Do you wear a golf glove and not sure if you’ve got it on the right hand, or should you even be wearing one in the first place?
For most amateur and professional golfers a glove is an integral part of the game, and most wouldn’t be without one. After all, it is your only point of contact with the club.
You may be new to golf, or currently, just don’t choose to wear one and are wondering whether or not a golf glove is for you. If so, the following information should help answer any questions you may have.
Which Hand Do I Wear a Golf Glove On?
In short, the golf glove will always be worn on the lead hand. The hand that is highest on the golf grip when holding the club.
This is because it is the hand that has the most contact with the club, and the hand that is most integral with regards to gripping the club.
So, if you are a right-handed golfer you will wear it on your left hand, and if you are a left-handed golfer then the glove will be worn on your right hand.
Why Wear A Golf Glove?
According to Frank Thomas, Chief technical advisor to GolfChannel.com, wearing a golf glove is one of those things in life that you should just not question.
The main reason you will want to wear a golf glove is to help improve your overall grip on the club. A golf glove is tackier than your skin which means that there is far less chance of the club flying out of your hands during your swing.
The other reason is to help prevent blisters or calluses from forming which can be caused by gripping the club too tightly.
Gripping the club too tightly adds tension to your hands and arms, this is not a good thing for your golf swing. Wearing a golf glove will help to eliminate this problem.
Why Not Wear Two Gloves?
You may find that there are occasions (mostly weather-related) that call for the use of two gloves. In wet conditions, you may choose to wear rain gloves to help improve your grip.
And when the temperature drops, you may want to wear winter golf gloves to keep your hands warm, ensuring you don’t lose the feeling in them.
There are some golfers who don’t like the feel of two gloves when playing, yet they still want to keep their hands warm between shots. This is when hand warmers can come in handy. They are generally always one size and can be slipped on and off quickly.
There are some professional golfers who choose to wear gloves on both hands at all times but this is very rare and there are only two that come to mind, Tommy “Two-Glove” Gainey and Aaron Rai.
Should I Keep My Golf Glove On For Every Shot?
When chipping and putting you may want to remover your golf glove because these shots call for more feel through the hands while taking the shots.
The short game generally calls for a more sensitive touch, and keeping your golf glove on during these shots can inhibit that.
If you can get used to taking it off before these shots then it will not only prolong the life of your glove but it will also help your game in the long run.
Looking After Your Golf Glove
A good quality Cabretta leather glove is always going to last longer than a synthetic glove. Whichever you choose, there are a few things you can do to increase its longevity:
- Try to store it in its own pocket of your golf bag
- Remove the glove from your hand with care, don’t just yank it off your hand
- Keep the glove as flat and wrinkle-free as possible. Maybe try and place the glove back in its original box after every round
- When you remover the glove to chip or putt, carefully fold the glove into one of your back pockets, or attach it to the velcro spot that most modern golf bags have nowadays, especially for gloves.
In Conclusion
When it comes to choosing a golf glove there is a lot to think about. Most importantly, you want to make sure that the glove fits properly. They are generally available in S-XL sizes, but you can also get ones that are shorter in the fingers and wider in the palm area. These are called cadet sized gloves.
You want to ensure a snug fit, one that is not so tight that it restricts the range of motion in your hand. And make sure that you try them on in different materials, different sizes, and different brands to ensure you are getting the best glove for you.
As mentioned above, the material will make a big difference in performance, fit and how long the glove lasts. You want to make sure you are getting one that is functional, comfortable and will perform how you need it too.
And when there is a big hole in your glove, it’s time to change it!
Nick is the founder of GolfSpan and an avid golfer. He's not quite a pro but has over 15 years of experience playing and coaching golfers worldwide. His mission is to bring the golfing community a better experience when it comes to choosing the right golf gear and finding the right setup for your game.
