Spalding · Golf Balls & Equipment
Golf balls Spalding (x36)
Spalding golf balls have higher concern due to water-repellent coating with undisclosed chemistry.
These golf balls have a synthetic rubber or polymer core with a urethane or dimple coating. The coating chemistry is not stated. Spalding has no PFAS statement on record for this product.
The better-graded swap
Eastside Golf
Eastside Golf Blue Left Hand Swingman Golf Glove
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 rubber/polymer core with urethane or dimple 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.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from urethane cover
Urethane and thermoplastic covers can emit low-level VOCs during curing and storage, particularly if stored warm. This is not acutely hazardous in outdoor play but may be noticeable indoors or in poorly ventilated spaces.
Microplastic shedding from degraded coating
As the dimple coating ages or if damaged, small urethane particles can shed into soil or water, especially on practice ranges. Spalding does not disclose how long the cover remains stable under normal use.
PFAS
Golf ball covers are sometimes treated with water- or soil-repellent fluorochemicals to improve durability and performance. Spalding has not confirmed or denied this practice, making assessment impossible; this hazard is graded separately at 40/100.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No documented cases of lead or cadmium in golf ball inks or dyes for mainstream brands. Risk is low given the small surface area and non-contact nature of play.
Source, FDA ↗Leaching from core polymer if chewed or damaged
Golf balls are not food products and pose minimal risk if swallowed whole. Synthetic rubber cores are inert; risk of harm is mechanical obstruction, not chemical leaching.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Spalding golf balls typically use a synthetic rubber or polymer core (often ionomer resin) wrapped with a urethane or thermoplastic cover, dimpled for aerodynamics. The outer coating is the material in question, urethane and similar polymers can shed microparticles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing and early use, especially in warm conditions. The core materials themselves are inert in normal use, but the curing and aging process of the cover can release trace chemicals.
The brand's record and disclosure
Spalding (owned by Evenflo/Grade Inc.) has not publicly disclosed the specific chemical composition of coating materials or fluorochemical use in golf balls. No major product recalls related to chemical safety have been recorded for this product line. The brand offers no transparency around PFAS or other surface treatments, which is typical for the golf ball industry but represents a meaningful gap in consumer information.
How it compares in its category
Golf balls as a category face minimal regulatory scrutiny compared to food-contact items or children's products. Spalding is a mainstream, established brand; its balls are functionally similar to Titleist, TaylorMade, and Callaway equivalents in material hazard profile. The 36-count box suggests recreational or range use rather than premium tournament play, which typically correlates with lower-cost materials and less rigorous quality control.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions to minimize VOC off-gassing from the urethane cover; avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat above 140F, which can accelerate polymer breakdown. Replace balls if the cover shows cracks, peeling, or deep discoloration, as these indicate coating degradation and potential particle shedding. Wash hands after extended contact if sensitive to urethane or synthetic polymers. Do not store in sealed plastic bags in hot vehicles, as this traps off-gassed compounds.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Spalding 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.