According to FootJoy’s Donald Zabkar, research conducted by his company a few years ago revealed that about 65 percent of golfers are wearing the wrong size glove. That means it’s likely that two of the players in your foursome are unknowingly affecting their game by using gloves that don’t fit properly.
Unfortunately, recreational golfers often don’t think much about golf gloves. We all know someone who will wear the same glove until it literally falls apart when they try to put it on or a golfer who uses a glove that has holes in it. However, a properly fit, well-maintained glove can help you stay connected to the club without extra tension, and that can mean more speed, better control and enhanced feel. So, it’s critical to understand how your gloves should fit and how you should take care of them to prolong their durability and performance.
How Should Your Golf Glove Fit?
When it comes to golf gloves, snug is the name of the game. The perfect glove should fit like a second skin, wrapping tightly around your palm and fingers without any excess material bunching up. In fact, if you spread your hand after you put on a well-fitting glove, the material in the palm might feel like it is extra taught. That’s good. If your glove is too loose, the extra material can bunch up and lead to a bad connection between your hands and the grip.
The fingers of the glove should extend just to the tips of your fingers. If there’s significant material at the end, the glove is too big. If a glove fits properly in your hand but you find there is too much space at the end of your fingers, try a cadet version of the glove. Cadet gloves are made for golfers who have shorter fingers and wider palms.
The Velcro closure should only require a slight pull to secure. If you’re stretching the strap significantly, the glove is too small.
“The the key indication to us regarding sizing is the Velcro going over the tab when the golfer is putting on a brand new glove for the first time,” FootJoy’s Zabkar said. “Roughly a quarter-inch of that Velcro hook and loop system should be showing because the material is pliable and it will contour and stretch to your hand throughout the use of the glove, especially when we talk about Cabretta leather gloves such as the StaSof or Pure Touch within our line.”
Many gloves come with stretch material or elastic around the knuckles or base of the hand. This provides flexibility while keeping the glove snug—ensuring the fit is tight enough but comfortable.
Natural Leather vs. Synthetic Leather
Golf gloves are typically made from either natural leather or synthetic leather, and each of these materials has benefits.
Natural leather gloves are usually made from Cabretta leather, which is sheep or lamb skin, and they tend to be the gloves of choice for elite players because they offer superior feel and touch.
“We make sure we’re using the thinnest and softest leather we can source,” said Casey Duryee, a global senior manager for TaylorMade who oversees gloves. “Our standard is 0.45 millimeters thin. So what does that do? It creates the ultimate second-skin-like feel. It gets you closer to the club.”
Synthetic leather gloves tend to be more durable than natural leather gloves, and in many cases, they dry faster too. Synthetic leather gloves also tend to be less expensive than their natural leather counterparts.
Storing Your Golf Glove: Let It Breathe
Beyond fit, how you store your glove when you’re not wearing it can make a huge difference in how long it lasts. Many golfers take off their glove when they putt and then either put it in their back pocket or leave it on their bag until they reach the next tee box. That’s fine, but when your round is over, the worst thing you can do is toss a damp, sweaty glove into your golf bag.
When you’re done, air out your glove. Leather is a breathable material, but it is sensitive to prolonged exposure to moisture. When natural leather stays damp, the fibers within the material weaken and break down. If not allowed to dry properly, the glove can lose its softness and flexibility, and over time, the glove will get rigid, uncomfortable and slippery.
In addition to becoming stiff, leather can develop cracks or hard spots if it dries unevenly or too quickly, which is why leaving a glove in a hot car is also not a good idea.
If your glove is damp after you play, lay it flat and let it dry naturally in a cool, ventilated area. Don’t blast it with a hairdryer or leave it baking in the sun in hopes of drying it faster.
Pro Tip: consider a glove holder. A glove holder is about the size of an envelope and is designed to hold golf gloves flat, protected and organized. This one from Pins and Aces holds several gloves along with other accessories you need on the course
Rain Gloves: How They Work
For golfers who routinely play in wet conditions or who get especially sweaty in hot conditions, rain gloves can be a game changer.
It’s critical to understand that rain gloves are not designed to keep your hands dry. In fact, unlike traditional leather gloves, rain gloves are designed to perform better as they get wetter, giving you enhanced grip even in downpours.
Rain gloves are typically made from synthetic materials like microfiber or mesh. They create friction against the club, allowing you to hold your grip with less effort. Rain gloves are usually sold in pairs so that you can wear one on each hand for maximum control. This dual-hand coverage ensures a steady grip regardless of how soaked the conditions become.
Gloves Worth Trying
Just like your golf clubs, the best way to discover your ideal golf glove is by trying several on and seeing which fits your hand snuggly but comfortably. Natural leather gloves can provide heightened sensitivity and feel, but synthetic leather gloves may be more durable and cost less, so decide how much you are willing to spend and what your priorities are before you make your final decision. Below are several gloves you might want to consider.