Men’s Golf Gloves FAQs
Every piece of equipment in golf from men’s golf shoes to hats and gloves has a purpose. Golf gloves serve many useful purposes that can help hone your skills. While not required, golf gloves can help you improve your game in several ways. Reasons to invest in a pair of golf gloves for men include:
- Grip: When you swing your golf club, there’s friction between your hand and your grip as you follow through the motion. Often, warmer temperatures and moisture from sweat or rain can cause you to lose your grip, which affects your swing. Golf gloves are designed to prevent your club from twisting and turning in your hand, so you can maintain a strong grip.
- Protection: While men’s golf hats and sun sleeves protect you from hot and cold weather, gloves have a similar purpose. Because of the friction that occurs between your hand and the club’s grip when you swing, blisters and calluses can form on your palms. Golf gloves serve as a protective barrier by adding a layer of padding between your hands and the golf club.
- Comfort: Golf gloves for men also offer your hands and fingers an additional source of comfort, especially in cooler temperatures or climates when they are more likely to get cold.
- Breathability: Similar to how men’s golf shirts should keep you dry and comfortable, your gloves do the same. Golf gloves also incorporate breathable materials to keep your hands cool and dry. Some gloves use mesh panels to promote airflow, reduce sweat buildup, and ensure a comfortable yet secure grip, even on hot and humid days.
- Flexibility and fit: Men’s golf gloves use stretch fabrics and flexible inserts to allow for a full range of motion without compromising a snug fit. These features ensure the glove moves naturally during the swing.
Learn more about how to buy a golf glove with FootJoy’s golf glove comparison tool.
Like with men’s golf pants and shorts, golf gloves require the right fit to improve performance. In order to ensure you have a strong swing, you want a men’s golf glove that fits correctly. The first step in choosing a golf glove is determining what hand needs a glove. In most cases, golfers only wear one glove on their lead hand, which is often their dominant hand. For example, a right-handed golfer will wear a men’s left-handed golf glove, while a left-handed golfer will wear a right-handed golf glove.
From there, you want to assess the size of your hand and fingers. While your golf glove size is based on the measurements of your palm circumference and middle finger length, men’s golf gloves come in both regular and cadet fits. The best fit for you depends on the proportion between your hand and finger measurements. Cadet golf gloves are designed for golfers with shorter, wider fingers.
Refer to a golf glove fit and sizing guide to learn more about how to determine your recommended golf glove size and fit.
Men’s golf gloves are typically made from leather and synthetic materials. Leather is the traditional choice for passionate golfers because it has a superior feel, fit, and comfort. Men’s golf gloves made of leather are soft and flexible, molding to the hand for the perfect fit while providing the unparalleled grip necessary for precision in the swing.
However, while leather gloves offer a natural feel, synthetic materials are durable and resistant to weather conditions and moisture. They also tend to hold their shape over time, providing flexibility and breathability. Many of these gloves also come with additional features like grip enhancements for improved performance.
Many popular golf gloves for men use both leather and synthetic materials, offering the best of both worlds. With these hybrid gloves, you get leather on the palm and fingers for a nice feel and synthetic materials for increased flexibility and breathability.
Well-designed and snugly fitting men’s golf gloves improve grip on the club. The materials used feature non-slip characteristics that ensure your hand always stays in the proper position. Materials like leather and synthetic fabrics reduce the potential for the club to turn or slip in your hand during the swing, especially in wet or humid conditions.
Men’s golf gloves also feature textured patterns and additional grip-enhancing materials on the palm and fingers to increase friction between the glove and the club. And, as avid golfers know, a better grip leads to more accurate shots.
Additionally, a men’s golf glove evenly distributes pressure across the entire hand to reduce the instinct to hold the grip too tightly, potentially resulting in inaccurate shots. A more relaxed grip offers a better hinge for a smoother release, improving control and power.
At the same time, features like breathability, moisture-wicking, and flexibility contribute to a more comfortable fit, allowing you to maintain a consistent grip through the swing. A perfectly fitting golf glove allows for a better touch, leading to precise control.
Golf gloves can and should be washed, but how you do it primarily depends on the materials. In most cases, handwashing your men’s golf gloves is the best way to care for them because it’s gentler than using a washing machine. However, we always suggest reading the care instructions since the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning method may vary depending on the materials.
Wiping your golf glove after every round can prevent sweat, dirt, and other oils from accumulating and degrading it over time. You don’t have to fully wash your glove after every round. Instead, consider the conditions you’ve played and whether they feel dirty. For most golfers, washing their gloves every few rounds should be enough to maintain comfort.
When handwashing your golf glove, follow these general care tips:
Fully leather gloves should never be submerged in water. Instead, you can clean them with a damp cloth. Again, this is why checking the care label before washing your gloves is important. Since many materials used in their construction are delicate, they require special care to maintain their quality and performance.