The Best Non-Toxic Golf Balls of 2026
225 of the 352 golf balls PFAS Authority has graded score below its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, 63.9% of the category, as of October 2026, leaving 127 that pass. The highest graded is Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set at 85 out of 100.
Every grade below is built from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and brand disclosures, scored on one public rubric and ranked best-graded first. Each score links to the full breakdown of what earned it, and the numbers across the whole dataset are published too.
Are golf balls non-toxic?
127 of the 352 golf balls we graded clear our screen and 225 do not. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on golf balls in this category are microplastics, undisclosed fragrance, formaldehyde, VOCs and off-gassing, heavy metals. The highest graded here is Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set at 85 out of 100.
Quick picks
A second brand to consider
Callaway Golf Gloves 3-Pack Premium Cabretta LeatherThe best grade here from a brand other than the winner
85 Excellent
Why Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set wins, and what it beats
Every grade on this page is one sum. A category starts from a baseline, each disclosed material or coating adds risk points, and each thing the brand or a third party has published takes them away. Below is that sum for the winner, then for 3 products it beats, so you can see exactly where the 45 points between the top and the bottom of this golf balls ranking come from.
The winner
Made of Steel clubheads, graphite shafts, rubber grips.
- +15No PFAS disclosure. No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
- +10Category baseline. The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
- -10Base material not linked to PFAS. The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
15risk points in total, which is a grade of 85
What the grade does not fix. It still carries one risk factor, No PFAS disclosure, and our graders recorded 3 other hazards on it. See the full breakdown.
What it beats, and why
What puts it behind. Unknown / proprietary coating, +25 points. A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry. The winner carries no such factor.
Made of Ionomer resin core, synthetic rubber/polymer cover.
- +25Unknown / proprietary coating
- +15No PFAS disclosure
- +10Category baseline
50risk points, a grade of 50
What puts it behind. Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment, +35 points. Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS. The winner carries no such factor.
Made of Leather palm with synthetic/textile backing, water-resistant treatment.
- +35Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
- +15No PFAS disclosure
- +10Category baseline
60risk points, a grade of 40
What puts it behind. Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment, +35 points. Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS. The winner carries no such factor.
Made of synthetic leather or polyurethane with water-resistant finish.
- +35Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
- +15Vague safety claims only. Uses vague language ("eco-friendly", "clean") without a specific PFAS statement.
- +10Category baseline
60risk points, a grade of 40
No product on this page was physically tested by us. Every number above comes from published materials, ingredient and coating disclosures, certifications and brand statements, scored on one public rubric. Formulations change without notice, so check the current product listing before buying.
What to watch for in golf balls
Beyond the PFAS grade, these are the things our graders recorded on the 352 golf balls in this category. We assess from materials, brand statements and published research. We do not lab-test.
- Microplastics
Plastic fragments small enough to shed from a product into food, water or air without anyone seeing it.
Found on 20 of these golf balls. Plausible but unconfirmed on 178 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
- Undisclosed fragrance
A single word on a label that can stand for dozens of undeclared ingredients, protected as trade secret.
Found on 4 of these golf balls. Plausible but unconfirmed on 41 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. FDA
- Formaldehyde
A preservative and resin ingredient that is also released slowly by a group of chemicals used in its place.
Found on 2 of these golf balls. Plausible but unconfirmed on 65 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. NCI
- VOCs and off-gassing
Volatile compounds that evaporate out of a material at room temperature, which is what a new product smell is.
Found on 1 of these golf balls. Plausible but unconfirmed on 47 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
- Heavy metals
Metals such as antimony, nickel and chromium migrating from a material into what touches it.
Found on 1 of these golf balls. Plausible but unconfirmed on 38 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. ATSDR
The safest golf balls we graded, lowest PFAS risk first
- 1
Highest grade here
- Steel clubheads, graphite shafts, rubber grips
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Graphite shaft resin degradation and fiber exposure
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 2
- Cabretta leather, likely tannin-tanned
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 3
- leather or synthetic leather with cotton lining
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon - 4
- leather and synthetic leather
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon - 5
- Leather with standard tanning and finishing
- Lead
5 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon - 6
- Elastomer core with urethane or ionomer cover
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cover or adhesives
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 7
- leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Azo dyes and synthetic dye residues
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 8
- Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on Amazon
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- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
All the golf balls that pass, side by side
Sorted by score. A higher score means lower PFAS risk.
| # | Golf Balls | Score | Rating | Made of | Key concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set | 85 | Excellent | Steel clubheads, graphite shafts, rubber grips | Graphite shaft resin degradation and fiber exposure |
| 2 | Callaway Golf Gloves 3-Pack Premium Cabretta Leather | 85 | Excellent | Cabretta leather, likely tannin-tanned | Heavy metals |
| 3 | Acushnet Ladies Small Acushnet Golf Glove White Lh | 85 | Excellent | leather or synthetic leather with cotton lining | Heavy metals |
| 4 | Acushnet Vtg Titleist Acushnet Golf Glove Ladies Small Aa-b Left Hand Double-a | 85 | Excellent | leather and synthetic leather | Formaldehyde / VOCs |
| 5 | adidas Originals Golf Leather Glove | 85 | Excellent | Leather with standard tanning and finishing | Lead |
| 6 | Bridgestone B330 Tour Mix Golf Balls | 85 | Excellent | Elastomer core with urethane or ionomer cover | Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cover or adhesives |
| 7 | Bridgestone Fit Golf Glove | 85 | Excellent | leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend | Azo dyes and synthetic dye residues |
| 8 | Bridgestone Lady Golf Glove | 85 | Excellent | Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching | Formaldehyde / VOCs |
The verdict on golf balls
Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set grades 85 out of 100, the highest here. It is steel clubheads, graphite shafts, rubber grips. We found no PFAS statement from the brand, so the grade rests on materials alone.
Choose Callaway Golf Gloves 3-Pack Premium Cabretta Leather instead if you want a second option at 85 out of 100, cabretta leather, likely tannin-tanned.
We hold no price data, so nothing here is a budget recommendation. Grades are model-based assessments from published materials and disclosures, not laboratory tests.
The golf balls we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first, with the reason.
- 40Poor
- 40Bridgestone Golf Men's Tour Premium Golf GlovePoor
Fluorocarbon-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coating
- 40Callaway Women's Weather Spann Golf GlovePoor
Water-resistant coating degradation and off-gassing
What we check on golf balls
- Confirmed PFAS, PTFE or fluoropolymer content, which is the heaviest penalty we apply.
- Stain, water or grease resistant treatments, which usually mean fluorinated chemistry.
- Whether the brand discloses what is in the product, or stays silent behind a “clean” claim.
- Independent lab results and certifications where they exist.
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The golf balls brands we found no PFAS statement from
We found no PFAS statement from 34 of the brands here. That is our research, not proof a brand has never said anything, and it is not evidence of harm. It is why none of them score well on disclosure.
Acushnet, Bridgestone, Bruce Bolt, Callaway, Cobra, Dunlop, Eastside Golf, FootJoy, Honma, Kirkland Signature, Lamkin, MacWet.
The brands that have published something, and what each of them actually said, are in our record of what every brand has said about PFAS.
Common questions about PFAS in golf balls
Are golf balls PFAS free?
225 of the 352 golf balls PFAS Authority has graded score below its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, 63.9% of the category, as of October 2026, leaving 127 that pass. The highest graded is Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set at 85 out of 100. The lowest graded is Wilson Men's Feel Plus Golf Glove at 40 out of 100.
Are golf balls non-toxic?
127 of the 352 golf balls we graded clear our screen and 225 do not. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on golf balls in this category are microplastics, undisclosed fragrance, formaldehyde, VOCs and off-gassing, heavy metals. The highest graded here is Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set at 85 out of 100.
Which are the safest golf balls to buy?
On our grades, Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set at 85 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. Then Callaway Golf Gloves 3-Pack Premium Cabretta Leather at 85. These are model-based assessments from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and disclosures, not laboratory tests, so treat them as the lowest risk we can evidence rather than a safety guarantee.
Which golf balls grade best for PFAS?
Wilson Men's Profile Complete Golf Set, at 85 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is steel clubheads, graphite shafts, rubber grips. The runner up is Callaway Golf Gloves 3-Pack Premium Cabretta Leather at 85.
Which golf balls should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Wilson Men's Feel Plus Golf Glove at 40, Bridgestone Golf Men's Tour Premium Golf Glove at 40, Callaway Women's Weather Spann Golf Glove at 40. The problem with the first is that golf glove with likely water-repellent treatment. Brand silent on PFAS.
Which golf balls brands have not published a PFAS statement?
We found no PFAS statement from 34 of the brands we scored in this category, including Acushnet, Bridgestone, Bruce Bolt, Callaway, Cobra, Dunlop. That is what our research turned up, not proof a brand has never said anything, and a missing statement is not evidence of harm. It is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test golf balls?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
More everyday goods categories we have graded
Same rubric, same scale. These are the categories closest to golf balls.
- Best non-toxic fabric protector spray468 graded
- Best non-toxic butcher paper202 graded
- Best non-toxic pizza stones152 graded
- Best non-toxic insulated drink tumblers147 graded
- Best non-toxic silicone baking molds30 graded
- Best non-toxic laundry detergent30 graded
- Best non-toxic pet food bags29 graded
- Best non-toxic compostable bowls27 graded
Get the graded list, free.
The products we score each week, and the best-graded alternative in every category.
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Does a particular brand of golf balls have PFAS?
Brands we grade across the catalogue
Everything we have scored from these brands, not just golf balls.
We also wrote this up at length. PFAS in Golf Equipment, Why the Gloves Grade Worse Than the Balls
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 352 golf balls.