Can Sam’s Challenge Costco? We Tested Member’s Mark 3-Piece Versus Kirkland Performance+

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 business specialists had deemed unattainable till the retail large made it occur. Whereas the three-piece choices that adopted—now of their fourth era—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 sizzling canine and a dozen golf balls for what most manufacturers cost for 2 sleeves. It’s bulk shopping for at its most interesting and, for years, Kirkland has dominated the under-$20 urethane house nearly unopposed—if solely as a result of nearly nobody else was taking part in in that sandbox.

However now there’s competitors within the warehouse aisles.

Sam’s Member’s Mark: The choice to the choice?

Lately, we printed knowledge exhibiting how the brand new Kirkland Efficiency+ stacks up in opposition to the Titleist Pro V1. What we didn’t let you know is that on the identical time, we examined one other challenger: Sam’s Club Member’s Mark Pro Series 2 golf ball. At present, 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 coming into the fray, we wished to see how this different warehouse ball in comparison with what has grow to be the de facto gold customary 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, probably the most revered names in membership becoming and robotic testing. Nearly all of testing was carried out open air at SunRidge Canyon Golf Membership in Arizona.

Knowledge was collected with Trackman (drivers and irons) and Foresight GCQuad (wedges).

Whereas the bigger check might be carried out at three speeds, for this smaller check the driving force’s pace was set to 100 mph. Irons have been examined at 81 mph whereas the wedge check was designed to copy 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. Observe that the pattern dimension is a bit smaller than what we might sometimes run for the Ball Lab. We merely wished to get a common thought about compression, weight and diameter.

Compression

• On our gauges, the Kirkland Performance+ measured 97. That’s roughly on par with the Pro V1x and a four- to five-point soar from earlier Kirkland fashions.
• The Sam’s Member’s Mark Pro Series 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 dimension was barely smaller, the Kirkland was barely extra constant throughout the board, however I couldn’t in good religion say it gives a significant high quality benefit.

With that out of the best way, let’s take a look at what occurred once we hit the golf balls.

Driver knowledge

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Observations:

• Ball speeds have been comparatively shut with the Kirkland producing about 1/2 mph extra ball pace 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 the next peak trajectory.
• By the numbers, the Kirkland spun a tick greater than the Sam’s ball, however the variations will not be vital.
• The Kirkland additionally edged out the Sam’s in carry and whole 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 cannot fully be excluded as an element, the Kirkland Performance+ produced the tighter downrange dispersion by a significant quantity.

7-iron knowledge

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Observations:

• On 7-iron pictures, ball speeds have been nearly equivalent. This isn’t shocking 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 Pro Series 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 knowledge

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Observations:

• Regardless of the low-speed impression, the Kirkland produced practically 1/2 mph extra ball pace, whereas launching practically 1.5 levels decrease.
• The Kirkland ball produced roughly 250 rpm extra spin.
• Carry and whole 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 fee of the Kirkland ball.

Which One’s Higher?

As with most issues in golf, it will depend on 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, provide affordable efficiency and value about half (or much less) than a dozen Pro 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 whole distance and tighter dispersion which implies 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 situations.

With irons, Member’s Mark was just a little tighter when it comes to dispersion space however the variations in spin, top and distance have been minimal.

Whereas the Kirkland dispersion chart is just a little 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 swimsuit gamers who need 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 proper ball doesn’t exist however for those who’re in search of a low-cost urethane possibility that holds up surprisingly properly from tee to inexperienced, Kirkland Performance+ 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 Pro Series 2 is a worthy challenger. That stated, primarily based on this knowledge, the unique warehouse ball nonetheless has the sting.

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