Titleist · Golf Balls & Golf Equipment
Titleist Men's Players Flex Golf Glove
Waterproof golf glove. water-repellent coating likely but PFAS status unclear.
Golf gloves typically use waterproof treatments that may contain PFAS, but Titleist does not disclose. No third-party testing or PFAS-free claims found.
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 palm, synthetic/mesh back, waterproof 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
The Titleist Players Flex combines a leather palm (typically sheepskin or cabretta for golf gloves) with synthetic mesh or polyester back panels. The waterproof treatment applied to both materials is the primary chemical concern; golf glove water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) coatings commonly use fluorinated compounds, though Titleist's specific formulation is not publicly disclosed. Leather itself is processed with tanning agents and finishing chemicals; synthetic mesh components may contain residual dyes or textile treatments. The combination of materials means degradation happens at different rates, which affects longevity and potential leaching.
The brand's record and disclosure
Titleist (owned by Acushnet Holdings) does not publicly disclose PFAS or chemical treatment details for golf gloves on their website or in available safety documentation. The brand has no known major recalls for chemical hazards in glove products. Titleist maintains general environmental and manufacturing standards but does not appear to have committed to PFAS-free waterproofing in this category. Absence of disclosure is not confirmation of hazard, but limits consumer ability to make an informed choice on fluorinated chemistry.
How it compares in its category
Most premium golf gloves use waterproof treatments; Titleist's approach is industry-typical rather than differentiated. Some competitors (e.g., certain brands marketed as 'eco' or 'sustainable') have begun avoiding fluorinated water-repellent coating, though this is not yet standard. Leather golf gloves generally pose lower microplastic risk than all-synthetic alternatives. Titleist's use of natural leather palm is actually a safer choice compared to fully synthetic, coated microfiber gloves that shed microplastics faster.
If you buy it
Wash by hand in cool water with mild soap; do not machine wash or dry, as heat and agitation degrade both leather and synthetic fibers and may affect waterproof coatings. Replace when palm leather shows visible thinning, cracking, or loss of grip, typically every 12-24 months depending on use frequency. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow coating breakdown. If waterproofing fails noticeably before one year, contact Titleist customer service; early degradation can indicate manufacturing defect.
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.”
Waterproof coating chemistry (likely fluorinated)
Golf glove water-repellent coating treatments frequently rely on PFAS compounds; Titleist does not disclose formulation. Coating remains on skin contact surface and can degrade with washing/use, but migration to food is not a primary exposure route for apparel.
Leather tanning and finishing chemicals
Leather processing uses chromium salts (chrome tanning, industry standard) and various finishing dyes and resins. Titleist does not specify tanning method or heavy metal testing. Direct skin contact with treated leather poses minimal risk for short wear periods (golf is episodic), but individuals with sensitive skin or metal allergies should be aware.
Synthetic textile dyes and treatments in mesh back
The polyester or nylon mesh backing may contain residual azo dyes or formaldehyde-based finishing resins used in textile manufacturing. Levels are typically low in finished goods, but no third-party testing data is available for this specific product.
Coating degradation and leaching over time
As waterproof coating wears from friction, washing, and UV exposure, small polymer fragments or residual coating chemicals may be released. This is a slow, minor exposure; replacement before severe degradation limits accumulation.
Talc or mineral fillers in leather finishing
Talc is occasionally used in leather conditioning products, though not standard in golf glove manufacturing. No known contamination reports for Titleist gloves; not a primary concern for this product category.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 50% 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.