The Green Sleeve, a unique pocket-sized golf ball and iron cleaner already wowing golfers in the USA, has now launched in the UK.
This week’s Golf Show at Harrogate, where the product was formally unveiled to the UK golf market, marked Green Sleeve’s official debut on these shores.
That means British golfers and retailers will discover what their American counterparts already know: the Green Sleeve is both an easy-to-sell, revenue-generating accessory in the pro shop and a product that can change a golfers’ game from tee-to-green – and even help improve their scores.
“Most amateur players lose the majority of their shots on the greens but I noticed that all the better golfers I played with made sure their ball was absolutely spotless when they came to putt,” says owner and inventor Oliver Nimenko.
“I decided to follow their example, and I immediately noticed that my ball was running truer, and that I was making more putts. By simply making sure I built cleaning my ball into my pre-shot routine, I found that my short game improved, because I was taking great care, attention and time over my short game.
“But I disliked having to take my large golf towel on to the green with me. I found it inconvenient and I kept losing towels too.
“As trolleys are not permitted near the greens, I wanted something always to hand as taking my main golf towel was inconvenient, and the only other option was to clean my muddy ball on my clothes, which I certainly did not want to do.
“So began a two-year development period, when I invented and developed the Green Sleeve – a pocket golf ball cleaner, with a deep-cleaning microfibre centre that helps remove dirt and keep your clubs and balls in tip top condition.
After the extensive development period, Nimenko decided to test the market by taking his new product to the PGA show in Florida – and the reaction from the crowds of pros and trade-insiders at the prestigious industry show was excellent.
The combination of the stylish knitted exteriors and technologically advanced interior was a big hit, and large orders came in immediately from the prestigious Reunion golf resort in Florida and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
The sleeve – which was designed in the UK, despite the product’s early success in the USA – retails at a very affordable £8.99, including free delivery.
Among the wide range of colour options is the ‘Original’ Green Sleeve (in green, obviously), a Union Jack sleeve, and a Scottish saltire. Bright mixed stripes, bold and colourful tartans and simple, elegant block colours complete the Green Sleeve range, with new colours being added all the time.
But what is sure to really grab both the UK consumer golf market and trade market’s attention is the myriad ‘customisation’ options available.
Customers can simply choose the colour of the external sleeve, and upload their chosen logo – whether it’s their own initials, their company branding or the logo of their golf club or golf society – to the Green Sleeve website at greensleevegolf.com.
Within a matter of days, a digital mock-up will be produced, demonstrating exactly how the finished article will look.
Both Reunion and the LPGA – among a number of other Stateside clients – have taken advantage of Green Sleeve’s bespoke ‘customisation’ service, allowing them to choose the colour of the knitted weave on the outside of the product, and to include their own corporate branding too.
“Our personalisation options are very exciting,’ says Nimenko, who has worldwide patents pending for The Green Sleeve.
“Golf clubs can add their own colours and emblem to a Green Sleeve and sell them in the pro shop. Golf societies can add their own logo and create a unique gift for their next society day. Businesses looking for a high-quality promotional item can also send us their corporate branding and we can produce something truly memorable and different. The options are endless.”
While golfers in the Sunshine State of Florida are already using the Green Sleeve owner Nimenko insists it’s during the forthcoming winter period – when the yearly routine of lifting, cleaning and placing your ball starts – that the Green Sleeve will establish itself as a ‘must-have’ item for Britain’s all-weather golfers.
“When winter starts, keeping your ball clean and dry of mud and loose grass really is essential – both on the green and elsewhere on the golf course.
“When the weather begins to turn, the Green Sleeve is going to be an incredible time and labour-saver for UK golfers – thanks to its function as both a ball cleaner and an iron cleaner.”
The presence of Green Sleeve at this year’s Harrogate show is, Nimenko believes, the first step on a long and exciting journey in the UK golf market.
“The Green Sleeve is something we’re incredibly excited about and we believe fills the gap in the market for a pocket-sized ball and iron cleaner, that’s more convenient than a regular golf towel. We had great success exhibiting the product at the PGA show in Florida, and we’re hopeful that we’ll set tongues wagging at Harrogate this year too.”
GreenSleeve Golf www.greensleevegolf.com