Shivangi Sinha
Golf is a widely loved sport played by millions around the world, but one issue that often goes unnoticed is the environmental hazard created by discarded golf balls. Many balls end up outside the course, in lakes, forests, and natural areas, where they can remain in the environment for years without breaking down. This creates long-term environmental concerns and adds to unnecessary waste. While golfers frequently replace lost balls, the impact of these discarded items continues to grow. In ABC’s ‘Shark Tank’ season 17, episode 13, Clean Green Golf Balls introduced their product as a cleaner and greener alternative. Their recycled golf balls help reduce waste while still delivering reliable performance for golfers.
Clean Green Golf Balls: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Clean Green Golf Balls was founded by brothers Rami and Sami Mubasher, who turned a simple idea into a growing business focused on sustainability in golf. Rami Mubasher studied at the University of Texas at Austin from 2004 to 2009, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. His brother, Sami Mubasher, attended Texas State University from 2007 to 2009, studying History and Philosophy, although he eventually left the program before completing the degree. In 2009, Sami went on to become the co-owner of Bastex Investments, a role he continues to hold while managing several business ventures. The idea behind Clean Green Golf Balls developed as an unexpected project within the Mubasher family.
What began as a casual effort to sell inexpensive used golf balls slowly turned into a larger operation. Initially, they focused on selling lower-quality practice or “shag” balls, but they soon realized that thousands of golf balls are lost every day in water hazards, rough areas, and surrounding properties on golf courses. Sami in particular saw the potential to turn this overlooked waste into a sustainable business opportunity. As demand grew, the brothers began building a system to recover and refurbish these lost golf balls. Today, Clean Green Golf Balls works with divers, recovery crews, and collectors near golf courses to gather balls from across the country. Instead of allowing them to remain in lakes or landfills, the balls are shipped to the company’s facility in Bastrop, Texas, for processing.
At the facility, the golf balls go through a detailed cleaning and restoration process. First, they are soaked in a special cleaning solution to remove dirt and debris. After that, the balls are machine-scrubbed with soap, thoroughly rinsed, and then dried. Once cleaned, they are carefully hand-sorted by brand and quality level. Each ball is graded before being repackaged and prepared for sale. The final product is a recycled golf ball that performs well while being much more affordable. Many of the balls are sold at roughly half the price of new ones. Through this process, Clean Green Golf Balls not only makes the sport more affordable for players but also helps reduce environmental waste by giving lost golf balls a second life.
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Clean Green Golf Balls: Where Are They Now?
Clean Green Golf Balls has grown tremendously over the years. What started as a small idea has now turned into a large and successful operation, with the company shipping more than 10 million golf balls to customers across the country. As the business expanded, they adopted tools like ShipStation to streamline their shipping process. Once an order is placed, their software system automatically sends the information to a label printer, allowing the packing process to begin quickly. Most orders are prepared and shipped within 24 hours, making the process efficient for both the company and its customers. Customers can purchase the golf balls in several different ways depending on their needs.
One of the main options is shopping by quality grade, which includes Mint, Near Mint, Good, and Shag or Range. Each category is priced differently based on the condition of the balls. For example, the Titleist Pro V1 Mix- 1 dozen is available in Mint, Near Mint, and Good conditions, priced at $27.95, $23.95, and $18.95, respectively. Similarly, the Callaway Supersoft- 1 dozen is available for $16.95, $14.95, and $12.95 across the same quality categories. The company offers golf balls from around 13 major brands, including well-known names such as Nike, Pinnacle, TaylorMade, and Snell. Depending on the product, customers can also choose from different styles such as matte, colored, mixed, or classic white golf balls.
In addition to selling recycled golf balls, Clean Green Golf Balls also purchases golf balls in bulk from collectors and golf courses. Customers or suppliers who want to sell large quantities can contact the team directly to receive a quote, and the company also offers shipping options for these bulk transactions. Another popular feature is their customization options. Customers can personalize golf balls with pet images, personal pictures, company logos, brand designs, or custom text. They also offer personalized golf tees, with a pack of 18 tees available for $6.95. Other products include items such as 100 recycled Hit-Away and practice golf balls, which are available for $46.95. Overall, Clean Green Golf Balls has built a business that has helped reduce waste while giving golfers a more affordable way to enjoy the game.
