Costco Putters are in... (MOD EDIT - NO CORONAVIRUS, POLITICS, BUY/SELL/TRADE POSTS)

[TheMoneyShot]

That is crazy man. But like you said, expect this with Costco...

[dxdgenert]

Putter arrived and I quickly brought it out to the lush greens of my living room.

Initial impressions are that it is good. For some people it will be the nicest putter they’ve ever had. For those who have owned Scotty’s, Bettinardi’s, etc. this be a decent but not spectacular putter. The quality is there but with a sterility to it. It looks far more utilitarian than other putter “maker’s” wares.

I’ll put it head to head on the Birdie Ball green with my Studio Stainless Newport 2 later tonight but I can’t imagine it will win out. So then I’m left to ponder what do I want out of this putter? Is it a backup, novelty or a return... Time will tell. It could be a great 6th man off of the bench but probably not a starter.

I have the weight kit and will try some combinations to see if I can catch lightning in a bottle.

[TheMoneyShot]

I’m just going throw mine in my club collection. Conversation piece at best..

[dxdgenert]

It May be worth noting that there is a label on the shipping box from SA Products. Sports Afield Gun Safes, Firearm Storage Travel Cases & Pistol Vaults

It looks like they make safes and security cabinets. They work with metal but not sure if they would be the manufacturer or not?

[TheMoneyShot]

Good call out here.

[mgolf193]

 

Has anyone tried any alternative weights in their KS1 putter? Maybe some Scotty or Odyssey weights may also fit in there? Maybe even something from Wish.... If someone has a chance could they pull out their putter weights and shoot us a picture?

[cohenfive]

I used the ks1 this afternoon in the heat (northern CA). I liked it from the moment I went to the practice green. My grip is aligned properly, and the putter doesn't seem too light to me. It is a very different style putter than I am used to (normally I use a laguna style putter, have every variant made I think!), and I didn't really make anything today, but it felt pretty solid with a smooth feel. Given the price of the high end brands it is certainly worth the money, but it isn't going to be for everyone. I am playing again tomorrow so I might bring it out again to see how I really like it against my toulon stroke lab.

[rlb4]

I have the KS1 and weight kit. Also have an Odyssey OWorks 7. The Kirkland weights are much bigger and are independent from the screw that holds them in place. The Odyssey weights screw in as one unit. See attached.

[dxdgenert]

Are we in an era where we’ll see “knockoff” weights for a “knockoff” Scotty Cameron? Strange times, indeed.

[TheMoneyShot]

Thankfully the putter I ordered came with a straight grip?

[Rory4Pres]

The hype of this putter really got to a lot of you guys. Especially when you mention what your gamers are and how much some of them vary (regarding style, toe hang, weight, etc). Just saying after $200 for the putter and weight kit, you could buy a very nice condition used scotty cameron or bettinardi or a variety of other putters. I think it's less about the "deal" and more about the curiosity and hype.

I just keep thinking costco is going to have A LOT of returns if this putter doesn't live up to the high standards you guys are placing it on. I kind of think Kirkland couldn't live up to the expectations some of you have for it. It's their first ever design & build, versus so many golf manufacturers who have designed, studied and built hundreds of putter designs and builds.

Hopefully you guys make putts with it. At the end of the day, that's all we are looking for.

[bhj83]

Personally I don't think I'd keep it even if my grip was installed properly. I could easily adjust it myself but I don't really like the putter enough to mess with it when I paid $162 after tax. If it were closer to $100 I'd be more tempted but it's just an okay milled putter IMO. I will say I do like the truline thing and I can see some value there. I would be really interested to hear the reasoning for how the face insert is milled...really random.

[dxdgenert]

I played around with the weights and could definitely get the putter to have different feelings depending on the configuration. In the end. The best setting for me was 340 grams (my Scotty is 330 grams) with no Super Stroke weight (also the same as my Scotty which has a Mid Slim 3.0 slightly larger grip).

As such, for anyone that cares, I didn’t need my weight kit and sent out some eBay offers. My weight kids sold for $150 and $100 plus shipping (buyer pays). The other one that sold on eBay (there have only been three that have sold) accepted an offer off of their $150 Buy It Now price so we don’t know exactly how much it sold for but it was less than my $100 plus shipping (based off of sorting by price). I thought others would like to know what the secondary market is looking like for these. If you’re at all on the fence, I wouldn’t hesitate to snatch one up when they become available. At worst you return it at Costco for no loss. At best, you make almost $100.

[dbdors]

How did you get to 330g? Did you remove one 10g weight?

[dxdgenert]

Nope. My mistake. Lightest weight of 340 grams.

[Nessism]

I won't play a Scotty Cameron if you gave it to me.

[BYK]

Why is that?

[tangojay]

Probably same as ,,,,,,,, I won't play a (insert brand here) if you gave it to me.

[KCsFinest5]

I think the “hype” is just dollar for dollar value. I don’t think anyone actually expects these to beat out a Scotty. But if the KS1 can be 75-80% of the performance while being 50% of the cost of a new Scotty then to me the hype is justified.

People trust Costco implicitly to provide them value with all products. No different here.

[jwhite86]

I received my putter yesterday. I too, received a crooked grip. Regardless, I rolled some putts with it. It's got a little more "click" to it off the face. It's a solid putter. I'm going to take it out on the course Saturday for some real testing.

[Nessism]

Cameron built his company by making Ping clones. Very nice clones, but clones none the less. He's a machinist, not a putter designer. He's not the only one copying Ping of course, but I just find it repugnant (for example) that he sells his flagship product the 009 for thousands of dollars when the design is near exact copy of the classic Ping Scottsdale Anser.

[cohenfive]

My only complaint with the putter is the headcover. Why do putters all come with velcro closures instead of magnetic (cost?), and why do they sow in the velcro basically all the way to the top so that you can't get the head back in the cover without running it over the velcro (which could leave some small marks over time)? I put an old odyssey magnetic cover on it, much better imo. I'm going to keep the ks1 in the bag for a while. It might get me to switch to more of an anser style than my old laguna style, who knows...

[TheMoneyShot]

I’m sure magnetic would have increased the cost a little. I hear you though, I hate Velcro closures.

[bhj83]

I also hate velcro and won't use those covers. I have a Stitch cover that I use on blade putters that is magnetic.

[manku]

Putter covers? Mine are all in the garage. I usually leave my wood covers in the garage or car too...more weight, more work. A couple scratches don't affect the shot.

Golf clubs should be a little banged up...they're tools after all.

[bhj83]

So you must be one of the guys who trades in putters to Global Golf that they classify as "very good" that has dings all over and gouges out of the face Bought a TM Soto putter through them once and it was horrible. A gouge out of the face could absolutely affect a putt IMO. Spoke with them and they exchanged it...the replacement was even worse so I just returned it too and told them I wouldn't buy a putter from them again lol.

[manku]

I have two putters...a Ping Anser 2 I bought in 1987 (first club I ever bought), and a Ping Craz-E putter I won back in 2009ish (same model as I think Kenny Perry used at the Masters he nearly won). I've demoed plenty of putters since, and haven't felt any need to buy anything new.

Putting is 99% confidence...if a pristine looking putter (or Driver) helps you mentally, then by all means keep it that way. My putter look absolutely fine, and the faces have no gashes or severe marks.

Perhaps some of these new putters are made of softer metals, and need a cover to protect them from damage?

[Bad9]

Curious, how do you determine that 75-80% performance?

[KCsFinest5]

It’s subjective just like any other piece of golf equipment. After a couple of hours of practice and 1 round the KS1 feels great. I don’t see how a blade style putter could feel much better for me. Hence why I’d pay $190 for this vs $399 for a Scotty.

There are going to be plenty of people who think the extra $200 is worth it. And rightly so since Scotty’s are pretty sweet. But the k-sig brand looms large for a lot of folks and they will do well with this putter. I’d say it has lived up to the hype for that reason.

[ckay]

I don’t get the Cameron to Kirkland comparison. At best this is an Odyssey to Kirkland comparison and at the Kirkland price point you could just have yourself an Odyssey. Kirkland hype train got the best of most of you.