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Companies Take A Swing At Potential Sustainable Golf Innovations

3D-Printed Golf Clubs, Simulations Expand Game’s Accessibility

Photo Courtesy X/Bryson DeChambeau

Golfer Bryson DeChambeau has been causing quite a stir since he arrived on the PGA Tour in June 2015. The two-time US Open winner made headlines again this past April when he debuted a series of 3D-printed irons at The Masters. 

DeChambeau told The Golf Channel his old irons weren’t giving him the consistency of shots he needed to mount a challenge for PGA championship events. The club-head speed on his old set caused him to slice the ball left and right, a problem that can plague golfers ever at the highest level. 

He had these irons 3D-printed to compensate for the curve on the toe and heel, making them more like a driver than irons. It paid off, too, with DeChambeau hitting a 65 on the first day of The Masters en route to a T6 finish. 

DeChambeau’s performance with 3D-printed clubs asks the question: Is this going to be the future of golf? 

Photo Courtesy Courtney Cook

For one thing, 3D-printed clubs could break down some of the biggest barriers to golf’s accessibility: equipment. A good set of clubs can run into the thousands of dollars. DeChambeau’s 3D-printed clubs cost him $10,000. However, these are specialty clubs, custom-measured to fit his distinct playstyle. 

Avoda Golf made DeChambeau’s clubs, but other providers are getting in on the craze. Cobra Golf launched a $3,000 set of 3D-printed irons, asking whether these could be a good set of entry-level clubs. Of course, $3,000 is not pocket change, but golf clubs are an investment. A strong set of clubs could last you a lifetime. 

“The rise of 3D-printed irons and eco-friendly materials shows promise for reducing waste in golf manufacturing,” Fareen Samji, a five-time Canadian golf long-drive champion and professional women’s golf coach at Smashing Golf, told The Business Download (TBD) by email. 

“Companies are exploring the use of recycled and more sustainable materials without compromising performance, helping to reduce the sport’s environmental footprint,” she continued.

“Many golf courses do not allow plastic tees, albeit a small step, but a positive step forward.” She also said there is still room for improvement and growth. 

3D printing could save a lot of time and resources. Most modern clubs are made from stainless steel or titanium, but in the past, they were made from graphite and, if you’re going way back, wood. 

Golf clubs must meet specifications for ball spin and swing speed laid out by the two most prominent governing bodies, the U.S. Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews. 3D-printed clubs could reduce the need for raw materials to manufacture clubs. They will also meet all technical requirements. 

Photo Courtesy Cobra Golf

“Imagine having a 3D printer at your house, and you just print your own iron or do whatever. You can put it together and go hit it that afternoon,” DeChambeau told Golf Week in June. “That’s really cool, compared to having a six-month process of prototyping it out and measuring it up and doing a couple iterations; maybe one of them is right, one of them is wrong, but you just 3D print in an hour or so a metal head and you stick a shaft on it, and you go hit it.”  

“Our priorities right now lie in making sure that the equipment is accessible and someone can be properly fit for it,” Tom Bailey, founder of Avoda Golf — the company that made Bryson’s clubs —  told Golf Digest. “The only thing that would be ready to go right this second is if we wanted to have people play exactly the club Bryson’s playing, which is not what we believe in. We believe in having a product that matches the person who’s playing it.”  

These clubs also add to the question of the sport’s sustainability. Golf has mostly focused on conserving water, preventing land erosion, and reducing waste from events. The question about a golfer’s personal sustainability rarely gets asked. 

The USGA asserts that golf is less environmentally compromising than people think. A fact sheet shared with TBD by USGA representatives says that golf courses use less than 0.1% of land in the country.

The organization is also working to save water with its 15-30-45 Initiative and says it has already seen a 19% decline in water use on golf courses from 2005 to 2020.

Golf courses also support wildlife and biodiversity while helping with urban cooling. 

However, some are going further. Simulation golf has taken off in popularity over the last few years. The experience is designed to be social and less pricey than a real round of golf. It’s perfect for people just starting with the sport. Uneekor, a sim golf manufacturer, has been doing that while addressing the ESG benefits of the experience. 

“Without a doubt, sim golf can help break down many barriers that have traditionally kept people away from the sport,” Norbert Van Boode, vice president of product and marketing, told TBD. “Traditional golf often comes with concerns about cost — memberships, equipment, and course fees can add up quickly. Golf simulation offers a much more affordable way to access the sport. You don’t need a country club membership or to travel long distances to find a course.”

Van Boode explained that sim golf eliminates all the needs for landscaping and irrigation but also acknowledged that the systems require a lot of energy. He mentioned his hardware “is designed to use less power while maintaining top-tier performance.” 

Photo Courtesy Uneekor

“Beyond the financial obstacles, sim golf addresses the social barriers,” he added. “Some people might hesitate to play traditional golf because they haven’t been invited or don’t have someone to play with. With a simulator, you can practice solo or with friends in a more comfortable, casual environment.”

“Simulation golf also reduces concerns about time,” Van Boode continued. “A round of golf can take several hours, whereas access to a launch monitor allows players to fit a quick session into their busy schedules.” 

Golf’s sustainability and accessibility are only getting better as more technological and sustainable innovations come out. DeChambeau’s 3D-printed clubs, more accessible golf experiences, and a more eco-conscious player group are changing the landscape of golf, figuratively and literally speaking.

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