Dunlop Sports · Golf Balls & Equipment
New Dunlop Tour Special 12 Pack - Golf Balls
Golf balls unlikely to contain PFAS, low contact risk. Skip unless concerned.
Golf ball covers are typically synthetic polymers (Surlyn, urethane) without intentional PFAS. No brand disclosure or third-party verification available. Low-concern product for most use cases.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Surlyn or similar synthetic polymer cover, rubber/elastomer core
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
Dunlop Tour Special balls use a Surlyn (or similar ionomer resin) cover over a rubber/elastomer core, a standard construction in mid-range golf balls for decades. Surlyn is a thermoplastic polymer designed for durability and impact resistance; it does not off-gas volatile compounds under normal outdoor temperatures and does not leach into skin contact the way some plastic food containers might. The rubber core is similarly inert in golf ball form, though its chemical composition (sulfur-based vulcanization, carbon black) is not typically disclosed by manufacturers.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dunlop Sports (owned by Sumitomo Rubber) does not publicly disclose detailed material sourcing, heavy metal testing, or chemical composition beyond generic product descriptions. No product safety recalls or toxicity warnings are on record for this ball model. The brand provides no third-party certifications (e.g., environmental, chemical safety) for consumer health, reflecting the golf equipment industry norm of minimal transparency on non-PFAS chemical inputs.
How it compares in its category
Golf balls are not typically subject to food contact or dermal absorption scrutiny the way cosmetics or cookware are, so hazard assessment is limited to ingestion risk (mainly for children) and off-gassing. Surlyn covers are among the most chemically stable polymers in consumer sports equipment, comparable to polyurethane in jackets or shoes. Competing brands (Titleist Pro V1, Callaway Chrome Soft) use similar cover chemistries and face identical disclosure gaps; no peer product stands out as materially safer.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place; Surlyn does not degrade significantly in outdoor UV or temperature swings typical of a golf bag. Wash hands after handling if concerned about ink dyes on the cover (see hazards below). Do not boil, microwave, or expose to sustained heat above 80C, though normal golf use will never approach this. Keep out of reach of young children who might ingest small pieces if the cover degrades from cutting or grinding.
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.”
Azo dyes in printed markings and logos
Golf balls typically use printed or embossed branding and model numbers; if inks contain azo dyes (common in cheap printing), they may release carcinogenic amines under stomach acid. No testing data is public for Dunlop balls specifically. Risk is low if ball is not mouthed or chewed.
Heavy metals in core or cover pigments
Surlyn and rubber core materials are not inherently sources of lead, cadmium, or chromium, and no recalls or test results suggest contamination in Dunlop balls. However, manufacturers do not disclose pigment sourcing, so trace contamination cannot be ruled out without independent testing.
Microplastic or polymer degradation in outdoor use
Golf ball covers will eventually crack, peel, or shed small fragments after extended play. Surlyn particles are not acutely toxic if ingested, but accumulation of microplastics in the environment and in animal/human tissue remains a growing concern with no established safe threshold.
Off-gassing or volatiles during storage or temperature stress
Surlyn and cured rubber do not typically emit volatile organic compounds at room temperature or even in a hot car. No odor complaints or respiratory issues are documented for this product category.
Skin sensitization from cover coatings or finishes
No allergic reactions or contact dermatitis are documented for Dunlop Tour Special balls. The smooth Surlyn cover is not an irritant or sensitizer in brief hand contact.
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 & 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.