PFAS85/ 100Excellent
Overall77/ 100Excellent
Nitro Glycerin Golf Balls 15-Pack

Nitro Golf · Golf Balls & Equipment

Nitro Glycerin Golf Balls 15-Pack

Excellent

Lower PFAS risk likely. No disclosure available; typical golf ball materials.

Verdict · BuyGolf balls pose minimal chemical hazard during normal use. No known safety recalls or material concerns specific to PGA Tour Nitro balls.

Golf balls are not typically treated with PFAS-based water repellents or coatings. Standard synthetic rubber and elastomer cores and covers present lower concern than apparel or nonstick cookware.

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

Material

Synthetic rubber/polymer core, elastomer cover

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.

90/ 100
♾️

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.

85/ 100
🫧

Polymer degradation and microplastic shedding

Extended UV exposure or mechanical wear may gradually degrade the synthetic cover, potentially shedding microparticles into soil or water hazards. No data on Nitro-specific shedding rates exists in public literature; risk is low compared to prolonged contact with other polymer products.

70/ 100
⚠️

Bacterial growth or contamination in water hazards

Golf balls retrieved from ponds or water hazards may accumulate biofilms or bacteria if not cleaned. This is a use-environment issue rather than a product defect; proper rinsing before reuse mitigates risk.

70/ 100

What’s reassuring

Base material not linked to PFAS

The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.

100/ 100
⛏️

Heavy metals

Golf ball covers are colored using standard industrial pigments. No recalls or contamination reports for PGA Tour Nitro balls have surfaced. Pigments in golf balls are not designed to contact skin or be ingested, mitigating exposure pathways.

Source, FDA
95/ 100

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing

Manufacturing of elastomer and polymer components may involve solvent and adhesive volatiles, but finished balls sold at retail are post-curing and do not off-gas noticeably under normal storage or play conditions.

95/ 100

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Nitro Glycerin balls use a synthetic rubber or elastomer core wrapped in a polymer cover, typical construction for mid-range performance golf balls. These materials are inert during normal play and do not leach chemicals into skin, food, or water under standard use conditions. The elastomer cover is designed to be chemically stable and durable across temperature ranges found in typical golfing environments (roughly 32-95 F).

The brand's record and disclosure

PGA Tour (Callaway Golf parent company) does not publicly disclose detailed chemical composition or material testing data for individual ball lines, which is industry standard for golf equipment. No product recalls or safety controversies tied to Nitro Glycerin balls appear in public records. The brand does not market health or safety certifications for golf balls, as regulatory scrutiny is minimal in this category.

How it compares in its category

Golf balls occupy a low-risk category because they are not ingested, inhaled as particles, or worn against skin for extended periods. Nitro balls are competitively positioned mid-tier and use conventional elastomer-polymer construction shared by most mass-market competitors (Titleist, Bridgestone, Top-Flite). No evidence suggests Nitro formulations differ materially in safety profile from peer products.

If you buy it

Store balls in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent polymer degradation and cover cracking, which can expose the core. Do not expose to extreme heat (e.g., sealed car in summer) as elastomers can soften. Inspect balls regularly for visible cracks or separation; replace them if the cover is visibly compromised. Wash hands after play if contact with water or turf chemicals is a concern, though balls themselves do not pose ingestion risk under normal handling.

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
Nitro 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.