Callaway · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Callaway Men's Apex Tour Shamrock Golf Glove
Lower PFAS concern for basic leather golf glove. No water-repellent coating treatment likely.
Golf gloves are typically bare or minimally treated leather, lower PFAS risk than coated sportswear. Callaway makes no PFAS claims; standard leather gloves rarely contain intentional PFAS.
Shop Callaway on Amazon →Material
Leather and synthetic leather glove
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
other 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
The Apex Tour Shamrock is constructed from leather (likely sheepskin or goat leather on the palm) with synthetic leather backing, typical for mid-range golf gloves. Leather is a processed animal hide tanned with chromium salts or vegetable tannins; the synthetic component is usually polyurethane or polyester blends. The dye finish on leather can theoretically contain heavy metals or azo dyes, but golf gloves, unlike apparel worn against large skin areas, present minimal absorption risk due to localized, brief contact and the glove's barrier function.
The brand's record and disclosure
Callaway is a major golf equipment manufacturer with no public PFAS stance disclosed for this product line. The company has not faced reported recalls or safety controversies specific to glove chemical content. Callaway does not routinely publish material safety or chemical certifications for golf gloves, which is standard industry-wide; transparency in this category remains limited across brands.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves are a low-concern product category compared to heavy-use cookware or textiles in constant contact with skin. The Apex Tour sits in the mid-market tier (below premium leather, above budget synthetic); premium golf gloves may use higher-grade leather tanning but carry similar hazard profiles. Most golf gloves, including this one, avoid flame retardant treatments because they are not regulated as flame-resistant apparel and are worn for short durations in outdoor settings.
If you buy it
Wear the glove dry and store in a cool place away from direct heat or sunlight, which can degrade synthetic components and cause dye bleeding. Wash by hand with mild soap and cool water if needed; avoid hot water and machine washing, which can shrink leather and compromise stitching. Replace when the palm shows visible wear, thinning, or loss of grip; a well-maintained glove typically lasts one season of regular play. Do not store in sealed plastic bags, as moisture can promote mold on leather.
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.”
Heavy metals in leather dyes or tanning residue
Leather tanning traditionally uses chromium salts; residual chromium or cadmium in dyes is regulated in many jurisdictions but not independently tested on most golf gloves. Direct skin contact is brief and localized, reducing systemic absorption risk.
Azo dyes in colored leather or synthetic backing
The Shamrock colorway suggests synthetic dyes in the leather finish. Azo dyes are restricted in apparel in the EU and North America, but enforcement and testing for small glove items remains inconsistent; no public recall or concern specific to Callaway gloves exists.
Polyurethane degradation and off-gassing
The synthetic leather backing is likely polyurethane, which can off-gas volatile organics when new or in heat. Golf gloves are worn briefly outdoors in well-ventilated environments, minimizing inhalation risk. No recall or reported issue for Callaway gloves exists.
Allergic contact dermatitis from leather tanning agents or dyes
Chromium, nickel, or formaldehyde-release tanning agents used in leather processing can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Risk is individual and applies to most leather gloves; those with known leather sensitivity should test on forearm first or choose hypoallergenic alternatives.
Microplastic shedding from synthetic backing
The polyester or polyurethane synthetic backing can shed microfibers over time, especially with friction. Golf gloves see moderate wear and are not washed frequently, so environmental shedding is minimal. No specific data on Callaway glove microplastic release exists.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.
More golf balls & golf 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.