Odyssey · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
PXG Men's Players Glove
Golf glove water treatment composition unknown; brand silent on PFAS.
Odyssey PXG gloves likely contain water-repellent coating treatment on leather, a common PFAS application in golf apparel. No public brand disclosure on PFAS content or safer alternatives used.
The safe swap
Mizuno
Mizuno Comp Glove
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned its B.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Leather with unspecified water/weather treatment
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
PXG Players Glove is constructed from leather, a natural material that requires chemical treatment for water resistance, durability, and grip performance in golf. The specific water/weather treatment composition is not disclosed by Odyssey (PXG's parent company), meaning the exact chemicals used to achieve water repellency are unknown to consumers. Leather tanning and finishing processes typically involve chromium salts, oils, and protective coatings, but the Players Glove formulation remains proprietary. This opacity is the primary safety concern rather than leather itself, which is generally well-tolerated on skin in finished form.
The brand's record and disclosure
Odyssey/PXG has not publicly disclosed PFAS use, PFAS-free certification, or water treatment chemistry for their golf gloves as of available records. The brand does not appear in major PFAS-transparency initiatives or third-party certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, bluesign) that would indicate proactive chemical disclosure. No recalls or safety investigations specific to this glove model are on record. The silence on treatment chemicals is not unusual in the golf equipment industry but represents a transparency gap that prevents independent hazard assessment.
How it compares in its category
Golf gloves vary widely in water-resistance approach; some use PFAS-based treatments (standard industry practice), others use wax-based or silicone coatings, and a few disclose non-fluorinated alternatives. PXG's Players Glove sits in the premium segment where water repellency is a key selling feature, making hidden chemical treatment more likely than in budget alternatives. Without disclosure, it cannot be benchmarked against competitors on chemical safety. Category-wide, many golf gloves do not disclose treatment chemistry, so this product's opacity is typical rather than exceptional.
If you buy it
Store the glove in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or UV to preserve treatment coating. Wash by hand in cool water with mild soap if needed; avoid machine washing or harsh detergents that may degrade the water-resistant finish. Inspect regularly for cracks, peeling, or loss of grip; replace when performance declines or visible coating damage occurs. If you have sensitivities to leather treatments or chemical coatings, consider requesting material safety information from Odyssey before purchase, or test fit in-store to check for skin irritation.
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.”
Undisclosed water/weather treatment chemicals
Odyssey does not publish the composition of the water-repellent or protective coating applied to this glove. While PFAS is suspected given PFAS grading (40/100), other fluorinated or non-fluorinated compounds could be present; lack of disclosure prevents specific hazard identification.
Chromium or heavy metals in leather tanning
Standard leather tanning may use chromium salts, but no reports of elevated heavy metal leaching from Odyssey golf gloves exist. Leather that is fully tanned and finished poses minimal dermal exposure risk under normal use.
Skin sensitization or allergic contact dermatitis from finishing compounds
Leather finishing can include formaldehyde-releasing resins, dyes, or accelerators; individuals with known leather or chemical sensitivities may experience localized irritation. No specific adverse events are documented for this model, but risk is present in any treated leather product.
Coating degradation and particulate shedding
Over time and with repeated use, water-resistant coatings can crack or peel, potentially releasing small particles of the treatment compound. Frequency and composition-dependent; no reports specific to this glove, but age-related coating failure is common in treated leather goods.
Off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during break-in
New leather gloves may emit low levels of VOCs from tanning residues or finishing solvents, particularly if stored warm or unopened. Typically brief and not clinically significant, but sensitive individuals may detect odor within the first few uses.
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 & Golf Equipment
Mizuno
Comp Glove
Leather/synthetic leather athletic glove
No known PFAS risk, but Mizuno discloses nothing about treatments.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Mizuno
Cabretta Leather Golf Glove
Cabretta leather, likely with standard leather tanning and finishing
Lower concern. Leather glove lacks water treatment trigger.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Callaway
Men's Chev Soft Golf Glove
leather and synthetic materials
Golf glove with lower PFAS concern; no known high-risk coatings.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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.