Amazon is active in the golf ball industry

Since my phone is always listening to me (am I paranoid?), this one Amazon Basics Core Soft golf balls appeared in my feed.

I didn’t know Amazon was in the golf ball business.

Considering these cost $14.40 per dozen, and they’re on Amazon Basics product line, they won’t be great golf balls. The Basics are just that: low-priced, merely adequate products that Amazon has determined can be sold in high volume with (probably) low margins.

I’ve mainly used Amazon Basics for spare cables for electronics: USB, HDMI and the like. They also have a private label line of ‘Essentials’ clothing, including golf clothing. I once got a golf shirt from there to see how it fit. It was fine.

Here’s what Amazon says about its golf balls:

• OPTIMIZED PERFORMANCE: 12-pack of low-compression golf balls provide exceptional distance and a straight flight path with a soft feel at impact
• IMPROVED CONTROL: Advanced core and cover technology provides improved short game control and putting accuracy
• ALIGNMENT ASSIST: Side alignment feature helps align putts with confidence for better accuracy on the green
• HIGH VISIBILITY: Durable white cover provides protection and easy ball tracking while playing
• VERSATILE USE: Great for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced players, providing consistent performance for all clubs; USGA compliant

A little internet research says they are two-piece, ionomer covered balls with 338 dimples. The Amazon Basics balls are apparently manufactured by SM Global, which also makes Costco’s Kirkland and PXG balls. Both are quite well regarded, so there is some hope that things will go well for Amazon.

At $1.20 per ball, I feel like the Amazon Basics Core Soft Golf Ball might be just the thing for fall golf, where golf ball casualties are quite high. I have always used a cheaper ball in the fall because of leaves on the fairways.

It turns out that Amazon has a lot of other golf products in their Basics line. They have one Orange whip knockoff, swing path that hits the mat, practice putting green, just hitand a hit checkmate.

Considering that golf clubs are relatively cheap to produce compared to their retail costs, I wonder if Amazon will ever get into the golf club business. By all accounts, a driver costs a major manufacturer less than $100 but sells for five times as much. I bet there are even bigger margins on golf bags.

In any case, I’m going to order a few Amazon balls and see how I like it.

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