Golf is a sport where players need a lot of equipment and certain types of clothing, and one of the items you commonly see golfers wear is a golf glove. It may seem like part of the golf look, but there is a reason that golfers wear them, and they go on a specific hand. So which hand do you wear a golf glove on?
You wear a golf glove on your non-dominant hand. So right-handed players wear their glove on their left hand, and left-handed players wear a glove on their right hand. Wearing a golf glove on your non-dominant hand helps you grip and hold onto the club without having to grasp it super tight.
| Left-Handed Golfers | Right Handed Golfers |
| Wear Glove On Right Hand | Wear Glove On Left Hand |
This article explains why golf gloves go on the non-dominant hand and the benefits of wearing a golf glove when you play. I will also discuss whether or not golf gloves are required when you’re out on the course.
Why Do Golf Gloves Go on the Non-Dominant Hand?
You wear your golf glove on your non-dominant hand, which means your left hand for most players if you’re right-handed. If you’re left-handed, you must do the opposite of right-handed players, so your glove goes on your right hand. If you’re ambidextrous and switch which way you play, you might want to invest in a glove for both hands.
Golf gloves go on the non-dominant hand because it helps give this hand a better grip on the club. Your non-dominant hand is the hand that has the most control over the club and has to grip it, so the club does not fly out of your hands after you swing.
If you’ve ever worn or felt a golf glove, you know that they are made of a rougher material on the palm side where you grip the golf club. This material makes it easier for you to grab onto the club without it slipping in your hands, especially when you swing.
Although golf grips on your clubs are meant to help you hang on to them, they can still be difficult to hold onto if you swing hard. The material that the golf gloves are made of creates a lot of friction with the grips of golf clubs. This ensures that you don’t have to worry about losing your club after you swing. Without worrying about throwing your golf club, you can focus more on your swing and hitting a good shot.
Benefits of Wearing a Golf Glove
If you’re not sure whether you should wear a golf glove at all, you should know that there are many benefits to doing so. Not only will it help you improve your swing and focus on the ball, but it can also help protect your hand while you are playing.
First, golf gloves protect your hand from getting damaged. The grips on a golf club are rough on your hands, especially if you’re not used to playing, and you’ve played a long game or spent a lot of time at the driving range swinging your clubs.
Having a golf glove on your non-dominant hand will help prevent blisters and calluses on that hand. If you get blisters and calluses, they may hurt the next time you play and prevent you from playing your best.
If it is really hot outside and your hands are sweaty, it can act as a barrier for the sweat and the club, so you don’t have to worry about the club slipping out of your hands during your swing. If you want, you can wear gloves on both hands in this situation to maximize your grip.
The same goes for if it is raining and your hands are wet. You can use a towel to dry your gloves off before each swing, and you’ll still have a better grip than if you did not have a glove or two gloves on.
A golf glove also keeps your hand warm when you play in cold weather. If your hands get too cold and are numb, it will be even harder to grip your club. If you want, you can wear a glove on both hands to keep warm, or wear a normal glove on your dominant hand but take it off each time you swing.
Do You Have To Wear a Golf Glove?
You do not have to wear a golf glove if you prefer not to. Wearing golf clubs is not required on the golf course. However, if you’re new to golf, you should at least try wearing a glove on your non-dominant hand when you play and see how you like it.
As we discussed in the previous section, there are a lot of benefits to wearing a golf glove when you play. However, if you’re uncomfortable wearing one or just find that you play better without a glove, there is no need to force yourself to wear one.
Many players only wear their golf glove during certain parts of the game. It is very common in golf to see players wear a glove on their non-dominant hand until they get to the green, then they take it off to putt.
Since you don’t use a full swing to putt and do not need a good grip to keep control of the club, there is no reason to use a glove with your putter. These players then put their glove back on when they reach the next tee box and repeat at the next green.
However, despite this, golf gloves are never required and are always a matter of personal preference.
In fact, some golfers wear two gloves, like Tommy Gainey. Some players wear two gloves all the time as it is more comfortable for them and it helps their grip. As we mentioned in the section above, other players will only wear the second glove in certain situations, like when it is hot or raining.
If you want to wear a glove when you golf, make sure it is a golf glove and not just any warm glove. You cannot play with normal winter gloves that don’t have the same grip as golf gloves without risking losing the club on your swing.
Final Thoughts
If you choose to wear a golf glove when you play, you should wear it on your non-dominant hand. Because this hand is your lead hand when you swing, it has the most control on the club and needs the grip you get from a golf glove.
But you’re not required to wear a golf glove when you play, or you can even wear two golf gloves if you find it more comfortable or better in certain types of weather.