Check out my Dixon Golf green golf ball giveaway below!
I have to admit, I am the first one to render my opinion on the environmentally friendliness of golf. In my mind, it has a huge environmental footprint. When I think of golf, I envision gas guzzling golf carts, large amount of water being used to keep the grass looking pristine and major upkeep of the fairways which includes fertilizer and weed control. In my opinion, a mightily large shoe print for people to chase a little white ball.
Putting my own environmental finger wagging aside, many people love this game. How many? According to the National Golf Foundation, in 2008, there was 28.6 million golfers (ages 6 and above) in the United States. Add four more. My children. So, why not green the game as much as possible?
Well, Dixon Golf has stepped up to the tee with a new greener golf ball that can be recycled at the end of its life (if it not lost in the woods or in a stream. They can’t help you when you shank the ball.) I laid my eyes on this white beauty at a golf shop in North Carolina while vacationing.
The other non-green golf balls.
While my sons played the Executive Course, I had a lengthy conversation with a gentleman in the pro shop about the merits of the eco- ball. He loved the balls and highly recommended them. Sure he could have pushed the Titleist balls, which are known to be a superior playing ball at twice the price of the Earth ball, but instead he pushed the moderately priced, Dixon Earth Ball. He had no idea that I write about green products. Then I saw the Dixon Golf recycling container on the counter beaconing me to return my old golf balls to be recycled. I was sold.
(Founders William Carey and Dane Platt. William is on the left and Dane is on the right.)
Why create an eco-ball? According to William Carey, Vice President of Dixon Golf, over 200 million balls are discarded a year. He told me to envision a line of balls from London to Los Angeles and then back again as to the amount of balls that are put in landfills each year.
What makes this ball so environmentally friendly? Its inner guts are made out of rubber and a proprietary formula which, according to Carey, does not contain any of the heavy toxic metals such as cobalt, tungsten, or lead normally found in other golf balls. In addition, the guts of the ball are made of renewable products. It is then wrapped with a polymer casing and then packaged in 100% recyclable packaging. In addition, unlike other golf balls, the entire ball can be recycled to be reused to make playgrounds and turf fields.
The beauty of the ball for many non-eco golfers is its price which is in the middle of the pack for golf balls as well as its high quality playing ability. According to the Company, “the Dixon Earth golf ball outperformed the Nike One Platinum, Callaway Tour ix and Titleist Pro V1, in independent testing by PGA TOUR Partners Club, and received an incredible 92% Approval Rating.” For an independent review, read The Hackers Paradise article, which gave the balls high marks. (I am not a golfer so I can’t render any opinion.)
One comment that caught my eye on the Hackers Paradise review. The particular golfer claimed that every time he hit a wedge shot, the ball would be ruined. Carey explained, “[w]e have tested it extensively and durability is as good or better than other performance balls in this category. It is a ball built for softer feel around the greens and will not be as hard as some of the cheap balls out there.”
The Dixon Golf balls do not biodegrade any faster than a normal golf ball unless it is recycled. So, I thought, why didn’t the founders make a biodegradable one? Carey explained they have not found any biodegradable balls that play well. He further indicated why make a ball that is environmentally friendly if no one wants to use it.
To entice people to be more environmentally minded, the Company has set up recycling centers in golf shops. Carey figured that about 15% of golfers would go out of their way to play with an environmentally friendly ball. The Company is hoping that by setting up easy to use recycling centers they will capture more golfers willing to try the Dixon Golf ball and ultimately recycle the ball. Now it pays to turn in your old balls.
“Every golfer has old balls that aren’t usable for golf. Now there is a place to take them. We pay golfers to recycle all their old balls as a way to incentivize more people to participate. We give a credit of $.50/ball for any brand of ball and $1.00/ball for any Dixon golf balls toward the purchase of new balls. We recycle the Dixon balls and use the other balls in our R&D. Our goal is to eventually be able to recycle every golf ball and truly make a difference in this industry.” stated Carey
What intrigued me is how founders William Carey and Dane Platt got involved in creating this e-golf ball.
“Because of our golf ball background and manufacturing experience, we were one of the few companies who had the ability to do anything to help besides the big ball companies. It was not just an issue of making a ball that could be recycled, but also a program where it could be practical and easy for all golfers to participate.
We tested different products for nearly a year to find the right formula for performance as well as recycling because the whole concept doesn’t work unless the ball performs as well or better than the competition. When we were finally happy with the ball, we had a product that performed extremely well for the golfers and that we could grind up and recycle to make other products out of the material such as field turf and playground equipment.”
Dixon Golf offers two different balls: The Dixon Earth ball which has a wonderful spin according to Carey and the Dixon Earth Eco Distance which is a made for distance. Manufacturers listed price for a package of a dozen balls is as follows: $24.95 for the Eco-Distance balls and $39.95 for the Earth Balls. You can buy these golf balls at local retailers. See here for the nearest one to you. In addition, they are available online at Amazon or Golfballs.com.
If you are interested in the balls for a corporate event, see here.
So when you are playing on the green, why not consider putting with something green? In fact, the Company has offered to give one lucky Green Talk reader a gift certificate good for a dozen Dixon Earth balls. (Note, if you order them on online, you may need to pay shipping.)
In order to enter the giveaway contest, you must live in the US, and be 18 or older and follow the rules below:
• Leave me a comment here as why you or someone you care about loves golf. If you don’t have a golf loving comment, just say so.
• To double your chances of winning the balls, consider joining my Ning Forum. Come back and leave a comment that you joined my forum.
• To triple your chances consider joining my Feedburner email list or subscribe to my RSS feed. Both subscriptions are listed on the right hand column. Be sure to come back and leave a comment to tell me which one you joined.
• To quadruple your chances of winning, twitter about this contest and come back and leave the url (weblink) of your twitter comment.
• You must enter by August 21, 2009, 6 PM EST time to win.
• A winner will be chosen at random on Monday, August 24, 2009. Good Luck everyone!
DAVID KROMER says
WHAT A GREAT IDEA
A BALL YOU CAN RECYCLE
I AM IN FOR THAT
LET’S KEEP THE GOLF COURSE
GREEN
I LIKE WALKING THE COURSES
LOTS OF FRESH AIR
Richard Deyarmond says
The first I have heard of them, a good idea. Would love to try them.
Chris G. says
My ex-boss is completely addicted. I have no idea why. Thanks for the giveaway!
Beauty Blog says
Thanks a lot for this great article. Golf is a green sport and with those recyclable balls it will truly be.
Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂
.-= Beauty Blog´s last blog ..Easy Ways to Avoid Dark Spots =-.
Pam says
This is a great idea, and at the rate I lose golf balls when playing, it would mean I would be sharing the eco love because someone else will find them and play them over and over!
I love nature, so the fresh air and beautiful trees and landscape, as well as the challenge of bettering my own score every time keep drawing me back to playing golf again and again.
.-= Pam´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
Jamie says
My husband is a golf nut. Took up the sport a few years ago and there’s no backing down now. I’m an eco-friendly nut, so I’d love to get these for him. He’ll need to stop losing them in the water — but then again, might as well have non-toxic rubbers sitting in those water hazards.
Amanda S. says
My husband loves golf. I don’t totally understand why, but he does. He cut out part of the grass in our backyard to make a putting something or other, lol. I’d love to win these for him!
.-= Amanda S.´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
Tomato says
Oh how my green-friendly, golf -obsessed hubby would love these. I think his favorite part about the sport is the gadgets and equipment! Thanks for the chance to win.
nicki rich says
These are great! My husband loves golf and I am sure he would love these! I am so happy someone finally came up with green golf balls such a great idea!
tamathamc says
My new hubbie (married july 8th) loves golf but as an amputee has issues. I would love to surprise him with these.
Christina Cottingham says
It’s great that the sport of golf is bringing awareness to fans of the importance of saving the environment. We are committed to spreading the eco-friendly word out there and have recently brought to market in North America a line of sports balls (soccer, footballs, basketballs, etc) that are certified Fair Trade, eco-certified, and NFHS certified for quality. Please stop by our blog at fairtradesports.com to learn more about us, and thank you for the post!
J Quinn says
Great golf ball, would love to see if they could improve my golf game.
.-= J Quinn´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
Cynthia Hagood says
daughter loves golf, these would be soooo nice for her
Jessica Rae says
My Dad is in a golf league and he golfs every Thursday. He adores it, and I’m glad he has something in his life that he loves.
.-= Jessica Rae´s last blog ..“Saving Grace” Prepares for its Goodbye =-.
John S says
Interesting concept, I would like to test these out on the course.
Candice Murray says
WOW! Who wouldn’t want a package of green balls???
My ex-husband will love these, he literally eats, sleeps, and lives golf! It is getting harder and harder each year for his daughter and I to think up new “golf” gifts! This will fill the ticket – thanks!
Linda says
My son-in-law loves to play golf, it is a good way to get good exercise plus he loves playing the game.
John Rasmussen says
Now I won’t feel guilty about poisoning the fish.
Freddie says
I’d love to win, I love golf and anything I can do to make it more earth friendly could only help the game.
Brian Whaley says
Golf is like a mysterious beautiful woman – hard to get to know but easy to fall in love with…
Sarah McKee says
My dad (at age 88) plays golf three times a week and when he’s not playing, he’s watching it on tv.
Chris says
I love the game, and love the planet it’s played on. These balls seem like the perfect combination!
shawna says
My husband works really hard and loves to play golf when ever he gets the chance! I would love to surprise him with these!
.-= shawna´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
Sherry eckman says
“Green Golf” That’s awesome!! My best friends husband is on disability, but sure does love his golf! I would be proud to give these to him!!
Angela Winesburg says
My husband loves golf, he plays 1-2 times a week! He’s slowly getting me up to “par” (literally)! I would love to win this for him. Thanks for the chance!
Buddy Garrett says
I love golf because playing all the different courses presents unique challenges.
Beth says
My fourteen year old brother (who’s going through a hard time right now) has recently become involved in golf. He loves it and he’s amazing at it! He’s been in every sport – football, soccer, baseball, basketball, but he says that golf is the one. He’s on the high school varsity team and is only a freshman. I’m really proud of him. He has no money so he can’t afford a lot of the equipment like the other kids on the team, but my friends and I got him nice golf clubs last Christmas. I believe golf definately saved him from going down a bad path.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
Beth says
I subscribed via e-mail! 🙂
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
Aisling says
My husband is a retiree and loves to golf. It’s one of the few sports he can still participate in, as football and baseball get a little rough for the over-60 crowd. I think the Dixon folks have a great idea with these balls.
Heather C says
The dh loves golf so much, mostly because of those amazing shots that happen once in a blue moon. Even I can see the draw, even if I do only play once or twice a year.
blueviolet says
I’ve never thought of golf like that before but you’re right. It does have a large footprint. My son works at a golf course and he’s environmentally savvy so I know he would really appreciate these.
susan smoaks says
i love golfing because it’s relaxing and fuN!
.-= susan smoaks´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
bobby womack says
I like earth!!!
.-= bobby womack´s last blog ..Family Picture =-.
Chrysa says
I’m not a golf fan, but my brother-in-law LOVES it!
.-= Chrysa ´s last blog ..Free 8×10 Scrapbook Page at Walgreens TODAY ONLY =-.
Donna K says
My sister really thinks it is fun.
Green Talk says
Congrads, Shawna! She won the golf ball gift certificate! Lots more giveaways rolling down the pike! Anna
Mani @ titleist prov1 golf balls says
This is interesting. I’m a great fan of titleist ProV1 golf ball but i might try out recycling ball.
.-= Mani @ titleist prov1 golf balls´s last blog ..Comment Luv Keyword Luv, Do Follow =-.
jim@sportsjerseyking says
I think the green movement will eventually make it into all aspects of our lives. I will give them a try.
.-= jim@sportsjerseyking´s last blog ..John Wall | Kentucky Wildcats Jersey =-.
Tony@How To Break 80 says
Great concept of recycling golf balls, I will give them a go as I’m all for this kind of thing.
Great site keep up the good work.
.-= Tony@How To Break 80´s last blog ..How To Break 80 – Get The Secret Golf Instruction Breakthrough =-.
Carlos says
I think its about time that an eco-friendly ball like this becomes available.
As you said, there’s more than 28 million golfers in the U.S. alone and like it or not golf balls will get lost one way or another.
The idea is sound and hopefully in the years to come to come out with a ball that can perform like traditional ones and that can eventually decomposed in lost. With the advancement of science and the right motivation, I sure this could be a reality.
.-= Carlos´s last blog ..Privacy =-.
tom@backyard putting green says
Eco friendly golf balls. Now, I’ve heard everything. Actually, it’s one of those head slappers. “How come I never thought of that”. Great idea. Congratulations.
.-= tom@backyard putting green´s last blog ..Putting Grip – Left Hand Low =-.
mick@lessons in golf says
Dixon has hit a hole in one with these eco friendly golf balls!
.-= mick@lessons in golf´s last blog ..Putting Golf Instruction – Introduction =-.
Jenni@Golf Swing Tips says
This is definitely a step in the right direction. I would buy these in a heartbeat just to do my part for the environment. I hope its only a matter of time before more manufacturers in the golf industry will step up. Great stuff…
Mick@How to Golf Better says
When you consider that 200 million golf balls are discarded each year, then eco friendly golf balls are the way to go. It would be nice to see more organic golf courses and more people walking the course too.
Jenn Jones says
These golf balls look awesome, I have been searching for a good golf ball for some time now. I am tired of always feeling sold or scammed when I go to purchase golf balls.
Dane Platt says
Thanks for all of the great comments on what we are doing at Dixon Golf. Our mission is to make a positive impact on the community, the environment, and the players of the game. I am happy to report that we are accomplishing our objective.