Watch any group of golfers and most will be wearing a single glove on one hand. It is such a familiar sight that few people stop to ask why, or whether they are wearing the right glove in the right size. A good golf glove helps you hold the club securely with less grip pressure, protects your hand and keeps your grip consistent in heat and rain. A poorly fitting or worn-out glove does the opposite.
Why golfers wear a glove
- Better grip. A glove provides friction between your hand and the grip, so the club does not twist on mishits and you can hold it with lighter pressure. Light grip pressure helps you release the club freely; see how to release the golf club.
- Consistency. Sweat, humidity and rain make bare hands slippery. A glove keeps your grip consistent from the first tee to the last.
- Protection. It prevents blisters and calluses, particularly when you practise a lot.
- Comfort in cold weather. Thermal gloves keep your hands warm in winter.
Which hand?
Most golfers wear one glove, on the lead hand: the hand at the top of the grip.
- Right-handed golfers wear a glove on the left hand.
- Left-handed golfers wear a glove on the right hand. Read our guide for left-handed golfers.
The lead hand is the one that controls the club most through the swing, and its palm and fingers rub against the grip, so it benefits most from a glove. Some golfers wear two gloves, particularly in cold or wet weather, or if they have sensitive skin or arthritis.
Golf gloves are labelled by the hand they fit, but some brands label them by the golfer's playing hand. Check carefully before you buy.
Should you wear a glove for putting?
Most golfers take the glove off to putt and chip, because bare hands give more feel for delicate shots. Some keep it on throughout. There is no right answer: experiment and do what feels best.
Materials
| Material | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabretta leather | Thin, soft, best feel and fit | Wears more quickly, stiffens if it gets wet and dries badly | Golfers who want maximum feel |
| Synthetic | Durable, flexible, cheaper, easy to clean | Less feel than premium leather | Beginners, frequent practice, value |
| Hybrid (leather and synthetic) | Leather palm for feel, synthetic for stretch and durability | Middle price | Most golfers |
| All-weather | Designed to grip when wet, and to dry quickly | Usually less feel in dry weather | Rain, humidity, sweaty hands |
Many gloves have perforations or mesh panels for breathability, and some have extra padding or textures in high-wear areas.
Specialist gloves
- Rain gloves. Usually sold in pairs, they grip better when wet. Keep a pair in your bag; see our golf rain gear guide.
- Winter gloves. Thermal pairs, and cart or hand mittens to wear between shots, keep hands warm in the cold.
- Training gloves. Some gloves have printed or moulded guides to help you place your hands correctly on the grip. They can be useful while learning, but check whether they are permitted in competition before using them on the course.
- Arthritis or compression gloves. Extra padding or compression can make golf more comfortable for golfers with sore hands.
How a golf glove should fit
A golf glove should fit snugly, like a second skin.
- Fingers: your fingertips should reach the ends of the glove fingers, with no spare material at the tips.
- Palm: no wrinkles or loose material when you close your hand around the grip.
- Fastener: the tab should close comfortably, with the fastening patch roughly covered. If it only just reaches, the glove is too small; if it overlaps a long way, it is too big.
- Movement: you should be able to make a fist without the glove feeling tight across the knuckles.
Leather stretches a little as you wear it, so it should feel snug when new. Many brands offer cadet sizes, for golfers with shorter fingers and wider palms, as well as regular sizes. If a regular glove leaves loose material at the fingertips, try a cadet size.
How to make a glove last
- Rotate two or three gloves so each has time to dry out between uses.
- Take it off between shots in hot weather, so it does not get soaked with sweat.
- Dry it flat, ideally reshaped and in the packet it came in, or on a glove holder. Do not leave it scrunched up in your bag.
- Keep leather gloves away from heat such as radiators, which makes them stiff and brittle.
- Clean synthetic gloves with a damp cloth.
- Keep a dry spare in your bag for wet days.
When to replace your glove
Replace a glove when it becomes shiny, slippery, stiff or torn, especially across the palm and the heel of the hand. A worn-out glove makes you squeeze the club, which is exactly what a glove is supposed to prevent.
Do you need a golf glove?
You do not have to wear one; some excellent golfers play without. But most golfers find a glove gives them a more secure grip with less pressure, especially in heat and rain. If you are unsure, try a round with and without and see which feels better. Beginners usually benefit from wearing one; see our complete beginner's guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why do golfers only wear one glove?
The lead hand benefits most because it has the most contact with the grip and controls the club. The trail hand is left bare for feel. Some golfers wear two in cold or wet weather.
How often should I replace my golf glove?
It depends on how often you play and practise, and on the conditions. Regular golfers often need a new glove every month or so in the playing season. Rotate gloves to make each one last longer.
Are leather gloves better than synthetic?
Leather gives the best feel; synthetic lasts longer and costs less. Hybrids combine the two. Try different types and choose the one that feels best for your hands and conditions.
What size golf glove should I buy?
Try gloves on if you can, since sizes vary between brands. The glove should feel snug with no loose material at the fingertips or palm. If the fingers are too long, try a cadet size.
Can I wear a golf glove in the rain?
A normal leather glove becomes slippery when wet. Use rain gloves, which grip better when wet, or an all-weather glove, and keep a spare dry one in your bag.
The bottom line
A good golf glove is a small, inexpensive piece of equipment that makes a real difference to your grip and comfort. Wear it on your lead hand, choose a material to suit your hands and conditions, make sure it fits snugly, and look after it so it stays tacky. Keep a rain pair and a spare in your bag, and replace gloves as soon as they wear. For more on equipment you will use every round, read essential golf accessories and how to regrip golf clubs.
Related: golf belts and how golf clothing should fit.