We robot-tested Costco’s Kirkland irons. Here are 3 things we learned

For gearheads within the know, the latest launch of Costco’s Kirkland Signature irons was extremely anticipated. Best identified for its $1.50 scorching canines and bulk items that might feed a small military, the worldwide retailer has continued to make inroads within the golf-equipment business with strategic merchandise — golf balls, putters and wedges — aimed toward golfers on a finances.

Costco’s aggressive pricing has led golfers in recent times to surprise in regards to the high quality of its tech — particularly with the brand new Kirkland Signature cast irons coming in at $499, and adjustable drivers coming into the area at solely $199.

For our newest spherical of ClubTest robotic testing with Golf Laboratories’ swing robotic, we put the Kirkland Signature irons to the check towards all the latest merchandise for 2024. While we can’t point out the opposite 2024 manufacturers and fashions by identify — as a consequence of media embargoes — we can let you know how they stack up versus the newcomer.

(Note: All 7-irons had been examined on the swing robotic at 80 mph utilizing the identical assault angle for an apples-to-apples comparability. Three factors on the face — middle, toe and heel — had been analyzed to find out distance loss and adjustments to launch and spin on off-center strikes.)

It’s a cheeseburger

I’ve used the time period “cheeseburger” up to now to explain a membership that falls proper in the midst of the bell curve. When trying on the launch angle and spin price of Costco’s Kirkland Signature irons, it’s most undoubtedly a cheeseburger.

The common launch (18.8 levels) and spin price (5,764 RPMs) landed the iron proper in the midst of the pack, which implies it doesn’t favor somebody who launches or spins the ball too excessive or low.

With loads of game-improvement and players-distance irons close to the Kirkland on the launch and spin charts, it’s protected to say the iron advantages a variety of participant varieties.

Off-speed pitch

Taking the sub-$500 price ticket into consideration, Kirkland held its personal within the ball pace battle. On middle strikes, the ball pace (111.6 mph) was nearer to the underside than the center of the pack. To put that quantity into perspective, a number of irons boasting comparable efficiency traits topped 116 mph. But whenever you drop all the way down to the center of the pack, the common is round 114 mph. So we’re speaking a distinction of 7-8 yards on the perfect strikes.

But what about mishits? On 3/4-inch toe and heel strikes, the Kirkland misplaced 11.3 yards on toe misses and 10 yards on heel misses. The tight delta means the Kirklands don’t favor a golfer who misses it in a single particular location. In reality, the 1.3-yard delta between heel and toe misses was the tightest we noticed throughout robotic testing.

Some heel and toe deltas from opponents had been upward of 11 yards on comparable game-improvement and players-distance fashions. The Kirklands don’t retain ball pace exceptionally properly in a single location, however they gained’t damage you all that a lot, both. It’s additional affirmation that the addition of tungsten within the head and a weight screw within the toe isn’t only for present.

Carrying price

Taking the ball pace on geometric middle strikes into consideration, Kirkland wound up averaging a carry distance of 155.4 yards. That’s 15 yards shorter than the longest iron we examined, and simply over 6 yards longer than the shortest carry distance recorded.

That stated, the irons sitting under Kirkland on the carry distance chart are better-player cavity-back fashions and blades with weaker lofts. It’s truthful to say Kirkland is the shortest players-distance/game-improvement mannequin that went via our robotic testing.

Does that matter to somebody who’s plunking down $499 for a set of irons at Costco? That’s in the end as much as the golfer making the buying resolution.

For the second, Costco’s Kirkland Signature irons stay offered out and are presently going for $750-$900 on the secondary market, making them an analogous purchase to the opposite manufacturers within the market.

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Jonathan Wall

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Magazine and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Equipment. Prior to becoming a member of the employees on the finish of 2018, he spent 6 years protecting tools for the PGA Tour. He might be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com.