Walking into a golf shop and seeing a wall of gloves can feel surprisingly overwhelming. Do you wear one on your left hand or your right? Which material is best? Does the fit really matter? A golf glove is one of your only points of contact with the club, and using the right one correctly is a fundamental step toward a better, more consistent swing. This guide breaks down everything you need to know to choose, fit, and use a golf glove like a seasoned player.
Let's clear this up immediately because it's the most common question new golfers have. The rule is simple and applies to nearly every golfer you'll see on the course:
You wear the glove on your "lead" hand - that's the hand that sits at the top of the grip. Why? Because this hand is responsible for establishing the primary connection to the club. Throughout the swing, especially during the powerful transition from the backswing to the downswing, your lead hand experiences the most force and friction. The glove is there to prevent the club from slipping or twisting, giving you a secure, stable hold without needing to squeeze the life out of it.
So, we know which hand to put it on, but is it really necessary? Jack Nicklaus, arguably the greatest of all time, wore one. Tiger Woods never takes a full swing without one. While a few pros play without a a glove, the vast majority do for several important reasons a that apply to amateurs and pros alike.
This is the number one reason. A quality golf glove provides more tackiness and friction than your bare skin. This is especially true on hot days when your palms sweat or during a light rain. A secure grip allows you to hold the club with lighter pressure in your hands. Less tension in your hands and forearms promotes a smoother, more fluid swing motion, which is essential for creating clubhead speed, accuracy, and consistency. It’s what our whole philosophy is built around: a repeatable, rotational action without tension getting in the way.
Golf is a mental game. Knowing that your hands won't slip on the club removes a major variable from the equation. It allows you to commit to your swing with confidence, knowing that your connection to the club is secure. Instead of worrying about your grip, you can focus on your target and the shot at hand.
If you're hitting balls at the driving range or playing frequently, repeatedly swinging a club will take a toll on your hands. A glove acts as a protective barrier, preventing the painful blisters and rough calluses that can develop from the friction of the club's grip rubbing against your skin. This makes practice sessions more comfortable and allows you to play more without discomfort.
Not all gloves are created equal. The type of material directly impacts feel, durability, breathability, and price. Here's a look at the common options so you can find the one that suits your game and budget.
Best for: Feel and performance.
Cabretta leather (made from the skin of haired sheep) is the premium standard in golf gloves. It's exceptionally soft, thin, and supple, offering an unmatched level of feel and feedback from the club. It molds to your hand over time for a personalized fit. This is the choice of most tour professionals and serious golfers who prioritize feel above all else.
The Trade-off: That amazing feel comes at a price. Cabretta leather is less durable than other materials and can wear out more quickly, especially with heavy use. It also tends to be the most expensive option.
Best for: Durability and all-weather play.
Synthetic materials have come a long way and offer fantastic performance. They are designed to be more durable and retain their shape longer than leather. Many synthetic gloves have built-in flex zones across the knuckles for enhanced mobility and often perform better in wet or humid conditions without getting as slick. They're also generally more affordable, making them a great choice for beginners or golfers who play and practice frequently.
The Trade-off: While modern synthetics are very good, they typically don't offer the same buttery-soft feel and breathability as a high-end Cabretta leather glove.
Best for: The best of both worlds.
As the name suggests, hybrid gloves combine materials to maximize benefits. They typically feature a Cabretta leather palm and fingers - where feel is most important - and a synthetic material on the back of the hand for better flexibility, breathability, and durability. For many golfers, hybrids offer the ideal balance of performance, longevity, and price.
For die-hard golfers who play in all conditions, specialty gloves are a game-changer.
A poorly fitting glove is worse than no glove at all. If it's too big, it will bunch up in your palm and can slip during your swing - the very thing you're trying to prevent. If it's too tight, it will restrict movement and tear easily. A golf glove should fit exactly like a second skin.
Put the glove on. There should be almost no extra material at the tips of your fingers. You want the ends of your fingers to be right at the end of the glove's fingers. If you can pinch more than a tiny bit of material, the glove is likely too long.
Make a fist, then flatten your palm. The material across your palm and the back of your hand should be smooth and taut, with no significant wrinkles or bagginess. It should feel snug and secure all over.
This is a an excellent pro tip. When you close the Velcro tab, it should only cover about 75% of the landing patch on the back of the glove. This leaves a little room for the leather to stretch slightly as you break it in over a few rounds. If the tab covers the entire patch or even hangs over, the glove is too big. If you can barely get the tab to attach, it's too small.
Have you ever noticed tour pros taking their glove off as soon as they reach the green? There's a good reason for that. While the glove is essential for the high-speed, powerful rotation of a full swing, it can diminish the sense of touch required for the delicate shots around and on the green.
Taking your glove off between shots also has a practical benefit. It lets your hand and the glove air out, especially on a hot day. This helps the glove last longer and keeps your hand more comfortable throughout the round.
Choosing a golf glove boils down to wearing it on your lead hand, finding the right material for your preference and budget, and - most importantly - ensuring it fits like a second skin. A proper glove provides the secure grip that builds a foundation of confidence, letting you focus on making a free, athletic swing without worrying about losing control of the club.
Knowing the right equipment is one challenge, but knowing what to do in any situation on the course is another. That's why we designed Caddie AI. If you're ever stuck with a challenging lie and questioning your grip or club choice, you can snap a photo, and our AI caddie will analyze the situation and give you a simple, effective strategy. It’s like having an expert coach in your pocket to answer any question, turning uncertainty into confidence on every shot.
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