Acushnet · Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
Hydro Grip – Rain Ready Golf Glove for Wet Conditions
Water-repellent glove coating likely contains water-repellent coating agents; PFAS status unclear.
Golf gloves marketed for wet conditions typically use fluorine-based water-repellent coating finishes to repel water. Acushnet has not disclosed PFAS content or treatment methods for this product.
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Material
synthetic leather or polyurethane with water-repellent treatment
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Category baseline
clothing is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Hydro Grip uses synthetic leather (polyurethane) or polyurethane-coated fabric with a water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) finish. Polyurethane itself is not classified as acutely toxic, but water-repellent coating treatments on golf gloves and technical apparel have historically relied on legacy PFAS chemistries (PFOA, PFOS) or their replacements (GenX, PFBS), which are persistent in the body and environment. The specific water-repellent coating chemistry used here is not disclosed by Acushnet in public materials.
The brand's record and disclosure
Acushnet (parent of Titleist, FootJoy) has not published a formal PFAS elimination timeline or list of PFAS-free products as of recent public records. The company does not appear to have faced major consumer product safety recalls for textile hazards, but transparency on water-repellent coating treatment chemistry is absent from their product labeling and sustainability communications. No certifications for PFAS-free or low-fluorine materials are claimed on this glove.
How it compares in its category
Most rain-ready golf gloves and technical sports apparel use some form of fluorinated water-repellent coating to achieve water repellency; Acushnet is not unusual in this respect. Premium alternatives like some leather gloves or PFAS-free synthetic options (marketed by niche brands) exist but are less common in mainstream golf retail. Cost and performance are competitive for the wet-weather segment, but environmental and health transparency lags behind leaders in outdoor apparel.
If you buy it
Wash by hand in cool water; avoid high-heat drying, which can degrade polyurethane and potentially mobilize coating compounds. Replace when the grip surface becomes slippery or the material cracks. Store dry to prevent mold growth in synthetic leather seams. Consider this a temporary-use item (one season typical for golf gloves) rather than a long-term wardrobe staple to minimize cumulative exposure to water-repellent coating residues.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) chemical treatment - likely PFAS-based
Water-repellent finishes on synthetic leather golf gloves typically employ fluorinated compounds; Acushnet has not disclosed the specific water-repellent coating agent used. Exposure occurs through skin contact during use and potentially through laundering, though hand gloves minimize whole-body contact compared to jackets or pants.
Formaldehyde in polyurethane or fabric finishing resins
Polyurethane production and synthetic leather finishing may involve formaldehyde-based resins or crosslinkers, though modern manufacturing typically avoids intentional formaldehyde additives. No recalls or public complaints specific to Hydro Grip formaldehyde release have been documented.
Azo dyes in colored synthetic leather
Synthetic leather and polyurethane coatings can be colored with azo dyes; certain azo dyes break down into carcinogenic amines under sweat or UV exposure. The glove is marketed in multiple colors, but Acushnet does not specify whether restricted azo dyes (banned in EU textiles) are used.
Polyurethane degradation and leachates
Polyurethane degrades over time with moisture, sweat, and heat exposure. As the material breaks down, minor oligomers and plasticizers may leach into skin, though risk is low in a small contact area like a glove worn intermittently.
Flame retardants in adhesives or backing
Golf gloves are not required to meet flame retardant standards, and no evidence suggests Acushnet adds flame retardants to Hydro Grip. Textile flame retardants are primarily a concern in apparel intended for children or flame-critical uses.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 45% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Golf Balls & Golf Gloves
Bridgestone
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Leather, synthetic leather, or textile blend
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
Soft Grip Golf Glove
Leather, synthetic grip material, textiles
Lower concern. Golf glove without known waterproofing or Teflon-family coating treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
Bridgestone
Lady Golf Glove
Synthetic leather or leather with standard stitching
Golf glove with typical materials, lower concern profile.
⚠Risky category by default
More golf balls & golf gloves 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.