Most professional golfers wear a glove on their non-dominant hand. The main purpose of a golf glove is to improve one’s grip on the club, especially on your driver and long irons.
Having slippery hands will result in less control when hitting your driver and irons. Therefore, golfers tend to keep a glove on their weaker hand to provide a firm attachment to the club as the non-dominant hand is usually the lead hand through the swing.
On the other hand, you may have observed that some players take off their glove when they reach the putting area (the area that is closest to the hole). Let us find out why this is so.
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Why Do Golfers Take Off Their Glove To Putt
Unlike hitting your drivers and irons, golfers take off their glove to putt to improve the comfort and feel of the golf club. Using your bare hands when putting offers more control and increases the precision of your stroke as you must hit the golf ball softly into the hole.
Although wearing a golf glove increases your grip on the club, it is not recommended for putting because the glove can become hot and sweaty from playing which can cause the putter to slip out of your hands. Moreover, the grip that the golf glove provides is not necessarily needed when putting.
So where do you put the glove after you take it off?
Well, most pro golfers put their golf glove in their back pocket because it is convenient. It is the best place to put it since it is easily accessible in your back pocket.
You should not place the glove on the golf course because it could potentially get dirty and moist from the ground, thereby negatively affecting your grip.
Golfers not only take off their glove when putting, but they occasionally do it after each shot to air the gloves to be less sweaty and to allow the skin to breathe, thus preventing skin conditions.
You may often find players take off their glove not only for putting, but for chip shots, and short pitches.
Related Post: Best golf putters
Should I Wear One Or Two Gloves?
Some players wear two gloves on their hands for added protection, some just wear one, and others none at all. Professional players like Fred Couples don’t wear golf gloves at all, but this is rare and most teachers will recommend to use one.
However, there is no rule governing the number of gloves you should wear so that’s all up to the player’s choice and what he or she feels comfortable wearing.
Most golfers actually wear one glove to protect the hand that grips the tightest from blistering and ripped skin. They find that wearing two gloves actually interferes with the overall grip as they lose feel of the club.
On the other hand, you may find them wearing two gloves during bad weather conditions like when it is raining, or to absorb sweat.
For right handed players, the golf glove should be worn on the left hand, whereas for left handed players the glove is worn on the right hand.
Wearing the glove on the non dominant hand reduce the friction between club and the hand. If no glove is worn on the top hand, blisters will start to form. It is the glove that prevents the blisters on your hands from rubbing the club grip on your skin.
All in all, a golf glove keep your hands healthy and protect them from weather elements. Wearing one golf glove provides enough grip and the right feel to hit a great golf shot!
What To Look For In A Golf Glove?
Leather is the material that is used to make most golf gloves as it provides a better grip than most synthetic materials.
Leather acts like a second skin and is resistant to moisture. The leather is more breathable than other materials which makes it the ideal choice for golf gloves.
Genuine and premium are the two main types of leather, with Cabretta and Stasof premium leather being the most commonly used.
When choosing golf gloves, you should go for those that are moisture resistant. The Cabretta leather gloves does just that. This type of leather have a great feel and texture, and grips like a second skin.
The softness of the Cabretta leather should last for a long time if you take good care of it.
Apart from the material of the golf glove here are some other features you should consider when choosing a golf glove:
Durability
As a rule of thumb, your golf glove should last for at least 10 rounds before you start seeing any peeling or discoloration. A leather golf glove should be able to last for that long.
One of the most durable golf glove I’ve ever played with though is the Caddy Daddy Claw. It has a breathable top and a silicone top making it extremely durable. Even today I still have the glove. Just click this link to check it out.
The Grip
This is the obvious and most important factor to consider when choosing the right glove. The golf glove should give you a tacky grip on on the club which will help improve your swing.
This is especially helpful when the shaft is sweaty due to moisture. A slippery grip is bad for your game because it increases tension in the hands and arms when making a shot.
Size
Last but not least is the size of the golf glove. A golf glove should always be nice and tight across the palm of your hand and through the fingers. A loose glove will cause your hand to move within it which can compromise your swing. Therefore, correct fit is critical to your game.
Below is a chart that will help you decide the right size golf glove for you:
| Recommended Glove Size | Palm Width | Middle Finger Length |
| Youth M (6-9 yrs old) | 5.25-5.5″ | 2.5-3″ |
|
Youth L (9-12 yrs old) |
5.75-6″ | 3-3.25″ |
| Women’s S | 7″ | 3.25″ |
|
Women’s M |
7.25-7.5″ | 3.5″ |
|
Women’s L |
7.5-8″ |
3.5-3.75″ |
| Men’s S | 7.75-8″ | 3.25-3.5″ |
| Men’s M | 8-8.25″ | 3.5-3.75′ |
| Men’s M/L | 8.5-8.75″ | 3.75″ |
| Men’s L | 8.75-9″ | 3.75-4″ |
| Men’s XL | 9-9.25″ | 4-4.25″ |
| Men’s XXL | 9.25-9.5 | 4.25-4.5″ |
Final Verdict
Your hands and fingers have millions of nerve endings inside them, and as we know, they are responsible for our sense of touch or feel. Therefore, wearing a glove will reduce these senses causing you to feel the club less with your hands, thereby limiting your chances of draining tricky putts.
PGA tour players will only wear gloves when they are hitting their clubs at a fast speed, for example off the tee, or hitting fairways. Therefore, you would definitely want to wear a glove when swinging longer irons and clubs, but for a putter, it’s best to go bare handed.
