What hand do you wear a golf glove on?

While seasoned golfers will likely be more than familiar with the answer to this question, first-time players and other people new to the sport may have wondered it at some point – probably while watching the professionals on TV. But which hand do you wear a golf glove on?

It might appear arbitrary or random, but it isn’t. There’s a science to the humble golf glove, and its importance shouldn’t be understated.

In this guide, you’ll get the answer to that big question, along with why the simple act of wearing a golf glove could have quite the impact on your game.

Which hand do I wear a golf glove on?

Simply put, you should wear a golf glove on your non-dominant hand. So, for right-handers, this would be your left and vice versa for lefties.

In a standard grip, your non-dominant hand is situated at the top of the golf club and acts as the lead hand. It’s the job of this hand to ensure your swing is controlled, powerful, and accurate. A properly fitted glove can help you achieve this in a number of ways.

If you’re just starting out, you may also wear gloves on both hands. In fact, gloves are often sold in pairs (particularly winter and wet weather gloves), and some professional players prefer going two-handed. Ultimately, the number of gloves you wear comes down to personal preference, and you should do whatever feels comfortable. Just make sure you’re wearing at least one. 

Why should I wear a golf glove?

As mentioned, the lead hand is responsible for the key elements of your swing, and a glove can help you maximise these. Golf gloves are designed to improve your grip of the club, and this in turn will ensure you apply the correct amount of pressure.

Holding a golf club too tightly can lead to a whole host of issues. Many golfers who apply too much pressure with their lead hand find themselves slicing the ball (or alternatively, hooking it), or they’ll find that the over-rigidity of their swing results in the risk of injury. On the other hand, holding a club too loosely comes with its own downsides, namely losing a great deal of control over the clubface and risking injuries to others. You don’t want to let go of the club mid-swing.

Ultimately, correct technique is the solution to these problems, but the glove plays a helpful role. Because wearing one allows for better grip than bare skin, you won’t have to grip excessively hard, and this will help limit the flaws previously mentioned. Golf gloves can also protect your hands. After all, you don’t want to get blisters and callouses from excessively gripping onto the golf club with just your palm.

Given that there are gloves available for all weather types, they can also play a part in dressing correctly for the environment in which you’re playing. Wearing two gloves, for example, would be beneficial in the colder winter months.

All in all, wearing a glove (or two) will make you more controlled, comfortable and confident on the golf course.

What size golf glove should I wear?

Golf brands often use different sizing metrics, which can make it difficult to give an across-the-board answer to this question, but there is a certain way your glove should fit your hand.

In order to maximise the control for which the glove is required in the first place, it’s important that the glove isn’t too loose. It should fit your hand snugly, and there shouldn’t be any excess room in the fingertips; otherwise, you risk missing out on the benefits the glove offers.

However, it also shouldn’t be so tight that it restricts blood flow and movement. You should be able to extend your fingers and ball your fist while remaining comfortable and not stretching the glove too much. It should feel like an extension of your own body: a second skin, if you like.

So, it’s best to try a range of glove sizes to determine which suits you best. 

What different types of gloves are there?

As previously mentioned, one of the benefits of using a golf glove is that it can help combat any adverse environmental effects which you might encounter on the course.

The result of this is that there are various types of golf gloves specifically designed for dealing with the weather. 

Fair conditions

In fair and pleasant conditions, the standard is a glove made from a cabretta leather. The benefit to this material is that it’s malleable and comfortable, but also provides the grip you need. However, leather gloves are not as durable as their synthetic counterparts, nor are they much use in wet conditions. 

Uncertain weather

If the weather looks changeable or uncertain, it’s best to use an all-weather alternative. These are typically synthetic and will subsequently have a longer life than leather gloves. More importantly, they’ll do a significantly better job at combatting the rain, too.

Wet weather

If it gets too wet outside, wet weather gloves are designed to keep your hands dry. Just as importantly, they’ll also maintain control of the club even when the handle gets slippery.

Cold temperatures

There are also winter gloves for colder temperatures. These will keep your lead hand warm (or both if you wear two) and ensure your grip of the club isn’t affected by the cold. 

Which golf glove is for me?

With regard to hand types, there are gloves specifically made for men, women, and children. All are slightly different from one another to reflect the users, and all brands do things in slightly different ways. So, it’s best to try and test a variety of different gloves to determine which type suits you best. 

Ultimately, no two hands are the same, and everyone will have different preferences.

One thing is certain, though. The golf glove serves two main purposes. It improves your grip – and as a result, your technique and overall performance – and it keeps you comfortable.

The gloves you choose, and how many you opt to wear, are up to you. All that matters is you wear them in the right place and at the right time. 

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Your golf glove can make a big difference to your overall game, but accidents and injuries can still happen when playing, even with all the correct gear in place. That’s why you may want to consider specialist golf insurance if you play regularly.

Through Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500, Public Liability of up to £10m, and Personal Accident Cover up to £50,000. Get a quote online today.