Have you ever been that beginner golfer that showed up to the range with two gloves on, only to realize you were likely the only one? There are some weird nuances to the game of golf and things that may seem strange, like why do golfers wear one glove? There are some good reasons behind this and some facts to know about wearing two gloves; keep reading to find out.
Also Read: How to Clean Golf Gloves the Best Way
Why Do Golfers Wear one Glove?
Golfers wear one glove to help improve traction and stability in the leading hand. Wearing more than one glove will not help increase the connection with the club, and it could potentially decrease feel that players have. If you are struggling with something like arthritis or even blisters on the hand, two gloves are acceptable for a while, but it will likely not help your golf game to play with two gloves on.
Reasons Why Golfers Wear One Glove
There are several reasons why golfers wear one glove. If you watch the professionals on the PGA Tour, many of them will wear a glove, but then they will take it off when putting. Here are the reasons why golfers wear one glove:
Increase Traction On The Grip
The main reason to wear a golf glove is to increase the traction on the grip of the club. You must have control of the golf club during your entire swing, and wearing a glove can help ensure that happens. The rubber material on the grip and the leather or synthetic material on the club create a connection that almost feels tacky for the player. The result is a golfer that can swing with increased confidence.
Prevent Blisters In Leading Hand
Some players grip the club a little too tight or have an area of the grip where their hands rub together. This can cause a blister and is especially a problem for the newer players. Junior often struggles with these blisters as well, and it creates issues with their interest in the game.
Preventing blisters is a great reason to wear just one glove. Prepare for All Weather
Conditions
When it starts raining on the golf course, the connection you have with the golf club will be compromised. The best way to combat this is to have a glove on. Some golf gloves are specifically built for rain and will work better when the rain hits them.
Most of the time, the weather conditions when playing will be uncomfortable, but if you experience issues with your hands sweating too much or creating excess moisture, the glove can help make a big difference.
Decrease Grip Pressure
Grip pressure is caused by golfers that feel as though they need to squeeze the club just to keep control of it during the swing. The grip pressure issue can cause a lack of speed in the swing and increased dispersion rates. It’s best to decrease grip pressure as best as possible and improve your connection with the club by using a golf glove. The golf glove should give that little bit of extra confidence needed to make a great swing and see positive results.
Also Read: Best Tacky Golf Grips in 2022
Increase Lifespan of Golf Grips
Sometimes our hands have oils on them from the food we eat, things we touch, or the sunscreen we apply. Putting a grip on before touching your grips can ensure that your grips last considerably longer. Also, if your grips are ready for replacement but you haven’t gotten around to it, the glove can increase connection with the club.
Do All Golfers Wear The Glove On The Left / Non-Dominant Hand
Almost all golfers wear a glove on the non-dominant hand; for right-handed golfers, this is the left hand. The left hand is the hand that will lead the swing and guide you through the impact position. With the glove being worn on this hand, the right-hand does not play too large of a role in the swing.
Sometimes the problem with wearing two gloves or not wearing a glove at all is that the non-dominant hand attempts to take over in the swing. We see this often with players and can call it being “handsy” in the swing. The players will use their hands and wrists more than necessary, and it creates inconsistency.
Can You Wear Two Golf Gloves?
According to the rules of golf, there is nothing stating that you cannot wear two gloves. Wearing two gloves is legal, although it typically does not offer much benefit. There are times, however, during the rain or in the winter months when the temperatures drop that two gloves may be necessary for part of your round.
In addition, there are times when golfers that have arthritis will wear two gloves to help with pain in their hands. Certain types of gloves, like Bionic gloves, increase cushioning in the hands and prevent players from wrapping their fingers around a club so tightly.
The downside to wearing two gloves is the fact that it will decrease some of the feel that you get without the glove on, and this is a problem when it comes to scoring and control.
Also Read: Best Golf Grips For Sweaty Hands
FAQ’S
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now understand why golfers wear just one glove. I always play with one glove on, which helps me feel confident about my connection with the golf club. There are many different types of golf gloves on the market to choose from, and you can almost always find something that fits your needs as a player.
