Is this the best value golf ball? Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V3.0 Golf Ball Review
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At a glance
- TG Rating
- Owner Rating
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Pros
- Amazing price per ball considering the quality
- Combines soft feel, long distance, and high spin
- Outstanding performance for quicker swing speeds
- Impressive consistent ball flight
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Cons
- Don't expect optimal carry distance
What we say...
Kirkland have developed a golf ball that can challenge Tour golf balls for a fraction of the cost
When you’re shopping for the best golf balls, you might not automatically think about heading to Costco, but I’m going to tell you why the Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V3.0 should be on your radar – especially if you’re in the market for one of the best value golf balls.
As the name suggests, the V3.0 is Kirkland’s third iteration of their Signature 3-Piece golf balls. Over the years these golf balls have been highly regarded by many golfers and heavily scrutinized by others. Kirkland’s Signature 3-Piece golf balls are known for delivering high spin, and this is no different with their V3.0 as it ranks among the best high-spin golf balls.
The biggest issue the V3.0 has is that its spin compromises distance, but for some golfers that won’t be an issue whatsoever. Considering this golf ball generates more spin than a Titleist Pro V1 and is a third of the price (per ball), based on the findings from our 2024 golf ball robot test, I wouldn’t be surprised to see more players with this in their arsenal.
Pros
- Amazing price per ball considering the quality
- Combines soft feel, long distance, and high spin
- Outstanding performance for quicker swing speeds
- Impressive consistent ball flight
Cons
- Don't expect optimal carry distance
| Construction | 3-piece |
| Cover | Urethane |
| Dimples | 338 |
| Feel | Soft |
| Flight | Mid-high |
| Long game spin | Mid |
| Short game spin | High |
| Color options | White |
- Increased core size
- Mantle with new proprietary cover
- New proprietary TPU with improved scuff resistance and impact endurance
- Modified dimple depth for optimized flight height
I’ll provide you with a complete breakdown, detailing exactly what led me to score the V3.0 4 out of 5. I wasn’t a massive fan of the previous model Kirkland Signature golf balls, the V2.0, because I found them too high-spinning, so much so, that it hindered the overall distance.
I know someone who I play golf with regularly played with the V2.0 and it was costing him about six shots on the golf course. I have tried to get him to hit the V3.0 but he’s happy with his current golf ball. Therefore, it was left for me to put them through their paces on the golf course.
I headed to the short game area at my home club before taking the V3.0 out on course to see how it performed compared to the results from the 2024 robot test.
Tee to Green Performance
One of the most notable discoveries from the 2024 robot test was that Kirkland continued the trend of producing a high-spinning golf ball that isn’t as competitive with regard to distance. However, when I took this ball out on the course I couldn’t criticize its distance in the long game, but then again, high-spin golf balls suit my game.
Above, is an image showing the distance I recorded on the second hole at Cleveland Golf Club. The hole was playing 482 yards and I hit the V3.0 just shy of 240 yards off the tee with my Wilson Staff Model RB Utility Iron. This is the distance I would expect from that club with my regular golf ball.
I will say that distance isn’t a major factor for me when it comes to golf balls. However, I didn’t feel as though my distance was being hindered off the tee or on approach shots. Considering this golf ball finished dead last for distance with a 7-iron in our 2024 robot test, I can’t say that I experienced a severe drop-off in distance when I was approaching the green.
Although, I was able to see how high-spinning the V3.0 is from the fairway and around the green. Personally, this is exactly what I want from a golf ball, and I’m sure it’s what most golfers want too. I could easily have awarded the V3.0 a 5-star rating for tee to green performance, but knowing that in the wrong hands, it can hinder distance by being too high-spinning, I think a 4.5 rating is fair.
Versatility
Based on my last point above, I think a score of 4 for versatility is very reasonable. I’m a big believer that for the majority of golfers, spin is your friend. You’re guaranteed a golf ball that easily generates spin by playing with the V3.0. Therefore, I believe that more golfers would benefit from playing with this golf ball than not playing with this golf ball.
As one of the best high-spin golf balls, it doesn’t matter whether you tend to play with a premium golf ball or a golf ball for beginners and high-handicappers, if you need help with spin then switching to the V3.0 will help your game. I would say that if you’re in the market for one of the best golf balls for mid-handicappers and you need to add spin to your game this is the best option out there.
Feel and Response
I’m not normally a fan of soft-feeling golf balls, but I have to say that the V3.0 does feel good off the club face. I wouldn’t say that the response from this golf ball is particularly strong throughout the bag, but around the greens, there is a pleasant sensation when you clip the ball cleanly – something I think most golfers appreciate.
As you work your way through the bag into your longer clubs that feedback and response does weaken (unless you completely miss the middle) but the feel off the middle of the club face is consistently pleasurable.
I did drain a couple of long putts with this golf ball because it does roll really well on the putting surface. I don’t think the feel and response was as strong off the putter face as it was off other clubs in my bag, but for most golfers, feel and response isn’t massively important when it comes to putting as long as the ball finds the hole.
Durability
I was gutted that I had to retire a V3.0 after 12 holes because I was enjoying playing with and I knew it would hinder its overall rating. However, it was starting to scuff in a couple of places – as you can see from the image below.
I will say that I did find two bunkers out on the course within those 12 holes. On both occasions, the ball clattered into the face of the bunker and sadly the bunker won those battles. I would still expect a golf ball to last a little bit longer than 12 holes, especially when finding two bunkers is probable.
Also, while I was pitching and chipping with the V3.0 at the short game area I noticed that the bunkers there were eating this golf ball alive. If you can avoid bunkers you will easily be able to play a full round with one golf ball – but staying out of bunkers is easier said than done.
I would say that my on-course experience somewhat supports the findings from our 2024 robot test and contradicts our results in some areas. See for yourself below just how well the Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V3.0 performed in our 2024 robot test.
Robot test data and verdict: Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V3.0
| Driver 85mph Swing | Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V3.0 |
| Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º) | 122.3 / 12.9 |
| Backspin (RPM) | 2,822 |
| Carry (YDS) | 186.9 |
| Driver 100mph Swing | |
| Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º) | 142.7 / 13.2 |
| Backspin (RPM) | 2,806 |
| Carry (YDS) | 238.9 |
| Driver 115mph Swing | |
| Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º) | 164.8 / 10.5 |
| Backspin (RPM) | 2,296 (Highest) |
| Carry (YDS) | 276.6 |
| 7-Iron | |
| Ball speed (MPH) / Launch angle (º) | 106 / 19.7 |
| Backspin (RPM) | 6,109 |
| Height (YDS) | 30.4 |
| Descent angle (º) | 43.9 |
| Carry (YDS) | 147.8 |
| Wedge | |
| Backspin (RPM) | 8,043 |
| Shot area (SQ YDS) | 4.1 |
| Carry (YDS) | 103.4 |
| Average Shot Area | |
| Averaged over driver, 7-iron and PW | 22.7 SQ YDS |
VERDICT: Kirkland Signature V3.0
Kirkland has really upset the urethane golf ball apple cart since entering the market in 2016, although simple their single-ball approach has also caused some serious confusion. With many YouTubers and influencers referring to the Kirkland as a Pro V1 killer, many golfers believe this model is a direct alternative to the Pro V1, but our data shows that isn’t really the case.
I completely understand why golfers have flocked to this model, firstly it’s the cheapest ball in this entire test, which isn’t half bad considering it comes with a urethane cover. Golfers love being able to spin and stop approaches with wedges and irons and pretty much more so than with any other ball they can do just that with the Kirkland.
But as a ball that ranked 2nd best for iron and 3rd best for wedge spin you have to accept this ball is not set up for optimal distance. This a point that’s reinforced when you realize the model was our highest spin driver ball too (averaged over 100 mph and 115mph speeds).
Compared to the Pro V1 our data shows the V3 giving up an average of 2.2 yds across three drivers speeds to the market leader, which extends to 4.3 yds with the 7-iron which for many will mean needing an extra half a club for approaches into the green.
That said, thanks to generating so much stopping power the Kirkland out-spins the Pro V1 by 515rpm with an iron and 352 rpm with a wedge, so you’ll never have to worry about nestling shots down on the greens surface with a longer iron.
I’m absolutely not saying you shouldn’t buy this ball because it spins highly. I understand that many golfers love its high spin traits. What I am saying though, is go into it with your eyes open and understand where the ball’s strengths and weaknesses lie as very few golfers like leaving distance on the table.
If you do and so long as your game benefits from the model’s high spin traits and you enjoy saving a bunch of cash our accuracy and consistency data suggest with a mid-table performance the V3 is not going to let you down.
Final Verdict
I think the Kirkland Signature 3-Piece V3.0 is a very strong golf ball. I would never expect to see it played on Tour, but for amateur golfers, it’s definitely one to consider. If you struggle to generate spin or if you just enjoy having a high-spinning golf ball (like me) then it’s a fantastic option.
The V3.0 presents brilliant value – especially if you buy direct from Costco – and it will suit a wide range of golfers. The standout property of this golf ball for me is how well it performs from tee to green.
If you look solely at its performance of the tee in our 2024 robot you might be put off, but if distance doesn’t really influence your decision-making when purchasing golf balls then you’re guaranteed a well-behaved golf ball that’s easy to control when approaching greens and chipping around them.
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About the author
James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer
James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.
He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.
James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.
You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.
