Golf, celebrated for its picturesque landscapes, has long been synonymous with nature. However, in recent times, there has been mounting criticism regarding environmental concerns such as water and energy consumption, chemical usage, and notably, the impact of golf balls.
Despite their small size, golf balls can have a significant ecological footprint, especially when they end up in places they shouldn't. In this article, we'll delve into the question "Are golf balls bad for the environment?" and explore sustainable alternatives that can help mitigate their impact.
Photo source: tomorrow golf
Understanding Golf Ball Pollution: What's the Problem?
Millions of golf balls are lost or discarded every year, many of which find their way into water bodies like lakes, rivers, and oceans. This accumulation of golf balls poses a threat to the environment, particularly due to the materials they're made of.
Traditional golf balls are crafted from synthetic materials like rubber, plastic, and metal, which can take centuries to decompose. As they break down, these materials release harmful chemicals into the environment, polluting water bodies and endangering marine life.
Photo source: Matthew Savoca
While there is currently no scientific study published to quantify these effects, it's a topic that is being actively investigated. The ingestion of golf ball material could potentially affect organisms in these ecosystems.
Many of the approximately 32,000 golf courses worldwide are located along coastlines, further emphasizing the significance of this issue. In 2019, a story emerged when a teenage girl discovered tens of thousands of golf balls near the shore of the famous Pebble Beach course in California.
Photo source: Pebble Beach Golf Links
In addition to the direct environmental impacts, the loss of millions of golf balls represents a serious waste of resources. As said before, new golf balls are predominantly composed of plastic and synthetic rubber, both derived from fossil sources.
The production of these materials involves significant energy consumption and carbon emissions. Consider this: the balls travel thousands of miles only to be hit once, and then, with just one bad shot, they're gone forever. Seriously? There have to be smarter ways to deal with this...
Exploring Better Options: Going Greener
The good news is that there are eco-friendly alternatives available for environmentally-conscious golfers. Biodegradable golf balls, for example, are made from renewable materials that break down naturally over time, reducing their ecological footprint.
Additionally, recycled or refurbished golf balls provide another eco-friendly option by giving old balls a new lease on life. Now, let's delve deeper into these concepts and compare their pros and cons.
Biodegradable Golf Balls: What's the Deal?
Biodegradable golf balls are gaining popularity among environmentally-conscious golfers for their eco-friendly attributes. Made from biodegradable materials derived from renewable sources such as corn starch, these balls break down naturally without leaving harmful residues behind. Some of them even contain fish food in its core.
Photo source: biodegradablegolfballs.com
This means that even if biodegradable golf balls end up in water bodies, they won't pose a long-term threat to the environment. Because of the materials they are made from, biodegradable balls inherently cannot match the performance of traditional constructions in terms of distance, spin rates, and durability.
However, in coastal areas or even on cruise ships or yachts, they can still be a very viable option.
Recycling and Refurbishing: Making Old Balls New Again
Recycling and refurbishing old golf balls present additional sustainable solutions to the environmental challenges associated with traditional golf balls. Rather than allowing old golf balls to accumulate in water bodies or landfills, they can be collected, cleaned, and restored to their original condition, giving them a second lease on life.
Photo source: Matt Bise
This not only reduces waste but also minimizes the environmental impact of golfing activities. Furthermore, initiatives aimed at cleaning up water bodies and retrieving lost balls not only contribute to environmental conservation but also foster a cleaner and healthier ecosystem for all.
Some brands like tomorrow golf offer golf balls with a 100% recycled core, complemented by a brand new cover, making it feel and play like a new ball. Other start-ups like Vollē Golf focus on recycling the thermoplastic cover material while using virgin rubber for the core.
Photo source: tomorrow golf
In typical refurbishing processes, balls receive a fresh layer of paint and printing on the exterior. However, a significant portion of the market comprises "lake balls," which are collected, cleaned, and then resold as second-hand products.
These balls vary in condition, with those in excellent shape commanding higher prices than those with scratches and marks, enabling consumers to select according to their budget.
The primary advantage of these types of balls over biodegradable options lies in their use of high-performance materials, ensuring superior distance, control in the short game, and durability. Although balls that have been submerged in water for extended periods may experience some performance degradation, usually their performance is maintained.
From an environmental perspective, these balls contribute to a circular product lifecycle by reusing valuable materials and overall reducing the carbon footprint, thus supporting sustainability efforts within the golfing industry. And all of that without breaking the budget of us golfers.
Recycled, Lake Balls or Biodegradable: What’s Better for You?
Let’s compare the pros and cons of the different options.
| New Balls | Recycled Balls | Lake Balls | Biodegradable Balls | |
| Environmental | - Uses virgin materials; high energy consumption and carbon footprint |
- Reduces waste by repurposing materials |
- Reusing lost balls, reducing environmental impact | - Breaks down naturally without harmful residues |
| Performance |
- Consistent performance |
- Similar performance to new balls |
- Varies in condition and performance; can be inconsistent | - Lack of distance, control and durability |
| Budget | - Higher cost, depending on brand and model | - Can be cheaper than new balls | - Most affordable option | - Similar price; not as widely available |
The Role of Golf Courses: Doing Their Part
Golf courses play a crucial role in minimizing the environmental impact of the sport. By implementing sustainable practices such as water conservation, energy efficiency, and habitat preservation, golf courses can mitigate their ecological footprint and promote environmental stewardship.
Photo source: Edwin Compton / Unsplash
Water-efficient irrigation systems, renewable energy sources, and natural habitat preservation initiatives are just a few examples of how modern golf courses can contribute to a greener future for the sport.
Furthermore, golf clubs can address the topic of golf balls in various ways. They can regularly retrieve lost golf balls from the course, including those found in lakes and other water bodies. Additionally, clubs can opt to purchase recycled golf balls for their ranges, provide recycling bins for old and worn-out golf balls, and showcase sustainable golf brands and products in their pro shops.
These efforts not only showcase a dedication to environmental responsibility within the golfing community but also serve to attract new members and visitors.
Helping Out as Golfers: Easy Ways to Be Green
As individual golfers, we can also do our part to minimize the environmental impact of our beloved sport. Choosing eco-friendly golf balls, practicing responsible ball management, and respecting wildlife and natural habitats on the course are simple yet effective ways to reduce our ecological footprint.
By adopting sustainable practices and making environmentally-conscious choices, we can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations to enjoy.
Here are some more things you can do as a golfer:
- Get yourself a reusable water bottle.
- Always dispose of your trash in the bin.
- Use public transport or carpool whenever possible.
- Consider switching to bamboo tees.
- Opt to walk the course instead of using a cart.
- Repair ball marks and replace divots to maintain the course's condition.
Photo source: tomorrow golf
Looking Forward: What's Next?
Looking ahead, the future of eco-friendly golf balls is promising, driven by advancements in materials and manufacturing processes.
As golfers become more environmentally conscious, we can expect to see a growing demand for sustainable options in the market. Although it may not occur in the immediate future, the potential for professional players such as Rory McIlroy or Justin Thomas to adopt sustainable balls could serve as a catalyst for this trend.
Let's play green and ensure golf remains enjoyable for generations, driving positive change in the process. Play today. Care about tomorrow.