6 Best Golf Gloves for Sweaty Hands, Rain, Grip, … in 2020

Should I buy a golf glove for my left hand or right hand?

Golf gloves usually do not come in pairs.

Unlike other gloves, you only need to wear them on your lead hand, although there are notable golfers who wear them on both hands.

The lead hand is the hand at the top of the grip.

If you’re right-handed, you should purchase a glove for your left hand.

Similarly, if you’re left-handed, you should get a glove for your right hand.

When you grip a golf club properly, the hand most in contact with the club is not your dominant hand.

Do note that for some all-weather or winter gloves, they may come in pairs, as the FootJoy RainGrip or HJ Winter Performance on our list.

What size should I buy?

It is important to get a glove that fits correctly.

Wearing one that is too loose will cause the club to twist and slip in the excess material, reducing the effectiveness of the glove grip. Also, the additional friction might lead to blisters.

Wearing one that is too small will cause chafing and restrict finger movements, causing the glove to wear out sooner.

However, make sure to find one that is snug and comfortable, as gloves will stretch over time.

A glove that is sized properly should fit firmly across the palm and back of the hand without bunching, and there should be no extra space in the tips of the fingers.

Glove manufacturers produce the typical glove sizes for Men, Women and Kids: small, medium, large and extra-large.

Some even offer medium large (ML) for men that fit between medium and large glove.

Another size that some manufacturers offer is the Cadet size, for golfers with shorter fingers and wider palms.

Most premium gloves are made from 100% Cabretta leather.

Cabretta leather is a sheepskin leather produced around the world and is very close-fibered, soft and kid-like. They promote incredible strength, suppleness and softness of touch, allowing the golfer to still feel the club through the glove.

They give the best possible grip in dry conditions but can stiffen and wither easily in damp conditions.

The other category of gloves are made from a combination of leather and synthetic materials such as polyester blend.

Synthetic gloves are not as soft as leather gloves but they are more durable, waterproof and keeps their shape longer.

Synthetic gloves are lightweight, breathable and its stretchy microfibers adapts to movements in a player’s hands, keeping the hands cool in warm weather.

Synthetic materials are used in rain and all-weather gloves due to their water resistance.

What type of golf gloves should I get?

Depending on the season and your location, you may want to consider:

Using a leather glove in wet weather is ineffective or upright dangerous and uncomfortable. Likewise, using a rain glove in dry conditions may be a burden instead of a help.

A budget glove may not last long enough for a regular player, and a thermal glove will cook your hand in summer.

We cover the best golf gloves for different situations in our detailed reviews above.

How should I look after my glove?

Ideally, gloves should be placed back in their packaging after a game. This helps to retain their shape and prevents them from being dried out.

Very few of us actually do it, but it’s important to keep them dry when you've finished playing to keep them supple and prolong their life.

If it does get wet, it is best to let it naturally air dry at room temperature. Placing a towel underneath can help to absorb the moisture.

It is a good idea to keep more than one in your golf bag in case of bad weather or sweaty hands.

Professionals typically carry 4-6 gloves every round and change them frequently. But for amateurs, investing in a couple of good ones and rotating them during the round is more than enough.

What can I learn about my golf swing from my golf glove?

Many problems with a golfer’s swing can be diagnosed from the wear and tears on his glove.

If there are holes in the palm of your glove, it means you’re gripping the club too much in the palms and not enough in the fingers. It also means there’s too much friction and loss of control at the top of the backswing.

If there are holes in the thumb of your glove, it means too much tension in your grip too.

Too much overlap on the Velcro fastening could mean the glove is too big or has been overstretched.

Why do professionals take their gloves off when they putt?

Putting is all about feel. You have to feel the distance of the putt and the distance of the grip.

The more layers on your hands, the less your feel.

So professionals choose to remove their gloves during putting to increase their feel and control.

Why do some players prefer to play without a glove?

Same reason as above.

Some golfers claim that they lack the feel to handle the club to control shots with gloves on. But there are only very few who don’t use a glove at all.

With the advance in technology, gloves nowadays feel much closer to a second skin on your hands and they will certainly improve your grip.

It’s a matter of preference. Try it both ways and see what works best for you!