Kirkland KS1 Putter 9 Featured

Costco Kirkland Signature KS1 Putter Review

Costco Kirkland Signature KS1 Putter

When the world was first introduced to the Kirkland Signature 4-piece golf balls, Costco found itself immediately in the center of Golf Internet hype.  Everything from the outrageously low price, the perceived legitimate premium quality, and the general mystery and intrigue not only had the internet abuzz, but also led to massive demand for this new gem.  Secondary market resale prices for these balls went through the roof and Costco was officially a notable player in the golf industry.  Fast forward a few years and Costco has reignited that buzz with the new Kirkland Signature KS1 putter.  Naturally, I couldn’t miss out on this hype train.

We first saw hints at a Kirkland putter sometime back in the Fall of 2019.  It was nothing more than an ad for a Costco golf ball, but there was about a third of a putter sole laying behind the ball that clearly said Kirkland on it.  After months of speculation and high-grade investigation by fellow golf nerds, the KS1 finally became available for purchase.  While the putters didn’t fly off the shelves at the select stores they were in, they sold out almost immediately online and the prices soared through the roof on ebay just as fast.  So obviously we’re talking about one of the hottest putters in recent golf history, right?

Looks 7

The Looks

A common theme will come up with this putter, and it starts with the looks.  The Kirkland KS1 looks fine.  Nothing more, nothing less.  It’s a wider-profile Anser 2 shape in a matte silver finish with the usual Kirkland brand color schemes.  The Kirkland badge in the cavity looks kind of cheap, if we’re being honest, as does whatever this “TRULINE” feature on the neck is.  Even though this putter is “100% forged and CNC milled stainless steel”, they still went the route of using a milled stainless insert.  Again, it’s fine, but sort of has a cheaper look to it.  As I said, the putter looks fine, but it’s not going to win any beauty contests amongst the major putter brands out there.

Feel 19

How Does it Feel?

Costco offers the KS1 stock at 34.5 inches with two 10 gram sole weights and a SuperStroke Counter Core Mid Slim 2.0 grip.  I’m guessing this was an effort to make a putter that sits right in the middle of a wide range of players’ preferences.  Frankly, these choices are interesting and sort of result in a weird feel.  The combination of the SuperStroke grip and the lighter head weight make the putter feel too light and kind of soulless during the stroke.  Of course, you can buy the Kirkland weight kit that’s offered separately to add more weight to the head, but at the time of writing this, it’s sold out.  Even if it wasn’t, that’s another $40 to just make the putter feel normal.

As far as feel from actually striking the ball, it’s not terrible.  It’s not great either.  There’s good enough feedback, however, and there is definitely a noticeable sweet spot.  If you miss it, the face feels kind of gross – for lack of a better term.  Finding that sweet spot feels a touch clicky and thin, but it’s not all that bad.  If I’m honest, I’ve hit much more expensive putters that have felt much worse.

Kirkland KS1 Insert

How Does it Sound?

Like the feel, the Kirkland KS1 has a thinner “click” to it at impact with a little mushiness to it.  This is likely a result of the choice to go with an insert for the face rather than a single-piece head.  It’s a thinner insert (see above) with, apparently, two pockets milled out in the toe and heel portions of the putter.  Missing the sweet spot sounds flat and lets you know you mishit your putt. I like the fact that Uptown Aces is part of an ownership group that has been around for a decade and is continuing to invest in new brands and new software partnerships. While I am not thrilled that there is no Live Dealer option at Uptown Aces Casino, I do love the Real Time Gaming platform and always recommend it when I see it being offered.

Kirkland KS1 Putter 6

On-Course Performance

Overall, the Kirkland KS1 putter performs pretty well.  Most of it is going to come down to whether or not you get along well with the rest of the categories we’ve already discussed.  If you don’t mind what you’re looking at behind the ball and are comfortable with the feel, you’ll be able to roll this putter just fine.  Dare I say, I actually thought the putter performed quite well once I adjusted to it.  The larger blade footprint framed the ball nicely and was easy to control throughout the swing.  Distance control was no problem and the ball had a nice smooth roll when I found the center of the face.  So like I said, if you get through the looks, feel, and sound of the KS1, then you’re likely good to go with performance as well.

Kirkland KS1 Putter 16

Final Thoughts – Costco Kirkland Signature KS1 Putter

This putter is a confusing and complex enigma to me.  A CNC-milled stainless steel putter with interchangeable weights for ~$150 should generally be a really good deal.  That said, I’m not sure where this putter falls in terms of value.  Unless you’re just really into the novelty of Costco/Kirkland goods, especially its golf range, the KS1 is in an awkward middle ground.  Obviously, you can spend more money and get a much better putter, but that defeats the purpose of the Costco putter in the first place.  The problem is, you can get just as good of a putter for the same spend.  In some cases, you may even get a better putter for less.

So where does the value come in for the Kirkland Signature KS1 putter?  I don’t know.  I suppose if it really looks good to your eye and it feels just right in your hands, then sure, by all means.  In fact, $150 for a milled putter is a solid deal if it meets that criteria for you.  For me, the KS1 is not unlike the K-Sig golf balls.  The performance does not actually exceed the value, and at the end of the day, is just ok.  It’s a fun novelty and conversation piece, and I REALLY wanted to love this putter for that very reason.  More importantly, it’s an average-at-best tool of the trade that many some might argue you overpaid for.  But hey, it’s your money.  Do whatever you want with it!

29 Comments

  1. Totally disagree with the review here. I have played 18 holes with this putter and love it(BTW- I own 2 Camerons as well as a Garage Toulon). The putter at 34.5″ is perfect since IMO 34 inch putters are too short and 35 to tall and many tour pros do use 34.5″ putters. I thought the sound/feel and precise roll was almost equivalent to a $400 Cameron and for $149 – the Cameron is over priced and overvalued. I agree that the putter seems a tad light and probably does not roll too well on a 12+ Stimpmeter course(but who actually plays on greens like that?). I am 61yrs old and a solid 6 handicap.

    • Feels like you’re missing a lot of the clear references to being a subjective preference and that it performs well. So if that means I said it was a pile of trash… I feel my review came off pretty indifferent.

  2. Wow Bill, I really respect your opinion on clubs and have for a long time. This one shocks the crap out of me. Not because I believe you are wrong, but because I thought this was going to be one of the biggest drops since sliced bread. I thought this putter was going to set the putter industry on its heels. Oh well, what do ya do, guess I’ll just stick to buying my organic food needs and other non-golf needs from Costco.

    Thanks

    • I think the common theme is that it’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with it, per se. It’s just not high end, but it’s not a piece of junk either. I wouldn’t begrudge anyone playing it, I just don’t think it’s remotely revolutionary or a huge disruption. There are plenty of similarly priced alternatives to it, and I didn’t think it was better than the next tier up. That’s also the beauty of putters – they’re extremely subjective.

  3. I 100% agree with this review. Everyone who tries it says the same thing, “it’s too light”. Why would they make stock putter come with lightest weights? I kind of like the putter and would like to try it with heavier weights but how long can I hang on to it before taking it back? Costco is usually great but hey need to make the weight set available and by then it is a $200 putter.

    • Mine is currently in transit back to Costco. Just couldn’t buy in. If people love it, best to them. For me, it just wasn’t worth more than a conversation piece in the corner of my office.

  4. Hi Bill, What putters do you think are better (toe hang) for the same or less price? I’ve used a Scotty Cameron 7M Futura for 3 years, but finally realized my swing is not straight through but arc-like. Not a good match for a mallet head like the 7M.

    • Odyssey, Ping, etc. Pick a reasonable model you like and check out eBay. That’s what I’d do.

      • I spent 220.00 on a Ping Sigma 2 Tyne 4 putter. One of the worst putters i have ever used. Tried a 400.00 Cameron didn’t do anything. Purchased a 15.00 putter and was lights out with it. I played a round with a guy who had a Scotty and he couldn’t put worth his salt. So getting 150.00 putter that may putt like a Scotty to some may just be worth it.

    • What did you end up going with?

  5. Hi I agree with lightness
    Just got weight kit
    1 50gram for grip
    2 15 gram and 2 20 gram
    Took out the 2-10 gram and settled on 1-15 gram and 1-20 gram plus the 50 gram in grip feels good on the rug will use tomorrow

  6. Scott Schroder

    Love the putter, BUT…. I am impressed with the quality of this value based putter. After putting a few times, I realized I was often pushing the outtes off to the right. After closely looking at the grip installation, its apparent the grip is set open slightly open. Now the dilemma do I return and hope a replacement is in stock. (Most likely not, as the pallet jack was still in place on the display when purchased. Odds are I’ll take to a retailer seeking grip re-installation. Buyer beware, the grip may not be square.

    Is this a common issue???

    Hit’em straight!

    • Putter grip installation is always a toss up, and if you were to tell me that a bulk wholesale store with low margins had poor grip installations, I wouldn’t be surprised.

      A large reason I always install my own. My hands and eyes know best how I like to be setup with the putter.

  7. I bought this as a cheaper alternative to the Scottie and then noticed the “Truline” logo. Truline has been making putters
    for a very long time and I have always found them to be well made. However, I echo other opinions that the putter feels light. Ordered weight kit. We’ll see. If not, back it goes. Best bet. Find it on secondary market after Costco resells returned items.

  8. I bought one, could use for 90 days and return if don’t like no questions asked. I also bought the weight kit. Took the 50g weight out the grip. Makes the club head feel heavier to me. Played around with weights a little for own arc. It must fit my eye. I have decreased 3 putts instantly, from 1 to 3 every round, now it’s 1 for 1 to 3 rounds. I’ve read a lot of bashing from different reviews. Remember, you still have to read the line and get the speed correct for your line in order to putt. This putter allows me to do just that. Why not try? Previous putter used was an Odessy putter bought for $200. That putter now sits with the other discarded clubs.

  9. Walter W Ivey

    Putter is much better with the weight kit. Go ahead and put in the heaviest options, 50g handle insert, and 20g weights on the bottom.

  10. My wife bought this putter for me as a birthday present, so I kinda had to put it in play. I wasn’t thrilled about having a bulk-store putter share my bag with my premium (Ping) clubs, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It earned its place after just a couple rounds. I would recommend the weight kit. The greens here in Arizona can be fast when the snowbirds are here, but come Summer, they punch and top dress them, and the option to add extra weight comes in handy. On the whole, I’d rate the KS-1 a bargain.

  11. Good, honest personal review that reflects a good honestly marketed putter.
    The KS 1 isn’t the end all, but with the weight set added, it’s a very good putter. Without the weight set it’s sort of meh. But the added weight made it a solid putter at all distances.
    I make more bombs with my Spider Mini, but inside 6 feet, I prefer the KS 1. If you’re a good putter, this will perform fine on well struck putts.

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  15. I love the putter, it replaced a Scotty I was using. Very happy with the weight and feel.

  16. Ladies: I love this putter. No additional weights. 34.5” is apparently too tall for 5’4” but I found it doesn’t case back aches after putting practice. I had more 1 putts my last round.
    Costco has a return policy. Unless you already play a Scotty you might want to try it.

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  21. OK, here’s the thing – as EVERYONE says on every review site: the putter is simply too light out of the box. It feels cheap.

    I did not want to pay $37 for the weight kit. So, I went to Ace Hardware and bought 2 7g flat washers for 89 cents. I dropped the washers inside the 10g weight. They rattled around a bit, so I put a couple of dabs of rubber cement in the cavity to hold them in place.

    It is a completely different club now. The extra weight not only feels well from a swing perspective, but there is heft in the head, making the putter feel more solid. And, the weights are on the edge, which really helps the MOI. My buddy has a Scotty, and we compared them. He joked “why pay $400, when you can pay $99”. Just feeling both putters and swinging them, they are extremely similar.

    Now again, if I compared the Scotty with the KS1 and the 10g weights, no way. It felt cinchy. I putted with it the day I received it, and thought “I’m going to have to return this”. But, when I put the weights in it, it was amazing. It is my favorite club in the bag.

    So, Billy, I would be curious as to what your feeling is with the extra weight. And, you don’t have to buy the weight kit if you use my ghetto weight kit. Just make sure to bring the 10g weight into the hardware store so you can find a flat washer with enough weight, and a big enough hole to fit around the post on the interior of the weight.

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