World's first eco-friendly golf balls reach the UK
August 16, 2010

Dixon golf balls are unique in that they are made from 100% recycled material using a proprietary manufacturing process, as well as being 100% recyclable themselves.

All the components - from the balls' core to the packaging - can be re-used, and feature none of the harsh heavy-metal pollutants like tungsten, cobalt and lead and non-renewable synthetic materials and compounds found in the majority of golf balls.

Most mainstream golf balls contain some recyclable components, but Dixon balls are 100% 'green to the core', while also being developed to meet the excellent playability standards demanded by golfers.

The Dixon Earth performance ball (right) is the company’s most popular two-piece ball, offering excellent distance as well as superb feel and spin around the greens, at an RRP of just £28.99 per dozen.

The Earth ball features a 392 Tour dimple pattern for maximum control and distance; a thin and responsive polymer Eco-cover for exceptional feel and increased durability; and a high velocity, large Green Core made from a combination of rubber and a special organic compound.

Dixon Wind is a competitively priced extreme distance ball - at an RRP of only £18.99 per dozen - used by three times World Long Drive Champion Sean Fister.

The Wind ball boasts a 428 Monster dimple pattern for reduced drag and ultimate distance and accuracy; a resilient polymer Eco-cover and an ultra high-density precast organic core, which generates extra recoil off the clubface to achieve the greatest distance possible.

Left: the Dixon Earth performance ball - feel, spin and distance Right: the Dixon Wind ball for extreme distance Equally eco-friendly - so although you might still lose them, they'll do no harm!

"Eco-friendly golf balls have been marketed before but are typically seen as inferior products and are usually priced at the lower end of the market – or have only had recyclable packaging," said Sven Carlson, European distributor for Dixon Golf.

“So creating a ball that performs as well as - and better than - more established brands was critical in the development of the Dixon Earth and Wind balls.

"Dixon golf balls are the world's first, high-quality eco-friendly golf balls that not only perform to a high standard on the course but also have universal appeal to those golfers who care about the environment.”

Many global companies involved in corporate golf days, event sponsorship and branded goods sales are now choosing to reduce their carbon footprint by selecting Dixon balls over the leading brands because of their ‘green credentials’.

With around 1 billion new golf balls manufactured every year, persuading golfers to swap to an environmentally-friendly brand - even just occasionally - could have a dramatic positive effect on the environment.

In recent tests, the Danish Golf Association discovered that during decomposition golf balls dissolve to release a high quantity of heavy metals.

Dangerous levels of zinc were found in the synthetic rubber filling used in solid core golf balls. When submerged in water, the zinc attached itself to the ground sediment and poisoned the surrounding flora and fauna.

Dixon is minimising this with the unique design of its high-quality 100% recycled balls, while in the USA it also operates a programme where golfers get $1 a ball for every old Dixon they recycle.

The old balls are ground down and used to create products like children's play area flooring and artificial turf. The aim is to establish a similar recycling programme in the UK and preliminary talks are under way with a number of major UK-based firms to assess the feasibility.

In testing against some of the world's leading golf ball brands, the Dixon Earth ball received a 92% approval rating from PGA Tour Partners and is the official ball of the E-Golf Professional and Amateur Tours in the USA.

Dixon Golf also donates ten percent of all its profits to charities that help feed the poor, rebuild after natural disasters and educate the illiterate.

More information about Dixon golf balls is available from 01832 273 156 or via info@dixongolf.co.uk. A UK website www.dixongolf.co.uk will launch in August.