Vice Golf · Golf Equipment & Balls
Vice Golf Pro Tracer Golf Balls
Skip until brand discloses coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
Vice Golf does not publicly disclose PFAS status or coating details for these balls. Golf ball covers typically use waterproof treatments; absence of transparency raises concern.
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Material
Synthetic rubber cover with undisclosed waterproof coating
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
Vice Pro Tracer balls use a synthetic rubber cover (likely ionomeric or urethane blend) with an undisclosed waterproof coating applied for durability and water repellence. The cover material itself is inert under normal use conditions, but the coating composition remains proprietary, which prevents independent assessment of whether it contains fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or other persistent chemicals. Golf balls do not contact food or skin extensively, so dermal absorption and ingestion pathways are minimal compared to cookware or apparel.
The brand's record and disclosure
Vice Golf has not published material safety data sheets, chemical composition disclosures, or PFAS-free certifications for their ball lines. The brand markets durability and performance but maintains silence on coating chemistry and supplier standards. No recalls or safety incidents specific to Vice balls have been documented in public records. This opacity around waterproof treatment composition is typical for the golf ball industry but falls short of modern transparency expectations for chemical hazards.
How it compares in its category
Most premium golf balls (Titleist, Callaway, Bridgestone) similarly withhold detailed coating formulations; the category as a whole lacks transparency. Some manufacturers have begun voluntary PFAS disclosure or elimination, but Vice has not joined this trend. Budget and mid-tier balls often use identical synthetic rubber bases and functional coatings, so material risk profiles are broadly comparable across brands. Vice positions itself as a transparency-focused direct-to-consumer brand, making the coating silence a notable inconsistency.
If you buy it
Golf balls pose no heating, ingestion, or prolonged skin contact risks during play; store in a cool, dry place to prevent rubber degradation over years. Do not allow children to chew or mouth the balls. Rinse with plain water after play in saltwater or muddy conditions to extend cover life and remove any surface residues. Request material safety documentation directly from Vice if chemical transparency matters to your household; buyer feedback may accelerate disclosure.
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 waterproof coating (non-PFAS assessment)
The specific chemistry of Vice's waterproof treatment is proprietary and unavailable for review. Coatings may contain silicones, waxes, or other polymers that are generally safe on inert rubber, but absence of disclosure prevents verification of manufacturing contaminants or degradation byproducts.
Synthetic rubber off-gassing or degradation
Ionomeric and urethane rubber covers do not release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at ambient temperatures or during normal golf play. Degradation over years of sun and heat exposure is cosmetic rather than chemically hazardous, though old balls may shed microparticles.
Heavy metal trace contamination in pigments or core
No recalls or reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Vice balls exist in public records. Synthetic ball manufacturing does not typically introduce these elements, though raw material sourcing standards are not publicly disclosed.
Microplastic shedding from cover wear
Like all synthetic sports balls, Vice Pro Tracers shed microparticles when scuffed or degraded on course over time. Quantity is negligible per ball and does not constitute an inhalation or ingestion hazard during play, though cumulative environmental impact is a valid concern for heavily used courses.
Mold or bacterial growth if stored wet
Golf balls stored in damp conditions can develop surface mold or mildew on the cover and in packaging crevices, especially if waterproof coating fails or allows water ingress. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect, and poses minimal risk during play.
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 Equipment & Balls
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Urethane and synthetic rubber cover over core materials
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
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⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
Vice Golf
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Surlyn cover, synthetic rubber core
Golf balls lack PFAS exposure risk.
⚠Brand says nothing about PFAS
More golf equipment & balls 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.