EQUIPMENT: A 100% Biodegradable Golf Ball?

Have you ever stood over a shot with water guarding the green and immediately think “am I going to hit it into the water or not”? Then just like that, it’s in the water and gone forever.

But do you ever think about how long it will be in the water?

If you hit it in the drink at a more upscale course it will probably get plucked out of there in a year or so but for those smaller, less popular muni courses we play, it could be there forever.

Scientists have found that golf balls release a high quantity of heavy metals during decomposition, including dangerous levels of zinc found in solid core balls. When submerged in water, the zinc attaches to the ground sediment and contaminates the surrounding flora and fauna.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Water Birdie (@water_birdie)

There is a startup company out of Australia that is looking to make our bad shots, a bit less impactful on the environment. 

Water Birdie is a 100% biodegradable golf ball. That means that if you shank your ball into the drink, it’s not just gone for good from your game. It’s truly gone forever.

The ball and the core will breakdown within 24-48 hours into a pile of corn starch mush. This is perfect for those seaside Instagram posts where someone sends a ball into the water. The picture looks cool but I’m not sacrificing a ProV to the golf gods no matter how bad my game gets.

What’s even cooler is that the core of the ball contains fish food! This beats that 25-cent fish food station at tourist traps by a mile.

You’re telling me that you wouldn’t pay a few bucks to try and land a ball on a green to win a prize at some pier? Show off in front of that cart girl you just scored a date with.

If you miss, then you got to feed fish in a cool way? Sounds like a win win to me.

The purpose of this ball isn’t to go out and set the course record. The startup is stating that the ball will react virtually the same way as a traditional driving range/ practice ball for your shorter irons.

When you move up to long irons and woods, you are looking at around 70-80%.

The idea is to practice freely and offer a different way to hit some balls that doesn’t hurt our environment.

This ball is still in pre-production, so the creators of this ball are looking for some support from the golfing community.

If you want to get in on the sea floor (get it) you can find the link to their Kick Starter here.

I’d love to see this ball in action, and see how it dissolves, for myself. It’s a great idea and hopefully these Aussies can make their way onto Shark Tank soon!

Cover Image via Instagram