Equipment
GolfWRX exclusive: The story behind the new Costco KS1 putter
Costco, together with its Kirkland Signature brand, is one of the biggest forces in retail. Once again, it is disrupting the golf equipment space with the introduction of the company’s very first original golf club: the KS1 putter.
In an exclusive interview with GolfWRX, Tim Farmer, Costco vice president and general merchandise manager, dug into the details behind the putter. Farmer also spoke at great length about Costco’s other golf products, including the wildly popular Kirkland Signature four-piece golf ball and the current Kirkland three-piece urethane ball, which upon the time of publication has over 17,000 reviews and a 4.5/5 star rating.
The Costco Golf story
“The approach to creating the KS1 putter was no different than creating any other Kirkland Signature product – to work with a manufacturer to create something that offers exceptional value to our customers”
-Tim Farmer
First, some background on the Kirkland Signature brand, from Costco
“By taking the lead in sourcing and formulating new products, co-branding with premium national and international brands, and partnering with top manufacturers around the world, we’ve created an exclusive range of (Kirkland Signature) products that reflect our members’ tastes and exceed their expectations.”
The approach, from a Costco’s perspective, is to capitalize within a market where they believe an opportunity exists to be a price disruptor to other products currently available. The research includes talking with venders, working with Costco’s long list of approved suppliers, and visiting trade shows—including the PGA Merchandise Show.
The original golf breakthrough came with the introduction of the Kirkland Signature Tour Performance four-piece ball in late 2016. The story goes, Costco was approached by a manufacturer with its own IP on a golf ball design and the opportunity to produce a ball under the Kirkland brand. Independent testing conducted by a third party and Costco’s own internal testing proved the four-piece ball offered exceptional performance. The ball was then approved and shortly after arrived in warehouses. “That’s when things went a little crazy,” says Farmer.
The price of $29.99 for two dozen four-piece urethane balls seemed too good to be true, but in the age of social media and launch monitors, golfers were buzzing, and the balls sold out almost immediately company-wide. Demand and buzz even created a secondary market where the golf balls were selling for 4-5 times their initial price including on eBay. Costco was both shocked and excited, and the ball became the proof of concept that its own line of golf products could be in high demand by members.
The Costco KS1 putter story
Considering the number of options Costco had for potentially producing a golf club, a putter was selected for its relative simplicity and the knowledge that of all the clubs in the bag, golfers love to experiment and test putters the most.
Farmer admitted that he, (a 9 handicap) along with a lot of other employees and members of the board of directors at Costco, are golf nuts themselves, and the putter was an exciting product to develop. It was an attractive product because the company knew it was a category where it could offer the best value and performance comparable to other products on the market.
The Costco buyers approached a well-respected manufacturer in China that also produces putters for a number of well-known OEMs to help develop the KS1. After working through initial prototypes and multiple designs, the wide-body plumbers neck was the final choice based on its popularity and mass appeal.
Farmer made the point that mass appeal is a huge part of the Costco merchandising philosophy because the average Costco Warehouse is 160,000 square feet, and at most, merchandises only 3,700 items per store. When you compare that to other big box stores of similar size, they could carry upwards of 120,000 different items. Fewer products create more value, which at the end of the day, is Costco’s biggest goal.
Costco KS1 putter specs
The specs of the putter clearly reflect the greatest opportunity to offer a club to the largest part of the bell curve for the best possible value.
- Construction: 100% milled from 303 stainless steel. Also has a 303 insert.
- Length: 34.5″
- Loft: 3 degrees
- Lie: 71 degrees
- Head weight: 340g with stock 10g adjustable weights. A separate weight kit will be available for 34.99 (online only) and will come with a wrench and adjustable 5g (x2) and 15g (x2) weights.
- Grip: Superstroke Countercore
- Head cover included
- Right-hand only
One of the interesting details from my conversation with Farmer concerned the reason the weight kit is being sold separately: “Research shows the majority of golfers don’t tinker with weights and settings of their clubs,” he said. “So to offer the best value, we are making it available online.”
It’s a smart decision that falls right in line with Costco’s directive to offer the greatest value while still creating options for members who are looking for something extra.
Availability & price
According to Farmer, the putter should become available online within the next couple of weeks. They don’t have an exact in-store date yet since pallets (how everything at Costco is moved around, stored, and merchandised) are currently in the process of being built and delivered—but expect to see them around three weeks from now.
The current plan is to have the putters in a select 80 stores to start with the potential to have them expand once the initial volume and sales data is analyzed. Like all things Costco, from mayonnaise to socks, every item has to earn its floor space. But if the putter sells anything like the golf ball, you can expect to see a potential second and third run.
The KS1 putter will be sold for $139.99 USD and the weight kit (available online only) will be a separate $34.99
The putter might just be the beginning…
Toward the end of my conversation with Farmer, the one question I had to ask is if other clubs and balls are on the horizon for Costco and the Kirkland Signature brand. I asked specifically about a rumored three-wedge set, and if they planned to update the current three-piece urethane ball.
Although Farmer was unable to provide specific details about any clubs beyond saying, “we are always working on new products that offer value to our members,” he was willing to say they are excited to see the reaction to the KS1 Putter. As for the three-piece golf ball, Costco is currently going through the testing phase for a potential replacement possibly by the end of the year.
When it comes to offering value, quality, and trust, there really is no other company in the entire consumer goods space that has the ability to deliver on a grand scale like Costco, and the Costco KS1 putter could be another game-changer for this constantly innovating retail giant.
Cameron Young’s WITB from his win at the 2025 Wyndham Championship. Cameron is a Titleist staff player but his bag is definitely filled with some unique clubs. Here are the clubs he used to secure his first PGA Tour win!
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees)
Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K White 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus HB Black VeloCore+ 10 X
Irons: Titleist T200 (4), Titleist T100 (5), Titleist 631.CY Prototype (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7 (4-9)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F, 52-12F, 56-14F @57), WedgeWorks (60-K* @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold X7
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom 9.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet Cord
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Prototype
- Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here.
Driver: Titleist GT3 (10 degrees, C2 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Project X Denali Blue 60 TX
3-wood: Titleist GT3 (15 degrees, A1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 7 X
7-wood: Titleist GT2 (21 degrees, D1 SureFit setting)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus TR Blue 8 X
Irons: Titleist T150 (4, 5), Titleist T100 (6-9)
Shafts: True Temper AMT Tour White X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM10 (48-10F @47, 52-12F, 56-08M @57, 60-04T @62)
Shafts: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400
Putter: Scotty Cameron Studio Style Fastback 1.5 Tour Prototype
Grips: Golf Pride Tour Velvet
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x Yellow
We’re proud to once again partner with 2nd Swing Golf to bring you GolfWRX Members Choice 2025! 2nd Swing has more than 150,000 new and pre-swung golf clubs available in six store locations and online. Check them out here.
What is the best driver in 2025? At GolfWRX, we take great pride in our online community and the cumulative knowledge and experience of our members. When it comes to the best driver of 2025, we want to know what our forum faithful think.
Since our founding in 2005, the bedrock of GolfWRX.com has been the community of passionate and knowledgeable golfers in our forums, and we put endless trust in the opinions of our GolfWRX members — the most knowledgeable community of golfers on the internet. No other group of golfers in the world tests golf clubs as frequently or as extensively, nor is armed with such in-depth information about the latest technology.
Below are the results of GolfWRX member voting for the 2025 best driver, along with the vote percentage for each club.
Best driver of 2025: The top 5
5. Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond: 6.02%
Callaway’s pitch: “For golfers looking for a fast, forgiving, yet workable driver, the Elyte Triple Diamond features a tour-inspired shape and is the preferred model by most Callaway tour players.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond here.
4. Ping G440 Max: 6.86%
Ping’s pitch: “The most forgiving G440 model, MAX has a hotter face to generate speed and distance, and a lighter overall system weight with a longer shaft (46″) for faster clubhead speed, higher launch and longer carries. The Free Hosel and Carbonfly Wrap crown save weight to create our lowest CG ever and increase forgiveness while contributing to a more muted, pleasing sound.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 Max here.
3. Ping G440 LST: 9.53%
Ping’s pitch: “LST is an especially good fit for faster swings, offering less spin and more control with a penetrating trajectory. A hotter face, lighter overall system weight and longer shaft (46″) deliver more speed and distance while maintaining tight dispersion.”
@phizzy30: “Not a fan of Ping drivers in general, but 440 LST takes the cake. It’s super forgiving across the face for a low spin head, looks and sounds good and the ability to make it play neutral or slightly fade biased through the hosel settings is very appealing.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Ping G440 LST here.
2. Titleist GT3: 16.55%
Titleist’s pitch: “The GT3 Driver offers Titleist’s boldest combination of power and personalization through adjustable performance. Dial in the CG Track to your frequent contact location to make your biggest drives even bigger while taking total control over flight and shaping.”
@mrmikeac: “I’ve been Anti-Titleist for years and years and years (outside of Vokey, of course). With that being said, HOLY BEGEEZUS the GT3 driver is an absolute NUCLEAR MONSTER! This thing blew my G430 10K Max out of the water in every single category. Forgiveness is the biggest thing that stands out of me, the 3 model has always been one of the less forgiving models in the past but this GT3 can take bad shot after bad shot and still end up in the fairway, I think a ton of that has to do with the adjustability, it’s actually effective. Feel and sound is perfect, that solid crack is so addicting to hear and when you hit it out the screws this thing can absolutely bomb it. Titleist, I’m sorry for doubting you. You have converted me.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT3 here.
1. Titleist GT2: 22.91%
Titleist’s pitch: “Delivering impressive distance from any impact point, the Titleist GT2 Driver extracts maximum performance through a forgiving design. Get the stability and added confidence of a high-MOI driver without sacrificing speed.”
@DTorres: “The Titleist GT2 has proven to be the best driver of the year. Packaged in a classic profile, GT2 perfectly balances performance and forgiveness while consistently being a high performer across all categories.”
You can read what other golfers are saying about the driver in the GolfWRX forums, and see our launch piece here. Shop the Titleist GT2 here.
Other drivers receiving >2% of the vote
| Driver | Vote percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cobra DS Adapt Max K | 4.85% |
| Ping G430 Max 10K | 3.85% |
| Callaway Elyte Triple Diamond | 3.68% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 | 3.51% |
| Callaway Elyte | 3.18% |
| Cobra DS Adapt X | 2.34% |
| Cobra DS Adapt LS | 2.17% |
| TaylorMade Qi35 LS | 2.17% |
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Peter Malnati WITB 2025 (August)
Peter Malnati what’s in the bag accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. More photos from the event here. Driver: Titleist...
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2025 Wyndham Championship
Driver: Titleist GT2 (9 degrees, A1 SureFit setting) Buy here. Shaft: Mitsubishi Tensei 1K Pro Orange 70 TX 3-wood: Titleist...
Camilo Villegas WITB 2025 (July)
Camilo Villegas WITB accurate as of the Wyndham Championship. Villegas was undecided on a 3-wood when we shot his bag. ...
WITB Time Machine: Brandt Snedeker’s winning WITB, 2018 Wyndham Championship
Brandt Snedeker fired a final-round 65 at the 2018 Wyndham Championship to outlast Webb Simpson and C.T. Pan. His 5-under...
stanley
May 24, 2020 at 2:53 pm
rick shiels put up a video review of this putter. i guess it is what you expected.
John Reich
Apr 13, 2022 at 6:22 pm
Costco now has the left-handed version of the KS1
uhgolfguy1
May 18, 2020 at 1:02 am
You’d think quality control could be an issue but given the nature of the milling process, the putters should have good quality.
303 SS is a great material for putters… just ask Scotty Cameron.
Me personally, I think the KS1 is a bit chunky for my taste, but I’m sure it feels great.
Simms
May 23, 2020 at 2:18 pm
Very much a Odyssey looking putter, I ordered one first thing on line and 8 days latter still waiting, but I went into a COSTCO yesterday and they had a pallet full of them…so I got a hands on look….will be sending mine back when it comes without even opening, not anything special until they drop the price to say $79…
stanley
May 13, 2020 at 11:58 pm
can’t lie. i am excited to see some reviews for these putters. but lets keep in mind that we have some amazing american milled putters here.
Cody Reeder
May 13, 2020 at 1:36 pm
I just want to know where it is made… and by who.. Sean Toulon says it is not made or has anything to do with Odyssey soo… Who??
Spitfisher
May 26, 2020 at 2:25 pm
Do you really honestly believe any manufacturer would come clean with a ” yeah, we make it” statement?
Besides there is no Odyssey, toulon etc factory anywhere in the world. A factory is tooled for product, proto types and QC samples are produced, vendor writes a PO ahead of time, production starts, product and marketing material is produced and a way it goes.
Jimmy Ray
May 8, 2020 at 10:59 am
Right Hand only…nuf said.
curt j benjamins
May 9, 2020 at 5:22 pm
Damn it we lefties always get shafted, no pun intended
Bill
May 7, 2020 at 11:38 pm
Does this look like an Odyssey O-Works #1 with a different insert and color scheme?
Duke
May 8, 2020 at 10:54 am
It is just that. I listened to a podcast the other day and it revolved around this putter. It is constructed by same plant with very similar characteristics.
Mike
May 8, 2020 at 2:03 pm
I believe it’s technically the exact same putter that comes with the Callaway Edge set that they sell, but gets branded as Odyssey with their license agreement.
stanley
May 7, 2020 at 11:16 pm
i thought about this….. and it’s a no go. but we will see. kirkland sells everything.
Jack
May 7, 2020 at 10:10 pm
Thing is, the design is just atrocious. Did they do any consumer forums before finalizing on the design?
Michaele
May 8, 2020 at 9:30 am
One picture shooting primarily the bottom of the putter is your basis for your comment?
Your comment is atrocious too.
Duke
May 8, 2020 at 10:56 am
It is constructed by same plant with very similar characteristics as the Odyssey line.
Bob
May 7, 2020 at 8:36 pm
You can buy a full set of 10 Callaway Edge clubs from Costco and that includes an Odyssey putter. These must be made for Costco as they are not available anywhere else. A review of them made them sound like a good deal for an average golfer. I hope that I survive this Covid and get a chance to play them. B.
Duh!
May 7, 2020 at 7:13 pm
Made in a Wuhan lab to destroy American golfers everywhere.
Gary Mohlenkamp
May 8, 2020 at 12:35 pm
I agree! I will never purchase anything made in China if I have a choice.
Delbert
May 8, 2020 at 3:46 pm
Why do companies continue to do business with a country that steals IP like they do? Their government and economy are set up in such a way to prevent creativity. Do not buy this putter. It will give you the YIPS! There, I said it. But I didn’t say shank.
Jbone
May 19, 2020 at 8:37 pm
Agreed. The one positive of this virus is China getting exposed. Hopefully people speak with their wallets
Martin
May 7, 2020 at 6:52 pm
Time will tell if it will sell, but i have a feeling it well.
Calvin
May 7, 2020 at 6:41 pm
I don’t understand why you would do a CNC machined 303SS putter and just to put in a machined 303SS face insert. Doesn’t it just defeats the purpose of the CNC precision and you are not trying to affect the impact feel with different material anyways?
Homer Simpson
May 8, 2020 at 10:42 am
You’re a club homer. Only you would would dissect the club like this. Calvin, tell me, what’s your favorite hole on your golf bag?
Joe McManuis
May 7, 2020 at 5:20 pm
Any indication whether it will be available in Canada this summer and whether weight kit will also be available?
Al
May 7, 2020 at 4:31 pm
Lot of occasional golf dads will see this come June.
Chris
May 7, 2020 at 2:13 pm
So why did conversation on 4 piece ball stop? They should have talked about why they stopped making the 4 piece ball and why they won’t have the same problem with the putter…or will they?
BingHogan
May 7, 2020 at 11:09 am
They only want to sell you chicken.! And a $65.00 “club” fee.
Not sure how many members they have now but I have heard they make about $70 million per year.
The Costco Country Club. Has a nice ring to it…
Paulo
May 7, 2020 at 10:59 am
Is this Piece an advert for Costco ? Maybe state that st the top like they used to in magazines
Vanilla Ice
May 7, 2020 at 10:57 am
Balls – Hero
Putter – Zero
steve
May 7, 2020 at 10:21 am
$150 OTD for this club seems more in line with buying a club from a traditional gilf retailer. Why would someone make this purchase versus numerous other options from other well known manufacturers? This example of value in no way it compares to that of the original four piece ball that they sold. Thanks Costco but I think you’re whiffing on this one
John
May 7, 2020 at 9:26 am
I don’t know about you folks… but sure reminds me of a Scotty Cameron Newport 2
Stanley
May 7, 2020 at 9:04 am
No pics from address?
Paulo
May 8, 2020 at 1:06 am
The Costco marketing dept didn’t send any…
DB
May 7, 2020 at 8:42 am
Sorry, not interested in another putter coming from some cheap Chinese factory when there are so many great putter makers milling their putters right here in the USA.
jim
May 7, 2020 at 8:05 am
139.99 in my opinion is not a “real Value”. plus another $35 for weight kit (for those who want it) puts it very in-line with other putters in the big box stores.
Homer Simpson
May 8, 2020 at 10:46 am
It is a value. Not everyone buys used golf clubs on wrx for a value. I like this site but there are too many club homers and poors trying To flip and make money.
MJ 23
May 7, 2020 at 5:01 am
Now THAT is funny! Does it come with a corn dog?
brian
May 7, 2020 at 8:43 am
The only putter line that really puts it in line with are the cheaper Cleveland putters and low-end Odyssey White Hot line, none of which have adjustability features.
Brandon
May 7, 2020 at 9:48 am
You can find plenty of new past model year higher end Odyssey putters for right around 130 bucks. Got by eye on a stroke lab double wide right now.
brian
May 7, 2020 at 1:22 pm
I’m only seeing used Stroke Lab putters for under $150 doing a search.
Paulo
May 8, 2020 at 5:07 pm
I’d rather have one of those
Guy
May 8, 2020 at 7:24 pm
I just bought a brand new O-works #2 for $70. There’s deals to be found if you strike at the right times.
CT
May 9, 2020 at 12:44 pm
From where? Looking for one. Thanks!