Golf Gloves – Protect Your Hands While Improving Your Game

Golf gloves have been around for decades, but it might surprise you to learn that their invention was less driven by the tradition of wearing gloves while playing golf and more by a desire to prevent blisters caused by holding golf clubs.

A golf glove is an invaluable tool for any golfer’s game, no matter the skill level. Golfers use it as a way to protect their hands from calluses on both their palms and fingers, which can lead to pain in certain instances. It also helps them grip their clubs better and adds stability without having the player’s hand slip during a swing or putt.

Golf gloves also help to protect a player’s hands from blistering when they hit the ball, especially considering that most clubs are made of metal. They have built-in ventilation holes in them that also prevent moisture and sweat buildup and protect a person’s hands from any type of irritation.

Features to Consider When Choosing Golf Gloves

Golf is a game of precision and execution, and that’s why selecting the right golf glove is integral to your swing. Golf gloves are designed with specific performance-enhancing features that can give you an edge on the green.

It is very important to have your gloves fitted correctly as they are a vital piece of kit for the golfer. If you enjoy playing golf, then definitely make sure that you invest in a pair of quality golf gloves. It will make a difference in the course.

Glove Sizing and Fitting

Understanding how glove sizing works is very important. Not all brands take into account all factors related to determining glove size. Here I will discuss some of those issues you may encounter when shopping for new golf gloves or replacing your old ones.

So what sizes are used for golf gloves? When it comes to standard adult golf glove sizes, you will see a size range from XS, S, M, L, XL, and sometimes even XXL for some brands. 

Material Choices

Some materials used for making golf gloves are better than others in certain conditions and areas where golf is played. If you are a beginner or an occasional golfer, knowing which material is best for your needs is important. Here we will discuss some of the more common materials used in golf gloves and the pros and cons of each material.

Grip and Dexterity 

The grip of a golf club is critical to how well you are able to control your shots. If your grip is too tight, it will result in a loss of power or accuracy. The same can be said if your grip is too loose. With the full-finger glove, you have more protection for your hands and wrists, keeping them from getting sore during a game or practice session.

A feature unique to fingerless gloves is that they allow for more flexibility in the fingers without sacrificing grip. With the full-finger glove, some golfers say that they feel like they have less control over the clubhead when putting or chipping.

This is partly because there is less dexterity in their fingers, which can lead to a loss of control over the clubhead. There are also those who simply don’t like wearing full-finger gloves because of their lack of feeling for the clubhead.

A fingerless glove provides a good balance between protection and grip with enough freedom in your hands to grip tight on bunker shots without sacrificing control over your shots.

Durability

The durability of all golf gloves varies depending upon the type of material they use and the construction methods used. Half-finger gloves tend to have more seams than full-fingered gloves, but half-finger gloves also tend to cost less than full-fingered ones. If you are looking for durability, consider spending a bit more money for a better quality glove that can last longer. 

Full-finger gloves tend to last longer than half-fingered gloves because they don’t have as many seams or places where the material can break down. This is because the material is generally thicker on a full-finger glove.

Warmth

Full-finger gloves tend to keep your hands warmer than half-fingered gloves, which have no insulation against the cold. There are many half-fingered golf gloves that incorporate extra padding or lining to help retain more heat, but they still don’t provide as much protection or warmth as a full-finger glove.

Fingerless gloves do not typically offer as much protection from the cold as full-finger or half-finger gloves, but they also don’t offer less dexterity or flexibility in your fingers while playing.

On a hot day, the fingerless glove can provide extra ventilation, making it more comfortable to play in and help prevent sweaty palms. This is a definite advantage over full-finger gloves, which tend to feel quite hot on warm days.

Wrist Support

Half-fingered gloves typically do not offer wrist support, which can be advantageous for those who struggle with a weak grip. A player with an otherwise excellent grip might want to consider an over glove if he wants extra wrist support. An over glove is an outer layer of neoprene material or other types of synthetic materials that can wrap around the hand and wrist area.

This extra layer provides added support for the wrist and helps maintain a firm grip on the club. Another option, especially for those who have problems with their grip, is to wear two pairs of gloves at a time. This technique takes practice to master, but many golfers swear by it.

Types of Golf Gloves

Golf gloves come in all shapes and sizes, depending on the size of the player and the clubs that they have. There are even different types of golf gloves for players to choose from. For example, there are those golf gloves that have thicker grips and others with much thinner grips.

There is a gradual change in thickness from the palm of your hand to your fingertips in every golf glove on the market today, with thin leather on the palm and thick leather on your fingers to allow for comfortable gripping without it being too stiff or bulky.

There are three main types of gloves: Full finger gloves, which offer maximum grip; fingerless gloves, which allow more flexibility but without traction; half-finger gloves which offer moderate protection from both heat and cold, as well as some level of dexterity around the fingers.

Half-finger Glove

The half-finger glove offers moderate protection from both heat and cold and some level of dexterity around the fingers. Half-finger gloves, also known as ‘trappers,’ are the most popular type of golf glove used today.

The modern half-finger golf glove is made from a variety of fabrics such as cotton, leather, or wool, with synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester also widely used. Some players choose to wear two gloves on each hand to provide a more secure grip, even in hot weather when perspiration can make the hands slippery.

Full-finger Glove

Full-finger gloves provide maximum grip in all situations, but they tend to be bulky, making the club feel bigger when you take it back. Most golfers have a pair of full-finger gloves for cold weather play. The material used to make a full-finger glove is thicker than that used in half-finger gloves. This allows the glove to provide better grip and protection for your hands when it’s cold out.

The downside of a full-finger glove is that it takes up more room in the backswing, slowing down the clubhead speed and, therefore, decreasing distance on drives. They are also heavier than other varieties. For these reasons, full-finger gloves are not well suited for those who want to maximize distance from the tee box. If full-finger golf gloves are the perfect type for you, check out this review article on the best full-finger golf gloves.

Fingerless Glove 

The fingerless glove is a hybrid of full-fingered and half-fingered golf gloves. This variety provides all the benefits of the full-finger glove while enabling you to move your fingers with ease. Fingerless gloves provide protection and a good grip for all weather conditions.

The four main disadvantages of fingerless gloves include their cost, bulk, lack of wrist support, and in some cases, less grip than full-finger or half-finger gloves. Some players also say they feel like they have less control over the clubhead when wearing a fingerless glove than a full or half-fingered glove.

Materials Used To Make Golf Gloves

The primary purpose of golf gloves is to prevent blisters, allowing players to swing freely and without distraction. They also provide some insulation against the cold. Most golf gloves are made of leather, but there are also synthetic materials like rubber, neoprene, or several materials.

Golf gloves are made of different types of materials. Different types of materials have different properties, and it is up to the golfer to decide what kind of properties they want their golf gloves to have.

In this section, we will go through the various materials that are used for golf gloves so that you can make a more informed decision about the glove type you would like. We will also discuss some of the benefits and drawbacks associated with each material.

Leather

Leather golf gloves are the most popular type of glove, and for a good reason. Leather is a sturdy material that can withstand wear and tear well. It is also flexible, which makes it very comfortable to wear. In addition, leather is relatively durable and will not wear out quickly even with regular use.

On top of these benefits, leather also has its drawbacks as well. For example, while leather is a popular material for golf gloves because it looks stylish and feels comfortable to wear (which many players prefer), the main drawback associated with this material type is that it does not breathe very well.

Leather material golf gloves tend to be more expensive than other material options. They are not recommended to be used in very hot and humid weather conditions, especially if they are not ventilated well. In addition, leather can absorb moisture which can make the gloves feel uncomfortable to wear.

However, these drawbacks do not apply to all leather material gloves. Some leather golf glove manufacturers have produced breathable leather which keeps the hands cool and dry inside the glove even when it is hot and humid outside.

Cabretta

Cabretta is a type of calf leather used to make high-quality golf gloves. This type of hide is typically found in high-end, expensive brands and is made with the finest materials available. These gloves tend to be more durable and will also provide players with a higher level of control over their grip on the club.

They usually have a higher price tag as well, but this investment can easily pay off if you play golf regularly at an elite level. The most expensive Cabretta golf gloves can cost upwards of $300.

Most people who purchase these gloves tend to be professionals or high-ranked amateurs, as the highest quality gloves are usually reserved for those who need them in order to maintain a competitive edge on the course. If you are an experienced player and require the best, this is the type of glove you should look for.

However, if you are just a casual player, this may not be your best option as they can tend to be a little pricey and may not have any real benefit to you if you do not play competitively.

Kangaroo leather

Kangaroo is a type of leather that is used in golf gloves. Kangaroo leather is very flexible and light, which makes it comfortable to wear. In addition, kangaroo leather also has natural elastic properties, which allow the gloves to be stretched considerably without breaking.

The durability of kangaroo leather makes it a popular material choice for golf glove manufacturers. However, the drawbacks associated with kangaroo golf gloves include price and aesthetics. Due to how soft and stretchable kangaroo leather is, it may wear out quicker than some other glove materials such as cowhide or pig-nappa.

Kangaroo leather is expensive, and this is due to the high quality of the leather material used. Due to this price, kangaroo gloves are typically more expensive than other glove material types (especially cowhide). Due to how light and stretchy kangaroo leather is, it can sometimes have a distinct odor that can be unpleasant for some players.

In addition, kangaroo gloves often have an odd appearance that may not appeal to all players. Technological advancements in manufacturing processes have improved kangaroo gloves so that they do not smell or appear weird anymore.

Horsehide

Horsehide is commonly used in baseball and softball gloves because of its durability. However, it is also used for golf glove material. Horsehide is another type of leather, and as such, shares many of the same inherent qualities as leather golf gloves.

The main difference between horsehide and other types of leather is that horsehide tends to be strong, stiffer, and more durable than other types of leather. It is also a bit more expensive than other types of glove materials such as cowhide.

Cowhide

Cowhide golf gloves are the most popular glove material used for golfers because they are very tough yet comfortable to wear. However, cowhide can be more expensive than some other types of materials used for golf gloves. 

Cowhide leather is expensive, and this is due to the high quality of the leather material used. Due to this price, cowhide gloves are typically more expensive than other glove material types.

Pig-Nappa

Pig-nappa is a type of leather that is made from the skin of a pig. It is very durable and tough, which makes it very popular for golf gloves. In addition, pig-nappa also has soft, smooth, and supple properties, which make it comfortable to wear.

These properties make pig-nappa gloves ideal for players who regularly use their golf gloves for playing in the rain since they help keep the hands dry inside the glove while allowing airflow at the same time.

The main drawback associated with pig-nappa is price. Since pig-nappa leather is made from the skin of a pig, it tends to be more expensive than most other glove materials.

Foam

Foam gloves are one of the newer types of gloves in the golf glove market. They are made with a foam material which gives them a lighter feel. In addition, foam material also helps to absorb impacts and shocks during contact with objects or when hitting balls.

The combination of these properties makes foam golf gloves very popular among golfers who play professionally or often play on hard surfaces since they help to prevent injuries by absorbing impacts and forces throughout the game.

The main downside associated with foam gloves is that they are very thick and bulky. This makes it hard for players to grip the golf club. In addition, some players prefer to feel the vibrations of the ball hitting the iron through their hands, which is somewhat difficult when wearing a foam glove.

Players with larger hands may also find it difficult to fit their hands in this type of glove as well.

Cloth Glove

A cloth golf glove is a variation of a traditional leather glove that uses more breathable fabric material instead of leather. These gloves also tend to be thinner and lighter than traditional golf gloves, making them more comfortable to wear during hot weather conditions.

In addition, cloth golf gloves typically have a lower price than leather gloves due to the cheaper material used to produce this glove.

The main drawback associated with cloth golf gloves is that they are usually not as durable and tough as leather and other types of traditional golf glove materials. They can also be a bit more expensive than other types of golf gloves if they are using high-quality fabric that will last long.

Best Golf Gloves

Golf gloves can be bought at many golf shops as well as department stores. They can range in price depending on which brand you purchase, the materials used to make them, and whether or not you buy them for a left or right hand.

The four of the best brands for golf gloves are Taylor Made, Nike, Callaway, and Wilson Staff. We will talk about what makes these four brands stand out from their competitors.

Taylor Made Golf Gloves

Taylor Made has a reputation in the golfing industry for making high-quality products for its customers. All of Taylor Made’s gloves are made with materials that will grip the club and provide a better shot.

They also provide many different sizes for a person’s hand, so anyone can wear their gloves. The problem with Taylor Made Golf Gloves is that they are kind of pricey compared to other golf glove brands.

Nike Golf Gloves

Nike has been making great products since 1975, and it shows in the Nike Golf Glove line-up. These particular gloves retail between fifteen and twenty dollars, which is cheaper than the Taylor Made brand but still an expensive purchase if you are buying one or two pairs at a time.

Nike’s gloves have all the features that a pro-golfer would want when out on the course. Nike even has a designer named Michael Rhoades, who works with Nike to design their products. Rhoades is one of the original golf glove designers, so you know that Nike is the real deal when it comes to golfing. You may check out this review article on the best Nike golf gloves.

Callaway Golf Gloves

Next on the list of best golf brands is Callaway. This company has been around for almost two decades, and they are known for making some great products. The Callaway Golf Glove line-up has many different sizes and colors for any person’s glove color and size taste.

The prices are in between the Taylor Made and Nike Gloves, but Callaway Gloves do not have the reputation of Nike or Taylor Made.

For the best Callaway golf gloves on the course, check out this review article.

Wilson Staff Golf Gloves

Wilson Staff is another great golf brand, but fewer people know about it. Wilson Staff has full palm construction with a vintage look and feels to it.

These gloves are also extra protection for all you golfers who love to play the game. Some other features that make these gloves special include strong padding on the backside of the hand for maximum protection with a full grip on every club in your bag.

Which Brand is Best? It is hard to determine the best golf glove brand because each one has its own pros and cons compared to other golf brands.

Golf gloves are extremely important if you want to have a comfortable game. If you play often and your hands do not feel very sore by the end of the day, you should consider investing in a glove.

They allow for an easier grip and will help keep your hands from getting too swollen on hot days. In addition, they can help alleviate hot spots that may come from squeezing clubs too hard during swings. So if you’re playing golf soon and don’t happen to have gloves on hand, we hope this article helped convince you just how important they are. If Wilson is the brand for you, you may check out our review article on the best Wilson golf gloves.

Learn more with our Complete Guide To Golf Outfits.