Vice Golf · Golf Balls & Equipment
Vice Golf Pro Tracer Golf Balls
Skip until brand discloses coating formula or confirms PFAS-free status.
This ball features undisclosed waterproof coating while Vice Golf provides no PFAS transparency. Golf ball coatings typically use waterproof treatments.
The better-graded swap
Precept
Bridgestone Precept Power Drive
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 cover with undisclosed waterproof 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.
PFAS
The specific chemistry of Vice's waterproof treatment is proprietary and unavailable for review. Coatings may contain silicones, waxes, or other polymers with lower concern on inert rubber, but absence of disclosure prevents verification of manufacturing contaminants or degradation byproducts.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastic shedding from cover wear
Like all synthetic sports balls, Vice Pro Tracers shed microparticles when scuffed or degraded on course over time. Quantity is negligible per ball and does not constitute an inhalation or ingestion hazard during play, though cumulative environmental impact is a valid concern for heavily used courses.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored wet
Golf balls stored in damp conditions can develop surface mold or mildew on the cover and in packaging crevices, especially if waterproof coating fails or allows water ingress. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect, and poses minimal risk during play.
What’s reassuring
Synthetic rubber off-gassing or degradation
Ionomeric and urethane rubber covers do not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at ambient temperatures or during normal golf play. Degradation over years of sun and heat exposure is cosmetic rather than chemically hazardous, though old balls may shed microparticles.
Heavy metals
No recalls or reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Vice balls exist in public records. Synthetic ball manufacturing does not typically introduce these elements, though raw material sourcing standards are not publicly disclosed.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Vice Pro Tracer balls use a synthetic rubber cover (likely ionomeric or urethane blend) with an undisclosed waterproof coating applied for durability and water repellence. The cover material itself is inert under normal use conditions, but the coating composition remains proprietary, which prevents independent assessment of whether it contains fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or other persistent chemicals. Golf balls do not contact food or skin extensively, so dermal absorption and ingestion pathways are minimal compared to cookware or apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Vice Golf has not published material safety data sheets, chemical composition disclosures, or PFAS-free certifications for their ball lines. The brand markets durability and performance but maintains silence on coating chemistry and supplier standards. No recalls or safety incidents specific to Vice balls have been documented in public records. This opacity around waterproof treatment composition is typical for the golf ball industry but falls short of modern transparency expectations for chemical hazards.
How it compares in its category
Most premium golf balls (Titleist, Callaway, Bridgestone) similarly withhold detailed coating formulations; the category as a whole lacks transparency. Some manufacturers have begun voluntary PFAS disclosure or elimination, but Vice has not joined this trend. Budget and mid-tier balls often use identical synthetic rubber bases and functional coatings, so material risk profiles are broadly comparable across brands. Vice positions itself as a transparency-focused direct-to-consumer brand, making the coating silence a notable inconsistency.
If you buy it
Golf balls pose no heating, ingestion, or prolonged skin contact risks during play; store in a cool, dry place to prevent rubber degradation over years. Do not allow children to chew or mouth the balls. Rinse with plain water after play in saltwater or muddy conditions to extend cover life and remove any surface residues. Request material safety documentation directly from Vice if chemical transparency matters to your household; buyer feedback may accelerate disclosure.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Vice Golf 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
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synthetic polymer core with urethane/elastomer cover
PFAS unlikely. Brand silent on composition details.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Bridgestone
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Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Chromium in leather tanning residue
Limited concern
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic components
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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.