Why do golfers wear one glove, and what is the purpose of a golf glove?

Golf gloves help players by creating friction and enhancing a player's grip on the club. Often, players wear golf gloves on the less dominant hand while playing. Dig into this article to discover why golfers wear one glove while golfing.

Do golfers wear one glove or two? Depending on preference, golfers are often seen wearing one glove, while others play without one or even wear two gloves. This article dives into the details of golfing accessories and why golfers wear 1 glove.

What is the point of golf gloves?

One of the must-have golf accessories is a glove or a pair, depending on a player's preference. The mitt is worn on the lead hand or the hand placed highest on the golf club to improve grip. Right-handed golfers wear the glove on the left hand, while left-handed players wear it on the right hand.

In addition to completing a golfer's style on the greens, a golfer's glove improves a grip, increasing their confidence when swinging their irons. Additionally, they protect players from blisters formed when swinging the club.

When did golfers start wearing gloves?

According to the Professional Golfers Association, the origins of golf mitts date back to the late 1800s. Early on, players used sheepskin and canvas on the first clubs, whose grips were made from crude leather and twine. Today, mitt materials range from leather to synthetic fibres.

Before the 1950s and 1960s, the golf accessory was unpopular among most touring players. One of the earliest players to use the accessory was 82-time Professional Golfers' Association tournament winner Sam Snead in the 1930s. In an interview with PGA, former Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course PGA head professional Andy Devine recalled the early days of the accessory, saying,

What types of golf gloves are there?

Early designs of the accessory did not cover the fingers and lacked an adjustable fastening. Depending on a golfer's preference, the evolution of the accessory has allowed players to get various colours, designs, and material types suitable for different weather conditions.

On which hand do you put a glove in golf?

Commonly, players wear the accessory on their non-dominant hand. On the other hand, golfers can choose to wear them on both hands or not wear them at all. However, the choice of accessory is entirely dependent on preference.

Why do golfers wear a glove on one hand?

The grip is an essential detail in golfing. The mitt is often worn on the lead or top hand for this reason. This means that right-handed golfers wear it on their left hand, while left-handed players wear the mitt on their right hand.

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Grip

According to GetHypedSports, the mitt is worn on the lead hand because it absorbs the most impact when hitting and is vital in controlling swing speed and velocity. Wearing the mitt locks the club-hold in place with minimal or zero movement during a swing.

Moisture

Sweating is a natural consequence of playing any sport, including golf. The accessory is built to absorb extra perspiration during a game and enhance a solid grip during wet conditions.

However, sweating also affects the mitt's performance. Former Irv Warren Memorial Golf Course PGA head professional Andy Devine told golfers in an interview that,

Injuries

The most common golf injuries on the hands are blisters, peeling skin, and callouses. Consistent perspiration and swinging golf clubs make up the perfect recipes for the woes of the golfer's hand. The accessory works by reducing friction between the player's hand and the club.

The accessory is also used to mitigate the symptoms of medical problems such as allergic reactions and arthritic issues. TopRankGolf argues that some players opt to wear the accessory to support their wrists and reduce pain during a swing.

The feel

A Quora thread on the pros and cons of wearing a golf glove by amateur players concluded that golfers mainly use the accessory to improve their hold on the club during a swing. However, the players do not continually wear their mitts during a complete game. Most players remove the accessory to keep their hands dry when it is too hot.

Additionally, the players often take it off for a better feel of the club and the swing and to get better swing control. Players opt to control their irons without wearing gloves during short golf games, such as putting, pitching, or chipping. As such, the subject of enhancing feel is highly debated among players, with some arguing that the accessory mars the feel of the club.

How do you know which golf glove to use?

There are various factors to consider when selecting golf mitts. These include the weather, cost, a player's lead hand or non-dominant hand, and size of the accessory.

A player must also consider the fit since a loose or tight mitt will negatively affect performance. A perfectly sized mitt fits snugly around the player's fingers and fits like a second skin with room for adjustment.

How do I know my golf glove size?

To get the perfect size of the mitt, measure the length from the base of the palm to the tip of the middle finger on the dominant hand. Scroll down for a sizing chart guide from Adidas.

Other ways of determining accessory size include using the length of the middle finger and the palm width or the circumference of the palm without the thumb. Additionally, the adjustable closure should only come 75% across the back of the hand upon closure, with 25% of the Velcro tape remaining uncovered.

Which pro golfers wear 2 gloves?

Tommy 'Two Gloves' Gainey is by far the most famous golfer who wears two gloves. His father, also called Tommy Gainey, began the tradition after games left his hands calloused and bleeding. Other players who opted to wear the glove that is undeniably one of the most expensive golf accessories include English pro Aaron Rai and three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson.

Which pro golfers do not wear gloves?

On the other hand, some professional players opt to go without the accessory for various reasons, including preference. Scroll down for some well-known pros who play golf without gloves.

Golfers' accessories make them some of the most stylish athletes in the world of sports. However, there are other reasons why golfers wear one glove when swinging on the greens. The accessory is critical in amplifying a player's performance while protecting the player.

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Size	Hand measurements
S (small)	16.5 - 19.0 cm (6.5" - 7.5")
M (medium)	19.0 - 22.0 cm ( 7.5" - 8.5")
L (large)	21.6 - 24.1 cm ( 8.5" - 9.5")
XL (extra large)	24.1 - 26.7 cm (9.5" - 10.5")
2XL (extra extra large)	26.7 - 29.2 cm (10.5" - 11.5")