Are you looking to gain an edge in a golf ball fight with your competitors? Then you need the best supportive equipment, and a golf glove is one of the essential pieces you will require on your journey. Precision, concentration, and skill are necessary for playing golf, and a golf glove is a tool that can support you in achieving all of these goals. Golf gloves are typically worn on the lead hand, which is the hand closest to the club head, but some golfers also wear gloves on their trailing hands.
Wearing a golf glove has several pros and cons, which this article will explore in great detail. A glove provides a better grip on the club, reduces the risk of blisters, and can even help to improve your swing. However, wearing a golf glove does have some drawbacks. This article will discuss both the benefits and drawbacks of using a golf glove.
Advantages of wearing a golf glove
Improved grasp on the golf club
Wearing a golf glove has the significant advantage of improving your grip on the club. Typically made of tacky material, gloves help golfers maintain a better hold on the club by providing extra friction. In some conditions, gloves are particularly beneficial in delivering the best shot, such as in wet conditions or when the golfer’s hands are sweaty in hot weather.
A better grip on the club can result in better shots, more control over the ball, and an improved score. When taking a driver’s swing, gloves are preferred as it requires a strong grip, and gloves help to achieve a better shot. Additionally, wearing a glove allows for holding the club with less force, reducing the need for a death grip. However, for small swings like putting, some golfers prefer to remove the glove and enjoy the feeling of the club for delivering the best shot.
Protection from blisters
Golfers who play frequently are well aware of the painful and frustrating problem of blisters. The repetitive motion of swinging the club can cause blisters to form on the golfer’s hand. However, wearing a golf glove can prevent blisters from forming by providing a barrier between the golfer’s hand and the club. This allows the golfer to play for longer stretches without experiencing any pain or discomfort.
For beginners, it is especially important to wear gloves. As new players do not have a perfect idea of the grip, they often grip the club too tightly, leading to calluses and blisters. Therefore, it is better to purchase and use golf gloves to avoid such conditions.
Improved swing
Wearing a golf glove can enhance one’s swing in several ways. Firstly, it provides a better grip on the club, allowing the golfer to maintain better control over the club head during the swing. Additionally, some golf gloves are designed to promote a certain type of grip, such as the interlocking or overlap grip, which can help the golfer improve their technique.
Gloves are especially beneficial for long swings like the driver as they provide more grip and save the hands from additional stress. During a strong swing like the driver, it may feel like the club will fall from your hand, making gloves essential. Furthermore, gloves can reduce the chance of blisters, allowing the golfer to deliver their shot without any tension.
Minimized Slipping
By wearing a golf glove, the chances of the club slipping from your hands are significantly reduced. Bare hands may not provide enough grip, which can cause the club to fall during a long swing. However, wearing a glove can provide the necessary grip and stability, allowing you to make a forceful shot without any issues.
Style
For some golfers, wearing a golf glove is a matter of style. With an array of colors and designs available, some golfers prefer to match their gloves with their outfit or golf bag. While this may not significantly impact the golfer’s overall performance, it can certainly add an element of fun and personality to the game. Adding a stylish glove to your game can bring a unique flair to your golf game and help you deliver flawless shots.
Disadvantages of Using Golf Gloves
Reduced feel
A disadvantage of wearing a golf glove is that it can diminish the golfer’s sense of touch with the club. Since the hand is not in direct contact with the club, the golfer may find it challenging to perceive the weight, balance, and other critical factors that impact their swing. Therefore, some golfers opt not to wear gloves, especially when playing short shots like putting or using irons. These shots require a delicate touch and precise feel that can be impeded by a glove.
Cost
The expense of golf gloves can add up, especially for frequent players who need to replace them often. The cost can increase even more if the golfer has a preference for a specific brand or type of glove. While the cost of a golf glove may not be as high as other golf equipment, it is still an important factor to take into account.
Climate
Wearing a golf glove can lead to discomfort and distraction during play, particularly in hot and humid conditions when the glove may become sweaty and uncomfortable. Although some gloves are made to wick away moisture, others may not perform as well, leading to an unpleasant feeling. Furthermore, a sweaty glove can result in reduced grip on the club, making it slippery and difficult to control.
Tan Lines
Golfers who are conscious about their appearance may not find wearing a golf glove desirable because it can cause tan lines on their hands.
Conclusion
To sum up, while wearing a golf glove can offer advantages such as better grip, increased comfort, and protection, it may also come with downsides like cost, reduced sensitivity, discomfort in hot and humid weather, and tan lines. Ultimately, the decision to wear a golf glove or not comes down to personal preference and playing style. Therefore, golfers are advised to try out wearing a glove during practice sessions and determine whether it positively impacts their game or not.