Green Tip of the Day

Golf Courses

Americans toss enough golf balls each year to stretch from Phoenix to London; recycled and biodegradable gear works great with less waste.

U.S. golf courses soak up more than 476 billion gallons of water annually, spray tons of pesticides, and pollute via golf carts, so support clubs that are making a greener effort, with low-water shrubs, nontoxic pesticides, electric carts, and more.

Check out Greenopia's list of seven golf courses that're doing things like using eco-friendlier pesticides and low-water irrigation techniques.

If it's not already on the list, talk with your course superintendent about greening things up.

Walk the course, instead of renting a cart. You'll burn a few calories, save a few bucks, and pollute less.

Try recycled or recyclable golf balls. Wilson Eco-Cores comply with all U.S. Golf Association regs, but they're made from recycled car tires ($15/15); or Dixon Golf has fully recyclable balls and a program that pays you to return them ($28/12).

Use biodegradable tees. Tees from Eco Golf biodegrade in about 60 days when exposed to the elements - conventional wood tees are stained with a nongreen finish, and plastic tees never biodegrade ($3/30).