The Ultimate Guide to Golf Gloves: Improve Your Grip and Performance on the Greens

Often overlooked, golf gloves are an essential piece of golf equipment. While you don’t have to wear gloves for golf, there are several reasons you should whether you’re a male or female player, beginner or low-handicapper.

Does a Golf Glove Really Help?

Yes, it does, in several ways. The first and most straightforward reason is that golf gloves crafted for durability and comfort improve grip, making it easier to hold onto the club and reducing tackiness without exerting more grip pressure. 

Maintaining the proper grip pressure throughout your entire swing is crucial for several reasons, making your grip one of the most important components of your swing. Wearing a golf glove has advantages because its material is far tackier than your hand, which is particularly handy when it’s rainy or damp, or on hot summer days when your hands are sweating. That’s not to imply it’ll teach you how to arrange your fingers correctly so you can mimic Tiger Woods’ flawless grasp. Instead, the golf glove offers additional friction that’ll only make it simpler to prevent the golf club from slipping out of your fingertips.

Second, a golf glove can help protect your hands from damage, such as blisters on your hand or hands if you play a lot of golf and smash many balls on the driving range. Since their hands have developed calluses, some golfers who play frequently without gloves don’t mind not wearing them. Wearing a golf glove is strongly recommended if you’re going on a golf trip in the spring after a long winter of not playing; otherwise, you’ll undoubtedly acquire blisters on your hands. In addition to being uncomfortable and bothersome, these can also negatively impact your play. 

You’ll notice that almost all professional golfers use golf gloves if watching the PGA and LPGA Tours. Most professional golfers use gloves, while there are a few exceptions, such as Fred Couples.

Which Golf Glove Do You Wear?

Although most only wear a golf glove on one hand, in rare cases, you will see them worn on both hands. While most men only wear one glove, some ladies prefer to wear two to save both hands. Because you usually wear gloves on your leading hand, right-handed golfers will wear left-handed golf gloves while left-handed golfers put gloves on their right hand. That can be confusing at times but remember: you wear your glove on the hand that is not your dominant hand.

It should be noted that certain companies sell gloves in pairs. Therefore, be sure to look at the packaging; most will come in a two-pack of identical-sized left-hand gloves, which is more affordable than purchasing one glove alone. Nonetheless, some businesses also sell a pair of gloves for the left and right hands in one box. Women’s golf gloves are more likely to have these.

How Do I Know What Golf Glove to Buy?

Practically all main golf equipment manufacturers have gloves that come in almost every colour you can think of. Nowadays, some people even use their gloves to make a fashion statement, and some companies sell custom-designed golf gloves with distinctive styles. So your best option is to pick the one that fits and looks the best. Weather and the different materials are other factors besides getting the right fit.

Get the Right Fit

Ensuring your golf glove fits properly is essential; otherwise, you risk inflicting more harm than good. Your hand might slip inside your glove during your swing if it’s too loose, which would negate the entire point. In addition to making things worse, an overly tight glove may end up limiting hand and wrist movement during the swing.

Check if your glove is both snug and flexible enough for you. Additionally, it will begin to fit your hand after a few rounds of wear. You should try on any new golf glove you are about to buy if you have never worn it before. That’s because different glove manufacturers may have slightly different sizes, even if you are buying the same size you have always worn.

Consider the Elements

There are golf gloves designed specifically for rain, with a pair for each hand. If you get stranded in the rain, these rain gloves are a huge help and operate best when thoroughly soaked. Remember to bring your raingrip gloves since they can rescue your round. Additionally, some gloves are made specifically for playing in cold climates; when it’s four degrees Celsius or lower, they provide you with just enough thickness to keep your hands warm enough to play more comfortably. 

Choose the Right Material 

When choosing a golf glove, is material important? It is, but, it’s just a matter of taste for most people. Certain golfers with lower handicaps wear only Cabretta leather gloves. The perks typically include a thinner material and a more natural feel, making it seem as if they aren’t wearing a glove while still benefiting from all its features. These gloves usually wear out more quickly and are less durable. 

Additionally, some gloves are made of synthetic, cabretta leather, and a mix of the two. These can last longer and are typically less expensive. To improve the comfort of the fit around the knuckle joints, some gloves additionally contain lycra or other flexible stretching material.

Your best bet is to try on a couple and discover which type you like best. Generally speaking, the type of material varies on personal choice and how frequently you play. All synthetic or synthetic/cabretta golf gloves can offer fantastic value.