A Swing towards Greatness: How to Choose a Pair of Golf Gloves
A golf glove is one of the most overlooked pieces of golf equipment you can buy, as the hands are the only point of touch between you and the club. They not only improve grip, but they also protect against blisters, give you confidence when addressing and striking the ball, and deliver excellent feel through impact. Whether a beginner or a top professional player, here are all the important aspects you should be aware of when getting the right pair.
Material
Level up your game with a pair of high-quality men’s golf gloves. First things first, you should choose the type of material you want. You may want a quality leather model that performs very differently from a synthetic or even a wet weather type. These do different things and, more importantly, feel different, so consider how you prefer to feel while wearing a golf glove.
The best premium leather golf gloves for men are made to feel soft while still providing a solid grip during the swing. They are essentially designed to function as a second skin. Wet weather gloves prioritise protection above sensation. Most all-weather models’ material provides additional grip as they get damp, so if you play in a rainy environment, certainly choose a model made for this purpose.
Additionally, some golf gloves are manufactured with a combination of synthetic materials and genuine leather. This is a type of hybrid with leather on the palm, added for proper grip, and mesh in the fingers and knuckle area for flexibility.
Which Hand?
This is one of the most often asked questions, particularly among golfers who are new to the game. The solution is straightforward, sort of. Traditionally, athletes wear one glove on their weaker hand. So, a right-handed golfer would wear one on his left hand, while a left-handed golfer would wear one on his right. Similarly, not every golfer always wears the same glove. Some golfers never wear a glove at all.
Others, including PGA Tour pro Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, wear two gloves, one on each hand. Many traditional golfers on the PGA Tour and at your local course will wear gloves during full swings, drivers, and longer irons from the fairway, but remove them for putting and strokes near the green. The notion here is that a player needs a superior feel on short-game strokes, which a glove may hamper.
Size
Getting the right glove size is essential when completing your golf gear. A glove that is too tight may limit your movement and cause discomfort. On the other side, an overly large glove can weaken your grip and cause the glove to twist throughout your swing. To determine the appropriate size of men’s golf gloves, measure your hand’s length and circumference.
Then, use a sizing chart to find the proper size depending on your measurements. If a golf glove fits properly, the tips of your fingers should be able to touch the inside tips of the glove’s fingers without any stretching or additional material. The glove should fit tightly, almost like a second skin, without making you feel constrained. If excess material pinches upward when you put your hand flat, the glove is probably too large.
However, if you have short fingers, many gloves will have extra material at the end, making it difficult to acquire a feel for the club. Cadet gloves are the solution. A cadet glove features shorter fingers and a larger palm and back than a standard glove. Cadet gloves do not come in women’s sizes; however, a woman can wear them as well. Cadet sizes list a C in the sizes, so RMDC indicates a medium-sized, cadet-style glove for the right hand.
Breathability
Breathability is an important factor to consider when purchasing men’s golf gloves Australia-wide, especially if you play in warmer weather where your hand may sweat and slip down the grip of the golf club. As a result, you should consider purchasing a golf glove that will keep your hand well-ventilated on the course.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning golf gloves can be difficult because many are made of soft leather, which is prone to damage from washing. Furthermore, you may expect your glove to become pretty dirty relatively quickly. So, whenever it’s time to clean them, drop them in a pail of cold water with a small amount of dish detergent. To remove stains, first place the glove on your hand for support, then work on the stains with light pressure.
Once you’ve achieved the required level of cleanliness, rinse the glove with cold water. Make sure to remove all of the soap, since it can dry out the leather. Allow the glove to air dry for a few hours after washing it thoroughly. Then, using your hand, make the proper shape to prevent any undesirable shrinkage. Finally, allow the glove to air dry for a few hours before using it.