What Hand Do You Wear a Golf Glove On?


Sometimes getting started in golf can be confusing.  There are so many little things to figure out just to get started with the game of golf that many quit before they even start.  We are here to help beginner golfers get started and enjoy the game of golf that so many people love. We have a comprehensive guide for the beginner golfer.


How to Play Golf A Beginners Guide

A Beginner’s Guide to Golf Etiquette

Golf is a wonderful game and keep in mind that we were all beginners at one point.  There is plenty of information on our site to help you get started and enjoy the game.  There is nothing better than golf outdoors, on some fantastic course with people that you enjoy being around.  The mental and physical challenge that a round of golf brings can be addicting.

Below we provide the many questions that come up with golf gloves and make some recommendations for where to start with your golf glove.

Check out our Recommended Products page on Golf Swing/Training Aids, Golf Balls, Golf Shoes and more. 

So What Hand Do You Wear a Golf Glove On?

For the right handed golfer, he or she will wear the glove on their left hand.  For the left handed golfer, he or she will wear the glove on the right hand. Some golfers, although not very many, will wear gloves on both hands to protect their hands from blisters or calluses.  There are a range of gloves from your regular golf glove, to rain gloves and even winter gloves. Many people play golf in all ranges of weather from 30-110 degrees and from sunny to pouring rain. Be prepared for all conditions will help you shoot your best possible scores and enjoy the game.

Why do golfers wear a golf glove?

Golfers typically wear gloves for three main reasons.  The first being performance reasons. A solid grip on the golf club that helps a golfer produce the speed needed to swing the club without fear or the club flying out of the hands is essential to playing your best possible golf.  The second reason being due to calluses or blisters. Many golfers practice often and blisters could form if you are gripping the club the wrong way without a glove. The golf glove provides that extra layer of protection. One last reason is due to the elements.  This includes rain or cold weather. There are gloves specifically engineered to help in these conditions.

Can I play without a golf glove?

Yes you can, but I recommend buying a glove.  The overall performance of your game will improve.  There is nothing worse than the feeling that the club is going to fly out of your hands.  If you are golfing in warmer weather, the glove is essential as your start to sweat and the grip can become slippery.  It not only helps your performance, but keeps others around you safe. Even if you are a beginner, but a glove, as it will help your game.  To me, it is an essential item to play the game of golf.

What else can I do to help improve my grip?

Make sure that you replace grips on your clubs every 1-2 years if you are playing more than 30 rounds a year.  Also, before every shot, if you keep half of your golf towel wet, you can wipe it down with the wet side of the towel and then dry off with dry side of the towel.  This will help keep the oils from our skin that we naturally produce. Golf can be expense to get into, but make sure you take care of your investment in products.

How long will a golf glove last?

This is all a matter of personal preference and what type of glove you buy.  I would recommend changing out your golf glove every 6-10 rounds of golf. The quality grip is essential to your performance, for the low dollar amount that a glove cost, it is worth buying 3-4 at a time, stock the in your bag and always make sure you have a new, ready golf glove to turn to.  If you are someone that sweats a lot, rotating your gloves during the round, could be helpful as well. You will see the professional golfers use 3-4 gloves in any given round, especially on hot days.

What are winter golf gloves?

Winter golf gloves are designed to wear throughout the entire round with the dual purpose of providing a good grip and just as importantly keeping your hands warm.  The quality of the grip might not be as good as a non winter glove, but on those cold days it is worth with. Winter gloves come in a pair and you will wear the gloves on both hands.  There are other alternatives such as hand warmers and big puffy mittens that allow you to wear your normal golf glove. I golf a decent amount in 30 degree weather and I prefer the mittens with some hand warmers and then wearing my normal golf glove. I prefer the Titleist Golf Cart Mitts. Check the price below.

What are rain golf gloves?

These gloves are specially designed to wear in the rain, wet weather.  Once again, these are designed for both hands are designed to give you a better grip the wetter they get.  Now, the overall quality of the grip is not as good as a regular glove, but overall they make golfing in the rain less stressful as you put the gloves on, keep them on and don’t have to worry about constantly wiping down your grips in the wet weather.  There are other alternatives such as carrying multiple towels and gloves. There are different preferences among higher level players, but for me it depends how hard it is raining and if the rain will last. The harder it is raining or the longer we expect it to last increases the chances of pulling out the rain gloves.

Do I keep my golf glove on for every shot?

You will see many professional golfers take their golf glove off to putt and for shorter chip shots.  This can provide a little better feel for these touch based shots. Speed is not essential, so the grip is more about feel and less about making sure the club doesn’t fly out of your hands.  I prefer to take my golf glove off for chip and pitch shots and of course to putt. This also gives your time to air out your hands and your glove, producing a better performing glove for a longer period of time.  You will see videos and pictures of Jack Nicklaus putting with his glove on. So there is not right way or wrong way, just a personal preference thing.

How do I care for my golf glove?

I would recommend taking off for chip shots and all putts.  This will give your glove time to air out and make sure it doesn’t get wet from your hand sweating.  I would also recommend wiping your hands down frequently throughout the round and make sure your hands stay sweat free.  Having a routine of wiping your grips and hands down during those hot summer rounds will help your glove last longer. At the end of the round, consider velcroing around the exterior of the bag to make sure it has time to dry off if a decent amount of sweat got on the glove.

How should a golf glove fit?

You want to ensure that the golf club is not too tight, but also not too loose.  Somewhere right in the middle should work. Keep in mind that the glove will tend a stretch out, especially if you are using the glove for 20 plus rounds, but we do recommend changing gloves every 6-10 rounds.  There is something called a cadet glove that is made for people with thicker hands with shorter fingers. This helps ensure the glove is not too long in the fingers. Golf gloves are made of different materials, some are designed to last longer, but may not be as good from a grip perspective.  For starters, I would start with the middle of the road glove.

What golf glove do you recommend?

I carry a regular golf glove, cart mittens and rain gloves.  I typically go through about 10 gloves during a season.

For the last several years, I have used the Bridgestone Golf Glove Linked Here. This is an amazing golf and it truly is my favorite (Check Price on Amazon).

I also carry the Titleist Cart Mittens (Check Price on Amazon).

I prefer the FootJoy Rain Gloves. (Check Price on Amazon).

Final Word

Golf is a great game, enjoyed by so many people of all ages.  We are here to help you get started, don’t forget to check out our two articles above on getting started and understanding the etiquette of the game.  We have also written post on the golf terms you need to know and essential rules that will help you get started.

Getting started in golf can seem overwhelming, but go ahead and find someone around that loves the game.  I am sure they would be willing to help you and guide you through the beginning stages of the game.

We also have plenty are articles on tips and who the best online golf instructors are.

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