What Side Does Your Golf Glove Go On?

Your golf glove goes on your top hand - the one that sits highest on the grip when you hold the club. This simple rule isn't just a quirky golf tradition, it's grounded in the fundamentals of a good swing. This article will not only give you the straight answer but will also explain the purpose behind the glove, how to choose the right one, and a few common mistakes to avoid so you can feel more connected to the club and confident in your swing.

The Golden Rule: One Glove on Your Top Hand

In golf, we wear a single glove to enhance our connection with the club. The hand that wears it is what we call the lead or top hand because it quite literally leads the club through the swing and sits at the top of the grip. The glove’s primary job is to create a secure, stable connection point so you don't have to grip the club too tightly.

A Quick Reference: Lefties vs. Righties

The application of this rule is a simple matter of opposites. To clear up any confusion right away, here's how it works:

• For Right-Handed Golfers: You wear your golf glove on your left hand. Your left hand sits at the top of the grip and is responsible for guiding the club throughout the swing.
• For Left-Handed Golfers: You wear your golf glove on your right hand. Your right hand is at the top of your grip and serves as your lead hand, so it gets the glove.

Why the Top Hand? (Not the Bottom One)

So, why single out the top hand? Think of it as the anchor of your swing. Your top hand is the ultimate "steering wheel," as it largely controls the clubface angle and the swing path from takeaway to impact. Because it bears the brunt of the kinetic forces as you swing, it's the most likely to slip or rotate on the grip, especially when your hands get sweaty or caught in a little humidity.

A glove on this hand creates a tacky, reliable surface that prevents the club from twisting in your grasp. This allows you to maintain a lighter, more relaxed grip pressure. A relaxed grip is essential because tension is a power-killer in the golf swing. It restricts the free-flowing, rotational motion we want, often leading golfers to use just their arms instead of their whole body. By securing your top hand, the glove lets you release that tension and trust that the club isn't going anywhere, freeing you up to make a smoother, more powerful swing.

What Does a Golf Glove Actually Do?

While the quick answer is "it helps you hold on," the benefits go much deeper. Understanding the 'why' will help you appreciate how this small piece of gear can have a big impact on your game.

1. Enhanced Grip and Club Control

This is the number one reason. Without a glove, the moisture from your hand can make a rubber grip feel slick. When a golfer senses instability, their natural reaction is to tighten their hold. This "death grip" is a classic swing fault. It creates tension up your arms and into your shoulders, shortening your backswing and robbing you of speed. A good glove has a tackiness that provides a secure hold with much less physical effort. You feel connected without having to strangle the handle, promoting a fluid, body-driven swing rather than a stiff, arm-dominated one.

2. Blister and Callus Prevention

Swinging a golf club repeatedly creates friction. Your top hand, specifically the area connecting the heel pad and your fingers, undergoes significant rubbing and pressure against the butt end of the grip. During a long practice session or an 18-hole round, this friction can easily cause painful blisters and, over time, gnarly calluses. The glove acts as a protective barrier - a second skin that absorbs this friction, keeping your hands comfortable and allowing you to play and practice without pain being a limitation.

3. Weather Resistance

A standard glove helps manage minor sweat and humidity, but specialized gloves take performance to another level in tough conditions. Rain gloves are designed with materials that actually become *tackier* when wet, giving you incredible control during a downpour. Similarly, winter gloves offer insulation to keep your hands warm, which is essential because cold, stiff hands lose feel and power.

The Feel vs. Function Debate: Why Just One Glove?

If one glove is good, wouldn't two be better? For most situations, the answer is no. Golf is a unique blend of power and finesse, and the decision to leave one hand bare is a conscious choice that prioritizes feel, especially in the short game.

Your "bottom" hand (right hand for righties, left hand for lefties) is your primary feel and power hand. Keeping it bare allows for direct skin-to-grip contact, providing a higher level of sensitivity. This tactile feedback is vital for delicate shots around the green. You can better sense a club's weight and the angle of the face, which is why almost every experienced golfer takes their one glove off before they putt or even hit a delicate chip. It connects them more intimately to the most precise shots in the game.While a few notable exceptions exist - PGA Tour pro Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey, for instance - wearing two gloves is generally reserved for very wet or cold conditions. In normal weather, skipping the second glove helps you maintain that critical sense of touch.

How to Select the Right Golf Glove

Knowing which hand the glove goes on is only half the battle. Choosing the right one is what unlocks the benefits. Fit and material are the two biggest factors to consider.

Finding the Perfect Fit: The "Second Skin" Test

A golf glove should fit like, well, a glove. More accurately, it should feel like a second skin with zero excess material getting in the way. A poorly fitting glove can bunch up in your palm and actually reduce your connection to the club, defeating its purpose.

Here’s how to properly size a glove:

• Check the Fingers: There should be no extra material at the tips of your fingers. The glove should fit snugly right to the end of each finger.
• Check the Palm: Make a fist. The material across your palm and knuckles should be taut, with no wrinkles or folds.
• Check the Closure: When you secure the Velcro tab, it should only cover about 75-80% of the pad. This leaves a little room for the leather or synthetic material to stretch slightly as you play. If the tab covers the entire Velcro pad right away, the glove is likely too big.

Material Matters: Leather vs. Synthetic

The type of material determines the glove's feel, durability, and price.

• Cabretta Leather: This is the premium option, preferred by most tour pros. Made from the skin of a specific sheep, Cabretta leather is incredibly soft, thin, and breathable. It molds to your hand over time for a customized fit and offers the best feel. The downside is that it's less durable and more expensive than its counterparts.
• Synthetic Materials: Synthetic gloves are workhorses. They are more durable, often offer better flexibility, and can perform more reliably in wet conditions. They are also less expensive, making them a great choice for golfers who practice a lot or play in various conditions. The trade-off is a slightly thicker feel that isn't quite as sensitive as leather.
• Hybrid Gloves: The best of both worlds. Hybrid gloves strategically combine materials. They typically use durable synthetic material across the back of the hand and in high-wear areas, while placing patches of Cabretta leather on the palm and fingers to provide that premium feel where it counts most.

Common Sense Glove Care

You can dramatically extend the life of your glove by treating it properly. When a glove gets stiff, crusty, and loses its tackiness, it becomes almost as slippery as a bare, sweaty hand. Follow a couple of simple rules:

Proper Removal: Don't just yank the glove off by the cuff. This stretches the seams and delicate wrist material. Instead, gently unfasten the tab completely. Then, grab the tip of each finger one by one and slowly work the glove off your hand.

Proper Storage: Never, ever ball it up and shove it into the deepest pocket of your golf bag. That’s how you get a shriveled, crusty mess. After your round, flatten the glove out. Let it air dry if it's damp, and then store it flat, preferably in its original sleeve or a dedicated glove keeper. This keeps it soft, maintains its shape, and preserves its tackiness.

Final Thoughts

Simply put, your golf glove goes on your top hand - left for right-handers, and right for left-handers. But more than just a piece of gear, it’s a tool that fosters a lighter grip, promotes a better swing, protects your hand, and ultimately gives you the confidence to turn your body and let it rip without fear of the club slipping.

Learning the fundamentals, from how to wear a glove to how to make a proper turn, is part of a lifelong process. When questions come up on or off the course, it helps to have an expert resource. We built Caddie AI to be that on-demand golf coach in your pocket, instantly available to help with anything from complicated strategy or tricky shot selection to those simple questions you might hesitate to ask your friends. Whether you want to know the best way to play a hole or need advice on a terrible lie in the rough, it's there to provide clear guidance so you can play with more confidence and less guesswork.