Nike Golf · Golf Balls & Equipment
9-pack Golf Balls; Chromax Metallic, Nike Juice Plus 312, & Nitro
Golf balls likely treated with water-resistant coatings; brand discloses nothing about PFAS.
Golf ball covers typically use synthetic polymers with waterproofing treatments, but Nike provides no material or PFAS disclosure. Public lab data unavailable for this specific product mix.
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Material
Synthetic polymer cover, waterproof coating unspecified
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
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
These Nike golf balls use synthetic polymer covers (likely surlyn or urethane) with an unspecified waterproof coating to resist moisture penetration and maintain flight consistency. The core is typically a rubber-based compound. The waterproof coating is the chemical uncertainty here: it is very likely fluorinated (PFAS-based) because that is the industry standard for water resistance in golf balls, but Nike discloses nothing about the formulation. Surlyn and urethane themselves are stable polymers with low migration risk during normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has a mixed environmental transparency record but has not published commitments on PFAS elimination in sports equipment. The company does not disclose coating chemistry for golf balls. Nike has faced scrutiny on apparel PFAS use but has not addressed golf ball formulations in public statements. No recalls or safety incidents linked to these specific ball models are on record.
How it compares in its category
All mainstream golf balls (Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Bridgestone) rely on fluorinated water-resistant coatings; Nike is not an outlier here. Golf balls are a niche consumer product with far lower skin contact and ingestion risk than apparel or food-contact items. The polymer matrix itself is more chemically stable than soft plastics, so leaching of additives during normal play is minimal.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent coating degradation and polymer brittleness over time. Rinse balls after saltwater play to extend coating life. There is no need for special handling; normal golf use (impact, brief skin contact) does not present acute chemical exposure. Replace when surface cracks, cuts, or scuffing become severe, as coating integrity decline may affect flight and is a signal the ball is nearing end of life. Avoid intentional burning or heating of balls.
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.”
Fluorinated water-resistant coating (PFAS implied)
Golf balls universally use fluorinated polymers for durability and water repellency. Nike does not disclose the specific compound. Low exposure risk during use, but PFAS in the coating is standard industry practice and a known environmental concern.
Polymer coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Surlyn and urethane coatings degrade over time with UV exposure and impact wear. Fine polymer particles may shed during play. Risk is minimal for recreational golfers but higher for driving range staff handling balls daily.
Additives in polymer core (antimony, colorants, heavy metals)
No recalls or test results for heavy metal contamination in Nike Juice Plus or Nitro balls are on record. Rubber compounds typically use antimony oxide as a vulcanization aid, but migration during normal play is negligible.
Dyes and pigments in metallic finishes
Chromax Metallic finish uses pigments for color. Industrial golf ball pigments are typically azo-based or heavy-metal-free alternatives, but formulations are proprietary. Risk from skin or oral contact is low in normal play.
Off-gassing or volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
No documented off-gassing concerns for golf balls. Polymer covers and cores are not known to release significant VOCs under normal storage or use conditions.
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
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Nike Power Distance Long Golf Balls
Synthetic rubber/elastomer golf ball core and cover
Lower concern. Golf balls pose minimal PFAS exposure risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Nike Golf
Ball Mix - 1 Dozen Good
Rubber, synthetic polymer core; urethane/elastomer cover
Golf balls present minimal PFAS exposure risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Nike Golf
Nike PD Soft
Surlyn ionomer cover, soft polymer core
Golf ball with standard polymers, lower concern than coated apparel.
⚠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.