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Every year, amateur golfers across the United States blast roughly 1.5 billion golf balls into lakes, forests, and deep brush. For most players, a lost ball is just a frustrating penalty stroke and a waste of money, averaging out to about $25 lost per round. But for two brothers from Bastrop, Texas, those sunken Pro V1s and misplaced Callaways looked exactly like buried treasure.
Enter Clean Green Golf Balls, a massive recycling and ecommerce operation that rescues, cleans, and resells top-tier golf equipment at a fraction of the retail price.
When Sami and Rami Mubasher stepped onto the Shark Tank carpet in early 2026 (Season 17), they didn't just bring a cute environmental project; they brought a multi-million dollar cash cow. With eye-popping profit margins and a warehouse moving millions of units, they instantly commanded the attention of the Sharks. But securing a deal in the Tank is never just about good numbers, it is about navigating the brutal royalty demands of investors like Kevin O'Leary.
Here is the complete breakdown of their high-stakes pitch, the dramatic negotiation, and exactly where Clean Green Golf Balls stands today.
What is Clean Green Golf Balls?
Clean Green Golf Balls is a direct-to-consumer and wholesale retail brand that specializes in recovering, refurbishing, and reselling used golf balls. Rather than letting discarded plastics sit at the bottom of ponds for centuries, the company pays a network of divers, golf course maintenance crews, and local property owners to harvest lost balls from courses across the country.
Once the bulk shipments arrive at their 12,000-square-foot facility in Bastrop, Texas, the balls are dumped into a proprietary soaking solution. After the mud, algae, and grime are loosened, the balls are run through industrial soapy scrubbing machines.
Finally, a team of graders hand-sorts the clean balls by make, model, and condition (grading them as Mint, Near Mint, or Good). They are then repackaged and sold directly to consumers for about half the price of a brand-new box. By offering premium brands like Titleist, TaylorMade, and Bridgestone at a steep discount, they appeal to budget-conscious weekend warriors who want high performance without the high price tag.
| Business Overview | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | Clean Green Golf Balls |
| Founded Year | June 2021 |
| Industry | Sporting Goods / Eco-Friendly Retail |
| Core Product | Recycled, graded, and repackaged premium golf balls |
| Target Audience | Budget-conscious amateur golfers |
| Average Retail Price | ~$1.25 per ball (sold in bulk packs) |
Who are the Founders of Clean Green Golf Balls?
Clean Green Golf Balls was founded by two brothers, Rami and Sami Mubasher. While many entrepreneurs stumble into their first business by accident, the Mubasher brothers had ecommerce in their blood. Before they ever thought about the golf industry, they cut their teeth in the brutal world of online marketplaces.
Their early work centered around a business called "Bastex," an online storefront that sold cell phone accessories and small gadgets on Amazon. Through trial, error, and relentless optimization, they scaled Bastex from moving 30 units a day to over 300 units a day. This experience gave them a masterclass in supply chain logistics, Amazon search algorithms, shipping costs, and customer acquisition.
The idea for Clean Green Golf Balls sparked when Rami noticed the sheer volume of high-quality, expensive golf balls abandoned at local Texas courses. Even when players sliced a brand-new, premium ball into the rough, they rarely spent more than a few minutes looking for it before dropping a new one. Realizing the massive margins hiding in plain sight, Rami decided to run a test. In the summer of 2021, he managed to source a batch of 20,000 used golf balls, cleaned them up, and listed them online.
Using the Amazon strategies they perfected with Bastex, the brothers watched in awe as the entire 20,000-ball inventory sold out in a single weekend. Realizing they had a tiger by the tail, Rami and Sami went all in. They set up a professional warehouse, partnered with shipping software companies like ShipStation to streamline their 24-hour fulfillment promises, and began buying bulk hauls from professional golf ball divers nationwide.
Clean Green Golf Balls Shark Tank Journey & Pitch
In March 2026, Rami and Sami walked into the Shark Tank during Season 17, Episode 13. The panel included Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, and Guest Shark Allison Ellsworth (founder of Poppi soda).
The brothers stepped onto the stage seeking $350,000 in exchange for 5% equity, implying a massive $7 million valuation. They kicked off the pitch by highlighting the painful reality of amateur golf: the average player loses three to four balls a round, burning through $25 before they even hit the 18th hole. They then walked the Sharks through their Bastrop-based recovery and cleaning process.
The Sharks were initially skeptical of the valuation, but their jaws dropped when Rami laid out the unit economics. The brothers explained that they buy the recovered balls for about $0.30 each. Factoring in shipping to their facility, the total landed cost is just $0.32 per ball. They then turn around and sell those same balls for an average of $1.25 each.
Then came the sales numbers. The brothers revealed that they launched in June 2021 and hit $1 million in sales in their first few months. From there, the growth was explosive:
- 2022: $3 million
- 2023: $4.3 million
- 2024: $6 million
- 2025/2026 Projection: $7.1 million
| Pitch Details | Facts & Figures |
|---|---|
| Initial Ask | $350,000 for 5% equity |
| Initial Valuation | $7,000,000 |
| Sharks in the Room | Mark Cuban, Kevin O'Leary, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Allison Ellsworth |
| Kevin O'Leary's Solo Offer | $350,000 for 17% equity |
| Final Deal Accepted | $350,000 for 15% equity + $1 royalty per unit until $1.05M is paid back (with Kevin & Robert) |
Robert Herjavec immediately zeroed in on the bottom line, asking about their actual take-home pay. The brothers confirmed they were netting a highly lucrative $700,000 in annual profit. Guest Shark Allison Ellsworth asked why a highly profitable, cash-flowing business even needed an investor. The brothers explained that to scale their marketing, acquire more warehouse automation, and lock down bigger contracts with golf courses, they needed strategic capital and mentorship. Customer acquisition currently sat at about $14 to gain a new buyer, with an average order value of $50.
Kevin "Mr. Wonderful" O'Leary loved the cash flow but felt the $7 million valuation was a stretch. He made the first move, offering $350,000 for 17% equity, notably without a royalty at first. Wanting more firepower, the brothers asked if Robert Herjavec would team up with Kevin. Kevin agreed, but with two Sharks on board, the terms suddenly got steeper.
Kevin and Robert offered a joint deal: $350,000 for 15% equity, plus a $1 royalty per unit sold until $1.05 million is paid back (three times their investment). Rami and Sami tried to counter the equity down to 12%, but the Sharks held firm, warning them not to lose the deal over 3%. Realizing the immense value of having two powerhouse investors to optimize their logistics and marketing, the brothers accepted the offer.
What Happened to Clean Green Golf Balls After Shark Tank?
The immediate aftermath of appearing on national television was exactly what you would expect for an affordable consumer product: a tidal wave of orders. Because the episode aired just as the spring golf season was beginning in the United States, thousands of weekend golfers rushed to Amazon and the company's official website to stock up for the summer.
The "Shark Tank effect" completely validated the brothers' strategy. Because they already had heavy experience scaling an Amazon business with Bastex, they were perfectly positioned to handle the spike in traffic without their website crashing or inventory completely drying up. They utilized their fast shipping pipelines, guaranteeing that orders processed in their Texas warehouse shipped out within 24 hours, to keep early customer satisfaction incredibly high.
Following the handshake deal on television, Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec's teams began the due diligence process. While the exact behind-the-scenes legal status of Shark Tank deals can sometimes take months to finalize, the public association with Mr. Wonderful and the cybersecurity mogul immediately gave the brand a stamp of legitimacy. They began heavily promoting their "As Seen on Shark Tank" status on their Walmart and Amazon storefronts, which dramatically boosted their conversion rates.
Is Clean Green Golf Balls Still in Business?
Yes, Clean Green Golf Balls is highly profitable and actively operating out of their Bastrop, Texas headquarters, acting as one of the largest independent golf ball recyclers in the southern United States.
The company has successfully expanded its product lines. In addition to selling standard mix-and-match buckets of generic balls, they have leaned heavily into brand-specific sorting. Golfers can now buy exactly what they want, whether that is a 24-pack of Titleist Pro V1s, TaylorMade TP5s, or Callaway yellow mixes.
Furthermore, they launched a custom printing service, allowing customers to add logos, photos, or text to recycled balls, making them highly popular for corporate events, bachelor parties, and father's day gifts.
They still employ a dedicated team of around 16 full-time warehouse staff who handle the sorting, cleaning, and customer service. They also maintain their open-door purchasing policy, meaning anyone who lives near a golf course and wants to make some extra cash can collect lost balls in bulk and sell them directly to the company.
What is the Valuation & Net Worth of Clean Green Golf Balls?
At the time of their pitch, Rami and Sami valued their company at $7 million. When they accepted the joint deal from Kevin O'Leary and Robert Herjavec ($350,000 for 15% equity), the on-paper valuation of the company briefly dropped to $2.33 million. However, Shark Tank deal valuations are often artificially deflated because the founders are paying for the Sharks' fame and connections.
Looking at the current financial reality, the company is worth significantly more than that television valuation. The brothers entered the Tank projecting over $7.1 million in revenue for the year, with a consistent $700,000 in pure profit.
In the ecommerce world, an established, highly profitable business with a dominant Amazon presence and millions in consistent recurring revenue is typically valued at roughly 1x to 1.5x top-line revenue, or a 5x to 8x multiple on profit. Based on these standard industry multiples, the true valuation of Clean Green Golf Balls is estimated to be between $5 million and $7 million.
Because the brothers retained 85% of their company (assuming the Shark Tank deal closed exactly as pitched), their equity remains highly valuable. Factoring in years of high six-figure profits prior to the show, the estimated combined net worth of founders Rami and Sami Mubasher is approximately $3 million to $4 million.
Where to Buy Clean Green Golf Balls?
If you are looking to restock your golf bag without draining your wallet, Clean Green Golf Balls are incredibly easy to find. The brothers built their empire on accessibility, meaning you don't have to hunt down a specialty pro shop to find them.
- Amazon: This is still the company's primary sales engine. If you search for recycled golf balls on Amazon, Clean Green frequently dominates the top results, offering free Prime shipping on dozens of different brand mixes.
- Walmart: The brand successfully partnered with Walmart's online marketplace. You can easily find their 12-pack, 24-pack, and 48-pack options on Walmart.com, heavily labeled with their "As Seen on Shark Tank" badges.
- Official Website: For custom orders, corporate branding, or massive bulk buys, purchasing directly through cleangreengolfballs.com is the best route. They routinely run holiday sales and offer direct customer support straight from their Texas warehouse.
Are Clean Green Golf Balls Alternatives Better?
The recycled golf ball market is highly competitive. Clean Green Golf Balls goes head-to-head with other established refurbishers like LostGolfBalls, PG Golf, and Half Price Golf Balls.
The primary difference between Clean Green and some alternatives comes down to the definition of "refurbished" versus "recycled." Some companies take heavily damaged balls, strip the original paint, and repaint them to look brand new. Many serious golfers hate this process, as it can alter the aerodynamic dimples and change the flight path of the ball.
Clean Green Golf Balls strictly operates in the "recycled/washed" space. They do not repaint or alter the structure of the ball. They simply wash away the dirt, grade the condition, and ship it. For amateur players who want the true, original feel of a Titleist or Callaway without the heavy retail markup, Clean Green's straightforward washing method is widely considered the superior alternative.
