Can You Play Golf with Two Gloves?

Wearing two gloves on the golf course is one of those things that looks a bit different, but can be a game-changer for some players. The short answer is yes, you can absolutely play golf wearing two gloves. There are no rules against it, and we'll walk you through exactly why you might consider it, what downsides to look out for, and how to figure out if it's the right move for your game.

So, Can You Actually Play Golf with Two Gloves? The Official Answer

Let's get this out of the way first. From a rules perspective, you are a hundred percent clear to wear a glove on each hand. The rules of golf, as governed by the USGA and The R&A, have no stipulations about how many gloves a player can wear. While the vast majority of golfers you see will only sport one glove, it's a matter of preference and tradition, not a rule.

So if a playing partner ever raises an eyebrow, you can confidently tell them it's perfectly legal. The more interesting question isn't can you do it, but should you do it?

Why Most Golfers Only Wear One Glove

To understand the reasoning behind wearing two gloves, it helps to first understand why the one-glove standard exists. It's not just a fashion statement, it's rooted in the function of each hand in the golf swing.

Think of it like this:

• Your Lead Hand (Top Hand): The Anchor. For a right-handed golfer, this is your left hand. This hand is your primary connection to the golf club. It’s responsible for holding on securely throughout the swing, a motion that generates a surprising amount of rotational force. The glove provides extra tackiness and friction, preventing the club from twisting or slipping, especially at high speeds. It’s all about maintaining a firm, consistent connection.
• Your Trail Hand (Bottom Hand): The Feel Hand. This is your right hand for a righty. This hand has a much bigger role in providing feel, touch, and squaring the clubface at impact. Many golfers feel that leaving this hand bare gives them a more sensitive, direct connection to the club. This heightened feel is especially valuable on and around the greens for delicate chips, pitches, and putts where "touch" is everything.

The traditional one-glove approach is an attempt to get the best of both worlds: a secure grip with the lead hand and maximum sensory feedback with the trail hand. But as every golfer knows, what's "standard" isn't always what's best for everyone.

Potential Reasons to Wear Two Gloves

Just because most golfers use one glove doesn’t mean it's the only way. There are several really good reasons why doubling up might be the perfect solution for you. In fact, you may have seen pro golfers like Aaron Rai or Tommy "Two-Gloves" Gainey rocking this look on tour.

1. Battling the Weather

This is probably the most common and practical reason to wear two gloves. Whether you're dealing with rain, cold, or extreme humidity, having both hands covered can dramatically improve your performance and comfort.

• Cold Conditions: Playing in the cold is tough. Your hands get stiff, you lose feeling, and every mishit shot stings. Wearing a pair of winter golf gloves provides insulation, keeping your hands warm and flexible. This isn't just about comfort, it helps you maintain your grip pressure and swing mechanics without a second thought.
• Wet or Humid Conditions: A good pair of rain gloves on both hands can be your best friend in a downpour. These gloves are designed to get even tackier when wet, giving you a confidence-inspiring grip when a standard leather glove would turn into a slippery mess. This also applies to exceptionally hot and humid days when both of your hands are sweating profusely. An extra glove can eliminate the worry of the club flying out of your hands.

2. Preventing Blisters and Soreness

Golf can be tough on the hands, especially if you have sensitive skin or are putting in a lot of time at the driving range. Calluses are a badge of honor for some, but painful blisters can sideline you. If friction or tenderness is an issue on your trail hand (your "un-gloved" hand), adding a second glove is a simple and effective way to protect your skin. It can make the game more enjoyable and allow you to practice without discomfort.

3. Increasing Grip Security and Confidence

Some golfers, for a variety of reasons, struggle with maintaining a secure hold on the club. This could be due to having smaller hands, experiencing conditions like arthritis, or simply lacking grip strength. In these cases, wearing two gloves can provide a profound sense of security.

When you feel confident that the club isn't going to move in your hands, you can relax your grip pressure. This is a good thing! Too much tension is a major swing killer. A secure grip provided by two gloves might free you up to focus on the bigger rotational movements of the swing, rather than subconsciously squeezing the life out of the club.

4. Pure Personal Comfort

At the end of the day, golf is about what works for you. Some players simply prefer the symmetrical feel of wearing two gloves. It feels more balanced and consistent to them, and if that gives you more confidence stepping up to the ball, then it's a valid reason. Don't let tradition dictate what feels right in your own hands.

What Are the Potential Downsides of Wearing Two Gloves?

Before you rush out and buy a matching set of gloves, it’s fair to consider the potential drawbacks. There's a reason, after all, that it's not the default setup for most players.

Loss of Feel in the Short Game

This is the most significant trade-off. As mentioned earlier, the trail hand is a huge source of sensory information. Putting a layer of leather or synthetic material between your skin and the grip can dampen that feedback. You might find it a bit harder to judge the subtle forces needed for delicate little chip shots, bunker shots, or gauging the speed on a long lag putt. Many two-glove wearers solve this by simply taking both gloves off for any shot inside 50 yards or on the putting green.

It Can Mask a Fundamental Grip Flaw

This is an important one. If your hands are slipping because of an improper grip, adding a second glove is just a band-aid. A fundamentally sound grip holds the club more in the fingers than in the palm and places the hands on the club in a neutral, athletic position. If you have "too strong" of a grip (hands rotated too far to the right) or "too weak" (too far to the left), it will cause directional problems no matter how many gloves you wear.

Two gloves can make a bad grip feel more secure, but it won’t fix the inconsistency it creates in your shots. Make sure your hold is solid first before deciding if a second glove adds to your game.

Cost and Convenience

This is more of a practical point than a performance one. Golf gloves wear out, and wearing two means you'll be buying them twice as often. It's also one more thing to manage - taking two gloves on and off between shots or for putting can feel a bit more cumbersome than just dealing with one.

A Practical Guide: How to Try Two Gloves Yourself

Curious if wearing two gloves is right for you? The only way to know for sure is to give it a try. Here’s a simple process to test it out without disrupting your game.

1. Start on the Driving Range: Never make a big equipment or technique change for the first time on the course. Head to the range and hit a bucket of balls. Start with some easy half-swings with a wedge to get used to the sensation.
2. Work Through the Bag: Hit shots with a variety of clubs, from your mid-irons up to your driver. Pay attention to your feel. Do you feel more secure? Does it allow you to swing more freely? Don't just focus on the results of the shot, but on how the process feels.
3. Test Your Short Game: This is the acid test. Move over to the chipping and putting green. Hit a number of short shots - little chips, longer pitches, and bunker shots if you can. Is the loss of feel noticeable? Does it hurt your ability to control distance? Be honest with yourself here.
4. Take 'Em Off for Putting: Regardless of your results with chipping, make it a habit to take both gloves off for putting. There’s almost no performance benefit to wearing gloves on the green, and restoring maximum feel is essential for scoring.
5. Consider Situational Use: Remember, it doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing choice. You might decide to become a "situational two-glover" - -keeping a second glove or a pair of rain gloves in your bag specifically for cold or wet rounds. This is a smart way to get the primary benefits without committing to the change full-time.

Final Thoughts

Playing golf with two gloves is entirely your call. It’s a perfectly legal and sometimes highly beneficial choice, particularly for players who battle bad weather, sore hands, or want an extra dose of confidence in their grip. While a potential loss of feel around the greens is the main trade-off, plenty of golfers find the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Experiment, see what feels best, and don't be afraid to break from tradition if it helps you play better golf.

Working through these personal nuances is what makes golf so challenging and rewarding. Whether it’s deciding on one glove or two, calculating a tough approach shot, or needing a smart strategy on a difficult hole, sometimes you just need a reliable second opinion. On the course, I'm here to act as your expert resource, analyzing tough situations in real-time or offering up strategic advice when you need it most. You can even send me a photo of a challenging lie, and I'll walk you through the best way to play it. With Caddie AI, you have a 24/7 coach in your pocket to help eliminate the guesswork so you can step up to every shot with clarity and confidence.