What Golf Glove Does Dustin Johnson Use?

Dustin Johnson, one of the most powerful and athletic players in the game, wears the TaylorMade Tour Preferred glove. While that's the simple answer, the real question isn't just what glove he wears, but why he chooses it and how that selection supports his incredible talent. This article breaks down the specifics of DJ’s glove, explains why a high-quality glove is so essential for golfers of all levels, and gives you a practical guide to choosing the perfect glove for your own game.

The Specifics: TaylorMade Tour Preferred Glove

Dustin Johnson has been a TaylorMade staff player for his entire professional career, and his glove of choice is the TaylorMade Tour Preferred. This isn't just a matter of fulfilling a sponsorship deal, the best players in the world are notoriously particular about their equipment, especially the glove, which is their primary connection to the golf club. A player with DJ's level of feel and power will not compromise on quality.

The Tour Preferred glove is TaylorMade's premium offering, designed with the feedback of its tour staff. Here are the features that make it a favorite for elite players like Johnson:

• AAA Cabretta Leather: The glove is constructed from the highest grade of Cabretta leather, which comes from a specific type of sheep. This leather is prized for its incredibly soft, supple feel and its fine-pore texture. For a feel player, this provides a sensation that is as close to playing barehanded as possible, but with an enhanced, tacky grip.
• Strategic Perforations: You’ll notice small holes along the fingers and back of the glove. These perforations are not just for show, they provide ventilation and breathability. In the high-pressure environment of tournament golf, sweaty palms can be a disaster. These perforations help wick moisture away, ensuring DJ maintains a secure and consistent grip from the first tee to the 18th green.
• Contoured Fit and Wrist Lining: The glove is tailored for a snug, contoured fit that feels like a second skin. It features an athletically-shaped wrist lining and a moisture-wicking sweatband. This combination prevents any unwanted movement of the glove during the swing and adds an element of comfort for hours of play.

For Dustin Johnson, a glove that provides a thin, tacky, and reliable connection allows him to hold the club with lighter grip pressure. This relaxation in the hands and forearms is a massive source of power, allowing him to create tremendous lag and whip the clubhead through the impact zone for those signature towering drives.

More Than Just an Accessory: Why a Golf Glove is So Important

Many amateur golfers underestimate the importance of their glove, viewing it as a minor accessory. But as a coach, I can tell you it's one of the most fundamental pieces of gear you own. Let's think of it a bit like the tires on a race car - it doesn't matter how powerful the engine is if you can't get traction.

1. The Foundation of Your Grip

Your golf glove is the primary interface between you and the club. For a right-handed golfer, the left hand does the majority of the "holding," and it’s your anchor to the club. The smallest slip of that hand at any point in the swing can send the clubface veering offline, resulting in a hook or a slice. A quality golf glove provides the tackiness needed to create a secure connection without having to use a "death grip." This is huge. Squeezing the club too tightly introduces tension into your arms, shoulders, and back, which kills clubhead speed and hampers your a fluid swing ahtletic seqeunece.

2. Consistency in All Conditions

Golf is played outdoors, and conditions are rarely perfect. Whether you're dealing with humidity in the summer, nervous sweat on a tough shot, or even a light drizzle, moisture is the enemy of a consistent grip. A good glove is designed to manage this. The leather and synthetic materials in modern gloves are engineered to maintain their tackiness even when slightly damp. This gives you the confidence to make the same swing regardless of the weather, removing a major variable from the equation.

3. Protecting Your Hands

If you're serious about getting better, you're going to be hitting a lot of golf balls. Hitting bucket after bucket on the range can take a toll on your hands, leading to blisters and calluses. While calluses can be a golfer's badge of honor, painful blisters can sideline you from practicing altogether. A glove provides a protective barrier that reduces friction, allowing you to put in the necessary time to hone your swing without tearing up your hands.

Breaking Down What Makes a Pro-Level Glove (Like DJ's)

So, we know DJ uses a top-tier Cabretta leather glove. But what are the key features you should be looking for when you're deciding between different models? Let’s break it down.

Material Matters: Cabretta Leather vs. Synthetic

The material of a glove is its most defining characteristic and directly impacts feel, durability, and price.

• Cabretta Leather: As mentioned, this is the gold standard for feel. It's thin, soft, and feels fantastic. It molds to your hand over time, providing a customized fit. The downside is that Cabretta is the least durable material and can be susceptible to stiffening if it gets too wet and isn't cared for properly. It’s also the most expensive option. This is the choice for golfers who prioritize pure feel above all else.
• Synthetic Materials: Synthetic gloves are engineered for durability and performance in a wider range of conditions. They often have silicone or other grippy materials on the palm and fingers and are more resistant to moisture. While they don't offer the same buttery feel as Cabretta, they are much more durable and typically more affordable. They are a great choice for golfers who practice a lot or regularly play in wet weather.
• Hybrid Gloves: These gloves offer a "best of both worlds" approach. They typically feature Cabretta leather on the palm and thumb for enhanced feel and control where it matters most, combined with synthetic materials on the back of the hand and knuckles for improved flexibility, breathability, and durability. This is an excellent all-around option for most amateur golfers.

Fit is Everything: How a Glove Should Feel

You can buy the most expensive glove on the market, but if it doesn’t fit correctly, it’s useless. A proper-fitting golf glove should be so snug it feels like it’s painted on. There should be no excess material bundled up in your palm or hanging off the tips of your fingers.

Here’s a quick fitting guide:

1. The material in the palm should lie completely flat against your skin, with no wrinkles or bunches when you make a fist.
2. The material over your fingers should be tight to the fingertips. Ideally, you should have just a tiny bit of room at the end, but no more than a quarter-inch of loose space.
3. When you first put on a new leather glove, the Velcro closure tab should only cover about 75-80% of the landing pad. This allows for the leather to naturally stretch and mold to your hand over a couple of rounds. If it fits perfectly out of the package, it will be too loose after a few uses.

Don't be afraid to try on several sizes and even different brands, as sizing can vary slightly between manufacturers. Many also offer "Cadet" sizing, which is designed for golfers with a wider palm and shorter fingers.

A Practical Guide to Choosing Your Perfect Glove

Now that we've covered the what and why, let's tie it all together with a simple, step-by-step process for choosing the right golf glove for you, not for Dustin Johnson.

Step 1: Determine Your Budget and Priorities

Be honest with yourself. How often do you play and practice? If you only play a couple of times a month, splurging on a premium Cabretta glove might be a great way to enhance the feel and experience. If you’re at the range three times a week, a more durable synthetic or hybrid model might be a smarter financial choice, or you may decide to buy Cabretta gloves in multi-packs to save costs.

Step 2: Get Your Sizing Right

This is non-negotiable. If you're buying online, find the manufacturer's sizing chart and measure your hand. If you're in a store, take the time to try on a few models. Remember the 75% rule for the Velcro tab on a new leather glove. A good fit is the most important factor in a glove's performance.

Step 3: Consider Your Climate

Think about where you play most of your golf. If you're in a hot, humid environment like Florida, breathability is a top priority. Look for gloves with extensive perforations. If you play in a region with frequent rain, like the UK or the Pacific Northwest, having a pair of dedicated rain gloves in your bag is a must. These specialized gloves actually get tackier when they are wet.

Step 4: Practice Proper Glove Care

You can significantly extend the life of your gloves with a little care. After a round, don't just crumple your glove into a ball and stuff it in your bag pocket. Smooth it out and let it air dry. Attaching it to the Velcro patch on your golf bag strap while you play is a popular tour pro trick. For leather gloves that start to get stiff, you can gently wipe them with a damp cloth to clean them, but avoid soaking them. Rotating between two or three gloves during a round is another great way to let them dry out and maintain their feel and longevity.

Final Thoughts

Dustin Johnson's choice of the TaylorMade Tour Preferred glove isn't random, it's a deliberate selection of a tool that gives him the precise feel, tackiness, and reliability he needs to perform at the highest level. By understanding the principles behind his choice - prioritizing fit, feel, and performance in all conditions - any golfer can make a smarter decision when buying their own glove.

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