Golf gloves are relatively new in the sport. However, they can offer many benefits, such as preventing sweaty hands or rainy weather ruin your golf swing.
Should You Wear One or Two Golf Gloves?
Typically, golfers choose to wear one glove. But the decision on whether to wear one or two gloves primarily comes down to preference. Each hand serves a different purpose with a golf swing. The right-hand helps to guide the clubface to ensure that it smoothly hits the ball. Conversely, the left hand generates the speed and power of the swing. Many golfers choose to wear one glove because it provides them with more comfort and grip.
One of the primary reasons that golfers wear gloves is because it provides hand protection. The non-dominant hand is responsible for the power and speed of the club. If you grip too hard, it can cause blisters on your hand. The more blisters you carry, the more pain you feel. Having large blisters can cause you to alter your swing. Thus, since the non-dominant hand is primarily used to grip the club for power, that’s the hand that the glove will be worn. For right-handed players, the glove will be worn on the left hand, while for left-handed players, the glove ideally should be worn on the right hand.
Although it’s typical for players to wear the glove on their non-dominant hand, that’s not always the case. Some people may experience their glove on their dominant hand as well.
Why Do Golfers Not Wear Two Gloves?
It’s common for beginners to think that wearing two gloves is better than one mistakenly, but that’s not the case. Some pro golfers such as Aaron Rai and Tommy Gainey wear two gloves.
Convenience
Therefore, most golf gloves are tightly fitted and can be a hassle to take off and put back on. Many golfers want to keep a free hand to use their GPS rangefinder, take out their phone, golf tees, and balls. For example, taking out a tee and placing it on the ground can be challenging if you’re wearing two gloves.
Affects Your Grip
Most golf players will use either the interlocking or overlapping grip to maximize their performance. Getting your fingers to overlap while wearing two gloves can be quite difficult, which is why most players choose to wear only one glove.
Reduces the Feel of the Golf Club
The feel and connection you get from gripping the club are important. If a golfer doesn’t have a strong connection or feel for the club, you may overshoot or undershoot your balls. Most players choose to use their bare hands for their dominant hand because it’s responsible for guiding the clubhead onto the ball at the right angle.
Thus, you’ll be able to hit the ball right on the sweet spot of the clubhead and strike it with the right amount of force. If you have a glove on your dominant hand, you may lose some feel of the club and add strokes to the round.
A Routine of the Game
There are many traditions in golf that have been passed throughout the decades. Some golfers feel as if there is something missing when they play without a glove in their hand. Ironically, the glove is part of their routine and helps build self-confidence. Imagine not having the proper club or golf attire when playing. It can make some players feel as if they don’t have the right equipment to perform at their best. Similarly, wearing a golf glove can have that same effect.
Do Any Pro Golfers Not Use a Glove?
Yes, some pro golfers do not use a glove, such as Fred Couples, Jonathan Byrd, Ben Hogan, Lucas Glover, and Arron Oberholster.
This proves that gloves are typically worn out of comfort rather than necessity. Although these pro golfers use their bare hands, it’s quite rare that you’ll find many other golfers do so. Most golfers will take off their gloves when it comes to putting because it improves your feel for the shots. Not to mention putter grips don’t strain your hands as much as drivers or irons do.
Is it OK to Wear Golf Gloves on Both Hands?
Even though wearing two gloves isn’t common, there are many cases where you may want to wear two gloves.
Pain from Grip
If the grip is causing pain or calluses in both hands, it’s better that you wear two gloves. Pain can affect your grip and stroke. Although wearing two gloves may feel awkward, it’s way better than suffering.
Sweaty Hands
You never want your hands sliding as you grip the club. Losing your grip is a sure-fire way to lose a lot of force and distance on your shots. If you frequently get sweaty hands, gloves can ensure that your grip is secure throughout the swing.
Rainy Weather
It’s always good to keep an extra glove in the event it rains. Just like slippery hands, rain can cause slippage in your grip. This means you’ll lose performance and not be able to hit the ball accurately or with as much power as you’d like. Many professionals wear two gloves to ensure a firm grip on their club.
Hitting at a Driving Range
At a driving range, you’re hitting many times consecutively. Most players can’t rip out dozens of shots without even noticing that it could be ripping our skin or causing calluses.
It’s better to minimize any skin damage by wearing both gloves so that you’ll be ready to play when actual gameplay begins.
What Materials are Used for Golf Gloves?
There are a few types of materials that are commonly used for golf gloves. This includes synthetics, leather, and hybrid materials. Leather is the most commonly used material because it’s the most comfortable and aesthetic appeal to it.
Many golfers may choose to use Cabretta leather because it’s incredibly durable. Typically, they’ll last you many years of seasonal use on the course. However, one drawback to leather gloves is that they may stretch over time. But it may be wise to purchase gloves that fit snugly so that they can still be useful for a long time.
Synthetic materials on gloves are modern and are much more flexible than leather. In addition, synthetic materials are usually much cheaper than leather making them a viable option for golfers on a budget. One of the downsides of using synthetic material is that it isn’t as breathable as leather. Thus, heat can be trapped inside of the hand, leading to sweaty hands. Ideally, you may want to avoid synthetic materials during warmer days.
Many modern gloves are now incorporating a mixture of natural and synthetic leather. The natural leather is typically placed specifically in the palm and around the fingertips to improve your grip. Synthetic leather is used around the joints to prevent wear and tear, thus improving the longevity of the glove. These hybrid materials can be ideal if you’re someone looking for the best of both worlds.
Some manufacturers will make weather-specific gloves that are made for cold weather. These gloves are made to keep your hands dry and warm while playing.
How Do You Fit a Glove?
Golf gloves are worn to protect your hands from calluses and provide additional comfort. Not to mention, it reduces slippage and improves grip. However, the most important factor about gloves is how they feel and fit on your hands. Here’s an overview of how to get fitted for the right pair of gloves:
- Have your hand-fitted so you know your exact size.
- Choose a material that you feel best suits your needs. Synthetic feels softer. However, leather is more breathable. Try both materials to see which one feels more comfortable to you.
- Make sure the gloves fit snugly but not too tight. Gloves that are too tight can restrict blood flow and hurt your hand. If it’s too loose, it could slip off your hands. If the material extends past the fingertips, the gloves may be too large.
Why Do Golfers Wear One Glove – Conclusion
If you’re a hobbyist, it’s best that you take time to experiment with different variations of gloves. You also want to test whether you’ll perform better with one glove, two gloves, or no gloves. Luckily, gloves aren’t crazy expensive, and you won’t have to spend a fortune to buy them. If you have never worn gloves on the golf course, you’ll be surprised to know how much of an impact they could make in terms of comfort and performance.