When entering the world of golf, getting to know all the necessary rules and equipment may be pretty daunting. If you’ve ever wondered why you even need a golf glove or what hand do you wear a golf glove on, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve outlined the right way to wear your golf glove along with everything else you need to know about this essential golf equipment. Your quest for golf knowledge begins here!
What Hand Do You Wear a Golf Glove On?
If you’ve ever watched golf games, you may have noticed that the large majority of golfers, including Tiger Woods and Dustin Johnson, wear their gloves on their left hands. It would be natural to conclude that golf gloves must be worn on the left-hand side; however, this is not necessarily the case.
Experts recommend wearing gloves on the non-dominant or weaker hand. To clarify, you should wear the glove on the left-hand side if you are a right-hander. Likewise, if you are a left-hander, you should wear the glove on the right hand.
Fun Fact: Most golfers wear their gloves on the left-hand side because statistically, there are more right-handed than left-handed people in the world. Only twelve percent (12%) of the world’s population are left-handers.
Are Golf Gloves Necessary?
Although golf gloves are not mandatory, golf enthusiasts highly recommend them. The main reason behind that is their ability to help with grip tremendously. The grip is essential because it determines the quality of the swing. So the greater the grip, the better the swing.
Gloves provide a tacky surface that ensures a firm hold on the club. This surface accommodates a tighter grip, especially in adverse weather conditions such as rain and snow.
Additionally, gloves mitigate your chances of having blisters, bruises, and calluses from golfing. The glove acts as a protective barrier between the hard metal or fiber club and your delicate skin.
Why Do Golfers Use Only One Glove and Not Two?
Gloves are traditionally sold and used in pairs. However, in golf, most golfers use only one glove. Why is that so?
At the end of the day, it comes down to a golfer’s tastes and preferences. However, the consensus is that you should wear the glove on the non-dominant hand. There are two reasons behind that.
Firstly, the non-dominant hand has the ever-important role of providing the golf swing with power and speed. This function makes golfers favor the non-dominant hand over the dominant one. Hence, they prefer to glove their non-dominant hand.
Secondly, because the non-dominant hand is, by nature, weak, it needs extra protection. As we saw earlier, the glove protects from rough materials that can puncture and bruise the skin. Moreover, the non-dominant hand is less accustomed to gripping things and thus needs the glove to provide extra support.
Interestingly, some golfers prefer two gloves to one. Among these is the famous Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey.
Wearing both gloves is common when golfing in extreme weather conditions such as snow or rain. Gloves can help combat the negative impact of these weather events on a golfer’s performance.
Lastly, some old-school golfers opt not to wear gloves at all. Apparently, they are not used to it since gloves are a fairly recent addition to golf.
Types of Golf Gloves
There are three main types of golf gloves. Let’s go over them in detail.
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Leather
This is the most common type of golf glove. Leather gloves are standard because of the fit they provide to golfers. According to some golfers, leather gloves feel like a second skin as they are usually tight, breathable, and comfortable. These gloves are also known for their moisture resistance. On the downside, leather gloves are the least durable of all the materials and require proper care to maximize use.
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Synthetic
This type of glove is made of synthetic leather. Synthetic gloves are more durable than leather gloves and require less maintenance. Some golfers argue that they provide an even better fit and grip than leather gloves. These gloves tend to be more cost-effective than others as they are usually cheaper and need to be replaced less frequently.
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Hybrid
This type of glove consists of both leather and synthetic materials and essentially offers the best of both worlds. The leather material is used in the palm and fingers of the glove. In contrast, the points that are more prone to wear and tear feature synthetic material. As a result, hybrid gloves are the most durable, flexible, and comfortable.
Wrap Up
Whether you opt for one glove, two gloves, or no gloves at all, it’s entirely your call. There is no right or wrong choice. Your personal preference and comfort are what you need to consider. Should you choose to wear glove(s), make sure the material you pick offers maximum comfort and utility. We hope we have helped you expand your knowledge on the golf glove and the wonderful world of golf in general. Happy golfing!