Callaway · Golf Balls & Equipment
Callaway Men's Thermal Grip Golf Gloves
Thermal grip coating raises concerns; brand discloses nothing on PFAS.
Leather palm, synthetic back, and thermal grip treatment with water resistance. Brand withholds all PFAS information.
The better-graded swap
Wilson
Wilson Triad Golf Balls
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
Leather palm, synthetic backing with thermal grip treatment
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.
Thermal grip coating composition (undisclosed)
The thermal grip treatment is not publicly characterized by Callaway. Water-resistant grip coatings on textiles sometimes use PFAS or other fluorochemicals; without disclosure, residual unbound chemicals could transfer to skin during use.
Coating degradation and microparticle shedding
As the thermal grip coating wears or is damaged, small flakes may shed onto hands or into the environment. If the coating contains Teflon-family coating or resin binders, shed particles could be ingested or inhaled during handling.
What’s reassuring
Chromium in leather tanning
No recalls or reports of chromium VI in Callaway gloves exist. Modern leather tanning for golf gloves typically meets regulatory standards, but poor process control in undisclosed tanneries can yield chromium VI. Callaway does not publish tannery audits.
Synthetic backing and dye residues
Polyester or nylon backing is colored and finished with dyes and resins; azo dyes or heavy metal mordants are regulated in most markets, but non-reported residues on skin contact are theoretically possible, especially if gloves are not rinsed before first use.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather and synthetic finishes may contain formaldehyde-based resins for water resistance or durability. No reports specific to Callaway gloves, but this is a minor concern in the leather apparel category if gloves are not air-dried before first use.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
These gloves combine genuine leather on the palm (naturally durable, low chemical leaching risk) with synthetic backing and an applied thermal grip treatment. The thermal grip coating is the chemistry wildcard, Callaway does not publicly disclose whether this treatment contains PFAS, Teflon-family coating, or other performance chemicals. Leather itself is tanned and finished with dyes and resins; reputable golf glove manufacturers typically use chrome or vegetable tanning, but chromium VI contamination is possible if process controls are weak. The synthetic backing is likely polyester or nylon with standard dyeing and finishing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway, a major golf equipment manufacturer, has no published policy on PFAS restriction or chemical transparency for apparel/accessories. The company does not appear to disclose thermal treatment chemistry or third-party testing for golf gloves. No recalls for chemical contamination of Callaway gloves are on record. This silence around functional coatings is common in the golf equipment industry but represents a gap in consumer-facing safety communication.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves typically use leather palms with synthetic or leather-blend backing; thermal grip treatments are industry-standard for winter gloves but rarely characterized publicly for PFAS or other fluorochemicals. Premium alternatives (e.g., leather-only, uncoated gloves) eliminate the coating uncertainty but sacrifice grip in wet or cold conditions. Budget alternatives from unknown manufacturers carry similar transparency gaps. Callaway's brand reputation and leather sourcing are generally solid; the real differentiator is the lack of thermal treatment disclosure.
If you buy it
Wash gloves in cool water with mild soap; avoid prolonged heat exposure or machine drying, which may accelerate coating breakdown and potential leaching. Inspect the palm and grip coating regularly for peeling, cracking, or deterioration; replace if coating flakes off or grip becomes unreliable. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the synthetic backing and thermal layer. If you have concerns about PFAS exposure, contact Callaway directly requesting a certificate of analysis or confirmation that the thermal grip does not contain PFAS-based Teflon-family coating.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% 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.