The standard golf glove is a staple amongst golfers of all levels; from the keen amateur to the full-time professional. It improves a golfer’s grip on the club, allowing for more consistent palm pressure when attempting high-velocity strokes, such as a tee drive. However, winter golf gloves are less conventional. So how do they differ from your standard golf glove?
Can they get wet?
Regular golf gloves are highly effective at enhancing your golf grip, but only in dry weather. When damp (through exposure to rain, frost, or snow), their effectiveness significantly decreases, rendering them obsolete. Rain gloves, however, are specifically designed for the wet weather, meaning there is very little chance of the club slipping out of your hands, even in the most extreme conditions. Rain gloves, in fact, are MEANT to get wet and would not be recommended for use in dry conditions.
Are golf rain gloves worth it?
Anyone who is interested in improved sporting performance has undoubtedly invested in a new sports accessory in the hope it will make them a better sportsperson, only to be disappointed when they realize that even with their shiny new gadget, they are still unable to perform like Roger Federer or Tiger Woods. However, if you are a keen golfer, and you are looking to excel during the colder, wetter months, golf rain gloves might just be an ESSENTIAL purchase in order to keep your game at the standard you have come to expect from yourself. In fact, nearly all top golfers will always carry a pair of rain gloves so they’re prepared for whatever the weather may throw at them.
REMEMBER, failing to prepare means you are preparing to fail.
How long do golf rain gloves last?
So you’ve decided to invest in some new golf rain gloves; how long are these gloves expected to last? Well, it depends. Ironically, cheaper golf gloves often have greater durability than the more expensive makes. This is due to the fact they are typically thicker and made of cheaper material, but this comes at the expense of reduced feel (a fairly crucial variable when it comes to playing good golf shots). Other factors that influence the glove life will be the conditions you play in (they will naturally deteriorate faster in poorer conditions), the way you grip the golf club, and the treatment you give your gloves between rounds (show your gloves some TLC!)
Rain gloves are (obviously) designed to be used in the rain and are therefore going to get wet. However, when a golf glove gets wet, even if it is designed to do so, and is not dried out appropriately following your round of golf, the lifetime of the glove will decrease, and the grip may reduce in quality. A standard golf glove will typically last around 6-10 rounds, and it is therefore recommended that you purchase golf gloves in batches.
You can assess whether your golf glove needs replacing based on the following:
- When the perceived grip quality has dramatically dropped.
- When the glove has a hole or tear (fairly self-evident).
- If the glove has stretched or altered in shape, meaning it no longer fits snugly (this is an important one as golf gloves are meant to sit tightly over your hand).
The final verdict
If you’re looking to enjoy golf long into the winter, then rain golf gloves are essential. They will allow you to play better quality shots in the wet weather, as well as offering your hands some welcome warmth as the temperature begins to drop. Go with a higher quality glove, as although it may wear out slightly faster, you will be rewarded with a far greater glove performance.