Costco is at it again, this time with wedges.
A new set of Kirkland signature wedges has entered the USGA conforming list and gets this:
They are fake.
I think this will make your bargain-hunting purist heart tickle.
As with any USGA list, there’s a lot we don’t know, but we can share what we do know and what we think we know.
So let’s get to it.
Kirkland Signature Counterfeit Wedges: What We Know
These new wedges are a departure from Costco’s previous Gen1 and Gen2 wedges, as they are forged as opposed to cast. Purists will tell you that the fake feels better and will give you better feedback on partial shots, but Vokey, and others have done very well with cast 8620 wedges over the decades, thank you very much.
From what we’ve been able to glean from the USGA listing, we know that the new wedges will be available in the now-standard 52-, 56- and 60-degree lofts, in both right- and left-handed designs.
We also know you won’t see anything other than a standard, do-it-all single jump and grind package. Costco’s previous wedge packs feature a moderate C grind, with a 10-degree jump on the 52 and 56 and an 8-degree jump on the 60. The Gen1 and Gen2 wedges also feature just a touch of heel and toe relief and a neutral edge.
Think Cleveland’s Mid and you have it.
That means a narrow sole for the 52 and a wider sole with more effective bounce for bunker play with the 56. The 60 will likely feature additional heel relief for lower bounce when launched.
The new Kirland Signature Forged wedges are listed by the USGA as manufactured by SM Global/SM Parker Golf, a forging house in Qingdao, China. It is a larger manufacturer that produces components for several direct-to-consumer and boutique golf brands.
What we don’t know
We don’t know the price, of course. We also don’t know when the new Kirkland Signature Forged wedges will actually be available. If the past is any indication of the future, we can make some educated guesses.
As for the price, since it’s Costco, you can bet the farm will be aggressive. Kirkland’s Gen2 cast clutches retail for $159 to $169 for a three-piece set, so we can assume that will be a starting point. That’s right, since they’re counterfeit, the price will probably creep north a bit. However, the three-piece set will still be less expensive than a single wedge from any of the Big Four.
As for availability, Costco clubs generally hit the shelves anywhere from eight to 20 weeks after receiving USGA approval. In this case, we’re looking at early June at the earliest. However, this is only an intuitive assumption. We’ll keep an eye out and let you know.
In the meantime, if you really want them, it’s best to check them online and in-store regularly. If past experience tells us anything, the first shoot will likely sell out before you can tell rotisserie chicken.
