After silver in Glasgow, Walsh's upgrade adds to his crowded mantelpiece that features world outdoor, indoor titles and Olympic bronze. It is, also, worth remembering the Timaru builder is only 26.
"Stoked to have that gold. It wasn't probably how I imagined it because I'm feeling in really good nick but gold is a gold," he said, New Zealand flag draped over his broad shoulders. "When the pressure comes on the big stage sometimes things don't happen the way you want them to. It's been a long four years without the gold around my neck and finally that's done.
"If you're not nervous you don't care so I definitely felt the nerves. I felt I had them under control but I was a little pushy rather than letting things flow. I had two or three throws in there that were better movement wise but I was just off tonight. It's still good to know I can win when I'm off.
"I felt if I threw like I knew I could no-one could touch me. I left the door a little bit open tonight and I need to change and address that for future Games."
New Zealand boasts three women's Commonwealth Games shot put champions in Yvette Corlett (nee Williams), Valerie Young (nee Sloper) and Dame Valerie Adams, chasing an unprecedented fourth Games gold on Friday.
Prior to this, though, no Kiwi male had achieved the feat. Les Mills at Kingston in 1966; Courtney Ireland at Victoria in 1994 and Walsh were all runners-up.
Despite his somewhat shaky performance, Walsh's status as shot put king pin means he will still be favoured to continue his medal collection and claim Olympic glory, the holy grail, in Tokyo, 2020.
"You learn more from your failures, not that this is a failure… when you don't go as well as you want than when you do. Sometimes things are sugarcoated when you win so this is good to look at but it's full steam ahead for Tokyo.
"I know I'll have a lot more chances this year to throw far and get close to that record so I'm really looking forward to that already. There's a few things I need to address first to stay competitive and get there.
"It's going to be a good year for sure."
Walsh celebrated over a few beverages last night with his parents, and now returns to New Zealand for one week before jetting off to the States to resume training.
Earlier, a world record mark wasn't enough for Holly Robinson to clinch gold in the women's F45 javelin.
The Hokitika 23-year-old threw a world record 43.32m, only for Welsh rival Hollie Arnold to trump that in her last attempt with 44.43m.
"It was a rollercoaster because I opened with a really big throw breaking the current world record at the time. It was amazing out there I've got quite a bit of friends and family in the crowd and it was cool for them to be here and witness that," Robinson said.
"I remember as a wee girl I always wanted to be here competing for my country. I did hope for that gold medal but at the end of the day silver is absolutely amazing."
Camille Buscombe also finished 14th in the women's 10,000m.
