You wear a golf glove on your lead hand. For right-handed golfers, that's the left hand. For left-handed golfers, the right hand.
The lead hand does most of the gripping work in the swing. The glove gives it better traction on the club, especially in hot or humid weather when your hands sweat.
Why only one glove?
Your trail hand (bottom hand on the club) has a lighter grip and more feel responsibility, particularly for short game shots. Most golfers want to feel the club directly with that hand. Wearing a glove on both hands reduces that feel.
Some players wear two gloves in cold weather for warmth. Rain gloves are also sold in pairs. But for normal conditions, one glove on the lead hand is standard.
Choosing the right size
A golf glove should fit snugly with no extra material at the fingertips. Think of it like a second skin. If there's loose fabric bunching at the fingers, it's too big. If you can't close your hand comfortably, it's too small.
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Men's sizes: small, medium, medium-large, large, X-large. Women's and junior sizes are also available. Measure around your palm just below the knuckles to find your size. Most brands have a sizing chart on the packaging.
Materials
Cabretta leather
The most common and best-performing material. Soft, thin, excellent grip. Wears out faster than synthetic. Lasts 8-15 rounds depending on conditions and how tightly you grip the club. $15-30 per glove.
Synthetic
More durable than leather. Less feel but holds up better in wet conditions. Good option if you play frequently and don't want to replace gloves every month. $10-20 per glove.
Rain/all-weather
Designed to grip better when wet. The opposite of leather, which gets slippery when wet. If you play in rain regularly, keep a pair of rain gloves in your bag. $15-25 per glove.
When to replace your glove
Replace your glove when:
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- The palm or fingers develop holes (most common at the base of the thumb and the palm heel)
- It becomes hard and stiff instead of soft and flexible
- It no longer grips the club firmly
Tip: rotate 2-3 gloves to extend their life. Between shots, take the glove off or open the velcro to let it dry. Sweaty gloves wear out faster.
When to take the glove off
Most golfers remove the glove for putting because they want maximum feel through their hands. Some keep it on. It's personal preference. No rule requires either.
Tiger Woods removes his glove for every putt. Phil Mickelson sometimes keeps his on. Neither is wrong.
Do you need a glove?
No. It's not required by the rules. Some professionals have played without gloves (Fred Couples is the most famous example). If you have a light grip pressure and your hands don't sweat much, you might not need one.
For most golfers, especially beginners, a glove provides a more secure hold on the club and reduces the chance of blisters during long practice sessions.
Related: how to grip a golf club and our beginner's golf guide.
