Callaway · Golf Balls & Equipment
Callaway Tour Authentic Golf Glove Men
Probable water-repellent coating present; PFAS risk unconfirmed by brand.
Premium leather palm with synthetic backing and water-repellent coating treatment. Callaway doesn't disclose PFAS status.
The better-graded swap
Nike Golf
Nike Golf Ball
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/textile back with water-repellent coating 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.
PFAS
Callaway/Odyssey has not disclosed whether the water-repellent coating treatment uses legacy PFAS or newer non-PFAS chemistry. Golf glove water-repellent coating coatings are a known application of PFAS historically, though migration into skin contact is limited during normal wear.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Chromium (leather tanning residue)
Standard leather golf gloves typically use chromium or vegetable tanning. Residual chromium levels in well-made leather are generally controlled; no recalls or safety notices specific to Odyssey gloves suggest established harm, though direct skin contact over extended periods remains theoretical route of concern.
Synthetic textile back off-gassing or dye stability
The polyester or nylon blend back may off-gas volatile organics or release synthetic dyes during initial use or when wet. No published data specific to Odyssey gloves; risk is consistent with general textile manufacturing standards and dissipates with wear.
Azo dyes in synthetic components
Textile back may contain azo dyes; restricted azo dyes are banned in most apparel but enforcement in golf accessories is less stringent. No evidence of non-compliant dyes in Odyssey products, but disclosure is absent.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This glove combines a genuine leather palm (typically treated for water resistance and durability) with a synthetic textile back, likely polyester or nylon blend. The water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish on the back is the primary chemical concern; water-repellent coating coatings historically relied on PFAS compounds, though modern formulations increasingly use non-PFAS alternatives. Leather itself undergoes chromium or vegetable tanning and may receive additional finishing treatments, but standard golf glove leather poses minimal acute hazard if no visible coating degradation occurs.
The brand's record and disclosure
Odyssey (owned by Callaway Golf) has not publicly disclosed PFAS use or testing results for this specific glove or its water-repellent coating treatment. The brand does not appear on major PFAS-conscious retailer certification lists (e.g., Bluesign, GOTS for apparel). No recalls or specific safety warnings for Odyssey golf gloves are on record. Without proactive transparency, the water-repellent coating chemistry remains a black box, though this silence is typical across most golf equipment manufacturers.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves as a category receive minimal regulatory scrutiny compared to clothing or footwear. Most competitors use identical or nearly identical leather-plus-synthetic construction with water-repellent coating coatings. A small number of premium brands (e.g., some high-end European makers) offer PFAS-free or certified alternatives, but they command significantly higher prices. Odyssey's positioning is mid-market mainstream with no special environmental or safety differentiation claimed.
If you buy it
Wash by hand in cool water with mild soap after use to extend glove life and minimize exposure to treatment chemicals. Avoid hot water, bleach, or machine washing, which can degrade the coating and potentially mobilize leachables. Replace when palm leather shows visible wear, cracking, or loss of grip (typically 1-2 seasons of regular play). Store in a dry place; do not expose to direct heat or sunlight for prolonged periods.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 62% 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.