TaylorMade · Golf Balls & Equipment
TaylorMade Tour Preferred Flex Golf Glove
Water-resistant glove; PFAS status unclear from brand.
Leather palm with synthetic backing receives water-resistant treatment, though TaylorMade doesn't disclose PFAS use. water-repellent coating coatings commonly contain PFAS but aren't confirmed here.
The better-graded swap
Precept
Precept Laddie Extreme 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
Leather palm with synthetic backing, water-resistant 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
TaylorMade does not disclose whether water-repellent coating uses PFAS, fluorocarbon, wax, or silicone. Golf gloves are not required to label this. Risk is dermal exposure during use and potential environmental leaching during washing or disposal.
Source, ATSDR ↗Degradation of water-resistant coating over time
As water-repellent coating wears down with use and washing, treated gloves may shed microparticles of coating or require reapplication products. Long-term fate of shed coating material is unclear if PFAS-based.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic backing dyes and finishes
Polyester or nylon mesh backing may contain azo dyes or heavy metal colorants. No documented safety issues for TaylorMade gloves; standards for apparel dye safety are general, not brand-specific.
Leather tanning and finishing residues
Leather is typically tanned with chromium or vegetable tannins and finished with oils, waxes, and dyes. Reputable brands use controlled tanning; no reports of hazardous residues in TaylorMade gloves. Hand contact is direct, but dermal absorption of tanning agents under normal wear is minimal.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Golf gloves do not typically use formaldehyde resins, which are more common in rigid textiles or foam. No documented issue for this product category.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The Tour Preferred Flex combines a leather palm (typically cowhide or sheepskin) with a synthetic backing, likely polyester or nylon mesh. The water-resistant treatment applied to maintain grip in wet conditions is the chemical variable of concern, since water repellency in golf apparel often relies on PFAS-based water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings or, less commonly, wax or silicone alternatives. Leather itself is chemically stable and poses minimal leaching risk under normal use. The synthetic backing and thread may contain dyes and finishes applied during manufacturing.
The brand's record and disclosure
TaylorMade, owned by Callaway Golf, has not publicly committed to PFAS elimination or disclosed whether this glove uses PFAS-based water repellency. The brand's materials transparency is limited; no third-party certifications (Bluesign, GOTS, or similar) are typically advertised on golf gloves in this category. No recalls or major safety controversies have been documented for TaylorMade golf gloves. The silence on water-resistant treatment chemistry is the primary disclosure gap.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves are not heavily regulated like food-contact items or children's wear, so hazard disclosure is voluntary. Most premium leather golf gloves from TaylorMade, Titleist, and Callaway use similar water-repellent coating treatments whose chemistry is proprietary and undisclosed. Entry-level or eco-focused alternatives (e.g., some non-treated leather or wool-blend gloves) eliminate the water-repellent coating uncertainty but sacrifice water resistance. The Tour Preferred Flex sits in the standard premium segment where PFAS use is common but unconfirmed.
If you buy it
Hand-wash with mild soap and air-dry to preserve the leather and water-resistant coating; avoid machine washing or heat drying. Replace when the palm surface becomes shiny, worn, or loses grip, typically after 20-30 rounds of play. Store in a dry place to prevent mold on the synthetic backing. If PFAS concern is high priority, contact TaylorMade customer service to request confirmation of the water-resistant treatment chemistry before purchase.
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
- TaylorMade 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.