50/ 100
F
OverallF38/100
Maxfli Softfli Golf Balls

Maxfli · Golf Balls & Equipment

Maxfli Softfli Golf Balls

F · High PFAS

Unknown coating composition. No public PFAS data available.

Verdict: SkipGolf balls pose minimal consumer safety risk; synthetic rubber/polymer construction is stable and non-ingestion-based. PFAS coating unknown but not a primary exposure route.

Maxfli does not disclose PFAS content or coating materials for these golf balls. No independent lab testing or certifications found in public sources.

The safe swap

Nike Power Distance Long Golf Balls

Nike Golf

Nike Power Distance Long Golf Balls

85/100 safety

B

Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.

Material

Synthetic rubber/polymer core, proprietary cover coating

Brand disclosure

Brand is silent on PFAS

Lab data

No public lab test

Why this grade

Unknown / proprietary coating

Proprietary coating with no disclosed chemistry.

Hurts the grade

Category baseline

other is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Maxfli Softfli balls use a synthetic rubber or polymer core wrapped in a proprietary cover coating, typical of modern golf ball construction. The core materials (elastomers, resins) are engineered for durability and performance under repeated impact and outdoor weathering. The cover coating's exact composition is proprietary and undisclosed, which limits independent verification of additives. Because golf balls are struck, not ingested or heated in food preparation, dermal and inhalation exposure during normal use is negligible.

The brand's record and disclosure

Maxfli is owned by Dick's Sporting Goods and does not publicly disclose detailed material certifications, testing reports, or PFAS statements for its golf balls. No safety recalls or established controversies specific to Softfli balls are on record. The brand does not market sustainability or toxicity credentials, and offers no transparency on cover coating composition or manufacturing processes.

How it compares in its category

Golf balls across major brands (Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade) use similar proprietary synthetic core and coating systems with minimal public safety data. Maxfli is a mid-market brand; its balls are not premium-tier certified products but also carry no documented safety disadvantages versus competitors. All golf balls remain largely unregulated for chemical content since they are sporting goods, not consumer products subject to FDA or CPSC oversight.

If you buy it

Store golf balls in a cool, dry place away from prolonged direct sunlight, which can degrade polymer surfaces over years. Wash balls with mild soap and water after play; avoid harsh solvents or high-temperature cleaning. Inspect for visible cracks or coating separation annually; replace if compromised. No special precautions needed during normal play; wash hands after handling if concerned about residual dust or coatings.

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.”

Possible

Polymer coating degradation and particulate release

Proprietary cover coatings on golf balls degrade through UV exposure, impact wear, and temperature cycling. No data exists on whether Maxfli Softfli cover sheds microparticles or leaches additives with age, but polymer coatings in outdoor sports goods commonly do so.

Possible

Unknown additive chemistry in proprietary coating

Maxfli does not disclose the cover coating formulation, so presence or absence of colorants, UV stabilizers, plasticizers, or flame retardants cannot be verified. Industry-standard additives (e.g., carbon black, antioxidants) are typically low-hazard but unconfirmed here.

None known

Heavy metals in pigments (if used)

No public data or recalls indicate lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Maxfli golf ball coatings. Modern golf ball dyes and pigments are not commonly flagged for heavy metal contamination, but testing is not publicly available for this brand.

None known

Off-gassing or VOC emission

Golf balls are not heated or used in confined spaces, so volatile organic compound off-gassing poses no meaningful inhalation risk during typical use. No complaints or data suggest excessive odor or fume issues with Softfli balls.

Possible

PFAS in coating (proprietary unknown)

Maxfli has provided no public stance on PFAS use or testing. Water-resistant golf ball coatings may include PFAS compounds, but no testing data or certifications are available to confirm or rule out presence.

What we don’t know

This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 35% 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 & Equipment

Nike Power Distance Long Golf Balls

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Nike Power Distance Long Golf Balls

Synthetic rubber/elastomer golf ball core and cover

B
B
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS1 flag

Lower concern. Golf balls pose minimal PFAS exposure risk.

Brand says nothing about PFAS

Nike Golf Ball Mix - 1 Dozen Good

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B
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Golf balls present minimal PFAS exposure risk.

Brand says nothing about PFAS

Nike PD Soft

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B
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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.