Callaway · Golf Balls & Equipment
Callaway Chrome Tour Triple Track Golf Balls
Golf ball durability coatings often contain PFAS. Brand does not disclose.
Synthetic cover and urethane waterproof coating are typical for modern golf balls, which frequently contain PFAS for water and wear resistance. Callaway hasn't disclosed PFAS.
The better-graded swap
Top Flite
Top-Flite 2023 Gamer Golf Glo-Regular-Left Hand-X Large
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Synthetic cover (likely Surlyn or ionomer), urethane waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
PFAS
Golf ball manufacturers typically use fluorinated polymers or PFAS-containing formulations in topcoats to achieve water repellency and durability. Callaway does not disclose whether Chrome Tour Triple Track balls contain PFAS; industry practice suggests they likely do. This is a known environmental and bioaccumulation concern, not an acute product safety hazard for players.
Source, ATSDR ↗Synthetic cover degradation over time
Ionomer and Surlyn covers can crack, peel, or delaminate with extended play, especially in cold or UV-heavy conditions. This compromises water resistance and may expose sublayers, but poses no direct toxicity risk during normal recreational use.
Microplastic shedding from worn covers
As synthetic covers degrade on course or during storage, small polymer fragments may shed. Ingestion risk is minimal for players; environmental impact is relevant if balls accumulate in water hazards or rough terrain.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Callaway balls include printed alignment markings and logos; no data suggests use of cadmium, lead, or other heavy metals in inks or pigments. Standard golf ball printing uses approved colorants, and skin contact during play is brief and non-abrasive.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Golf balls stored in bags or boxes may emit minimal VOCs during manufacturing off-gassing, but this is negligible compared to interior textiles or furniture. Exposure is not cumulative during typical storage or play.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Callaway Chrome Tour Triple Track balls use a synthetic ionomer or Surlyn cover (standard for performance golf balls) with a urethane-based waterproof topcoat. The cover provides durability and water resistance during play. Golf balls are not ingested, absorbed through skin, or heated in normal use, which eliminates many hazard routes for typical materials. The coating system is not in contact with food or beverages.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway does not publicly disclose material composition, coating chemistry, or PFAS content for this product. The brand has not published sustainability certifications, third-party safety testing, or transparency reports on ball manufacturing. No product recalls or safety incidents specific to this model are on record. Callaway's silence on PFAS is consistent with the broader golf ball industry, where durability coatings are proprietary.
How it compares in its category
Golf balls are a niche product with minimal regulatory oversight and few competing brands publishing safety data. Callaway is one of the largest manufacturers; comparable brands (Titleist, TaylorMade, Bridgestone) similarly do not disclose coating chemistry. Unlike food contact plastics or cosmetics, golf balls have no FDA or EU safety standards. Consumer exposure is limited to handling during play and storage.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to slow cover degradation. Inspect balls for cracks or peeling before play; replace if the cover is visibly damaged to maintain water resistance and performance. Wash hands after handling if you have skin sensitivities, though direct chemical exposure during normal use is minimal. Do not heat, microwave, or allow prolonged contact with solvents.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Callaway has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Golf Balls & Equipment
Vice Golf
Vice Drip Golf Balls
synthetic polymer core with urethane/elastomer cover
PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Men's Pair Golf Gloves
Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Chromium in leather tanning residue
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from synthetic leather
Limited concern
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More golf balls & equipment grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.