Everything You Need to Know About Golf Gloves (Including the Details No One Talks About)
When I first started playing golf, I knew you were supposed to wear a golf glove. I just didn't think I personally needed one right away.
I wasn't playing that much. How much could it really matter?
Then my left hand started getting irritated. A little calloused in spots. Nothing dramatic …. just enough to make me pay attention. So I finally bought a glove. And within one round, I understood what I had been missing.
Your hands are the only connection you have to the golf club. That's it. That's the whole argument. Everything else - your stance, your swing, your follow-through - starts with your grip, and your grip depends on your hands feeling secure on that club. A good glove is what makes that happen.
And here's the part that still gets me: the average golf glove costs around $15. Fifteen dollars. For something that directly affects every single shot you hit for the entire round. It might be the most undervalued piece of equipment in the whole bag.
Which Hand Does the Glove Go On?
The glove goes on your non-dominant hand.
If you're right-handed, that's your left hand.
If you're left-handed, that's your right hand.
Why? Your non-dominant hand is the lead hand in your grip - the one doing the most work to control the club face. That's the hand that benefits most from the added grip and protection.
This trips people up at first. You might instinctively want to put it on your dominant hand. Don't. Non-dominant hand, every time.
Does the Material Actually Matter?
Yes, and here's a quick breakdown so you know what you're looking at when you're shopping.
Leather gloves give you the best feel and grip. They mold to your hand over time and are the classic choice for a reason. I prefer leather gloves because they are soooo soft and honestly it’s the feel that I prefer. The downside is they wear out a little faster and don't do great in wet conditions.
Synthetic gloves are more durable and hold up better in humidity and light rain. They tend to be a little more affordable too. If you're playing frequently, a good synthetic glove is a smart pick.
Rain gloves are a category of their own. These are specifically designed for wet conditions and they actually grip better WHEN they are damp. If you ever find yourself playing through a rain shower and your grip is slipping then rain gloves are your answer. I keep a pair in my bag at all times. You'll remember them when you need them. (Ask me how I know.) You buy them as a pair.
Footjoy Rain Grip Golf Glove, Pair
A Word on Colors
When I first started, I wore white gloves. Classic, standard, no thought required.
Then I started finding brands that offered other options. Light blue. Pale pink. Patterns. And honestly? Switching to a colored glove was one of those small things that just made me feel more like myself on the course. It adds a little something to the whole ensemble. Don't underestimate the power of a detail that makes you smile when you look down at your hand.
They Wear Out. Faster Than You Think.
Here's what nobody warns you about: golf gloves have a short life. With every round, they absorb a little sweat, collect a little dirt, and slowly lose their grip and their shape. Mine tend to start wearing through right at the base of my thumb… that's usually the first sign it's time for a new one.
I learned this lesson the hard way.
I was playing with a woman who has many more years of golf under her belt than I do, and she glanced at the glove velcro'd to the outside of my bag (I leave it there between holes to let it air out) and said, very matter-of-factly: "Ew. I think it's time to replace that."
I looked at my glove. She was not wrong. It was dark. It was dingy. It was crunchy in a way that a glove should never be crunchy. I had been using it long past its expiration date without even noticing.
Now I start every season with two or three fresh gloves, and I keep a backup sealed in a small ziplock in my golf bag so it stays clean and dry until I need it. When the one I'm using starts to look worn or feel less grippy, I swap it out. Simple system, and it makes a real difference in how the glove performs.
One more thing worth knowing: pro shops stock gloves. So if yours gives out mid-round or mid-season, you can replace it right there at the course without making a separate shopping trip. I've done this more than once and it has saved a round.
The Specialty Gloves Nobody Tells You About
This is my favorite part of this whole post, because these options exist and most women have no idea.
If you keep your nails done: There are golf gloves made with the fingertips cut out. They give you the grip and protection where you need it while leaving your nails free. No more choosing between your manicure and your grip. You can find these on Amazon … here’s a link to the Lady Classic. They're not always easy to find in a regular store, but they're absolutely out there.
If you wear a wedding ring or rings: There are golf gloves with a cutout specifically designed for your rings so you don't have to take them off. If you've ever taken your glove on and off between holes trying to manage your jewelry, this is a thing and it will make your life easier. This style should work for you: Lady Classic.
Sidenote: I keep my fingernails clipped short and rarely wear nail polish. I don’t like to wear any rings while I play golf… In other words, I don't personally use either of these, but I have recommended them to women in our community and the response is always the same: why did nobody tell me about this sooner?
Now you know.
Do your hands get sweaty, too?
Real talk: when it’s a warm day and you’re working up a sweat on the golf course, your hand can get especially sweaty in the golf glove. I take my glove off between shots for this very reason. It just gives a minute or two for your hand and your glove to air out between shots. Or you could alternate between two different gloves during a particularly hot round in order to keep the glove and your hand as dry as possible.
There are a couple of golf gloves that try to address the sweaty hand problem. The Callaway Aura women’s golf glove is a good one to try if this is an issue for you.
The Short Version
A golf glove is a $15 investment that directly affects your grip, your comfort, and your confidence on every hole of every round. Buy a fresh one at the start of the season. Keep a backup in your bag. Replace it when it starts to look rough — and if someone glances at it and says "ew," take that as your cue.
Your hands are your connection to the club. Treat them accordingly.
And if you missed last week's post on everything to pack in your golf bag for a smooth round, that's a great one to read alongside this … it covers the ziplock backup glove system and a lot more.
