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Right-handed golfers wear the glove on their left hand. Left-handed golfers wear it on their right hand.
The glove goes on your lead hand (the hand closest to the clubhead at address). For a right-handed swing, that's your left hand. For a lefty, it's your right.
About 90% of golfers are right-handed, so most golf gloves are sold for the left hand. If you're left-handed, look for gloves specifically labeled "right hand" or "cadet right."
Why only one hand?
Your lead hand does most of the gripping work. It controls the club through the swing and takes the most friction at impact. The trail hand (bottom hand on the grip) has a lighter hold and doesn't need the same protection.
Some golfers wear gloves on both hands. It's legal under USGA rules and common in wet or cold weather. Tommy "Two Gloves" Gainey played the PGA Tour wearing a glove on each hand for his entire career.
Aaron Rai also wears two gloves on the PGA Tour. He's said it gives him a more consistent grip feel on both hands, especially in warm weather when his hands sweat.
What does a golf glove actually do?
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Three things:
- Grip. Leather and synthetic materials grip the rubber of the club handle better than bare skin, especially when your hands sweat. On a hot day, bare-hand grip strength drops 15-20% after 9 holes.
- Friction protection. A full round means 60-90 swings. Without a glove, you'll develop blisters on your lead hand within a few rounds. Range sessions are even harder on bare hands — 100+ balls in an hour.
- Consistency. A glove keeps your grip pressure steady. Bare hands get slippery mid-round, which causes you to squeeze harder and tense your forearms. That tension kills swing speed.
Do you need a golf glove?
No. There's no rule requiring one. Ben Hogan rarely wore a glove. Fred Couples hasn't worn one since the 1990s.
Most golfers wear one because it helps. About 95% of PGA Tour players wear a glove. If you're a beginner, start with one. It prevents blisters and gives you a more secure grip while you're learning.
If you have naturally dry hands and a soft grip, you might not need one. Try playing 9 holes without a glove and see how your hands feel. If they're raw or blistered, wear the glove.
When to take it off
Most golfers remove the glove for putting. Putting requires feel, and a bare hand on the grip gives better feedback for distance control.
Some players also remove it for chipping and pitching around the green. It's personal preference. Phil Mickelson keeps his on for everything. Jordan Spieth takes his off for all short game shots.
Between shots, open the velcro and pull the glove off your hand (or at least open it up). This lets the leather dry and prevents premature wear from sweat buildup. A glove that stays clamped on a sweaty hand for 4 hours wears out twice as fast.
How to size a golf glove
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A golf glove should fit tight, like a second skin. No bunching in the fingers, no extra material in the palm. When you close your hand, the leather should stretch slightly.
| Glove size | Hand circumference | Middle finger length |
|---|---|---|
| Small | 7" to 7.25" | 3" |
| Medium | 7.25" to 7.5" | 3.125" |
| Medium-Large | 7.5" to 7.75" | 3.25" |
| Large | 7.75" to 8" | 3.375" |
| X-Large | 8" to 8.25" | 3.5" |
Measure around your knuckles (excluding thumb) with a flexible tape. That's your hand circumference.
Cabretta leather gloves stretch about half a size after a few rounds. Synthetic gloves hold their shape longer. If you're between sizes, go down for leather (it stretches) and go up for synthetic (it doesn't).
Women's golf gloves run in the same size names but with smaller measurements. Ladies' Medium is roughly equivalent to Men's Small.
Cabretta leather vs synthetic
Cabretta leather (FootJoy StaSof, Titleist Players): softer feel, better grip, wears out faster. Lasts 8-15 rounds. Costs $18-$28.
Synthetic (Under Armour Iso-Chill, Callaway Thermal): more durable, better in rain, stiffer feel. Lasts 20-40 rounds. Costs $12-$20.
Hybrid (FootJoy WeatherSof, Callaway Dawn Patrol): leather palm for grip, synthetic back for durability. Best of both. Lasts 15-25 rounds. Costs $13-$18. This is what most recreational golfers should buy.
Most tour players use cabretta leather and go through 3-4 gloves per tournament. For casual golfers playing once a week, a leather glove lasts about a month.
Best golf gloves by category
| Category | Glove | Price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | FootJoy StaSof | $22-$28 | Cabretta leather, soft, excellent grip, Tour-proven |
| Best value | FootJoy WeatherSof | $13-$16 | Hybrid construction, durable, good for range and course |
| Best for rain | FootJoy RainGrip | $15-$22 (pair) | Grip improves when wet, sold in pairs |
| Best for hot weather | Under Armour Iso-Chill | $18-$22 | Cooling technology, moisture-wicking |
| Best budget | Callaway Dawn Patrol | $10-$14 | Leather palm, synthetic back, best under $15 |
Rain gloves
Regular leather gloves get slippery when wet. Rain gloves use synthetic materials that grip better as they get wet. FootJoy RainGrip and Titleist Players Rain are the two most popular options ($15-$22 per pair).
Rain gloves are sold in pairs because you wear both in wet conditions. Grip security matters more than feel when it's raining. Keep a pair in your bag at all times — weather changes fast on the links.
When to replace your glove
Replace it when you see:
- A hole forming in the palm or fingers (usually the thumb and index finger area first)
- The leather feels stiff and shiny (it's lost its grip texture)
- It no longer fits snugly (stretched out beyond recovery)
- The velcro tab won't hold tight
Rotating 2-3 gloves extends the life of each one. Let them dry flat between rounds. Don't ball them up or leave them in your bag crumpled. Some golfers clip their glove to their bag with a carabiner between shots to air it out.
How to make your golf glove last longer
- Remove it between shots and while putting.
- Store it flat in the plastic case it came in (or on a glove shaper).
- Don't leave it in a hot car. Heat dries out cabretta leather and makes it crack.
- Rotate 2-3 gloves per round if you sweat a lot. Switch at the turn (after hole 9).
- Replace your club grips regularly. Worn grips force you to squeeze harder, which wears gloves faster.
Glove tips for beginners
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Buy a cabretta leather glove or hybrid in your correct size. The FootJoy WeatherSof ($13-$16) is a good starting point: part leather, part synthetic, durable enough for the range.
If your glove wears out on the palm near the heel pad, your grip is too much in the palm. The club should sit in the fingers of your lead hand. If you're wearing through gloves every 5 rounds, check your grip technique.
Don't spend $25 on a premium leather glove for range sessions. Buy a 3-pack of budget gloves ($8-$10 each) for practice and save the good glove for the course.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wear two golf gloves? Yes. It's allowed under the Rules of Golf. Some players do it for comfort, warmth, or sweat management.
Do women wear golf gloves on the same hand? Yes. Same rule: glove goes on the lead hand. Right-handed women wear it on the left hand.
Should I wear a glove with an interlocking grip? Yes. The interlocking grip puts more pressure on the lead hand, which makes a glove even more useful for preventing blisters.
Can I use a batting glove instead? Not recommended. Batting gloves are thicker, have padding in different areas, and don't provide the same tactile feedback. A golf glove costs $10-$15. Get the right tool.
