Kirkland KS1 Putter vs Scotty Cameron: Is the Costco Putter Actually Worth It?
A milled 303 stainless blade for a third of the price, but a step behind on feel. Here's the honest comparison, and what to buy when the KS1 inevitably sells out.
In the Kirkland KS1 putter vs Scotty Cameron debate, the honest verdict is this: the KS1 delivers roughly 80–90% of the look and performance of a premium milled putter for about a third of the price. It's a genuine bargain. The trade-offs are feel, finish, fitting options, and resale value, not playability. If you can catch one in stock, it's hard to beat for the money.
The Kirkland KS1 putter vs Scotty Cameron question has launched a thousand forum threads, and for good reason. Costco took the most copied shape in golf, the Anser/Newport blade, milled it from the same grade of steel a Scotty is made from, and sold it for roughly a third of the price. So the obvious question is whether the Costco putter is actually worth it, or just clever marketing wearing a famous silhouette. The short version is that it's the real deal for value golfers, but it is not, and never claimed to be, a Scotty Cameron. Let's get specific.
The SubjectWhat exactly is the Kirkland KS1?
The KS1 is Costco's first-ever golf club, introduced in 2020 under the Kirkland Signature private label. It's a classic Anser/Newport-style blade, the same heel-toe-weighted shape that has defined the category for decades, CNC-milled from 303 stainless steel. That last detail is the whole pitch: 303 stainless is the exact grade Scotty Cameron uses, which is why the marketing leans so hard on the idea of a milled putter for a fraction of the price.
It originally retailed at $149.99, though Costco has at times sold it for as little as $99–$129.99. The head is 340g with 3° of loft, carries two adjustable heel-toe sole weights (roughly 10 grams each), and uses a Truline contrast alignment aid up top. It ships in a single 34.5-inch length with a SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0 CounterCore grip, itself a roughly $35 component. On paper, that's a remarkable amount of putter for the price. One catch worth flagging up front: the extra weight kit and the Allen key needed to swap weights have, depending on the run, sometimes been sold separately, and at least one reviewer received a unit without the Allen key.
A few practical notes most listings bury. The KS1 sells as a right-handed club, with a left-handed version stocked separately when Costco has it. And that 34.5-inch length is the only one offered, so if you need shorter or longer, your move is to have a local shop cut the shaft down (easy and cheap) or adjust the lie, the same as you would with any off-the-rack putter.
The Real DifferenceKirkland KS1 putter vs Scotty Cameron: the build distinction that matters
Here is the single most important thing to understand, and it's the reason the two putters feel different in your hands. The KS1 uses a milled 303 stainless steel face insert set into the head. A premium Scotty Cameron (the Special Select or Studio Style Newport 2) is milled from a solid block of 303 stainless with no insert at all, and it's milled in the USA. So while both clubs are "milled 303 stainless," only one is a single continuous piece of steel from face to flange.
That construction gap is what you hear and feel at impact. The solid Scotty head produces the soft, dense, "thuddy" feel that putter snobs pay for. The KS1's inserted face is a notch firmer and thinner, and reviewers describe a "click" or a "clud" rather than a soft press. Neither is wrong; it's a genuine difference in character. Plenty of great putters use inserts. But if you're chasing a cheap milled putter that feels like a Scotty Cameron, set expectations honestly: the KS1 looks the part and gets close, but the feel is a step behind.
Same shape, same grade of steel, but a milled insert is not a solid head, and your hands will know it.
| Kirkland KS1 | Scotty Cameron Newport 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Head construction | Milled 303 stainless insert in head | Milled from a solid block of 303 stainless |
| Where it's made | Overseas (private label) | USA |
| Approx. price | ~$99–$149.99 | ~$429–$480 |
| Head weight | ~340g | ~350g |
| Length options | One length (34.5"); RH, LH stocked separately | Multiple lengths; fitting available |
| Adjustable weights | Yes (two ~10g sole weights) | Fixed tungsten sole weights |
| Stock grip | SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0 CounterCore | Scotty Cameron Pistol-style |
| Resale value | Low | Excellent — often near or above retail |
Prices and stock move constantly. The KS1 has sold anywhere from about $99 to $149.99, and Scotty pricing varies by model. Treat every number here as approximate and verify current listings before you buy.
How it actually feels and performs
Strip away the brand and the build talk, and the on-course story from credible, independent reviewers is consistent. Read just about any serious Kirkland KS1 putter review (Plugged In Golf, MyGolfSpy, Golf Insider, among others) and the conclusion lands in the same place: the KS1 is uncommonly good for the money, roughly 80–90% of a premium milled putter's look and performance for about a third of the price. Be clear about that figure, though. It's a reviewer's qualitative estimate, not a lab result; nobody measured the KS1 sinking a set percentage more or fewer putts. These are seasoned feel impressions, and we're passing them along as exactly that.
The honest weaknesses, again from people who actually rolled it:
- Feel and sound. Firmer and thinner than a solid milled head, as covered above. There are better-feeling putters out there, but for the money, the KS1 is fine-to-good, not bad.
- A slightly chunky top-down look. At address it reads a touch heavier and blockier than the cleaner premium blades it imitates.
- The lighter head. At ~340g it's about 10 grams lighter than a comparable Scotty, which a few players found affected their distance control on longer putts. The adjustable sole weights help you tune this.
- The grip can dominate. The counter-weighted SuperStroke is a quality grip, but some reviewers felt its weight masked the feedback from the head.
- A cheaper headcover. You get a Velcro-closure cover rather than the magnetic covers on premium putters. Minor, but it's part of the cost-cutting picture.
None of those are dealbreakers for a recreational golfer. They're the predictable compromises behind a milled blade that costs a hundred-and-something dollars.
Who actually makes it — and the resale question
To be clear, because this one trips people up constantly: the KS1 is not designed or built by Scotty Cameron. It's a private-label product manufactured overseas (widely reported as China) at a factory that also produces putters for other brands. There's no boutique putter designer behind it. That's a feature of the price, not a scandal, but it's worth stating plainly so nobody buys it thinking they're getting a rebadged Cameron.
That overseas, mass-market origin shows up in one place that genuinely matters to value-minded buyers: resale. Scotty Camerons hold their value about as well as anything in golf, frequently reselling near or even above retail. The KS1 has almost no resale upside. Once you buy it, the money's spent. The offsetting advantage is Costco's famously generous return policy, which effectively lets you test the KS1 risk-free. If you don't get along with it, take it back. That return window is the closest thing the KS1 has to a fitting session.
Do you even need a $400 putter?
Before you agonize over the Kirkland KS1 putter vs Scotty Cameron price gap, sit with the uncomfortable truth that the industry would rather you didn't: a premium putter does not magically lower your scores. So are expensive putters worth it? For most recreational golfers, not really, at least not in the way the price tag implies. What actually moves your putting are the boring fundamentals: a proper fit (length, the right toe hang and neck style for your stroke, head weight matched to your tempo) and reps on the practice green. A flawless fit on a budget putter will out-putt a poorly matched $450 blade every time.
A great putter doesn't make putts. A great stroke, on a putter that fits you, makes putts.
This is the same logic we apply across the bag: spend where it buys you real performance, not where it buys you a logo. If you're still assembling your set and weighing where the dollars should go, our take on the rest of the gear that actually matters leans hard on fit over flash, and our golf ball buyer's guide makes the case that the cheapest big upgrade in golf isn't a putter at all. It's playing the right ball, consistently.
Our PicksKirkland KS1 putter vs Scotty Cameron: what to buy, plus alternatives for when it sells out
Two things to know about these recommendations. First, the KS1 sells out constantly and has commanded resale markups north of $250, so a sold-out backup plan isn't optional, it's the plan. Second, Costco has no affiliate program, so we earn nothing if you buy a KS1; every link below points to an alternative we'd genuinely recommend, chosen on reputation, not on what pays. These are consensus picks from long-trusted models, and prices move, so the links go to the current price.
Scotty Cameron Special Select / Studio Style Newport 2
The most iconic Anser-style blade in golf, milled in the USA from a solid block of 303 stainless with no face insert. That's where the soft, solid feel and precise feedback come from. It holds resale value better than almost any club in the bag, and it's the putter the KS1 openly imitates. Worth the splurge mainly for players who get fit for it and value the feel, finish, and resale, not because it will automatically sink more putts than a well-fit budget option.
Cleveland HB SOFT Milled / HB SOFT 2
Frequently cited as the best putter you can buy for around $150, and a direct, in-stock competitor to the KS1. The milled face uses Speed Optimized Face Technology for consistent ball speed across the face and a genuinely soft feel, and it comes in both blade and mallet shapes. If the Kirkland is sold out and you still want that milled character, this is the easiest one to actually find on a shelf.
Odyssey Ai-ONE / Ai-ONE Double Wide
Odyssey is the best-selling putter brand on tour, and the Ai-ONE line uses its well-regarded White Hot-style insert tuned for soft feel and consistent ball speed. The Double Wide mallet adds forgiveness and dead-simple alignment. It's a different feel philosophy than a milled blade, a softer insert rather than firm milled steel, and a strong pick if you'd rather have forgiveness and a trusted name than chase the classic blade look.
Wilson Infinite (Buckingham / Windy City)
Wilson's Infinite series punches well above its roughly $130 price. In independent testing it has outperformed putters costing several times more. The double-milled face delivers a soft feel and reliable distance control, and the mallet models add stability, forgiveness, and counterbalanced length options. An excellent, widely available pick if you want a forgiving mallet rather than a classic blade and don't want to pay premium money for it.
Kirkland Signature KS1
Costco's CNC-milled 303 stainless Anser-style blade with adjustable sole weights and a SuperStroke grip, originally $149.99 and often less. It uses a milled steel face insert rather than a solid head, so feel and sound are a notch firmer than a Scotty, and the Velcro headcover and slightly chunky top-down look are cost compromises. Despite all that, credible reviewers call it uncommonly good value: roughly 80–90% of a premium milled putter for about a third of the price, backed by Costco's easy returns. The catch is frequent stock shortages and almost no fitting or length options. (Sold through Costco, which has no affiliate program, so this is an honest recommendation, not a paid one.)
Decision MatrixWhich one fits the golfer you are
Same five picks, sorted by the kind of buyer each one is actually for. The ratings below are relative to one another, not absolute scores, and they trace straight to the trade-offs covered above: feel, forgiveness, value, and resale.
| Putter | Best for | Feel | Forgiveness | Value | Resale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scotty Cameron Newport 2 | The genuine article, getting fitted | Soft / solid | Blade | Premium price | Excellent |
| Kirkland KS1 | Value golfers who can catch one | Firmer "click" | Blade | ~1/3 the price | Low |
| Cleveland HB SOFT Milled | Milled feel that's actually in stock | Soft milled | Blade or mallet | ~$150 | Low |
| Odyssey Ai-ONE Double Wide | Forgiveness from the #1 brand | Soft insert | High (mallet) | Mid | Fair |
| Wilson Infinite | A forgiving mallet on a budget | Soft (double-milled) | High (mallet) | ~$130 | Low |
Avoid TheseCommon mistakes buyers make
- Paying resale markup for a KS1. The whole argument for the Kirkland is the price. The moment you're handing a reseller $250-plus for one, you've erased its only real edge over an in-stock Cleveland HB SOFT or Wilson Infinite at retail. Wait for restock or buy a backup, but don't overpay.
- Expecting Scotty feel from an insert. The KS1 looks like a Newport, so people assume it should feel like one. It's a milled insert, not a solid head. Going in expecting a firmer "click" instead of a soft "thud" saves you the disappointment.
- Skipping the length and toe-hang check. The KS1 ships in one 34.5-inch length with no fitting, so plenty of buyers play a putter that's the wrong length or balance for their stroke. If 34.5" isn't your number, a shop can cut it down in minutes. A putter that doesn't fit you won't sink putts no matter whose name is on it.
- Ignoring the missing-parts catch. The extra weight kit and the Allen key to swap the sole weights have sometimes shipped separately, and at least one reviewer got a unit with no Allen key. Open the box and check before you toss the packaging.
- Treating Costco's return policy as a fitting session you skip. The generous returns let you test the KS1 risk-free, but only if you actually roll it on a real green for a week first. Most people never do, then keep a putter that never suited them.
The last word
So, on the Costco putter vs Scotty Cameron worth it question, where does it land? For the right buyer, the KS1 is emphatically worth it. If you like a classic milled blade, you're shopping on a budget, and you can live with a firmer feel and a no-frills package, the KS1 is one of the best value plays in golf, and Costco's returns mean you can try it with nothing to lose. If you want the genuine soft, solid feel, you're going to get fitted, or you care that your putter holds its value, the Scotty Cameron earns its premium and you'll know it every time you address a ball. What you shouldn't do is buy either one expecting it to fix your putting. Get fit for length and toe hang, put in the reps on the practice green, and then choose the putter that makes you want to practice. That's the one that lowers your scores.
FAQQuick answers
Is the Kirkland Signature KS1 putter any good, or is it just hype?
It's genuinely good for the money, not just hype. Independent reviewers consistently rate it as delivering roughly 80–90% of a premium milled putter's look and performance for about a third of the price. The demand is real (it sells out and resells at a markup), but go in knowing the feel is a step behind a solid-milled Scotty, not identical to it.
Does the KS1 use a one-piece milled head or a face insert?
It uses a milled 303 stainless steel face insert set into the head. A premium Scotty Cameron Newport 2 (Special Select / Studio Style) is milled from a solid block of 303 stainless with no insert. That difference is the main reason the KS1 feels firmer and the Scotty feels softer and more solid.
Who actually makes the Kirkland putter — is it designed by Scotty Cameron?
No. The KS1 is a private-label club manufactured overseas (widely reported as China) at a factory that also makes putters for other brands. It is not designed or built by Scotty Cameron; it simply copies the well-known Anser/Newport blade shape.
Why is the KS1 always sold out, and where can I buy one?
Genuine demand. It's a milled blade at a budget price, so it disappears fast and has resold on the secondary market for $250 and up. Look at Costco warehouses and Costco.com first, and occasionally Amazon. Expect shortages, and have a backup like the Cleveland HB SOFT or Wilson Infinite ready if it's gone.
Does the KS1 hold its value if I resell it?
Not really, resale upside is minimal. Holding value is a Scotty Cameron strength, not a KS1 one; Camerons frequently resell near or above retail. The KS1's offsetting advantage is Costco's generous return policy, which lets you test it risk-free.
Do expensive putters actually help you putt better?
For most golfers, no, not on their own. A premium putter doesn't magically lower scores. Proper fitting (length, toe hang/neck style, head weight matched to your stroke) and practice matter far more than the brand on the back. A well-fit budget putter will beat a poorly matched expensive one.
What should I buy if the KS1 is out of stock?
For a similar milled feel on a budget, the Cleveland HB SOFT Milled is the easiest in-stock match. If you'd prefer forgiveness, the Odyssey Ai-ONE Double Wide or the Wilson Infinite mallets are excellent, widely available alternatives, all of them more reliably stocked than the Kirkland.
Is the KS1 a blade or a mallet, and which should I pick?
The KS1 is a blade — a classic Anser/Newport heel-toe-weighted shape. Blades suit players with a slightly arced stroke who want a traditional look and feel. If you putt with a straighter stroke or want more forgiveness and easier alignment, a mallet is usually the better match, which is where the Odyssey Ai-ONE Double Wide or the Wilson Infinite mallets come in. The Cleveland HB SOFT comes in both shapes if you want the milled feel either way.
Can I change the grip or swap the weights on the KS1?
Yes to both. The head has two adjustable heel-toe sole weights (roughly 10 grams each) that you swap with an Allen key to tune the ~340g head — useful since some players found the lighter head affected distance control on long putts. The stock SuperStroke Mid Slim 2.0 CounterCore grip is a quality, roughly $35 component, but a few reviewers felt its counter-weight masked feedback from the head, so regripping to a lighter or thinner grip is a reasonable tweak if you want more feel.
What head weight and length does the KS1 come in?
The head is about 340g with 3° of loft, roughly 10 grams lighter than a comparable Scotty Cameron, and the adjustable sole weights let you nudge the weight. The bigger limitation is length: the KS1 ships in a single 34.5-inch length (right-handed, with a left-handed version stocked separately) and no fitting service. If you need a different length or lie angle, a local shop can cut the shaft or tweak the lie for a few dollars — that aftermarket step is the real trade-off versus a putter fitted to you from the start.