The new Kirkland Signature has hit the market, and I recently tested their performance out on the golf course. I’ve played the Titleist Pro V1 for years, so I was excited to see how they stacked up.
There are a lot of similarities between these two golf balls, and there is no question that Kirkland was attempting to create a replacement for the Pro V1. Did they succeed?
Not quite, but it’s close enough that you are going to want to read more about the performance and whether or not you’ll want to put a Kirkland golf ball into play.
Before we dive into the detailed comparison, here’s a quick summary of my testing:
| Kirkland Signature | Titleist Pro V1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 3 Piece- Urethane Cover | 3 Piece- Urethane Cover |
| Compression Rating | Slightly firm (Around 90) | Slightly firm (Around 90) |
| Flight | Straight can get a bit high | Ideal flight, slightly lower than Kirkland |
| Feel | Firmer | Softer |
| Launch | High | Mid-High |
| Driver Spin | Low | Low |
| Iron Spin | High | Highest |
| Wedge Spin | High | Highest |
| Pros | -Low driver spin -High spin on approach shots -Long distance off the tee -Very fair pricing | -Long distance off the tee -Lots of spin on iron shots -Penetrating ball flight -Impressive soft but responsive feel around the greens |
| Cons | -Greenside feel is not as responsive -Ball speeds are a little lower | -Expensive |
| Goes Further? | Winner | |
| Easier to Hit? | Winner | |
| Spins More with a Wedge? | Winner | |
| Price | $26.98 | $50 |
| Final Verdict | Best for mid-handicap golfers who want to spin the ball and save some money | Best for golfers with mid to high swing speeds who generate a good amount of spin and want a ball that looks, feels, and performs like the best |
Why listen to us? Our team has tested dozens and dozens of the top balls on the market (you can read in-depth review of each here). We keep detailed notes and findings about each one to come up with our recommendations for you.
Main Differences Between The Kirkland Signature and Titleist Pro V1
The Kirkland Signature and the Titleist Pro V1 have a lot in common. When comparing the Pro V1x to the Kirkland Signature, you won’t see as many similarities, so these differences I discuss are specifically for the Pro V1.
Construction
The Kirkland Signature is a 338-dimple golf ball made with a highly elastic rubber core. The Kirkland Signature has a speed-boosting mantle to increase overall speed (and distance).
Most importantly, you’ll find a urethane cover in the construction of the Kirkland Signature.
The urethane cover makes the Kirkland Signature feel so similar to the Pro V1, and it puts it in the category of a more premium ball.
The Titleist Pro V1 is made with a new high gradient core that Titleist calls an “engine”. The cover is a premium Urethane cover, one of the best in the game.
Compression Rating
Golf ball manufacturers aren’t as open about compression ratings as they once were. Instead of getting the exact numbers, we often hear about things like “high” or “low” compression.
The compression ratings of the Kirkland and Pro V1 are very similar.
Both golf balls will be good for players with average to above average swing speed. Even though Kirkland Signature claims to be low compression, it’s not necessarily a golf ball for very low swing speeds.
Flight
The Pro V1 has a penetrating ball flight that allows you to get extra distance and more roll off the tee. If you’re a player who generates a bit too much spin on your driver, the Pro V1 should help you get more distance by keeping the ball a little lower.
I found the Kirkland Signature to fly a little higher. It’s not quite as low spin off the tee, so the overall flight just ends up a bit higher.
On approach shots with irons, the Pro V1 still has a kind of penetrating ball flight, but there’s plenty of spin to stop the ball where you want on the greens.
Feel
The overall feel of the Kirkland Signature and Titleist Pro V1 is similar as they are both three piece golf balls with a Urethane cover.
However, the Titleist Pro V1 manages to be a little softer around the greens. The softer feel of the Pro V1 is still not so soft that it feels mushy or less responsive. Instead, it’s more of a golf ball that puts you in charge of the shots you are making.
The Kirkland in no way feels hard around the greens or off the tee; it’s just slightly firmer than the Pro V1.
We have to remember that the Pro V1 and the Kirkland Signature are not in the same category as far as price is concerned. Feel is one of those areas where you can differentiate that a little more money was spent on Titleist’s part to manufacture this ball.
Launch
The Titleist Pro V1 has a slightly lower launch than the Kirkland Signature. As long as you have average to above average swing speed, getting ideal launch conditions from either of these golf balls is not difficult.
Driver Spin
Driver spin is low with both the Kirkland Signature and the Titleist Pro V1. I was able to get a few more yards (1 to 5 yards) with the Kirkland Signature on average, but the difference was always in total distance, not carry distance.
What does this mean?
The Titleist Pro V1 likely carries a little further than the Kirkland, but the Kirkland has very good roll once it hits the fairway.
Iron Spin
I’m always surprised by how much spin I can get on an iron shot with the Titleist Pro V1. The iron spin is high, even with the flight being slightly lower.
One of the main things I wanted to test with the Kirkland Signature was its ability to stop on the green.
I was really impressed with what the golf ball had to offer. Ball flight is just a little higher on the approach but it stops where you want it to.
Wedge Spin
Titleist Pro V1 golf balls have higher wedge spin than the Kirkland Signature. The Titleist Pro V1 isn’t even the highest-spinning ball from Titleist, but it has a really great combination of spin and feel that makes it one of the best greenside golf balls in the game.
From a clean lie around the green, the Kirkland Signature stops well. Out of the rough, it’s not as good, and the overall feel is firmer, so you have to be prepared for that as well.
On full swing approach shots with a wedge in your hands, you should be able to get both of these golf balls to stop and maybe even spin back a little.
Pros and Cons of The Kirkland Signature
I’m a fan of the Kirkland Signature. The golf ball has a lot to offer and is a great option for golfers on a budget. Of course, it’s not perfect – we have to remember this is a value golf ball.
Pros
The Kirkland Signature golf ball has a low driver spin that increases the amount of roll that you get when the ball makes it to the fairway. If you struggle with distance, you’ll enjoy that about the Kirkland Signature.
In addition, the higher ball flight on approach shots to the green makes this a ball that is easy to stop. It has a slightly firm feel but nothing that would discourage you from wanting to use it.
Finally, the pricing of the Kirkland Signature is so good that it’s hard not to give these golf balls a try.
Cons
If I blindly tested the Kirkland golf ball and the Pro V1, I could still tell that the Kirkland was a little cheaper than the Titleist. You can tell that the materials and the overall feel are not quite the same.
Is this enough to stay away from the golf ball?
In my opinion, I would only avoid the Kirkland Signature in a tournament situation (where performance is incredibly important) and for the most serious players. If you’re a mid handicap and you want a mix of long game and short game benefits, the Kirkland Signature has enough for you.
Pros and Cons of The Pro V1
The Pro V1 is my favorite golf ball. I know that may make me seem a bit biased, but I’m always on the lookout for a good deal and I’m well aware Kirkland balls are a good value. Pro V1 golf balls are expensive, and I play on a golf course surrounded by a marsh.
Finding a golf ball that has similar performance but also allows me to save a few dollars is a big win.
The Titleist Pro V1 has more pros than cons, but there is one major con that you should be aware of.
Pros
The Pro V1 has impressive distance off the tee, plenty of spin on iron shots, and a penetrating ball flight throughout the entire golf course. The ball is designed to help you keep it in play and to encourage a slightly lower and more controlled ball flight.
Around the greens, the Pro V1 has some of the best feel in the game. It’s soft but feels great and responds well when you are hitting the shortest shots.
If you care about lowering your scores and want a golf ball to help you, this is it.
Cons
The high pricing is the major issue with the Pro V1. It’s an expensive golf ball, but there is still good value here if you want high spin and long distance.
The Pro V1 is also not the highest spinning ball from Titleist. If you’re a player who doesn’t feel as though they’re getting enough spin, go with something like the Pro V1x to maximize the spin rates you get out on the course.
Which Ball Goes Further?
Winner: Kirkland Signature
The Kirkland Signature rolled a little further when it landed than the Pro V1. However, the Pro V1 often had carry distances a few yards further. Total distance will be very close to the same, but know that the Kirkland Signature has great roll when it lands.
Which Ball is Easier to Hit?
Winner: Kirkland Signature
The Pro V1 and the Kirkland Signature are equally easy to hit. With the Signature having slightly higher ball flight, it may be a better choice for golfers with slower speeds looking to maximize forgiveness on missed strikes.
Which Ball Spins More with a Wedge?
Winner: Pro V1
The Pro V1 spins more with a wedge than the Kirkland Signature. However, the greenside spin from the Kirkland is still high enough to stop a golf ball on the greens.
Which Ball is Cheaper?
Winner: Kirkland Signature
The Kirkland Signature is about half the price of the Pro V1. It is, without a doubt, the more economical choice for golfers on a budget.
The Final Verdict
The Kirkland Signature golf ball isn’t a complete replacement for the Pro V1. However, it does have enough technology to provide you with excellent distance off the tee and an impressive feel around the greens.
I would recommend the Kirkland Signature to mid-handicap golfers who want to spin the ball and save some money.
The Titleist Pro V1 is a premium golf ball used by many of the best players in the game. Every area of on-course performance is addressed with the Pro V1 performance. The Pro V1 is a perfect fit for golfers with mid to high swing speeds who generate a good amount of spin and want a golf ball that looks, feels, and performs like no other.
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Better budget option for mid-handicappers
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Better premium option for more skilled players
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4 Comments
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Brittany Olizarowicz
Britt O has been playing golf since the age of 7. Almost 30 years later, she still loves the game, has played competitively on every level, and spent a good portion of her life as a Class A PGA Professional. Britt currently resides in Savannah, GA, with her husband and two young children. Current Handicap: 1
I’ve been playing with the Kirkland balls for about a year now and absolutely love them. Used to use Pro V1, but feel like I’m getting similar performance out of these at a more reasonable cost.
I’ll always be a Pro V1 fanboy. Nothing like hearing that perfect sound with this ball. Absolute perfection.
As a (6) hcp senior golfer, I have played the Kirkland ball since inception. The original ball had quality control issues, but this was cleared up with the version 2 ball. That said, current ball testing shows the Pro V1 holds the highest quality control score of all balls, per MyGolfSpy testing. Also, I would like to note their testing showed HIGHER spin rates around the green for the Kirkland ball. I have played both balls, sided by side, on practice days and get greater distance with the Kirkland ball due its higher launch. The cost difference makes the choice a ” no brainer” for me.
Steven – thanks for sharing your experience testing out both of these balls! Cool to hear that you also got longer distance with the Kirkland ball, like Britt did in her testing. Agree with you on that pricing – hard to beat.