Costco Could be the Most Underrated Golf Retailer in the World

It wasn’t that long ago that the biggest threat facing the game of golf was declining participation—but since 2020, recreational golf has seen incredible growth to the point that snagging a tee time at a public golf course is almost as hard as trying to find a golf ball in knee-high rough.

It’s out of this massive growth at the recreational level that the golf industry as a whole has experienced parallel growth; whether it be in the form of new golf course construction, direct-to-consumer equipment companies, entrenched equipment companies seeing increased sales, or new clothing brands seemly popping up weekly - the last 5 years have seen many sales records smashed.

But even with all of this growth on the business side, which has been generated from new golfers and those returning to the sport - costs associated with the game have never changed, in fact, from golf equipment to clothing, most things have become a lot more expensive for those who are curious about the sport or who want to get into it by investing in equipment and clothing.

This is where Costco comes in.

While the prices from many of the major equipment companies and clothing companies continue to climb, Costco and its Kirkland brand offer incredible value for golfers—although we'd be remise not to mention the behemoth's buying power and commitment to thin margins.

Plus, how do beat the $1.50 hot dog after picking up a couple dozen golf balls for around $30?

Comparing Prices

If you walk into a big box store and purchase current line products and a couple of golf outfits here's the breakdown (Averages taken based on new line products without customization)

Driver - $550 Fairway wood - $320 Hybrid - $250 Iron Set - $1100 Wedges - $190 Putter - $250 Bag - $250 Dozen premium golf balls - $50

Glove - $20 Basic main-line Polo - $70 (Some brands easily start at over $100) Performance Pants - $120 (Again this is more of an average than top of the price range)

For this example, we’ll not worry about shoes.

Grand Total - $3170

Now Lets look at Costco and compare with either their Kirkland Signature house brand or something readily available on their website (where prices are more than they are in-store because of additional shipping costs).

Kirkland Signature Driver - $200 Fairway Wood - No individual options available Hybrid - No individual options available Kirkland Signature Iron Set - $500 Kirkland Signature Wedge Set - $170 (for a FULL SET of three) Kirkland Putter - $150 Bag - $100 Kirkland Signature Urethane Golf Balls - $17.50 a dozen and sold in a $35 two-dozen pack

Glove - $30 for four gloves breaking down to $7.50 each Basic Main line Polo - $20 Pants - $20 (Kirkland Signature Men’s Commuter Pant)

Grand Total (without substitute products) - $1207.50

There is even the option for a complete set from Callaway which included an Odyssey branded putter for $580 - look were not not saying its got all the tech of the newest Elyte, but its still less than the price of a new driver… yes, just the driver.

And that's the thing, as much as modern golf club technology has made the newest clubs faster and more forgiving than ever before (which is something I can't deny), there is a huge part of the golfing population that don't want or need to spend $850 on a brand new driver or $1500 on a set of irons with a custom shafts to find enjoyment on the golf course. This is where Costco offers great value to golfers looking for alternatives to the traditional golf gear retailers.

If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 100 times, the idea that “golf” as a game grows because companies create innovative products at the top end of the market (whether it be clubs or clothing) is a farce. Access and affordability bring people to the game and if there is one company that is at least helping golfers tackle the affordability part when it comes to equipment and clothing - Costco sure is doing a lot!