How to Choose the Best Golf Glove

Get a grip on your game with golf gloves that provide comfort, protection and performance.

Looking to boost your golf game? Having the right golf glove can help you get a better grasp on a new low score.

Golf gloves have an array of benefits. The right style can help improve your grip while adding blister and callus protection. Golf gloves can also guard against the elements. Pro Tips breaks down what to look for when searching for the best golf glove for you.

WHICH HAND DO YOU WEAR A GOLF GLOVE ON?

Many golfers will wear a glove on only one hand. If you’re going with a single golf glove, you’ll typically want to wear it on your top hand in relation to your grip. That means the left hand for right-handed golfers and vice versa. Most golfers choose to wear a golf glove because it can help provide a firmer grip on their club.

However, some golfers prefer to wear golf gloves on both hands. There are a few reasons for this:

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• Comfort - Wearing a pair of gloves helps reduce the chance of getting blisters if you grasp your club too hard.
• Moisture - If you have sweaty palms, wearing two golf gloves can help absorb sweat and keep your grip sturdy.
• Adverse conditions - It can be difficult to keep your swing consistent in rainy or cold conditions. But wearing a glove on each hand can help change that.

Bonus Pro Tip: Golf gloves can help identify ways to improve your swing with wear patterns. Excessive wear on the thumb or palm can indicate that you’re gripping your clubs unevenly.

FINDING YOUR GOLF GLOVE SIZE

It’s important to have a well-fitting golf glove. Remember: your glove is making contact with your clubs. If it doesn’t fit properly, your hand may move within your glove and that can compromise your swing.

Your glove should feel like a second skin. You want it to be tight across the palm and fingers with no loose material.

The fingers should be snug. There should be no extra material at the top. Some men’s gloves come in cadet sizing. The fingers in these gloves are about one centimeter shorter than in regular gloves.

Golf gloves come in a variety of sizes. Make sure to find your size by measuring properly. To find your size:

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• Measure the circumference of your glove hand around the knuckles. If you’re right-handed, measure your left hand. Conversely, measure your right hand if you’re left-handed.
• Find the length of your hand by measuring from the crease of your wrist to the point of your middle finger.

Always consult a brand’s size chart to make sure you are buying the correct size. If you’re between sizes, consider the smaller size. And make sure to check your glove size periodically. Hands and sizes can change.

GOLF GLOVE MATERIALS

There are several options when it comes to the materials used in the construction of golf gloves. The best choice for you will come down to personal preference.

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• Leather golf gloves are often popular with golfers who prefer a softer glove that allows for close contact with the club. These gloves may stretch with repeated use. Therefore, you may want to go with a slightly smaller size than you typically wear. Leather gloves tend to wear out faster, causing you to replace them more often.
• Synthetic golf gloves are durable and can offer improved flexibility. While they may be more affordable than leather options, synthetic gloves may not breathe as well.
• Combination golf gloves feature leather palms and fingers with synthetic joints. This design can increase the longevity of your gloves while delivering a similar feel to leather gloves.

GOLF GLOVES FOR THE RAIN AND COLD

On top of standard golf gloves, you’ll find gloves designed to help you perform in varying weather conditions.

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• Rain golf gloves can help improve your grip in wet conditions.
• Cold-weather golf gloves provide insulation when the temperatures drop. Some gloves designed for the cold will have extended cuffs to fight the chill.

If you plan on golfing in colder conditions, consider adding a pair of cart mitts to your golf bag. This insulated style of glove helps provide a barrier from the wind and rain as you move from tee to green.

GOLF GLOVE CARE

Once you find the right golf glove for you, make sure to give it some TLC to help extend its lifespan.

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• Allow the inside of your glove to air out to help it dry after a day on the course.
• Remove your gloves between shots during a round to help keep them dry.
• It can be beneficial to carry two or more gloves during a round and change them as you trek across the course. This can help increase the lifespan of your gloves.

Golf gloves can be an essential part of a player’s gear. So, hit the links with an improved grip on your game and start subtracting strokes from your scorecard.