How to Size Golf Gloves

More than just a flimsy piece of leather, your golf glove is the only true connection you have to the golf club. Getting the fit right is about more than just comfort, it’s about gaining shot-to-shot consistency and the confidence to make a great swing. This guide will walk you through exactly why glove sizing is so important, how to measure your hand for the perfect fit, and the common mistakes to avoid so you can grip the club like a pro.

Why a Perfect Glove Fit Is a Game-Changer

Many golfers treat their glove as an afterthought, grabbing whichever one is on sale without much consideration. But that poorly-fitting glove could be quietly costing you shots every round. Think of your glove not as an accessory, but as a critical piece of performance equipment. Its primary job is to create a seamless, non-slipconnection between your hand and the club's grip.

If your glove is even a little too big, it creates problems. When you swing a club that’s moving over 80 miles per hour, any extra space inside the glove allows your hand to move and twist almost imperceptibly. This slight shift is enough to open or close the clubface at the moment of impact, turning a dead-straight shot into a hook or a slice. To counteract this slipping, your natural reaction is to squeeze the grip tighter. This added tension radiates up your forearms and into your shoulders, destroying your rhythm and your ability to generate effortless clubhead speed. You can't make a fluid, powerful swing when your hands and arms are tensed up.

Conversely, a perfectly fitted glove eliminates that slippage. It allows you to hold the club with much lighter grip pressure, letting your hands and wrists act as the sensitive levers they are meant to be. This frees up your swing, promotes better "feel," and leads to a far more consistent and repeatable action. In golf, consistency is everything, and it starts with the one thing you have locked into the club: your hand.

The "Second Skin" Test: What a Proper Golf Glove Should Feel Like

The goal is to find a glove that feels like a second skin - snug everywhere without being restrictive. When you’re trying one on, run through this mental checklist to see if it’s the right size. It will probably feel a little tighter than you expect, and that’s a good thing.

The Palm

The palm of the glove should lie completely flat against your own palm. There should be no wrinkles, bunching, or loose material. Make a fist. While the leather will bunch up a little, it should remain fairly taut. If you see significant folds of extra material in your palm when you close your hand, the glove is too big.

The Fingers

The tops of your fingers should just brush against the end of the glove's fingertips. A perfect fit means almost no extra space. If you have more than a quarter-inch of empty material at the tips of your fingers, the glove is too long. That extra fabric can twist during the swing and interfere with your feel and control.

The Closure Tab

This is one of the most reliable fit indicators that tour pros and club fitters use. Put the glove on and pull the Velcro tab across the back of your hand. For a new glove, the tab should only cover about 75-80% of the entire Velcro patch. You want a little bit of the fuzzy part still showing.

Why? All gloves, especially those made from premium Cabretta leather, will stretch with use. If you buy a glove where the tab closes all the way across from day one, it will be flapping around loosely after just a couple of rounds. Leaving that little bit of extra room ensures that as the glove stretches, you can continue to tighten it for a snug, secure fit throughout its lifespan.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Measure Your Hand for a Golf Glove

While trying on gloves is the a great way to find the right fit, you can get a very accurate idea of your size at home with a simple measurement. This is especially helpful when buying online or trying a new brand. Remember, if you are a right-handed golfer, you wear a glove on your left hand, and vice-versa for left-handed golfers. You always measure the hand you wear the glove on.

Method 1: The Circumference Measurement (For Standard-Sized Gloves)

This is the most common measurement used by glove manufacturers. It's simple and gives you a great starting point for finding your size.

• Step 1: Find a Soft Measuring Tape. A flexible fabric or sewing tape works best. If you don't have one, you can use a piece of string and then measure the string with a rigid ruler.
• Step 2: Measure Around Your Palm. Wrap the measuring tape around your hand at its widest point, which is typically right across the knuckles. Do not include your thumb in this measurement.
• Step 3: Note the Measurement & Consult a Chart. The measurement in inches corresponds directly to a standard glove company's sizing chart. While sizes vary slightly by brand, they generally follow a pattern. Always look up the specific brand's chart for the best results, but here’s a common example:

Typical Adult Sizing Chart (Example)

• Small: 7" - 7.5"
• Medium: 7.5" - 8"
• M/L (Medium-Large): 8" - 8.5"
• Large: 8.5" - 9"
• X-Large: 9" - 9.5"

Method 2: The Length Measurement (For Cadet-Sized Gloves)

Have you ever found a glove that fits your palm well but has way too much room in the fingers? If so, you may need a Cadet size. Cadet gloves are designed for golfers who have proportionally wider palms and shorter fingers than an average-sized hand.

How to Check If You Need a Cadet Size

In addition to your palm circumference, measure the length of your hand. Take your measuring tape or string and measure from the crease at the bottom of your a_utm_source=caddie-blog&utm_medium=article_link&utm_campaign=how_to_size_golf_glove&utm_content=organic-linkpalm up to the tip of your middle finger.

Now, compare that to a brand’s sizing chart. If your palm circumference falls into a an_size=" (e.g., M/L), but your hand length falls into a smaller category (e.g., Medium), then a M/L Cadet glove is very likely your perfect fit.

Common Glove Sizing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Armed with this a_utm_source=caddie-blog&utm_medium=article_link&utm_campaign=how_to_size_golf_glove&utm_content=organic-linkformation, you’ll be able to sidestep the most common errors golfers make when buying a glove.

1. Buying a "Comfortable" Glove That's Too Big

This is, without a doubt, the number one mistake. Golfers equate comfort with a loose fit, like they would with a casual shirt. But a golf glove isn't judged by that standard. It’s performance gear. The "comfortable" feel comes from the confidence of knowing the club isn't going anywhere. Always trust the "second skin" feel and the "75% Velcro rule" over what initially feels roomy and comfortable.

2. Ignoring Material Differences

The type of material affects the fit and how it changes over time.

• Cabretta Leather: This is the premium option, used in gloves like the Titleist Players or FootJoy StaSof. It offers the best feel, breathability, and molds to your hand over time. Expect it to stretch slightly.
• Synthetic or Hybrid: These gloves (often mixes of synthetic fabrics and leather) are more durable, less expensive, and perform better in wet weather. They stretch much less than full-leather gloves, so the fit you get out of the box is pretty much the fit you'll have for its entire life.

3. Forgetting That Brands Fit Differently

Just like shoes or clothes, a Medium in one brand might feel closer to a Medium-Large in another. While your hand measurement gives you an excellent place to start, don't be afraid to try a different size if one brand feels slightly off. Once you find a brand and size that works for you, you can usually stick with it confidently.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right golf glove size isn't a minor detail, it's a fundamental part of connecting confidently with the club. By finding a glove that fits like a second skin - with snug fingers, a flat palm, and leaving a touch of room on the closure tab - you empower yourself to hold the club with lighter pressure. This simple change can unlock a more consistent grip and a freer, more powerful swing.

Just as finding the right equipment fit takes guesswork out of the equation, so does having the right information when you play. When it feels like you're guessing between clubs in the fairway or have no idea how to approach a tricky lie in the rough, confidence is hard to come by. We created Caddie AI to give you on-demand access to that expert-level advice. You can even take a photo of your ball's lie, and the app will quickly analyze the situation and suggest the best way to play the shot, removing uncertainty so you can commit to your swing.