The correct proper golf glove fit is crucial for a good golf swing. A glove should fit snugly without cutting off circulation. It should feel like a second skin, allowing your fingers to move freely but without any excess material bunching up.
Why Glove Fit Matters for Your Game
Your golf glove is more than just protection for your hands. It is a vital piece of equipment. A good fit connects you better to the club. This connection affects distance, control, and feel. Poor fit leads to problems. You might grip the club too tightly. This causes tension in your arms and shoulders. Tension ruins your swing speed.
The Grip Connection
The main job of a golf glove is to improve your hold on the club. It stops the club from slipping when you sweat. This lets you relax your hands slightly. A relaxed grip is a powerful grip. When the fit is right, the material stays flat against your palm and fingers. This flat surface grips the club handle evenly.
Avoiding Common Fit Pitfalls
There are two main fit problems that hurt your game: having a golf glove too tight or having a golf glove too loose. Both cause issues during your round.
The Danger of a Golf Glove Too Tight
When a glove is too tight, it restricts blood flow. Your hands can get tired fast. Nerves might feel pinched. This leads to numbness or tingling. You lose feel for the club. You might also see the leather or synthetic material wrinkle or pull tightly across your knuckles. This pulling causes blisters faster. A tight glove fights your natural hand movements.
The Problem with a Golf Glove Too Loose
A golf glove too loose creates extra material. This excess fabric bunches up, usually across the palm or near the base of the fingers. When you grip the club, this extra material shifts. It creates an uneven surface. This unevenness makes it hard to hold the club consistently. You end up squeezing harder to stop the club from moving. This leads back to the tension problems of a tight glove.
Deciphering Golf Glove Sizing
Finding the right size is the first step to a perfect fit. Sizing varies by brand and material. Always check the specific golf glove size chart for the brand you are buying.
Standard Sizing Categories
Most golf gloves use standard sizing based on the measurement of your hand. These sizes are often marked with letters like S, M, ML, L, XL, and XXL.
- Small (S): For smaller hands.
- Medium (M): A common size for average women or smaller men.
- Medium-Large (ML): This size often bridges the gap between M and L. It is very popular.
- Large (L): A standard size for many male golfers.
- Extra Large (XL/XXL): For larger hands.
How to Measure for Your Golf Glove Size
Accurate measurement is key to good golf glove sizing. You need two main measurements.
Measuring Hand Length
- Place your hand flat on a table, palm down.
- Use a soft tape measure.
- Measure from the tip of your middle finger down to the crease where your wrist meets your palm. This is often called the ‘heel of the hand’ measurement.
- Record this measurement in inches or centimeters.
Measuring Hand Circumference
- Keep your hand relaxed, but not clenched.
- Measure around the widest part of your palm. This is usually just below the base of your fingers (the knuckles).
- Record this measurement.
Table 1: Example Golf Glove Size Chart (General Guide Only)
| Size | Hand Length (Inches) | Palm Circumference (Inches) |
|---|---|---|
| Small (S) | 6.5 – 6.75 | 7.5 – 7.75 |
| Medium (M) | 6.75 – 7.0 | 7.75 – 8.0 |
| Medium-Large (ML) | 7.0 – 7.25 | 8.0 – 8.25 |
| Large (L) | 7.25 – 7.5 | 8.25 – 8.5 |
| Extra Large (XL) | 7.5 – 7.75 | 8.5 – 8.75 |
Note: Always consult the manufacturer’s chart for precise figures.
Left Hand vs Right Hand Golf Glove Needs
A key detail in golf glove sizing is knowing which hand you need the glove for. Most golfers wear a glove only on their non-dominant hand.
Glove Hand Selection
- If you are right-handed, you wear the glove on your left hand.
- If you are left-handed, you wear the glove on your right hand.
This is because the gloved hand is the lead hand in the swing. It needs the best grip security for control. Some golfers wear two gloves for heavy rain or extreme heat. If you wear two, ensure both fit well, though the lead hand glove might need to be slightly snugger.
Fathoming the Best Golf Glove Fit for Grip
The goal of proper sizing is achieving the best golf glove fit for grip. This fit is characterized by several key signs when you try the glove on for the first time.
Trying on Gloves: The Checklist
When you try on a new glove, go through these checks:
- Finger Tips: The very end of your fingers should touch the end of the glove fingers, or be very close. There should be minimal to no overhang past the tip. If there is a large gap, the glove is too long and will bunch.
- Palm and Back: The material across your palm and the back of your hand should be smooth. There should be no deep wrinkles or pulling across the knuckles when your hand is relaxed.
- Straps and Closure: The Velcro or strap should close securely. It should wrap snugly around your wrist. If the strap overlaps too much (more than half the Velcro area), the glove might be too large in the wrist. If it barely reaches, it’s too small.
- Flexibility: Bend your fingers into a light grip position. The material should flex easily. If you feel resistance or the material feels stiff or tight across the joints, it is likely a golf glove too tight.
Types of Golf Glove Fit
Different golfers prefer slightly different feelings. We can group these into three main types of golf glove fit:
- Snug Fit (Performance Fit): This is tight all over, like a second skin. It offers maximum feel and responsiveness. Common among professional players. Requires very accurate sizing.
- Standard Fit: Comfortable fit with a little ease in the palm. Provides good grip security without being restrictive. A good starting point for most amateurs.
- Relaxed Fit: Slightly looser, especially in the fingers and palm. Offers more comfort for casual play but can lead to bunching if too loose.
The Break-In Period and Glove Maintenance
New gloves often feel stiff. They need some time to conform to your hand shape. This is the golf glove break-in period.
Breaking In Your New Glove
Leather gloves require a break-in period. Synthetic gloves need less.
- Leather Gloves: Wear the glove around the house for 20-30 minutes before your first round. Lightly grip a club a few times. Moisture from your hand helps soften the leather quickly. Never soak leather gloves in water to speed this up.
- Synthetic Gloves: These are softer from the start. They break in almost instantly upon first use.
When to Replace Your Golf Glove
Even the best-fitting glove will degrade over time. Knowing when to replace golf glove ensures consistent performance.
Signs It’s Time for a New Glove:
- Loss of Tack/Grip: The material feels slick even when clean. This means the natural tackiness has worn away.
- Visible Wear Spots: Thinning leather, holes, or significant shiny patches on the palm or fingertips.
- Stretching Out: If the glove feels significantly looser than when new, even after cleaning, the material has stretched too much. It is now effectively a golf glove too loose.
- Stiffness or Cracking: If the glove dries out and becomes hard or starts to crack, the leather is damaged and won’t grip well.
Most avid golfers replace their primary glove every 10 to 15 rounds, or sooner if they play in very wet or hot conditions.
Material Choices Impacting Fit
The material of the glove significantly affects how it fits and how long it lasts.
Leather Gloves (Cabretta or Sheepskin)
- Pros: Superior feel, excellent breathability, molds perfectly to your hand over time.
- Cons: More expensive, sensitive to moisture, requires careful cleaning, shorter lifespan if not cared for.
- Fit Note: Leather stretches slightly with use, so a very snug fit initially is often recommended.
Synthetic Gloves
- Pros: Durable, excellent performance in wet conditions, easier to clean, less expensive.
- Cons: Can feel less soft than premium leather, may not breathe as well.
- Fit Note: Synthetics maintain their shape better. If it feels slightly loose when new, it will likely stay that way or even become a golf glove too loose more quickly than leather.
Hybrid/Combination Gloves
These use leather in high-wear areas (palm, thumb) and synthetic materials on the back of the hand for breathability. They offer a good balance of feel and durability.
Adjusting Fit for Specific Conditions
Your ideal fit might change slightly based on the weather.
Fitting for Wet Weather
In heavy rain, you need maximum grip security. You might choose a slightly thinner synthetic or hybrid glove. Since moisture can cause some materials to swell or slip, many golfers prefer a slightly tighter fit in the rain to prevent the club from moving within the glove.
Fitting for Hot Weather
Heat and sweat cause gloves to stretch and slip. A thinner, highly breathable leather glove often works best. You want a snug fit that minimizes material bunching when you grip down hard in the heat.
Step-by-Step: Achieving the Ideal Fit
Follow these steps every time you buy a new glove to ensure you leave the store with the correct size.
Step 1: Know Your Numbers
Always start by knowing the measurements you took. Do not rely solely on a size you wore five years ago, as hand size can change slightly.
Step 2: Consult the Specific Chart
Locate the golf glove size chart for the brand you are holding. Match your hand length and circumference to their recommendations. If you fall between sizes (e.g., between M and ML), read reviews or choose the size that seems best for the material (snugger for leather, standard for synthetic).
Step 3: The Feel Test (The Knuckle Check)
Put the glove on your left hand vs right hand golf glove (whichever applies). Relax your hand. If the material is pulling tightly across the knuckles, move up a half size or to the next full size if available (e.g., from M to ML).
Step 4: The Grip Test (The Finger Check)
Clench your hand lightly as if holding a club. Check the fingertips. If you have over half an inch of material tucked under the tip, the glove is too long. Move down a size. If you feel pressure on the end of the finger, it is too short.
Step 5: The Wrist Security Check
Fasten the Velcro strap. It should secure firmly without requiring excessive tension. A secure closure prevents the glove from shifting during the swing, which is critical for maintaining the best golf glove fit for grip.
FAQ About Golf Glove Fit
Is it okay if my golf glove is a little loose in the palm?
A little looseness might be acceptable if you prefer comfort over a true performance fit, provided the excess material does not bunch up when you grip the club. However, too much looseness means you are likely fighting the glove, leading to gripping issues. For most players, excessive palm looseness is not ideal.
Should I buy a smaller size because the leather will stretch?
This advice is mostly true for high-quality, thin cabretta leather gloves. If you are buying a leather glove, aiming for a very snug fit initially is wise. If you buy a synthetic glove, they generally do not stretch significantly, so stick close to your exact measurement.
Can wearing a glove that is too small cause damage to my hands?
Yes. Wearing a golf glove too tight for long periods can restrict blood flow, cause premature fatigue, and increase the risk of blisters by forcing pressure onto specific points of the hand rather than distributing it evenly across the palm.
What is the standard practice for glove storage to maintain fit?
Always store your golf glove flat or draped lightly over something that maintains its shape. Do not wad it up in your golf bag. If it’s wet, let it air dry naturally away from direct heat. Proper storage helps reduce drying wrinkles and maintains the intended fit.
How do I know if I need to change my size because of my grip style?
If you use a very strong grip (heavy overlapping or interlocking), you use more surface area of the palm. This can sometimes cause the material to wear or stretch faster in the middle of the palm, requiring you to check for looseness sooner than someone with a lighter grip.