Sorry, Biodegradable Balls Only on the PGA Tour

Going Green. Does that phrase make you giddy with excitement or make you roll your eyes in disgust? I don't need to take a survey to tell you there are those who believe in taking steps to lessen our environmental footprint and those who believe this whole green movement is a giant bowel movement.

Regardless of which side of the fence you're on, if you're a golfer you should listen up. Right now, there's an organized group petitioning the USGA and R&A (Royal & Ancient Golf Club) to begin addressing environmental concerns in regards to golf - namely on the pro tours (PGA, European Tour, etc.).

If the petition grows legs, it could mean rule changes (something no one ever seems to welcome) and changes in the equipment we use. But will these changes be a bad thing, an unnecessary thing or a step in the right direction?

The petition began over at Golf Refugees, a golf apparel brand out of the UK. The company prides itself on producing eco-friendly clothes and products and decided to petition the powers that be in golf to begin "incorporating greener measures into the sport's guidelines."

So far, they've received a "we will consider your input in due course" letter back from the R&A, but basically what Golf Refugees wants is this:

Golf balls need to be biodegradable

Golf apparel needs to made from materials which are recycled and or compostable.

All golf courses need to have compost toilets and minimal water, pesticide and fertiliser usage.

Golf Refugees owner Peter Gorse states:

"...the governing bodies of golf [should] consider introducing 'eco golf rules' over a reasonable time frame. I see no reason why major golf ball manufactures cannot introduce using recycling materials into their products over the next few years. These part-recycled golf balls should be the future tournament golf balls."

My first reaction to Mr. Gorse's crusade was that it's impractical. Look (in case you don't already know), I'm definitely on the "we need to reduce our environmental footprint" side of the fence (see my other eco-posts below). But the Golf Refugees petition seemed like an impossible goal.

Instead, I suggested to Mr. Gorse that he push for creating one "eco-tournament" annually on one of the pro tours. A tournament that's played on a more eco-friendly course and players use recycled balls or tees or something. That to me seemed more feasible. But to request the USGA and R&A create blanket eco-rules for golf was a bit far-fetched in my opinion.

Maybe I'm not being a forward thinker? Is Mr. Grouse and the Golf Refugees idea completely insane? Will it just convolute the golf rule books and add costs to an already expensive game? I share Mr. Grouse's ideology for green living, but I'm not sure if this petition will help or hurt an already struggling game.

Perhaps we have to start somewhere...

Related Posts:
Can You Golf Eco-Friendly?
Would You Play A Brown Golf Course?
The Advent of Organic Golf Courses
Golf After Global Warming; It's Gonna Be Great!

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