#68: Green Up Golf

In this episode of Basic Bogeys, TJ sits down for an early-morning chat with Kristian, co-founder of Green Up Golf, all the way from Denmark. The conversation kicks off with a shared appreciation for coffee—which fittingly ties into Green Up’s mission: creating sustainable golf products using recycled coffee grounds and biomaterials. Kristian shares the origin story of their innovative eco-friendly tees, developed to address concerns from greenkeepers about the mess and damage caused by traditional wooden and plastic tees. Green Up’s goal is to offer durable, high-quality alternatives that perform like conventional products while being far more sustainable. The discussion covers how their products—ranging from tees to pencils—fit into a broader movement of circular, environmentally-conscious design, and how European perspectives on sustainability are driving innovation in golf. Kristian also explains the importance of keeping their products natural in color to maintain the branding and authenticity tied to their coffee-based roots. The episode highlights shared values with brands like Acorn Hills and sparks a fun, thoughtful exploration of how golf, coffee, and sustainability can come together to create meaningful impact on and off the course.

GreenUp Golf — a pioneering startup transforming used coffee grounds into sustainable golf products like tees, pencils, and divot tools. With the origins of the idea, born from a background in the coffee industry and a curiosity about waste reduction. We hear how the founder’s experience with a major Italian coffee brand helped spark the concept and how they’re navigating sourcing, certifications, and scaling the operation.

We dive into the logistics of collecting coffee grounds, the hurdles of building a brand before a supply chain, and their vision for localized manufacturing — where golf courses and cafés contribute to the materials used in their own course accessories. The episode also explores the design innovations behind GreenUp’s pencils and tees, including reduced graphite waste and the powerful coffee aroma built into the experience.

GreenUp’s breakout moment came at the 2025 PGA Show, where their product won Best New Product — a massive leap forward in visibility. The founder reflects on what they learned from their first appearance and how they plan to capitalize on that momentum at future shows in the U.S., Japan, and Korea.

We wrap with a look at what’s next: from golf bag tags to biodegradable plant pots to potential partnerships with major food and beverage brands. It's a conversation full of purpose, ingenuity, and the kind of fresh thinking golf (and the planet) could use a lot more of.

https://www.greenupgolf.com/

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Thanks for listening. Tune in next Thursday for our next episode!