For golfers looking to upgrade their short game, LAZRUS and Kirkland Signature wedges are two popular options to consider. But with so many factors to weigh – from bounce and grind options to price points – it can be tricky to decide which wedge is the better fit for your game.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down the key similarities and differences between LAZRUS and Kirkland wedges across a range of categories. Read on for the full rundown on performance, features, cost, and more to help you make an informed choice when selecting new wedges.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | LAZRUS | Kirkland |
| Price | $129-$149 per wedge | $115 for 3 wedge set |
| Bounce Options | Low and mid bounce | One standard bounce ~10-12° |
| Grind Options | C, S, and W grinds | Single standard grind |
| Lofts Available | 50°, 52°, 54°, 56°, 58°, 60° | 52°, 56°, 60° |
| Groove Design | Proprietary quad-cut, v-shaped | Traditional u-shaped |
| Groove Construction | Milled pattern | Machine cut |
| Models Available | Blade and cavity back | Only cavity back |
| Spin Performance | Maximum spin from groove tech | Solid spin but not as high |
| Feel | Very soft from carbon steel | Surprisingly soft for price |
| Durability | 2-4 years of consistent play | 1-2 years before decline |
| Brand Reputation | Premium reputation, trusted by gear heads | Mixed reputation but value focused |
Overview of LAZRUS and Kirkland Wedges
First, let’s quickly introduce our two wedge contenders:
LAZRUS Wedges
- Founded in 2014 in Carlsbad, California
- Offers both cavity back and blade style wedges
- Known for aggressive spin and soft feel
- Features propriety groove technology
Kirkland Signature Wedges
- House brand of Costco
- Cavity back design only
- Lower price point than most major brands
- Limited grind and bounce options
Also Read: Differences Between BombTech And LAZRUS Wedges.
Key Differences Between LAZRUS And Kirkland Wedges
Now let’s dive deeper into how these two wedge brands stack up across some of the most important categories for golfers.
Performance and Feel
When it comes to wedge performance, you want a club that provides maximum spin control, versatility around the green, and a soft impact feel. Here’s an overview of what you can expect from LAZRUS and Kirkland in terms of pure performance.
Spin Control
- LAZRUS wedges use milled grooves to generate high spin rates on partial and full shots. The proprietary surface roughness helps grab the ball aggressively on greenside shots.
- Kirkland wedges also aim to maximize spin, but may not achieve the same extremely high revolutions as other brands. Overall, most golfers are satisfied with Kirkland wedge spin.
Versatility
- With both blade and cavity back options, LAZRUS provides versatility to shape different shots depending on your swing. The cavity backs offer forgiveness on full swings.
- Kirkland wedges only come in a cavity back design. While versatile, they lack the craftsmanship of a blade wedge around the greens.
Feel
- LAZRUS wedges feature a soft carbon steel head to foster a pleasing feel on all shots. The wedges provide responsive feedback.
- Kirkland wedges get high marks for feel and feedback, especially given their budget price point. While not as soft as premium wedges, feel is a strength.
Bottom Line: LAZRUS edges out Kirkland in terms of maximizing spin, offering blade options, and an ultra-soft feel. But Kirkland wedges still perform very well for the price.
Features and Options
Wedges come in a variety of lofts, bounce options, sole grinds, and other features that allow golfers to fine-tune performance. Here’s an overview of what you’ll get with LAZRUS and Kirkland wedges:
Lofts
- LAZRUS offers industry standard lofts: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, and 60 degrees. This covers all wedge loft configurations golfers may need.
- Kirkland wedges come in 52, 56, and 60 degrees. This more limited selection may require supplementing with another brand.
Bounce
- LAZRUS provides both low and mid bounce options to fit different swing types and course conditions. Bounce helps avoid digging.
- Kirkland wedge bounce is around 10-12 degrees. Only one bounce is offered, which may not work for all players.
Grinds
- Choose from C, S, and W grinds to align LAZRUS wedge soles with your swing plane and typical turf interaction.
- Kirkland uses a standard wedge grind suitable for most players. No ability to customize sole grind.
Finish
- Both LAZRUS and Kirkland wedges use a clean chrome or stainless steel finish that resists glaring and wears well over time.
Bottom Line: LAZRUS provides more loft, bounce, and grind options for optimal wedge gapping and versatility around the greens.
Price and Value
Given their differences in brand recognition, Kirkland and LAZRUS naturally have divergent price points. Let’s see how wedge prices compare:
- LAZRUS Wedges – $129-$149 per club, so $387-$447 for a 3 wedge set
- Kirkland Signature Wedges – $115 for the set of 3 wedges
No doubt about it, Kirkland wedges offer excellent value, coming in at around 3x less expensive than the LAZRUS set. Between the solid performance and budget price, it’s hard to beat Kirkland wedges on value alone.
That being said, LAZRUS still represent a reasonable price for premium, cutting edge wedges with all the bells and whistles. The technology and craftsmanship built into LAZRUS wedges justify the higher cost for serious golfers looking to invest in their short game.
Overall Brand Reputation
Beyond pure performance metrics, it’s worth considering the overall brand reputation and consumer sentiment around LAZRUS and Kirkland wedges. This can give you further insight into quality, customer service, and long term durability.
LAZRUS
- Well regarded among golf gear enthusiasts for technology and performance
- Positive reviews from consumers across online retailers and forums
- Developed trusted reputation in short period since brand founding
Kirkland
- Mixed reputation due to budget pricing and lesser known brand
- Pleasantly surprised consumers who try Kirkland wedges
- Costco provides strong customer service and satisfaction guarantee
While LAZRUS edges out Kirkland in brand cachet and reputation, the Kirkland wedges still rate very well given most buyers’ value-oriented expectations. As Costco’s house brand, consumer trust the Kirkland name.
Looking at Wedge Grooves
Let’s zoom in specifically on wedge grooves, which have an oversized impact on spin, control, and performance. Wedge grooves vary widely in terms of design, construction, and durability.
LAZRUS Grooves
- Proprietary quad cut, v-shaped grooves with rough face
- Milled pattern provides precise consistency
- Grooves are hand checked for conformity by QA team
Kirkland Grooves
- Traditional u-shaped grooves cut via machine
- Decent quality and cut for a budget model
- Lacks advanced milling technology of other brands
When it comes to grooves, LAZRUS again has the edge thanks to its meticulous manufacturing process and unique groove shape that boosts backspin. But Kirkland still scores well given the price constraint.
Also Read: Differences Between BombTech And Kirkland Wedges.
Durability and Lifespan
For such an important scoring club, you want your wedges to maintain performance over many seasons of play. Here’s how LAZRUS and Kirkland compare in terms of durability:
LAZRUS
- Quality steel construction prevents cracking or warping
- Proprietary groove technology retains spin over time
- Can expect 2-4 years of consistent performance
Kirkland
- Solid durability but occasional issues with cracking if mis-hit
- May see decline in spin after 1-2 years of frequent play
- Costco warranty provides protection against defects
Advantage LAZRUS when it comes to long term durability. But both brands will provide quality playability for at least a couple seasons with proper care. Kirkland warranty helps provide peace of mind.
Look and Feel: Blade vs Cavity Back
Visually, one of the biggest differences between LAZRUS and Kirkland is the blade wedge option offered by LAZRUS. Here’s a brief comparison:
Blade Wedges
- Sleek, compact profile puts all weight towards center
- Work best for skilled players with consistent swings
- Allow shaping a variety of finesse shots
- Provide satisfying feel on square impact
Cavity Back Wedges
- Perimeter weighting creates forgiveness on mishits
- Ideal for mid to high handicap golfers
- Versatile playability on a range of short game shots
- Dampened feel compared to blades
LAZRUS givesscratch golfers thebuttery feel and artistry of blade wedge play. But Kirkland cavity backs offer plenty of versatility at a more forgiving level. Choose blade or cavity back based on your skills.
What The Golf Pros Are Playing?
While amateur golfers choose wedges based on price, performance, and personal preference, elite PGA Tour pros have access to the top brands like Titleist Vokey and Cleveland RTX ZipCore wedges.
Very few professionals play LAZRUS or Kirkland wedges given their sponsorships with the major OEMs. But Zach Johnson, Stewart Cink, and Graeme McDowell have been spotted gaming Kirkland wedges, proving they can perform even for top players.
While tour validation makes for great marketing, amateur players should focus on finding the right wedges for their own game, whether it’s LAZRUS, Kirkland, or other options. Skill level and budget are what matter most.
Summary & Recommendations
To recap our key findings in this LAZRUS vs Kirkland wedge comparison:
- LAZRUS offers greater wedge versatility, sharper grooves, and softer feel
- Kirkland provides impressive value at a budget price point
- LAZRUS has better grind, bounce, and loft options to dial in gapping
- Both deliver adequate spin for short game playability
- LAZRUS carries stronger brand reputation among golfers
- Kirkland backed by Costco’s customer service and guarantee
So which is better – LAZRUS or Kirkland? Here are our recommendations based on player type:
- For lower handicap players or those seeking a premium short game – Go with LAZRUS
- For high handicappers or budget-focused golfers – Kirkland makes most sense
- For mid handicappers – Either LAZRUS or Kirkland are solid options
Also Read: Miura Giken Or Miura Premium Golf Iron To Get?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Kirkland Signature wedges offer tremendous value for golfers looking for quality wedge performance on a budget. While they may lack some of the customization of premium brands, the affordable price combined with Costco’s customer guarantee make Kirkland wedges worth considering for many players.
Kirkland Signature wedges have 10-12 degrees of bounce. This medium bounce is suitable for a wide range of playing conditions and swing types. Kirkland does not currently offer low or high bounce wedge options, so players seeking more specialized wedge sole configurations may need to look at other brands.
Choosing the right wedges involves considering factors like your handicap, typical turf conditions, desired feel/look, and budget. Key aspects to evaluate include sole grind, bounce options, loft configurations for gapping, groove technology for spin, and blade vs cavity back. Testing various wedges to find the best feel is also recommended.
Unfortunately Kirkland Signature does not currently manufacturer left handed wedge sets – the wedges are only available for right handed golfers. Lefties looking for affordable wedge options may want to explore other value brands like Pinemeadow or Affinity. But for the best selection, invest in one of the major OEM wedge lines like Cleveland, Titleist and Callaway.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, you can’t go wrong investing in quality wedges, whether opting for technology and craftsmanship with LAZRUS or value and performance from Kirkland. Proper wedge gapping and practice will lead to the most substantial short game improvements regardless of brand.
Hopefully this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the LAZRUS and Kirkland wedge debate. Be sure to consider your personal preference, skills, and budget. And get ready to take your scoring to the next level with your shiny new wedges!
