Costco is at it again, this time with wedges.
A new set of Kirkland signature wedges has hit the USGA Conforming List and get this:
They’re forged.
I’m guessing that’ll get your bargain-seeking purist heart a-thumpin.’
As with any USGA listing, 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 Forged wedges: What we do know
These new wedges are a departure from Costco’s previous Gen1 and Gen2 wedges in that they’re forged as opposed to cast. Purists will tell you that forged feels better and will give you better feedback on partial shots, but Vokey, et al have done very nicely with cast 8620 wedges over the decades, thank you very much.
From what we’ve been able to cull from the USGA listing, we know the new wedges will be available in the now-standard 52-, 56- and 60-degree lofts in both right- and left-handed models.
We also know you won’t see anything other than a standard, do-everything, fit-agnostic bounce and sole grind package. Costco’s previous wedge packages feature a moderate C-grind, with a 10-degree bounce on the 52 and 56, and an 8-degree bounce on the 60. The Gen1 and Gen2 wedges also feature just a touch of heel and toe relief and a neutral leading edge.
Think Cleveland’s “Mid” grind and you’ve got it.
That means a narrow-ish sole for the 52 and a wider sole with more effective bounce for bunker play with the 56. The 60 will likely feature a little extra heel relief for lower bounce when opened up.
The new Kirland Signature Forged wedges are listed by the USGA as being manufactured by SM Global/SM Parker Golf, a forging house in Qingdao, China. It’s a larger manufacturer that makes components for several direct-to-consumer and boutique golf brands.
What we don’t know
We don’t know pricing, of course. We also don’t know when the new Kirkland Signature Forged wedges will actually be available. If the past is any indicator of the future, we can make some educated guesses.
As for pricing, since it’s Costco you can bet the ranch on it being aggressive. Kirkland’s Gen2 cast wedges sell for $159 to $169 for a three-piece set, so we can assume that will be a starting point. It’s like that, since they’re forged, the price will probably creep a tad northward. However, the three-piece set will still likely be less expensive than a single wedge from any of the Big Four.
As for availability, Costco clubs have generally hit the shelves anywhere from eight to 20 weeks after receiving USGA approval. In that case, we’re looking at early June at the soonest. That, however, is just an intuitive guess. We’ll keep an eye out and let you know.
In the meantime, if you really want them, it’s best to check regularly online and in-store. If past experience tells us anything, the first run will likely sell out before you can say rotisserie chicken.
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