The lawsuit is definitely making me want the Kirklands more.

Let's be honest the Kirkland cut open look like they are built better

It seems to me that this lawsuit is a case of Taylor Made throwing their weight around. I don't see the blatant copying by Costco. The club cross section was particularly telling, they look different. I think Taylor Made is threatened by the price of the Costco clubs and by all the pub they are getting.

Is it just me, but James really wants to favour the TM’s but the numbers won’t let him.

Fun fact here. The TaylorMade P790's essentially did the exact same thing to PXG in 2017, and they were sued for it. I was in a PXG driver fitting the other day and mentioned to my fitter that TaylorMade is suing Costco for the Kirkland Irons and he said "well that's funny, because we sued TaylorMade for their release of the P790's. They copied our hollow body TPE injection design. The settlement money pretty much paid for the entire PXG Gen 5 research and development." TaylorMade was sued in Sept. 2017 by PXG because of the P790 iron design. The lawsuit was for patent infringement of 8 PXG patents, specifically the original 2015 PXG 0311 irons which are hollow with thermoplastic elastomer injected into the empty chamber behind the hitting area. TPE increases the durability of the thin face while enhancing feel and sound and allows for heavy tungsten weights to be placed low in the club head. There was a settlement between the two companies in 2019.

If you are trying to compare club performance you should either use a machine, which has much more consistent club head speed, or look at the difference between club performance when you happen to hit with same club head speed and contact location. Then, if you want to discuss forgiveness with off center hits you have to show the data with same offset and club head speed. The only human input that a machine cannot do would be "feel". I am getting better, but am still mid handy capper. When I shopped for clubs the more expensive clubs showed greater distance, but I could not feel the difference. For the extra $300, I figured I would just use a 7 instead of an 8.

The pictures of the innards of the two clubs are very different. So where's the beef? The clubs don't look the same on the outside, either. Taylor Made is exhibiting fear of losing sales to Costco, and Costco is showing the world that it can make quality golf equipment to fit a smaller budget. The other problem Taylor Made faces is that Costco can only get better once it gets the hang of this product. Taylor Made is shaking in its boots that the golfing public might discover that much of the stuff it sells is overpriced and there are excellent options at lower prices.

Most TaylorMade fans would not consider playing Kirkland Signature irons. Most budget golfers would not consider paying for new TaylorMade irons. If the top names come out with 3 or 4 models of clubs each year or two that are all very similar to the other big names, it is a stretch to think a new manufacturer would come up with something radically different. This is a bad look for TaylorMade.

Imagine an outsider (kirkland in this case) coming out with their first set of irons for $500 compared to TaylorMade that’s on 3rd or 4th generation 790’s for almost triple the price and the Kirklands are more consistent. Kinda like when Titleist sued Kirkland for “copying” the ProV1. The sad truth is Kirkland proves you can get quality for less money. Why wouldn’t TaylorMade sue…it’s about nothing more than greed and money they stand to lose! Golf is already an expensive sport/hobby and if it wasn’t for DTC brands it would be an “elitest” sport which it seems to be becoming.

The best thing for Kirkland /costco is this lawsuit. What great marketing. The 4 iron is a beast with that speed pocket.

Just bought a new set of irons tried almost everything on the market and for me the Srixon zx5 mk2 out performed every other iron can’t wait to game them

Who would be silly enough to pay 1k for a set of Kirkland's on eBay when the biggest selling point is the low price?

Did you check the lies and lofts on the Kirkland irons. I would be curious to see if the specs are close to what they’re supposed to be.

They look like two different clubs full stop 😮

I would go with Kirkland based on price and performance

Great video James , but how many players will even use the 5 iron let alone 4 iron . 8 iron Costco looked more consistent.

These were sold out online very quickly with both drops of product, long before the lawsuit. but with the lawsuit, don't expect to see anymore sets of these new on the Costco website.

I'm leaning more toward Takomo irons. Can you do comparison between Costco, Takomo and Caley?

For newer golfers that are coming out of the beginner stage into the casual/leisure golfer stage, the Kirkland irons are a no-brainer.

That 1st hit with the 4i on the Kirkland definitely dropped the avg and having owned the 1st gen of P790, that kind of drop off can happen with those as well on thinned or toe shots.

Still on the website, but currently sold out. Bummer.

🎶 track? It’s *Pushing* by *Cushy* - and yes we are THRILLED to be your trusted provider. kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q92IeMd11K25h40.html // Epidemic Sound

I would like to see you revisit the cobra forged tec irons

I feel like if you have $500 to spend on new irons, 2nd hand is a much better way to go. Plenty of gently used sets of premium clubs at that price point. Pretty sure most used Ping irons can still be fit to your specs as well

The average guy won’t even notice the difference.. personally I prefer the Costco model.. cheaper cost than the Taylor made .. maybe the taylormade should cut there price!!!

I had P790 (2021). Every once in a while, it would produce a shot that went 10 yards further.

I was a single digit for about 15 years. I'm older now and clubhead speed has intersected with age. I remember whenever I hit the range before I played, If I hit them well on the range, I played like crap. When I hit them like crap on the range, I had a stellar round.

I was about to buy a set last year at Costco, that was in the store.. about time I researched to see the feedback. Could never find them in store and always sold out online.

I've been looking at both of these and the Tacomo irons. Which Tacomo irons do you think are the closest to the P790s? 101ts? 201s? Thoughts?

Great comparison, shows the difference between the clubs when you go to a longer iron. However, cost difference is amazing. Only problem is that it's difficult (if not impossible) to get this brand in Ireland...small market, I'd imagine

I currently own a set of 2023TP 790s, now I’m curious to try this Kirkland after the lawsuit, the reason is after looking at your numbers makes anyone wonder if Taylor made realize how good this iron really are. I feel the Takomos are much similar to TM than the Kirkland compared to the Taylor made. Why not suing the other golfing brands instead?

As a ~22 handicap are these clubs for me? I’m getting better consistently, but would more forgiving clubs be better?

I'm kind of in the middle. I've hit 790's and I ended up getting an M6 set. The bridge design felt better for me. And was around $700

This does one thing for me as a consumer aboht to buy my next set of irons: look past taylormade completley. Itl likely be mizuno or wilson for me.

Played a pals set of Kirklands. Rubbish. Down a few mph ball speed. Down with spin measurably, too. Wedge was ridiculously inconsistent. But, if you’re a 20 handicap that plays twice a month? Sure, give them a try. Oh… can’t. Get them fit. Oh, can’t. Leave them alone if you want to get better. Play them if you’re just enjoying sunshine with the lads and save a grand.

Why sue Costco alone when literally every other manufacturer makes hollow body, foam filled irons? Doesnt make sense.

The thing that people didn't like about older P790's is getting those jumpers when you hit them. The fact that there's a 20 yard disparity between them (good and bad ones you hit) is a bit worrisome.

My question is, how do hollow bodied irons compare to urethane filled irons.

The issue is Costco is 500 and the Taylormade is 1300. You're almost a 3rd of the price for irons. At the end of the day it potentially takes money out of Taylormade's pocket and as many companies in America do, let's sue instead of competing.

Do you plan on testing the Mizuno 24 series? Kind of done Kirkland to death if anyone wants to save money and get good quality it’s Takomo all day

You chucked the 4 iron that’s why it was 40 yards short

With the Costco clubs selling out so quickiy there are not that many sets around in comparison to the thousands of sets Taylor Made have sold. Not sure why big companies want to punish Costco for coming up with good, reliable products that sell!! So far, there have not been any lawsuits over the gloves, balls, putter, wedges, or driver. This is just another reason not to buy Taylor Made products!!

It would seem that TaylorMade forgets that they copied the design of the Truss putter from an older Titleist putter. I do believe that there are many brands with an iron very similar to the P790

My feeling is, KZfaq creators have made the comparison between the Kirkland Irons and the P790s and TaylorMade feels they are going to loose product sales based on those comparisons, when in actuality, they are in two totally different categories. If you are a "TaylorMade brand golfer", you will not be going out to buy a set of Kirkland irons to be your everyday gamer. You may buy a set to give to your son, daughter, brother or what have you, just getting into the game or wanting to upgrade due to the price and knowing they are similar to the P790s. In that case, you were never going to spend the money on the P790s to begin with. If you have the means to buy P790s you will, if you don't then you will buy Kirkland. My belief is TaylorMade just did a ton of free advertising for Kirkland, as did Titlist with the V1 of the Signature balls a few years back. Just my opinion.

Hi James like you say more affordable and good for the future of golf courses if the big companys make it to expensive how can golf clubs stay open

Great head to head James but I do think I would choose Taylormade

TM and other manufacturers should try lowering their prices instead of suing other companies and ripping off prospective customers with their ridiculous prices. £1100 upwards for a set of irons is a con, £500+ for a driver is too, and anyone who says it isn't has more money than sense. Manufacturers could also stop releasing half a dozen sets of irons and woods every year, its just not needed.

I was playing 790's but with my inconsistent ball striking (Hcap 14) I found the differential between a well hit shot and a poor strike was really significant . Gone to Wilsons which are great, just as long but the poor stats are better.

I don’t think folk are getting the issue, doesn’t matter if its golf clubs or a hairdryer, R&D and intellectual property are protected. The statement that without Direct to consumer golf would be elitist, is also a misnomer. James opines about the used market, to have used clubs, someone has to buy new clubs. D To C have value, but getting fitted is expensive and residual value is also an issue. IF major OEM clubs are too expensive, why do they sell? Clearly some folk see them as good value. Folk say irons were £800 10 years ago, yet they are now £1500, inflation over the same period would account for that increase, membership at my golf club in in the last 10 years has gone from £800 to £1900 this year, petrol??? Food??? Etc. Direct to consumer are like supermarket own brand products, cheap have value to some but others turn their nose up. cost is an easy headline, but reality is everything is more expensive today, if you can’t afford them, don’t buy them, as James says there are alternatives, lets hope they have been designed legally. TM wont sue some of the D to C companies as they don’t have the money Costco do, i suspect Costco will settle out of court as they and others have in the past.

Why is there an ATM in the hitting bay?

If companies like Taylor made, would stop gouging they wouldn’t have to worry about other brands, showing the fact that you can make a premium club for a third the price and still be profitable. These brands have gotten so out of control and all. But we keep paying the price so they’re going to do it until we start switching to other brands and they lose sales they’re not going to drop prices.

Of all the big OEMs, TM has stolen more tech than anyone else. Remember Adams, TM eventually bought them because they couldn't continue to justify stealing their tech. Then PXG sued TM couple years ago, which TM settled.

What is the handicap range for these Costco clubs?

I think what is happening is Kirkland is making clubs that are just as good as those name brand clubs for a fuckton less and those big names are worried that people will stop paying for them and buy the Kirklands. I mean why pay 1500 bucks a set when I can get just about the same shots out of a 400 dollar set

Just noticed on the Uk Costco website the wedges have disappeared too

People don’t seem to understand this lawsuit. It’s not about them being the exact same type of clubs, it’s the way that Costco marketed them and used tailor-made technology as a reference that is causing the lawsuit

It Appears based on Numbers the Kirkland Irons are more consistent.

Costco sold out of those clubs just days after they were first displayed on the web site. TaylorMade made no difference to what looks like the sale of the best-selling golf clubs this year or their departure from the web site.

Honestly I just think it’s funny people think the 2 clubs look the same. You could say that about 90% of the muscle backs ever made then…? Every company has stolen designs from previous club makers. The actual design hasn’t changed much since the 80s with blade type irons.

Name brand buyers won't buy Kirkland, even if they are better. You can't show off with the Kirkland tag. However, they may buy a Kirkland set for house guests, etc...

TaylorMade has a patent and it doesn’t matter if you like it or not.

Caley or Takomo if I was going budget hollow back irons. I've tried the Caley and was very impressed. Online custom fit too if you know your specs. Taylormade are making themselves look silly with the lawsuit. If people don't have £1200 to spend on a set of irons, they won't buy P790 regardless. They will seek a budget option

If we aren't making consistent contact the ball and the club aren't the problem. Chase your swing not the equipment.

Those Kirkland irons in a year will have a really low resale value just like their wedges and putter , I work in a new and used golf equipment store and what we have seen is they have next to no resale value , now if you are one of those golfers who uses their equipment til its worn out then they seem to be a decent option with Takoma , Sub 70 , Caley and a few others but if you want cheap good quality with some resale in that category of club I don't think you can beat the PXG 0211 line which does have a good resale value , the other option is companies like Taylormade which sells a older line like the SIM2 for discounted rates and same with PING with the 425 line.

False advertisement by Costco? Good luck Taylormade, Costco does not advertise, word of mouth only.

This is one fight Taylormade is going to lose.

Kirkland needs a separate brand for their clubs. Nobody wants to advertise they bought the costco clubs

I wish, not available any more online...

Is TM also going to sue Caley? There irons look very similar too, the 01. Which leads me to a head-to-head testing of Costco vs Caley. The Caley is an extra $100, but comes with a better shaft.

Interesting as the TM has 1 degree more loft in the 4 iron at 21

I play P790's and don't see Kirkland in the same bracket for quality but price is attractive.

It seems . While watching it . That your swing are not consistent. The first 4 with the 7 iron vs you're Tayler made. I would say the same eith the 4 . Your 2 sets of swings were not the same. To be far. You'd need a larger sample size and take the top 4 or 5 .

I was hoping he would talk more. I love when things are way over explained

These are also SMT 579 irons. It’s an open design

Kinda like when Adams was suing TM for copyright infringement on their hybrids and TM just bought them?

How about comparing Cosco with a lesser manufacturer like Cleveland?

Taylormades 2024 clubs are irrelevant and overpriced. So the knee- jerk reaction by Taylormade is to file a frivolous law suit against the small guys in the limelight.

Only reason Taylormade should sue Costco is to try get new golfers to buy Kirkland’s, then if they get into golf, want to spend more they see this comparison so upgrade to the p790s

This test is subjective. I'd like to see the clubs compared with a one of those mechanical swing machines that can reproduce each swing & hit exactly the same to measure each club's true performance and any deviation. That seems to only way to truly test any difference. Most people's swings are not consistent enough to appreciate any difference that may be included.

Why Taylor Made didn’t sue every brands that build hollow body clubs ? The differences won’t be larger with a ping or a cobra. Ok if you compare with other mass market retail brands you can find clubs in this category that are more different than the P790 like the new decathlon inesis 500 v2 issued this week that looks very different and perform allegedly better than the P790 (smash 1.45). Patent infringements trials became a big source of revenues and fame in the us.

PXG 0211 hollow body .thinnest fastest face . 1/2 price of TM

The average player wouldn’t no the difference with almost any club It all comes down to can I hit them fairly consistently

When will Costco irons be back in stock?

The KS 4 iron didn't seem to be as consistent as the TM. I am guessing the QC isn't as good. I don't think the KS really look that closer to the TM irons, whatever the KS filler is, it isn't the same as the TM filler.

Costco is probably making more money per iron set than Taylormade. Anyone that works in the golf manufacturing business knows that there is a massive markup on golf clubs. 2/3 of the price of a new club goes to marketing. It’s the only way they can stay in business! I’ve been playing golf for over 50 years and average changing clubs about every 9 to 10 years. Costco isn’t spending anything on advertising and are probably making 70% profit on these clubs. KZfaq does all their advertising for free. Wonderful concept.

Do the Both Clubs have the Same Loft?

i stopped playing golf for 6 years until recently (played solid for 22 yrs) when i returned i started researching clubs and cant believe the prices of irons now. six years ago £650 for 4-pw premium irons, now £1199 for 5 or 6-pw. good on costco for a premium set c/w good shafts and grips for £500

I thought Taylormade was the company that made the Kirkland brand.

Rumor is that Callaway is manufacturing the Costco branded golf products.

If a lawyer brought 6 manufacturer's irons in, case would be dismissed in about 7 seconds.

The brutal truth is the only people that seem to have got a set are reviewers! Overtime I look all there clubs are out of stock

Costco lawyers are back peddling already in their response to the lawsuit. Saying that they trusted an outside source to provide their clubs and that they should not be held accountable for any patent infringements . It’s exactly what they did when they lost their case against Titleist. Take it as you want but if you check Costco has been sued hundreds of time over this exact same thing in the last 25 years . They seem to take advantage of their position and blatantly disregard others patents. By being such a large company intimidating other companies. Hopefully Taylormade gets deep into Costco pockets .

Pretty crappy that Taylormade has completely ruined this for the golfer who can't afford the 790's. You actually can't find any Kirkland golf clubs on Costco's site currently. I was telling my cousin about these because he is sorely in need of new irons, but can't afford the brand name higher prices. I wasn't a Taylormade fan before, and now I'm definitely not now.

Hey James if you had $500 to spend on new irons between the Kirkland irons or the Takomo 101 irons which would you prefer?

Do you think maybe with constantly hitting the same club, it could create a vibration within the club head ? I feel like that's why they probably have the hollow pockets still filled with foam or rubber. But in real life, unless you really duff your shot, your not using that same club again for another 10-30 min. And jostling around in the bag will also dampen prolonged vibrationgs inside the club head. As well with human testing there is fatigue, which we all feel it at different rates and quantities, it's also a variable. It would be interesting to see if any kind of different ball combinations would work better or less with the Kirklands. I didn't catch what balls you where shooting, maybe a Kirkland ball and club would work even better ?

i bought the lynx irons just like these. very good set of irons, looks better than kirkland

It's not t valid test until you put the same shaft and grip in each head, and match the swingweights. Until then, too many variables...

I play old oversized cavity irons, Taylormade burners from the early 90s and aside from lower loft/more distance from newer irons of the same number, I honestly don’t see much advantage. I wish someone still made an oversized cavity honestly.

The basic fact is TM have to take into consideration all the revenue they have to set aside for paying their Staff Pro's. Of which they seem to be adding constantly. Costco do not need this so can spend money on R&D and still sell at low prices. Kirkland have charged a more premium price on their putter, so they are not all about the cheapness, they make quality products...Would you ever see a scratch player using them, doubtful but they would be great for 5 and above...I bought the set of wedges 3 months ago to replace my old MG3 wedges and they are every bit as good..

For high handicapped players and beginners, can’t go wrong with Kirkland Brand