For gearheads within the know, the latest launch of Costco’s Kirkland Signature irons was extremely anticipated. Greatest recognized for its $1.50 sizzling canine and bulk items that might feed a small military, the worldwide retailer has continued to make inroads within the golf-equipment trade with strategic merchandise — golf balls, putters and wedges — geared toward golfers on a funds.

Costco’s aggressive pricing has led golfers in recent times to marvel concerning the high quality of its tech — particularly with the brand new Kirkland Signature solid 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 take a look at towards all the latest merchandise for 2024. Whereas we will’t point out the opposite 2024 manufacturers and fashions by title — as a consequence of media embargoes — we will let you know how they stack up versus the newcomer.

(Be aware: 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” prior to now to explain a membership that falls proper in the course of the bell curve. When wanting on the launch angle and spin fee of Costco’s Kirkland Signature irons, it’s most positively a cheeseburger.

The common launch (18.8 levels) and spin fee (5,764 RPMs) landed the iron proper in the course of the pack, which suggests 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 sorts.

Off-speed pitch

Taking the sub-$500 price ticket under 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 place that quantity into perspective, a number of irons boasting comparable efficiency traits topped 116 mph. However once 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 very best strikes.

However 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 actual fact, the 1.3-yard delta between heel and toe misses was the tightest we noticed throughout robotic testing.

Some heel and toe deltas from rivals 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 under 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 beneath 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 by means of our robotic testing.

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

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

Wish to overhaul your bag for 2024? Discover a becoming location close to you at True Spec Golf.

Jonathan Wall

Golf.com Editor

Jonathan Wall is GOLF Journal and GOLF.com’s Managing Editor for Tools. Previous to becoming a member of the workers on the finish of 2018, he spent 6 years masking tools for the PGA Tour. He could be reached at jonathan.wall@golf.com.