Nike Golf · Golf Balls & Equipment
Nike PD Long
Limited public PFAS info on golf balls. Avoid if concerned.
Nike PD Long is a golf ball with synthetic polymer construction. Nike discloses no PFAS position; typical golf balls may use Teflon-family coating in covers, but no lab data confirms it here.
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Material
Golf ball, synthetic polymer core/cover
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
The Nike PD Long uses a synthetic polymer core (likely a ionomeric or rubber-based compound) wrapped in a synthetic cover material, typically polyurethane or similar elastomer. Golf balls are designed for impact resistance and durability, so their polymer matrices are heavily cross-linked to withstand compression and abrasion. During normal play, these materials do not leach into skin or food; chemical release risk is minimal unless the ball degrades severely or is heated to very high temperatures.
The brand's record and disclosure
Nike has faced scrutiny over manufacturing transparency and PFAS use in apparel and footwear, but has published limited specific data on golf ball chemistry. The company does not disclose PFAS status for the PD Long specifically. No product recalls or documented chemical safety incidents are on record for this golf ball model. Nike's silence on synthetic-polymer composition is typical for the golf equipment category, where proprietary blends are common.
How it compares in its category
Golf balls across major brands (Titleist, Callaway, TaylorMade, Bridgestone) all use similar synthetic polymer architectures with comparable transparency gaps. The PD Long is mid-market in terms of disclosed material information. Unlike apparel or water bottles, golf balls have no direct skin contact during normal use and are not heated or microwaved, reducing exposure pathways. Most hazard concerns in this category revolve around PFAS in performance coatings rather than core toxicity.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow polymer degradation and minimize any potential leaching from aged materials. Do not expose to temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 C). Replace balls if the cover develops deep cracks, cuts, or visible delamination, as damaged materials may release fragments during play. Wash hands after handling heavily used or visibly deteriorated balls, though chemical exposure during normal play is negligible.
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.”
PFAS in performance coatings
Golf balls often use Teflon-family coating or PFAS-containing top coatings for water resistance and durability. Nike has not disclosed PFAS content for the PD Long; the 40/100 PFAS grade reflects this opacity rather than confirmed presence.
Polymer degradation and microplastic shed
Extended outdoor use and UV exposure degrade synthetic covers, potentially releasing microplastic particles during play. This is a material-class risk across all golf balls, not Nike-specific, but occurs gradually over hundreds of rounds.
Heavy metals in pigments and inks
Golf ball surface printing and coloration use industrial inks and dyes. No documented cases of lead or cadmium contamination in Nike PD Long or peer brands have been reported; brief skin contact during play poses minimal risk.
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
New golf balls may emit trace VOCs during manufacturing off-gassing for the first few days of storage. This dissipates rapidly and is not a concern for normal retail purchase and use.
Allergen risk from synthetic polymers
Synthetic elastomers used in golf ball covers are non-allergenic in the general population. No documented contact dermatitis cases linked to Nike PD Long or similar balls are on record.
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 & Equipment
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Lower concern. Golf balls pose minimal PFAS exposure risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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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.