In our work on the golf driving range, we often encounter many questions that are often repeated, and one of these questions is “Why do golfers wear gloves?”. In this blog, we will explore how the wearing of gloves started, what it brings to players, on which hand golf gloves are worn and other interesting facts that will help you choose and expand your knowledge about this interesting game full of details.
Beginnings of wearing golf gloves
The first records of wearing gloves date back to the 18th century. Golf clubs of that time had handles made of string or rough leather, which is why golfers protected their hands with canvas or sheepskin to prevent blisters and other damage. Later, the first gloves were made from sheepskin. In addition, the shaping of gloves into what they are today is associated with other sports, such as baseball and horse riding. However, in addition to preventing blisters, golf gloves provide a better grip on the club, which leads to their widespread use even today.
Benefits of wearing gloves while playing golf
Nowadays, golf gloves are an indispensable part of the equipment of almost every golfer, regardless of the level of experience. The main reason behind this fact is a better grip and control over the golf club. The glove provides an extra layer of softness between the golfer’s hand and the club handle, reducing friction and the possibility of slipping. Very often, if the weather is rainy or humid, and if your hands are sweaty, the club can easily turn and lose the correct angle of impact. Also, some golfers claim that another advantage of using gloves in golf is that they do not have to hold the club as tightly as when not using gloves, which reduces the load and players can focus their attention on improving other parameters of the game.
What are golf gloves made of?
Golf gloves are made from different materials such as leather, synthetic fibers and a combination of materials. Leather gloves are often the most popular choice due to their texture, durability, natural elasticity and comfort. Synthetic gloves have light, breathable and stretchy microfibers that adapt well to movements. There are also different combinations and hybrids of gloves for certain weather conditions such as humidity or cold.
Why only one glove, and on which hand is it worn?
Usually, the golf glove is worn on the opposite hand from the dominant side you play golf with. So we can see that right-handed people wear the glove on the left hand, while left-handed people wear the glove on the right hand. The reason for this is that the hand holding the golf club is exposed to more friction and force during the shot. When holding the club for right-handed players, the left hand is completely on the club, while the right hand partially rests on the left. This is why, in the case of right-handed players, the left hand is more prone to blisters and damage, as well as club slippage.
Also, a very common question is why only one glove is worn and not two? In addition to one hand resting on the club more than the other, some golfers claim that there is no additional benefit from wearing both gloves, and that they often lose the grip feel due to the presence of the second glove. Of course, decisions about wearing or not wearing gloves are primarily a personal choice of each player, and decisions should be made after trying and finding the best option for yourself.
We can conclude that wearing gloves has become a standard part of equipment among golfers due to the protection it provides, but also to a large extent due to the improvement of the grip and the overall game. Regardless of experience level, golfers use gloves to provide a better grip, reduce slippage, protect hands and improve club control. However, the decision to wear gloves is very individual, and the primary criteria in the decision should certainly be the personal feel, performance and benefits that wearing gloves brings to each player.
You can find your first golf gloves in our pro shop at the Golf Brseč Driving Range! With the help of our staff, you can try several models and ask everything you need to find the best recipe to improve your golf game!