If the glove fits, buy it. How the glove feels on your hand is the most important factor when deciding which glove to purchase. Today’s golf glove brands have mastered the art of blending quality, technology and style increasing the odds of improving a golfer’s performance. Even though the golf glove is an optional accessory nearly 95% of professional golfers and 80% of amateur golfers wear one. Once you play wearing one you never will want to play without one.
Golf Glove Benefits:
Greater Control: The tack (stickiness) of the leather glove makes for a better grip, preventing slippage and rolling of the club.
Moisture Management: A decent glove can control sweaty hands on those hot/humid Missouri days and for the die hard golfers who play in the rain there are rain gloves specifically designed to handle water.
Prevent Blisters and Calluses: Caused by the friction of the club and a super strong grip.
Reduce Hand Fatigue: By reducing the vibrations the club makes every time you swing and for some of us that is a lot.
Traditionally golfers wear their glove on the non-dominant hand leaving the dominant hand bare for better feel. If you require more feel most brands carry a fingerless glove. It’s common to keep the glove on for shots that require a full swing while shedding the glove for chipping and putting for better feel.
Should a golfer buy real leather or a synthetic/leather glove? Larry Salsman, Director of Golf Operations for Osage National Golf Club says, “full leather is the way to go. When the glove contains only a leather palm and a synthetic backing, I think it has a tendency to be hotter in the summer. Buy a middle to upper-end glove, or they will wear out quickly.” But on a side note, Salsman said if you find a hole in the pad below your thumb, your clubs do not fit you correctly, and that needs to be addressed.
Paul Leahy, Director of Golf for The Oaks at Margaritaville Lake Resorts says,” I personally like the Callaway Tour Authentic leather Glove. “It seems to fit my hand well and it lasts a long time. Our bestselling glove is the Callaway Weather Spann glove with a Margaritaville logo ball marker.”
Jason Woods, Head golf professional at Old Kinderhook says, “The best glove on the market is the Callaway Tour Authentic. It is made from premium Cabretta leather, and is infused with s Griptac to enhance the tackiness of the glove. It has perforations which increase breathability while helping with moisture reduction.” Old Kinderhook carries the Callaway Weather Span which is a synthetic leather glove selling for $18 and the leather Callaway Fusion Glove selling for $23 and has an Old Kinderhook magnetic ball marker on the glove.
Chosen by over 90 million golfers, making it the number one selling golf glove in the world is the FootJoy WeatherSof glove, known for its all-weather durability, comfort and low price point. Other top selling golf glove brands include the Callaway Weather Span, Titleist Players and the FootJoy StaSof.
Let’s not forget about style. Traditionally gloves are white but if you think white is boring don’t worry brands like G/FORE, Bender Gloves, Skins Golf, Travis Mathew, Birdie Boss, and Ghost Golf carry many vibrant colors and designs.
Like a lot of things in golf the glove comes down to personal preference. Check out your local golf store and start trying on gloves. If the glove fits, buy it.
On a side note, legendary pro Freddy Couples is one of the few professional golfers who doesn’t wear a glove. Due to the wet climate growing up in Seattle his gloves wore out quickly and his parents couldn’t keep buying new gloves so he learned to play without one.