Traditional wooden golf tees are used once or twice and then usually left in the ground on the golf course where they consequently ruin lawnmower blades as they do not biodegrade very quickly (takes more than 3 years).
And don’t get me started about plastic tees. You already know that they don’t biodegrade.
Luckily, there are genius earth-loving inventors out there coming up with environmentally friendly golf tees and accessories.
forward-thinking Biodegradable golf tee inventor
Biodegradable golf tees were invented by an ingenious 13-year-old boy named Casey Golden from Colorado in 1988.
Casey’s golf tee was made from peat moss, fertilizer, grass seed, water, flour, and applesauce to form a dense paste. He then filled up an empty chapstick tube and baked it in a microwave oven.
His final product was a golf tee that degraded in less than 2 days when left on the golf course.
What an amazing 13-year-old! It’s story’s like this that gives me hope for the future!
Biodegradable golf tees
Here are some biodegradable golf tees you can try so that the maintenance workers at the golf course, or the environment, will not be cursing you after a round of golf.
- Fully biodegradable within days of being left in the elements
- Made from bovine gelatin
- Made from corn
- Biodegrade in about a year
- Lasts about 9 drives per tee
- Also make biodegradable golf balls which biodegrade in water
- Biodegradable
- Made from corn-based resin
It’s important to note that there is no information about how long this golf tee takes to biodegrade.
Bamboo golf tees
Bamboo golf tees are a good choice as far as environmentally friendly golf tees go. They biodegrade within about a year, which isn’t perfect but better than not breaking down at all.
They are just as strong as traditional wooden tees and won’t mark up your club face.
Here are a few brands you can try.
Well, hopefully, this list of environmentally friendly golf tees will help green up your golf game a bit (and maybe shave a few strokes off your score!)
Do you use biodegradable golf tees? Let me know in the comments below.
Cheers, and have an awesome day!
I actually came up with the idea in early ‘80’s using saw dust, a water soluble glue and fertilizer. Never pursued it. Got sidetracked by another endeavor.
You’re a busy person! The world needs more idea people in it.
I do and am looking to start a small business involving this product
Sounds great! Please let me know if there are any more environmentally friendly golf tees that I may have missed.
Perhaps tees could be made from recycled cardboard or paper. Might even be combined with compost and grass seed. Just saying
@Matt,
The same thought crossed my mind.
Feel free to contact me directly.
I life in The Netherlands.
Best,
JP
I have seen some golfers use rubber tees tied on a string. You need to research about those as well. Your work is good I will site it.