PFAS85/ 100Excellent
Overall81/ 100Excellent
Nike Golf Ball Mix - 1 Dozen Good

Nike Golf · Golf Balls & Equipment

Nike Golf Ball Mix - 1 Dozen Good

Excellent

Golf balls present minimal PFAS exposure risk. Skip if concerned.

Verdict: BuyGolf balls pose minimal chemical hazard; PFAS exposure from recreational use is negligible. No reported safety incidents.

Solid sports equipment with no water-repellent or nonstick coatings known to use PFAS. Nike discloses nothing about PFAS.

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We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade

Material

Rubber, synthetic polymer core; urethane/elastomer cover

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

What’s concerning

♾️

Category baseline

PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.

90/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
🫧

Microplastic shedding during use

Repeated striking and friction may cause minor surface abrasion and microparticle release into soil or water hazards. This is an environmental concern rather than direct human health hazard, but golfers on frequently used courses may contribute to microplastic accumulation in ecosystems.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Safe base material

Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.

100/ 100
⛏️

Heavy metals

No published data on lead, cadmium, or chromium in Nike Golf Ball cores or urethane covers. Standard urethane polymers do not require these additives; none are expected at detectable levels.

Source: FDA
95/ 100

Volatile organic compound off-gassing

Golf balls are not heated or stored in enclosed spaces during normal use. Urethane elastomers and synthetic polymers emit minimal VOCs at room temperature and outdoor air circulation. No off-gassing incidents reported for this product category.

95/ 100

Zinc or other core additives leaching into groundwater

Golf ball cores may contain zinc stearate or similar processing aids, but concentrations are low and balls are not submerged long-term. No documented groundwater contamination linked to golf ball use.

95/ 100

Skin sensitization from urethane contact

Urethane elastomers are well-tolerated on skin during brief athletic contact. No dermatitis or allergy reports specific to Nike Golf Balls. Risk is negligible for typical golfers with intact skin.

95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Nike Golf Ball Mix uses a synthetic polymer core (likely surlyn or similar thermoplastic) wrapped in a urethane elastomer cover. These materials are chosen for durability and ball flight performance, not chemical leaching into food or skin contact. Golf balls do not off-gas significantly during normal outdoor use because they experience no heating or degradation stressors typical of cookware or textiles.

The brand's record and disclosure

Nike has not published specific safety data sheets or chemical composition transparency for recreational golf balls. The brand maintains general environmental and labor certifications but does not publicly disclose manufacturing chemicals or independent testing for heavy metals or volatile organics in ball materials. No recalls or safety complaints related to this product line are on record.

How it compares in its category

Golf balls across major manufacturers (Titleist, Callaway, Bridgestone, Taylormade) use similar urethane-cover and polymer-core construction. Nike's offering sits in the middle market tier and carries no known differentiation in chemical hazard profile. The 'Mix' designation indicates recycled or refurbished balls, which may see minor surface weathering but does not introduce new chemical risks.

If you buy it

Handle golf balls normally; no special storage or heat precautions are necessary for outdoor sports use. Avoid chewing or prolonged mouth contact, particularly for young children, as a precaution against minor polymer ingestion. Wash hands after play if balls have been in contaminated environments (water hazards, muddy terrain). Replace balls when covers crack or become waterlogged, as structural integrity affects performance, not safety.

What we don’t know

Basis
Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
Lab test
None on record for this exact product
Brand statement
Nike Golf has made none

Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.

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.