SD Tour X Golf Balls
Insufficient disclosure from brand; golf ball PFAS risk stays unclear.
Golf ball synthetic covers and coatings rarely get public PFAS disclosure from makers. The brand provides no accessible information about PFAS for this product.
The better-graded swap
Mizuno
Mizuno RB 566 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
Rubber/synthetic polymer core with urethane or ionomer cover coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What SD Tour X Golf Balls is made of, ingredients and materials
SD Tour X balls use a synthetic polymer core (likely rubber-based) wrapped in a urethane or ionomer cover. These materials are standard in golf ball manufacture and are not known to leach hazardous chemicals during normal play conditions. The cover coating may contain PFAS compounds for water resistance and durability, which is common across the industry but not disclosed by the brand. During typical use (hitting and retrieving), direct contact exposure is minimal, though prolonged skin contact or heating is not a realistic usage scenario.
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.
Unknown / proprietary coating
A coating is recorded with no disclosed chemistry.
PFAS
Urethane and ionomer golf ball covers commonly use PFAS compounds for water beading and durability. The brand does not disclose presence or absence; risk during normal play is low but coating integrity and long-term leaching are not characterized.
Source, ATSDR ↗Polymer degradation and microparticle release
Ball covers degrade over time and with use, potentially shedding microscopic synthetic polymer particles during play. Environmental impact is established; direct ingestion or inhalation during recreational use is unlikely.
What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
Golf ball outer coatings may use industrial pigments; no testing or recalls indicate lead, cadmium, or chromium contamination in SD Tour X specifically. Risk is low given non-ingestion use pattern.
Source, FDA ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from manufacturing residues
New golf balls may off-gas residual solvents or processing chemicals for days after manufacture. This is transient and not documented as a health concern for SD Tour X; ventilation during storage minimizes any exposure.
Allergic sensitization to synthetic rubber or cover materials
Urethane and ionomer are low-allergen materials; no established contact dermatitis or sensitization cases linked to SD Tour X balls. Risk is negligible for most users.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand, owned by Evenflo/Applica, has not publicly committed to PFAS phase-out or disclosure for golf balls. The brand maintains silence on fluorinated coatings in this product line. No recalls or safety advisories specific to SD Tour X balls are on record. The brand's general transparency on material safety is moderate; they do not publish third-party material testing for golf balls.
How it compares in its category
Golf balls across premium and mid-tier brands use similar urethane or ionomer covers, nearly all likely treated with PFAS-based hydrophobic agents. Few manufacturers disclose this. The brand's SD Tour X occupies the mid-performance range and has no identified safety disadvantage versus Titleist, TaylorMade, or Callaway offerings. The product is broadly comparable in material safety profile to industry peers.
If you buy it
Store balls in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve the cover. Do not expose to extreme heat (>150F) or prolonged water immersion, as these conditions could theoretically accelerate cover degradation. Inspect periodically for cracks, scuffs, or separation of the cover from the core; replace if compromised. Wash hands after handling if you have cuts or skin sensitivity, though normal play poses negligible risk.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to SD Tour X Golf Balls?
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4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- leather or synthetic leather with cotton lining
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
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4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Find an alternative on AmazonMore 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.