48 balls = $2.99/ball

I typically go through 50 or so new balls per golf season. $2.19 - $2.99 = -$0.80 and $0.80/ball x 50 balls per season = $40.00/year savings (Note: I play around 60 rounds of golf per year)

-$0.80/ball spread or $40/ year savings for Snell doesn't compel me to switch like a $15/dozen Kirkland - Nassau Quattro - Taylor Made overrun does!
« Last Edit: February 01, 2017, 05:00:12 PM by Ryan Taylor »
"Bandon is like Chamonix for skiers or the North Shore of Oahu for surfers,” Rogers said. “It is where those who really care end up."

A.G._Crockett

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #52 on: February 01, 2017, 07:15:22 PM »
A few months back they had Pro V1s at my local store and they were $39.95


Probably to build up the P&L prior to the IPO.  Don't count on that again.

I think if you see ProV's, or ANY Titleist/Footjoy product on sale, you are seeing last year's model or a discontinued line.  Titleist/Footjoy is almost as aggressive as Ping in protecting MSRP, and WILL pull a retailer's account if they discount a current line.  The shining example of this was the PGA Tour Superstores have NO Titleist/Footjoy products, including ProV1's for well over a year as "punishment" for discounting.

I've seen previous year models sold for around $40/dozen.
"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

BCowan

Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #53 on: February 03, 2017, 11:28:43 AM »
I really like the idea of supporting Snell, a small company where the designer of the Golf ball is the owner or part owner.  I find similar rewards in playing my Tad Moore irons and buying local craft beer.  2017 has the making for an excellent year!  This is one of the best threads for alternative information. 

Ryan Taylor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #54 on: February 03, 2017, 11:58:22 AM »
I really like the idea of supporting Snell, a small company where the designer of the Golf ball is the owner or part owner.

I respect your position and I try and support local / small business as well. For me, the small business still has to have offer a compelling value proposition. I pay more for a micro or craft vs. macro beer because it tastes better. I pay more for a private vacation rental home vs. hotel because it offers more room, fireplace, kitchen, etc. I pay more for a custom suit vs. off-the rack discount because it fits better.

An eighty cents per ball delta doesn't offer me enough value to switch away from a golf ball that I've played my entire life. I hope they have success and understand that everyone views these purchase decisions differently. (financial vs. emotion) I find these discussions fascinating as I have a shopper marketing background.
"Bandon is like Chamonix for skiers or the North Shore of Oahu for surfers,” Rogers said. “It is where those who really care end up."

David_Tepper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #55 on: February 03, 2017, 12:05:07 PM »
Vice is another independent golf ball producer that sells direct. They offer 3- & 4-piece balls for under $25 a dozen and a 2-piece ball for under $11 a dozen.

http://www.vicegolf.com/us2/?forceLang

BCowan

Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #56 on: February 03, 2017, 01:45:00 PM »
An eighty cents per ball delta doesn't offer me enough value to switch away from a golf ball that I've played my entire life. I hope they have success and understand that everyone views these purchase decisions differently. (financial vs. emotion)

    The Golf Ball we have both played our entire life is the Snell ball, Snell designed the Pro V.  My purchasing decision is based on principal like most decisions I make.  I like to reward the person for their 25 ball patent and impressive resume.  It also happens to award me financially, in which I can save $40 a year and I can put it to more craft beer!  I also can purchase the 6 dozen year round and don't have to target my purchases by time frame.   Another benefit is everyone doesn't play them, thus enabling me to not have to worry about hitting the wrong ball.  To each is own

Mike Bodo

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #57 on: February 03, 2017, 03:03:26 PM »

Vice is another independent golf ball producer that sells direct. They offer 3- & 4-piece balls for under $25 a dozen and a 2-piece ball for under $11 a dozen.

http://www.vicegolf.com/us2/?forceLang
I just saw a full page ad in the latest edition of Golf magazine for Vice balls. I had never heard of them, but from the photos showing the various stages of ball construction they appear to be the real deal. Has anyone here played them?


I just received the box of Snell's I ordered earlier in the week and am anxious to try them out. They're definitely softer when you bite into them. LOL!
"90% of all putts left short are missed." - Yogi Berra

Mike Bodo

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #58 on: February 03, 2017, 03:06:44 PM »

An eighty cents per ball delta doesn't offer me enough value to switch away from a golf ball that I've played my entire life. I hope they have success and understand that everyone views these purchase decisions differently. (financial vs. emotion)

    The Golf Ball we have both played our entire life is the Snell ball, Snell designed the Pro V.  My purchasing decision is based on principal like most decisions I make.  I like to reward the person for their 25 ball patent and impressive resume.  It also happens to award me financially, in which I can save $40 a year and I can put it to more craft beer!  I also can purchase the 6 dozen year round and don't have to target my purchases by time frame.   Another benefit is everyone doesn't play them, thus enabling me to not have to worry about hitting the wrong ball.  To each is own
I'm on board with all of your points, which isn't to say there's a right way or wrong way in the companies and products each of us supports. It's purely a matter of personal preference.
"90% of all putts left short are missed." - Yogi Berra

Pat Burke

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #59 on: February 03, 2017, 04:08:19 PM »
I really like the idea of supporting Snell, a small company where the designer of the Golf ball is the owner or part owner.

I respect your position and I try and support local / small business as well. For me, the small business still has to have offer a compelling value proposition. I pay more for a micro or craft vs. macro beer because it tastes better. I pay more for a private vacation rental home vs. hotel because it offers more room, fireplace, kitchen, etc. I pay more for a custom suit vs. off-the rack discount because it fits better.

An eighty cents per ball delta doesn't offer me enough value to switch away from a golf ball that I've played my entire life. I hope they have success and understand that everyone views these purchase decisions differently. (financial vs. emotion) I find these discussions fascinating as I have a shopper marketing background.


I'm in no way being argumentative.
But unless your actively buying generations old versions of say, the PRO V1, your playing a different ball every two years or so.
The 2010 ProV1 was a go to ball for many players.  When I got to q school finals and was able to get that ball for the week, I would change.  It had better spin for me than the newer generations.  They stopped offering it for us a while back, it was a sad thing for some.
I actually feel the generations of balls were quite different, and it would ways create a testing period for me where I would try all companies balls to find what worked best.

Ryan Taylor

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #60 on: February 03, 2017, 04:33:06 PM »
I'm in no way being argumentative. But unless your actively buying generations old versions of say, the PRO V1, your playing a different ball every two years or so.

Agreed. I don't play to your level but I have noticed a difference in the last few versions of the Pro V1X. The 2017 versions appear to have changed yet again! The Snell reviews that I have read indicate that the MTB is firmer and spins less than the Pro V1X. I'm curious to try the ball this Spring as well.


"Bandon is like Chamonix for skiers or the North Shore of Oahu for surfers,” Rogers said. “It is where those who really care end up."

BCowan

Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #61 on: February 03, 2017, 04:40:47 PM »
Pat,

   Do you feel you could shape the 2010 version more?  That is the biggest thing I have noticed.  I am all about giving up distance to be able to work the ball more.  Unfortunately the ball doesn't listen to me anymore, could be a LOFT problem 

Mark Provenzano

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #62 on: February 04, 2017, 01:11:50 PM »
I really like the idea of supporting Snell, a small company where the designer of the Golf ball is the owner or part owner.

I respect your position and I try and support local / small business as well. For me, the small business still has to have offer a compelling value proposition. I pay more for a micro or craft vs. macro beer because it tastes better. I pay more for a private vacation rental home vs. hotel because it offers more room, fireplace, kitchen, etc. I pay more for a custom suit vs. off-the rack discount because it fits better.

An eighty cents per ball delta doesn't offer me enough value to switch away from a golf ball that I've played my entire life. I hope they have success and understand that everyone views these purchase decisions differently. (financial vs. emotion) I find these discussions fascinating as I have a shopper marketing background.


I'm in no way being argumentative.
But unless your actively buying generations old versions of say, the PRO V1, your playing a different ball every two years or so.
The 2010 ProV1 was a go to ball for many players.  When I got to q school finals and was able to get that ball for the week, I would change.  It had better spin for me than the newer generations.  They stopped offering it for us a while back, it was a sad thing for some.
I actually feel the generations of balls were quite different, and it would ways create a testing period for me where I would try all companies balls to find what worked best.

I played a round at Kapalua with the father of participant in the Hyundai a couple of years ago. He mentioned his son was using an older version of the Pro V-1, and that Titlelist was specially manufacturing them for several pros who preferred them.

Pat Burke

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #63 on: February 04, 2017, 04:44:27 PM »
Pat,

   Do you feel you could shape the 2010 version more?  That is the biggest thing I have noticed.  I am all about giving up distance to be able to work the ball more.  Unfortunately the ball doesn't listen to me anymore, could be a LOFT problem


Without a doubt.
They were a little higher spin, and I was always a pretty flat ball flight with low spin.  The ball was perfect for me.


I actually made swing changes last year to increase my spin rate due tot he newer equipment.

hhuffines

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #64 on: February 04, 2017, 05:32:06 PM »
I found a Vice ball and played it for several holes and thought it was a decent ball.  Did the same with a Taylormade Distance+ too.  Bought a dozen of those to mess around with the rest of this winter. $14.00.


My favorite "discount" ball is the MG.  Really good ball with just a little less spin.  Plus they make good gloves for $7 each and have great service.


All that said, I bought a dozen new ProVs too.

Steve_ Shaffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #65 on: October 18, 2017, 11:36:19 AM »
In stock now. 4 piece urethane. Only available to Costco members ONLINE. 2 dozen for $29.99 plus $4.99 shipping. Limited supply.




http://www.golfwrx.com/474198/return-of-the-k-sig-costco-kirkland-signature-golf-ball-is-back/
« Last Edit: October 18, 2017, 11:39:36 AM by Steve_ Shaffer »
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Tom ORourke

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #66 on: October 18, 2017, 07:44:41 PM »
I have been using the Snell MTB for the past year and am staying with it. Spins much better around the green than any ball at the same price level, like Bridgestone E Series, or Titleist Velocity, etc. Buying 6 dozen at under $30 per dozen makes losing one much more palatable than a $48 set of Pro V1s.
Speaking of spin, I heard a neat interview by Hank Haney with Rock Ishii, formerly the Nike ball guy, now with Callaway. Ishii said he does not use a high spinning ball because he does not spin his shots enough. That had Haney a bit confused, and he was asking Ishii why he would use a lower spin ball if he needed more spin. Ishii explained that the soft line of balls does not spin as much but comes off the face at about 1.5 degrees higher launch angle, so he can stop the ball with height instead of spin. He felt that since he did not hit chips like a pro using their ball was not a good idea. I guess it all comes down to personal feel and, in my case, price. But the Snell balls spin well and most friends of mine that try them feel it is a bit softer than the Pro V1.   

Cliff Hamm

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #67 on: October 19, 2017, 07:43:49 PM »
Pleased that many are playing Snell.  Love not paying for marketing, etc.  When I play with folks I dk often give them a Snell and typically they want to order sum (pun intended).  Maybe I should request a comission from Mr. Snell :D

Steve Lapper

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #68 on: October 19, 2017, 09:23:19 PM »
Time to hard press my short Acushnet (GOLF) long Callaway (ELY) pair trade....back up the truck!!
The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking."--John Kenneth Galbraith

Laz Versalles

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #69 on: October 22, 2017, 02:25:47 AM »

Shift in the marketplace for sure. Pro V1 sales have dropped 4% in 2016 and will likely drop 6-7% in 2017- and that's with the 3 most marketable guys in golf- Spieth, Fowler and Thomas- all playing the Pro V1. 


I was a "Pro V1x Guy" the day it came out. Switched to Vice Pro and Pro Plus about a year ago. $25/doz new. Same performance, durable, better aesthetic, fast shipping.




Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #70 on: October 22, 2017, 07:34:47 AM »
Laz


I was kindly given a Vice ball by a member of this DG but unfortunately lost it before I could really give it a try out but even the feel of the ball in the hand gave confidence that you'd get plenty of feel round the greens. Looking at the Vice adverts there appears to be a big difference in price between the Pro and the Pro plus. What's the difference and how do they compare say to the Pro V1 ?


Niall

Jerry Kluger

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #71 on: October 22, 2017, 07:51:57 AM »
I was given a dozen Srixon Z Star balls and made an interesting discovery - not necessarily indicative of anything significant, but a difference none the less. I put a line on the ball and I bought an item to do this which is a round piece of plastic which fits over half of the ball with a slit in it for the line.  It usually fits very snugly and it takes a bit of effort to move it around to where the slit is exactly where I want it.  With the Srixon ball it slipped on easily and I could move it around very easily.  It was either the ball's finish or the size of the ball that allowed this to happen.  Again, don't know that it is of any significance but it is interesting.

Laz Versalles

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #72 on: October 22, 2017, 11:44:37 AM »

Laz


I was kindly given a Vice ball by a member of this DG but unfortunately lost it before I could really give it a try out but even the feel of the ball in the hand gave confidence that you'd get plenty of feel round the greens. Looking at the Vice adverts there appears to be a big difference in price between the Pro and the Pro plus. What's the difference and how do they compare say to the Pro V1 ?


Hello Niall, There's a big difference between the Vice Tour and the Vice Pro or Pro Plus. The Vice Tour is like an NXT. The Vice Pro is like a Pro V1 and the Vice Pro Plus is like a Pro V1x with slightly less spin off the wedge, but not that I can tell.

Niall

Mark McKeever

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #73 on: October 24, 2017, 01:07:39 PM »
I just got 8 dozen in the order frenzy last week!  I had bought a box last November and loved them, glad they came back for a short while so I could stock up.
Best MGA showers - Bayonne

"Dude, he's a total d***"

Niall C

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Kirkland Golf Balls
« Reply #74 on: October 25, 2017, 01:07:59 PM »
Laz


Just noted your response, thanks for that. I think I'll be making a modest investment in the Vice Pro.


Niall