Everyone is losing their minds over these Costco golf balls
Some of the best golf balls in America are apparently from Costco — and they've been sold out for most of the past two months. Sold for just $1.25 apiece, Costco's wildly popular Kirkland Signature brand golf balls are suddenly causing quite the commotion in the billion-dollar industry, The Wall Street Journal reports, with secondary market prices soaring. The balls are thought to perform as well as rival balls that sell for more than twice as much, "threatening one of the sport's long-held consumer beliefs: When it comes to the quality of golf balls, you generally get what you pay for."
Released in the U.S. last fall without much fanfare, the Kirkland balls were originally manufactured in South Korea by a company called Nassau Golf, which sold an "excess supply" of the balls to Costco. The retail giant ordinarily isn't very involved in the golf business, but when avid golfers discovered the impressive quality of the balls, they quickly became a fan favorite. Major players in the industry are apparently fascinated by the product as well, the Journal reports: "The ball was such a curiosity to one major equipment company that employees there cut one in half to study its interior, hoping to discern more about its origin and composition."
Costco removed the online listing for the item in mid-January after they went out of stock, and no one knows when or if they'll make a comeback. Golfers are now relying on eBay and other private sellers to get their hands on the "coveted" product.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"When Costco gets them back, I'm going to buy enough to last me another 10 years," one golfer told the Journal.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kelly Gonsalves is a sex and culture writer exploring love, lust, identity, and feminism. Her work has appeared at Bustle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and more, and she previously worked as an associate editor for The Week. She's obsessed with badass ladies doing badass things, wellness movements, and very bad rom-coms.
-
US charges Indian tycoon with bribery, fraud
Speed Read Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been indicted by US prosecutors for his role in a $265 million scheme to secure solar energy deals
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published