Best Golf Gloves for Low and High Handicappers: Buyer’s Guide for 2023

There are some golfers out there that believe wearing golf gloves isn’t necessary, while others will not play a round without them. Wearing the best golf gloves will allow you to maintain your control and the proper golf grip. If you’re new to golf, or you’re a seasoned player and you want to give wearing golf gloves a shot, then you’ve come to the right place.

Considering how popular golf has been for decades, the fact that there are dozens of golf gloves to choose from should come as no surprise. But if you’ve never worn a golf glove before, then you’ll need to do your research and find gloves that will offer all the benefits you’re looking for, including the perfect fit.

I’ve tested out several of the leading gloves on the market and I’ve narrowed it down to the top six. I’ve also put together a buyer’s guide that will come in handy when you’re shopping around and searching for golf gloves that offer the perfect fit and come loaded with all the right features.

Below, you’ll find the comparison chart that includes important features for each model on my top six list, in addition to their rating.

Golf Gloves Comparison Chart

Product	Sizes	Material	Colors	Rating
FootJoy Men's WeatherSof Gloves Shop On Amazon!	11	Leather/Mesh	1
Callaway Golf OptiColor Glove Shop On Amazon!	3	Leather	3
Callaway Golf Men's Thermal Grip Shop On Amazon!	8	Leather and Microfiber	1
Wosofe Golf Glove for Men Shop On Amazon!	5	Leather and Lycra	1
Callaway Golf Men's Leather Glove Shop On Amazon!	11	Leather	7
Under Armour Youth Golf Glove Shop On Amazon!	6	Polyester	3

Best for Men-FootJoy Men’s Weather Soft Golf Gloves

Our Rating: (5/5)

These gloves are made out of a combination of leather and mesh in order to provide the type of durability a golfer needs to ensure these gloves last, even with heavy-duty use. The addition of the mesh will provide much-needed air circulation, which prevents the hands from sweating, keeping them cool and dry, even in hot weather conditions. The manufacturer has even placed thicker leather on the palm and the thumb in order to increase grip performance in these key stress areas, while also improving durability. The glove’s soft fiber material works to provide a more comfortable fit and a softer feel.

Conclusion

This glove not only offers a more comfortable fit, but it also features a secure closure that allows you to easily adjust the fit for improved security. The breathable mesh panels located across the knuckles do an excellent job of improving flexibility, comfort, and breathability. Durable, designed to last and able to improve your golf grip instantly, this glove is a must-have for the beginner and serious golfer alike.

Best for Women-Callaway Golf Women’s OptiColor Leather Glove

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This leather glove consists of real leather and synthetic materials, both of which are designed to improve the glove’s flexibility. The glove is fourteen inches wide, for ultimate comfort. The thumb, fingers, and palm feature perforations that are designed to reduce sweating and promote proper air circulation, resulting in increased breathability. The leather is soft to the touch, flexible and comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Conclusion

This glove is made by one of the biggest manufacturers in the golf game, Callaway. The gloves are flexible, comfortable to wear, and are available in three color options, which will be a big plus for any potential buyer. This glove is a great buy for the beginner and low handicapper, or any player in need of an edge on the course and a glove that will improve their performance on the green.

Best for Cold Weather-Callaway Golf Men’s Thermal Grip

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

These gloves are made out of synthetic leather and designed to improve your grip in wet weather conditions. The gloves are covered in an Opti Shield microfiber outer shell, which is designed to provide wind protection while repelling water. The inside of the gloves is equipped with Opti Therm thermal fleece, which will keep your hands nice and warmed up, even in cold weather. The adjustable closure allows you to achieve the perfect fit. If you’re looking for gloves that are designed to improve your grip, even in the rain, then you’ll love these latest thermal gloves by Callaway.

Conclusion

These thermal gloves work even better when they’re wet, allowing you to easily grip your club, thanks to the traction located on the palm. The gloves will keep your hands warm and dry in cold and wet weather conditions and will not hinder your range of motion during use, thanks to the flexible design and stretchy material located over the knuckles.

Best for Sweaty Hands-Wosofe Golf Glove for Men

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

If you love what wearing golf gloves can do for your golf swing, but you can’t stand wearing them because your hands sweat excessively, then these Wosofe gloves are the perfect option. These gloves are designed with durability and breathability in mind. You’ll notice the perforations all over the glove that are designed to increase airflow. These gloves are made out of ultra-thin leather, combined with Lycra, which is a highly breathable material that’s flexible and soft to the touch. These gloves are available in a variety of sizes and feature a stretchy fit that promotes comfort.

Conclusion

The ultra-thin leather material is perfect for hot weather conditions, but can not keep the hands warm in cold weather. The perforations all over the glove are designed to improve airflow, so you no longer have to worry about sweaty hands when you’re playing during the summer months. These gloves are designed to keep your hands cool and dry, while working to improve your grip on the club, resulting in better control and a solid performance.

Best for Left-Handed Players-Callaway Golf Men’s OptiColor Leather Glove

Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Callaway has done it again by producing a colorful, durable golf glove that can take your game to the next level. The Opti Fit adjustable closure allows you to enjoy a secure, comfortable fit, while the premium leather is both soft and comfortable to the touch. The perforations located on the thumb, fingers, and palm are designed to reduce moisture and increase the glove’s durability. However, these perforations are not enough to promote proper air circulation in high temperatures. Because of this, you’ll need to remove your gloves after each shot in order to prevent the gloves from getting wet or causing skin irritation.

Conclusion

This glove isn’t just fashionable, it’s functional as well. The adjustable closure will allow you to achieve the perfect fit, while the thinner leather is soft to the touch and promotes user comfort. The perforations can help to increase airflow in milder temperatures, but cannot prevent the hands from sweating excessively in higher temperatures. These gloves are durable, comfortable, offer just enough flex and can last for several months with proper care.

Best Junior Gloves-Under Armour Boys’ Youth CoolSwitch Golf Glove

Our Rating: (4/5)

This junior boy’s golf glove is made out of elastane and polyester, for a flexible design that will not hinder range of motion. These gloves are machine washable, which is a huge plus for parents. On the inside of the gloves, you’ll find a coating that’s designed to pull the heat away from the skin and allow the wearer’s hands to remain cool and dry. The exterior is designed with gripability and durability in mind. The small perforations found all over the glove can help keep the hands nice and cool, while the innovative coating works to wick away moisture and sweat, for a cooler playing experience.

Conclusion

This glove is designed for summer use, which is made obvious by the moisture-wicking design combined with the perforations found throughout the glove’s exterior. The built-in closure tab allows you to achieve the perfect fit, while the flexible design will promote a full range of motion. These gloves are a great buy for beginners in need of a glove that can help them achieve better club control.

Golf Gloves Buyer’s Guide

Some golfers believe that golf gloves aren’t a must-have accessory and that a golfer can play just as well without having to wear them. While there are many pros that don’t use gloves, there are many that swear by them and claim that they can do wonders for your golf game in terms of improving control and hitting accuracy. For many golfers practicing driving fundamentals, a glove can be an essential accessory that will do wonders for their grip, especially if they spend hours practicing at the range.

The hands are the only part of the body that come into contact with a club, so providing a device that can help improve your grip is a smart and easy way to boost your performance.

When it comes to golf gloves, there are many choices out there and features to choose from, each of which can have an impact on your performance. Below, I’ll start off by going over the different types of materials these gloves are made out of.

Material

When you’re shopping for golf gloves, you’ll notice that there are many choices available. The price of these gloves will be closely related to the type of material they’re made out of. Keep in mind, models that are made out of synthetic materials are often more affordable, but leather gloves are more durable and can provide the type of results most golfers are looking for.

Leather

This is the most common type of material used for golf gloves. The texture of the leather is perfect for golfing, and many higher-priced gloves will feature a flexible, soft texture that can do wonders to improve your grip on the club. Leather is moisture-resistant and will remain soft for a long period of time if properly cared for. Over several months of use, the gloves will stretch, so you will need to size the gloves carefully. If you play during rainy weather, the glove will hold water, however, once the glove has dried it will offer the same type of grip if you dry it properly. Be sure and pull it into the right shape and allow it to dry naturally.

Synthetic

Some gloves are made out of synthetic materials that are highly breathable, lightweight and stretchy. You’ll also find synthetic material used on leather gloves, in order to improve the glove’s breathability. Synthetic material is usually found on the bridge to the knuckle, which will improve the flexibility of the fingers, and knuckles.

Gloves that are made out of one hundred percent synthetic material are more durable than leather and feature a breathable design that consists of stretchy microfibers that work well to adjust to the movement of the golfer’s hands, keeping them cool in hot weather.

All-Weather

Gloves that are categorized as all-weather are aimed at golfers who normally play in humid or wet conditions. These gloves are water-resistant and do a better job of keeping water and moisture out of the interior of the gloves compared to other types of material. These gloves are usually the most expensive option, but they’re also the most versatile type of golfing glove you can buy, so they’re worth the steeper price tag.

Rain Gloves

These gloves are made out of breathable, lightweight synthetic material and actually provide a better grip the wetter they are. The fingers placed on the palms of the gloves will rise and stand straight up in order to create more friction. These gloves are usually covered in thick, warm material that’s designed to keep the wearer’s hands warm in colder weather conditions. These gloves are the best choice for the player who loves to golf in the rain or people who have hands that sweat excessively.

Thermal

These gloves are specifically designed for winter use and will be a lifesaver when you find yourself on the course in freezing temperatures. Believe it or not, golfers who live in parts of the country that experience harsh weather conditions will continue to play a few rounds, when the weather allows. These gloves offer thermal protection and will keep your hands warm and the blood flowing in order to keep your joints nice and loose. These gloves are very thick and are often made out of thermal or knitted material that can be worn on one or both of your hands. These gloves look very similar to your everyday gloves, but they feature a contoured design that will fit your hands like a second skin and will not hinder your range of motion or your grip on your club.

Mitts

The other type of golf gloves that are designed for winter use is called golf mitts. These gloves will slip right over your hands and can even be worn over normal golf gloves. These gloves are designed to promote blood circulation and can allow you to enjoy your time out on the course, even in freezing temperatures.

Style and Color Options

Golfers are often concerned about their appearance, from the style of their golfing clothes to their golf bag, so it makes sense that they want to wear a glove that will go with your golfing gear and clothing. Fortunately, most manufacturers will produce gloves in a wide range of colors and styles, which will allow you to choose a glove that will complement your look.

Sizing

Surprisingly, half of the golfers that wear golf gloves end up wearing gloves that are way too big for them. Your golf glove should feel like a second skin. There should be no excess material at the end of the fingers or across the palm. When putting gloves on, you should work your fingers in first, then depress the gloves gently around each of the fingers before you insert the thumb. If the gloves you wear have a Velcro fastener, then it should come no more than seventy-five percent of the way across the top of your hand. If it does, then this will be a major indicator that the glove is too big for you and you should go down a size.

There’s no one size fits all for golf gloves. Most manufacturers will produce gloves in a variety of sizes for people of all ages. Gloves are also produced based on gender since women have smaller hands than men. For men, some manufacturers will produce in between sizes, such as medium-large. In fact, medium-large is the most common size worn by men. Additionally, other manufacturers will offer a cadet size, which is designed to accommodate wider palms and shorter fingers.

The Right Fit

You can determine the correct size of glove you need by estimating whether your hand size falls under the extra-large, large, medium, cadet, or small category. If you’ve used gloves in the past, then look at the tag in order to confirm the size. The hand that should be measured will be the top hand on your golf grip. This will be the right hand if you’re left-handed and the left hand if you’re right-handed.

Most players will order gloves online in order to save serious cash. But even if you’re planning on purchasing a glove online, it’s still wise to visit your local golf supply store and try on several different models in order to determine which glove provides the best fit. While the glove should have a snug fit, it shouldn’t be a tight fit and one that prevents you from easily making a fist. If the glove size is correct, then the tips of your fingers should lightly press against the tips of the glove. The band around your wrist should not hinder mobility or cut off circulation.

Try them On

When you’re trying gloves on, move your fingers in order to check your mobility. Eventually, the glove will begin to loosen up through use, however, you’ll still want to avoid wearing a glove that feels overly stiff.

Next, take a look at the palm of the glove. Pay close attention to the area around the heel of the hand. This area is the most prone to wear and tear, so manufacturers will often sew an extra layer of material in this area.

Price

Golf gloves can be pricey, especially if you go for a model that’s made by one of the leading golf equipment manufacturers, or a glove that’s made out of leather. You’ll find gloves available that will work for every budget, but if you’re looking for a pro-quality glove, you can expect to pay more. Lower-priced gloves can offer a similar grip experience, but they don’t have a reputation for durability and will only last a month or two. Because of this, if you’re serious about using a golf glove when you take a shot, I recommend investing in a leather glove, from one of the leading brands. These gloves are often more flexible and feature mesh or a type of stretchy material on the knuckles, which will improve range of motion. While these pro-quality gloves can easily cost over one hundred dollars, they’re a better investment than low-priced gloves that will need to be replaced several times a year.

How to Wear Golf Gloves

If your dominant hand is right, then you will need to wear a glove on your left hand. If your dominant hand is your left hand, then you’ll wear a glove on your right hand. In some cases, gloves that are designed for winter use, including all-weather gloves, will come in pairs, so you can wear them on both hands.

Do I Need to Take My Gloves Off When Putting?

Most pros will remove their gloves when putting. This is done because removing the gloves can improve the feel of the club. The more layers you’re wearing on your hands, the more the feel of the club is reduced. The nerves in your hands and fingers are further away from the actual grip, which is why your feeling is reduced. As you probably already know, putting is all about feel. You’ll need to feel the distance of the putt through the grip. This is why many low handicappers will remove their gloves in order to increase their feel and the level of control they will have over a putt.

Keep Your Gloves Feeling Fresh

Many pros recommend taking off a glove after each shot. Doing so will allow the glove to air out and will keep your hands nice and dry. This will be especially important if you have leather gloves. Gloves that are made out of leather are often preferred by the low handicapper for their soft feel and overall durability, however, if they’re constantly in contact with sweat then they can deteriorate at a rapid rate.

If you want your gloves to last longer and keep them fresh, make sure you take proper care of them, even when you’re on the green. When you take your gloves off, avoid pulling them by the seams. This only serves to stretch them out and can cause them to expand. Instead, smooth them from the tip of the fingers down to the wrist.

​How to Clean Golf Gloves

If you purchase gloves that are made out of leather, then you may be disappointed to learn that they aren’t washable. If you’ve spent a lot on soft leather gloves, then cleaning them and keeping them looking good can be tricky. Soft leather gloves are susceptible to damage from improperly washing them.

Unfortunately, these gloves tend to get very dirty, rather quickly. So if you have to clean them make sure you wash them in cold water. In order to get the stains out, place the glove in your hand and work on the stains using gentle pressure. Once you have all the stains removed, you’ll rinse them thoroughly in cold water and leave them out to air dry. After a couple of hours of drying, put the glove on to form the desired shape. This will also prevent the glove from shrinking. Last of all, allow the glove to finish air-drying on its own for a few hours, then it should be ready to wear.

What Happens When Your Gloves Get Wet During Use

Many golfers worry about getting their gloves wet since, in some cases, it can ruin the fit. In the event your gloves get wet during use, remove them and allow them to dry at room temperature. If you’re wearing gloves and they become damp, I recommend removing them and using a spare glove in order to prevent the wet glove from having a negative impact on your performance. Always keep more than one glove in your golf bag if you’re playing in bad weather. A pro will usually bring four sets of gloves which will allow them to change their gloves once they get wet, whether bad weather is to blame or their hands sweat excessively. If you’re a beginner, then I recommend investing in several gloves and rotating more than one glove during a round. This will prevent the glove from negatively impacting your grip on the club and control over it.

At the end of the day, these gloves should be carefully removed and left out to dry if they’re wet after a long day on the green.

In most cases, the manufacturer will include care instructions. Be sure to follow these instructions closely in order to avoid damaging the glove.

Do I Really Need Golf Gloves?

Some players prefer to play without them, believing that a glove can hinder their feel and control over the club. But if you find the right fit, a glove can improve your grip significantly, making it much easier to prevent the club from slipping out of your hands. This is due to the extra friction the glove provides when you’re gripping the club.

One or Two Gloves

Most players will only wear a single glove on their dominant hand or their other hand. The glove is commonly worn on their other hand since this is the hand that’s placed on the top, so the glove will have the most impact throughout the duration of the swing. More grip pressure will be used with the lead hand, which will prevent the club from moving when you’re swinging.

Why Do Golfers Wear One Glove?

Most golfers will only wear a glove on their lead hand or the hand that is on the top because this hand has the most effect during the entire swing. More grip pressure is applied with the lead hand, and this hand prevents the club from moving during the swing.

Get the Most Use Out of Your Glove

When you’re out on the course for the day, on average, how long does your glove last? Can it hang in there for four or five rounds? If you’ve noticed that your glove doesn’t last as long as you need it to, there are some tips you can follow that can keep your glove in great shape.

• There’s no reason to hit balls using the same glove you play with since you’ll only end up decreasing its longevity. This will be especially true if your hands sweat a lot. Wear an old glove when you’re practicing and save your expensive gloves for use on the course.
• Between each round, if your glove is clean and dry you can store it in a sealed Ziploc bag. You can also lay it flat and allow it to dry properly. You don’t want to toss your glove in your bag or wad it up and stuff it in one of your bag’s pockets. If the glove is wet, make sure you allow it to dry out before storing it.
• Be sure to remove your glove between shots and avoid walking around from hole to hole wearing it. You may like how it looks, but all you’re doing is allowing the glove to get wet from your sweat. These gloves tend to easily absorb oil and sweat like sponges, so be sure and remove it as soon as possible, whenever you can.
• A glove that’s sweat-stained, greasy, grimy, and dirty, is more likely to deteriorate in a matter of months. Dirt, sweat, and grease will wear away leather, which will cause it to crack or rip, especially after the moisture has dried out. To avoid this, take proper care of your glove by washing it whenever you notice it’s dirty. Wash the glove by hand and avoid placing it in the dryer.

By properly taking care of your gloves, you can get more use out of them. However, how long a glove can last, even with proper care tends to vary from model to model. It can also depend on how often you play or even how you hit. A good glove should last for at least six months before it needs to be replaced. Signs it needs to be replaced include worn out areas on the palms and in the knuckle area. If you notice any serious signs of wear, areas that are thinning, or tears, then it’s time to replace your glove.

Final Thoughts

The best golf gloves will improve your grip on the club and club swing control. However, because a glove can have such a big impact on your performance, you need to ensure you choose a glove that fits correctly. A glove that’s too large or small will have a major negative impact on your performance. The gloves on my must-have list are available in a variety of size options, so pay close attention to a manufacturer’s sizing chart to ensure you get a glove that offers the perfect fit. This buyer’s guide includes information that will help you choose a glove that fits well, and one that’s made out of the right type of material, which should be chosen based on weather conditions. Remember, it’s also important to carry more than one glove and change the glove after a round, especially if you’re playing in rainy weather. The gloves in my top six all passed a variety of tests, so you know they’re durable, comfortable, provide an excellent grip and feature a design that can instantly improve your control over the club and your grip.