What Tape Do Golfers Use on Their Fingers?

Ever noticed tour pros wrapping their fingers with tape and wondered what's going on? It’s not just a style choice, it's a small but significant piece of equipment that helps them perform at their best. This simple technique is used to prevent pain, improve grip, and provide confidence, and in this guide, we’ll cover exactly what tape golfers use and show you how to apply it for yourself.

Why Do Golfers Put Tape on Their Fingers?

As a coach, one of the most common complaints I hear from golfers who are dedicated to practicing is raw, tender skin and painful blisters on their fingers. Hitting hundreds of balls at the range or playing 36 holes in a day creates a lot of friction between your hands and the club’s grip. That’s where finger tape becomes a game-changer.

There are three main reasons golfers of all levels rely on tape:

1. Blister Prevention

This is the number one reason. The repetitive motion and pressure of the golf swing, especially from the fingers of your trail hand (right hand for a righty) rubbing against the fingers of your lead hand, can shred your skin. Think about it: your ring finger on your bottom hand is wedged right between the index and middle finger of your top hand. That interface is a major friction zone. Tape acts as a protective “second skin,” absorbing that friction so your actual skin doesn’t have to.

2. Enhanced Grip and Control

In hot, humid, or rainy conditions, grips can get slick and feel insecure. While a good glove helps, some golfers find that taping a finger or two provides that little extra bit of tackiness and traction they need. It can create a more secure connection to the club without having to use excessive grip pressure (which is a swing killer). Some players also use it on their trail hand instead of a rain glove because it maintains a better feel for the club. It gives you a feeling of a solid connection without feeling bulky.

3. Support for Minor Injuries

Golf can be tough on your finger joints. A badly chunked iron shot or hitting a hidden root can easily lead to a jammed or sprained finger. While finger tape is not a medical brace, it can provide light compression and support to a tender joint, giving you the confidence to swing freely without worrying about re-aggravating it. It can also be used to cover up an existing cut or a torn callus to keep you in the game without discomfort.

Choosing the Right Tape: What Works Best for Golf?

Walk into any pharmacy and you'll see a wall of different athletic tapes. Not all of them are right for golf. A golfer needs tape that is flexible, durable, sweat-resistant, and doesn’t interfere with feel. Here are the most common options, from the best to the ones you might want to avoid.

1. Self-Adherent Elastic Wrap (The Tour Favorite)

This is, without a doubt, the most popular and best option for golfers. It’s the tape you most often see pros using. You might know it by brand names like 3M Coban™ or Vetrap, but any "cohesive wrap" will do the trick. This type of tape is brilliant because it sticks to itself but not to your skin, hair, or glove.

• Pros: No sticky residue left behind. It’s stretchy, breathable, and incredibly flexible, so it moves with your finger instead of restricting it. It's easy to tear by hand and simple to apply or re-apply mid-round.
• Cons: Because it's not adhesive, a poorly applied wrap can sometimes come loose during play, especially if it gets very wet.
• Best For: Just about everything. This is your go-to tape for blister prevention and all-around comfort. Its flexibility means it won’t mess with your intricate sense of feel, which is essential for touch shots around the green.

2. Classic Athletic/Zinc Oxide Tape

This is the old-school, traditional white cloth tape that’s been in training rooms for decades. It's rigid and has a very strong adhesive.

• Pros: Offers excellent structural support. If you have a sore finger joint that needs to be immobilized slightly, this tape is far more rigid than elastic wrap.
• Cons: It’s a pain, literally. It leaves a sticky, gunky residue on both your skin and your grip. It doesn’t stretch, so if you wrap it too tightly, it can seriously restrict movement and circulation. It's also not very breathable.
• Best For: Strictly for supporting a specific finger joint injury. It is not recommended for general blister prevention, as it hinders feel and creates a mess.

3. Kinesiology Tape (KT Tape)

This is the colorful, elastic therapeutic tape you see on athletes to support muscles and joints. It’s designed to be extremely flexible and breathable.

• Pros: Supremely flexible and allows for a full range of motion. It's water-resistant and stays on for a long time.
• Cons: It can be a bit too stretchy for this purpose, not providing that secure, "locked-in" feeling some golfers want. It's also significantly more expensive than standard cohesive wrap.
• Best For: Golfers who might already use KT tape for other parts of their body (like the wrist or elbow) and only want to carry one type of tape in their bag.

How to Apply Finger Tape Like a Pro

Applying the tape correctly is the difference between seamless protection and an annoying distraction. Here’s a simple step-by-step process using self-adherent elastic wrap.

Step 1: Start with Clean, Dry Hands

Tape sticks best to a clean surface. Wash and dry your hands thoroughly to remove any natural oils, sweat, or lotion. If your hands are very sweaty, a quick wipe with an alcohol pad can help.

Step 2: Identify the Friction Hotspots

The most common areas for taping are the trail hand's ring and middle fingers. This is where your Vardon or interlocking grip creates direct contact and friction. For some players, the base of the lead hand's index finger (where it can rub against the thumb of the trail hand) is another common spot.

Step 3: The Wrapping Technique

Using a one-inch-wide self-adherent wrap is ideal.

• Anchor Below the Joint: Start wrapping just below the first knuckle (the one closest to your palm). You want to protect the main shaft of the finger, not the joint itself.
• Overlap by Half: Wrap the finger, overlapping the tape by about half its width with each pass. This keeps the application smooth and prevents ridges from forming.
• Don't Wrap the Knuckles: This is a critical point. Avoid wrapping over your knuckles. You need those joints to be completely free to bend and flex naturally as you grip the club. Covering a joint is the fastest way to feel restricted.
• Check Your Tension: The tape should be snug, but not a tourniquet. You should feel secure, but it should not be tight enough to cause your fingertip to throb or change color.
• Secure the End: Once you've covered the area (usually two or three passes is plenty), tear the tape and press the end down firmly against the wrapped portion. Since it clings to itself, a simple press is all you need to seal it.

Top Tips for Perfect Taping

• Less Is More: A single, well-applied layer is often enough. Bulky tape will compromise your feel.
• Angle the Wrap Slightly: To create an even smoother surface, start the wrap at a slight angle and continue that on your way up the finger.
• Test Your Swing: Before you head to the first tee, take a few practice swings. Make sure you have a full range of motion and that the tape feels completely comfortable.
• Keep Spares Ready: The tape is inexpensive. Don’t be afraid to replace it if it gets overly sweaty or starts to unravel. Many tour caddies will have a few pre-torn strips ready to go.

What About That Black Tape Tiger Woods Wears?

We can’t talk about finger tape in golf without talking about Tiger Woods. He famously "buddy tapes" his middle and ring fingers on his right hand together with black tape. It's important to understand that he's doing this for a different reason.

This isn't for blisters. It's for structural support. After years of injuries and hitting an astronomical number of powerful golf shots, this technique stabilizes the ligaments in his fingers. By taping those two fingers together, he turns them into a single, more robust unit. This reduces independent movement and potential strain, allowing him to have a powerful, stable grip through impact without aggravating old injuries. For the average golfer, this is almost certainly unnecessary, but it highlights how tape can be used for both skin protection and structural support.

Final Thoughts

Taping your fingers is a simple yet profoundly effective way for any golfer to prevent painful blisters, add a touch of grip in tough conditions, and play with more confidence. For most players, a basic roll of self-adherent elastic wrap is the perfect tool for the job, providing flexible protection that won't interfere with your feel for the game.

Just as the right tape can remove the physical distractions holding you back, we designed Caddie AI to clear away the mental clutter that gets in the way of a great shot. When you're standing over the ball, confident that your hands are protected, our app gives you course and strategy advice on command. This lets you swing with complete commitment, knowing you’ve made the smartest tactical decision.