Yes, you can use two gloves in golf, and no rule prevents you from doing that. The reason is they’re typically trying to prevent forming blisters on both hands, or because they have excessively sweaty hands and think it’ll give them better control of their club during a swing.

It boils down to personal preference and what provides the highest level of comfort. I also know golfers who wear gloves on both hands in the rain. They do it purely for increased traction, to achieve a good grip in miserable weather.

The reason why I, and most golfers, use a single glove is because it allows one of the hands to be directly on the rubber grip. This improves feel and feedback, which I desire on all shots. I take it a step further on short-game shots and remove my glove entirely.

Professionals and amateurs employ a glove on the hand that goes at the top of their grip. This is the hand that maintains the stability of the golf club on your backswing and guides the clubface into place on the downswing. As a result, it creates increased friction with the grip and can rip your palm to shreds.

Pro Player Who Use Two Gloves

Other than the South Carolina native Tommy Gainey, no two glove-wearing pros come to mind. At least, not under normal circumstances. Here’s “Two Gloves” Gainey explaining why he rocks two gloves on the course:

You will find tour pros wearing two gloves in wet weather, but those are extenuating circumstances. Once again, it is a matter of personal preference, and some pros may, in its place, prefer using a single waterproof glove in the rain.

Which Hand Does The Glove Go On, and Why?

When you use one golf glove, it fits onto your lead hand. That is your right hand if you are lefty, and your left if you are right-handed. The purpose for this is the friction your lead hand creates during your golf swing.

For example, the left mitt ensures the stability of your golf club on your backswing for right-handers. This keeps your clubhead on a path to make it easier to drop the clubface into position on your downswing.

Ultimately, your lead hand creates added friction from takeaway through impact,  leaving it susceptible to blisters and calluses.

3 of My Favorite Golf Gloves

1. TaylorMade Stratus Tech Glove

The TaylorMade Stratus Tech glove is the best option for hot and humid conditions. This durable construction produces exceptional breathability, 4-way stretch, and traction.

TaylorMade employed a combination of Hypertec material and leather to increase comfort without impacting durability. In addition, two gloves are included in this package to ensure that you always have a spare on hand.

Furthermore, the Stratus Tech is littered with perforations around the palm and fingers. The aim is to encourage maximum airflow through the glove to restrict the build-up of sweat. Therefore, your hand remains cool, dry, and comfortable while wearing the glove.

Lastly, the design team crafted the Stratus Tech glove with 4-way stretchable material. That means your palm and wrist enjoy optimal freedom of movement on your back and downswing. As a result, you can generate the needed power to execute a long, straight shot.

Pros

• Optimal breathability
• Maximum freedom of movement
• Provides exceptional grip in humid conditions
• Comfortable
• Keeps your hand cool and dry

Cons

• The fit is smaller than usual, so consider one size larger

FootJoy FLX Cadet Glove

If your palms are wider and your fingertips shorter than usual, you need a cadet golf glove. The extra width increases your comfort and the lifespan of your glove. The Footjoy FLX Cadet is my top pick for this category.

The FLX Cadet sports a 3-directional comfort closure to ensure that glove is securely fastened when you swing your golf club. Plus, this design reduces the tension and pressure felt at the closure point for added support.

Furthermore, a comfortable wrist elastic appears on the back of the glove to provide an ideal fit without strangling your hand. Therefore, it reduces pressure in this area to increase the freedom of motion while swinging.

FootJoy was not done with comfort yet. They decided to employ perforations on the knuckles and fingers to enhance breathability. The moisture control system works to keep your hand dry and cool to restrict the build-up of sweat.

Finally, the FLX Cadet glove is concocted with Cabretta leather. The leather offers an exceptionally soft, pleasant feel for the ultimate in luxury.

Pros

• Built for golfers with wider palms and shorter fingers
• Enhanced moisture control
• Superior comfort
• Soft feel
• Optimal grip

Cons

• Reduced durability and lifespan

Callaway Weather Spann Glove

As much as we love to play golf with blue skies and sun in the sky, that is not always possible. That is why you need a glove that can handle all conditions. The first prize is to acquire separated gloves to handle each scenario. However, if you are on a budget and need a two-in-one option, the Callaway Weather Spann Glove is one choice.

This is my top all-weather pick, and it is surprisingly affordable. It provides excellent durability, flex, and comfort for an all-around performance. Starting with the 4-way stretch synthetics, which feature around the knuckles. This is done to increase the flexibility around this area for superior support.

Furthermore, an Opti-Fit adjustable velcro closure gives you the power to secure your glove as tightly as is necessary. That way, you are assured it will not move or come loose on your backswing.

Callaway went a step further than most manufacturers on the breathability front. The team added perforations to the palm, top of the hand, and fingers. This promotes a cool breeze to consistently enter the inside of the glove and keeps your hand dry in warm weather.

Moreover, the design added reinforced palm patches to boost your grip in all weather. Therefore, whether it is scorching outside or the rain is bucketing down, you have the traction required to control your golf club.

Pros

• Exceptional breathability
• 4-way stretch synthetics
• Affordable
• Comfortable
• It provides increased traction in the wet

Cons

• The perforated holes can cause water to seep into the grip in heavy rain

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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The internet will tell you that the average pair of golf gloves last (on average) around ten to twenty rounds. However, in my twenty-eight years in this game, I have seen players destroy gloves in a round of golf, while others last for months.

The point is the question is not black or white. Multiple factors are often not considered, such as the glove’s material or the strength of one’s grip. In this post, I focus on my experience with gloves to help you determine which scenario fits your situation.

How Long Golf Gloves Typically Last

Invictus Gloves out of Montreal, Canada, suggests that the life of your golf gloves on average does not exceed ten rounds. However, this depends on the strength of your grip how you take it off and maintain it.

For example, if you pull your glove off from your fingers, you will cause this area and cause it to rip. Furthermore, those who grip a golf club tightly may find the palm rip rapidly, compared to a golfer with a softer hold.

In addition, Golfweek explains that while Cabretta leather golf gloves offer a superior feel, they wear out faster than hybrid or synthetic gloves. Therefore, a player using a synthetic glove may find that they enjoy a better grip for longer compared to premium leather golf gloves.

My golf gloves last approximately twenty rounds, which works out to four months. I take care of my gloves and have a softer grip than others. That helps ensure they remain durable and provide optimal grip for as long as possible.

I have tried synthetic and Cabretta leather gloves. However, the modern hybrid design offers the high quality of a leather glove, with the dexterity of a synthetic glove.

Contrary to my solid golf glove record, my late father would rip one every two to three rounds. The circumference of his left hand was wider than a regular glove. If he had used a cadet glove, I doubt he would have ripped as many.

After racking up the bills from glove acquisitions, my old man took the Ben Hogan and Fred Couples route and stopped wearing one altogether.

Besides your grip and hand shape, how you store and wash golf gloves impacts their lifespan. The quicker you remove dirt from the surface, the less damage it will invoke on the grip and durability of the mitt.

As you can see, there is no one size fits all approach to the life of the golf glove. However, if you had to put an average on it, the Invictus glove is not far off with the assumption of ten rounds of golf.

Do More Expensive Gloves Last Longer?

Surprisingly, more expensive gloves do not last long. According to Golfweek, Cabretta Leather are the most expensive glove on the market, but they wear out faster than a synthetic or hybrid construction.

Leather gloves combine with precisely positioned perforations to encourage optimal airflow through the glove to reduce perspiration. The quality of the glove from a feeling and comfort perspective is unmatchable.

However, if you wear leather gloves on a hot day, your sweat, coupled with the sun’s rays, will cause the leather to contract. That makes it challenging to get on and off.

That is in contrast to synthetic gloves, which deliver superior durability but reduce airflow. As a result, you can sweat profusely if you do not take this glove off between shots.

How to Make Your Gloves Last Longer

Remove The Glove Gently

How often do you yank at the fingers of your glove and violently tug at it to remove it from your hand? I am also guilty as charged. You need to stop doing that and be more delicate with the glove.

Pulling hard at your glove can stretch the material leading to a loose fit and a dysfunctional product. I suggest undoing the velcro or the glove’s clip, then sliding the glove off your palm and thumb. Next, apply pressure on your four fingers to create leverage and slide them out of the glove.

Therefore, you do not stretch your glove or tear the material while removing it.

Keep Two Gloves In Your Bag

Although some gloves feature moisture-wicking qualities to repel sweat, not all of them succeed. The material of a golf glove, combined with sweat, can cause it to contract, between disfigured and uncomfortable.

That is why the best way to avoid this scenario is to keep a replacement glove in your golf bag. If you find that your hands are sweating excessively, switch out the glove to maintain your grip on the club. When you swing with excess moisture on your hands, it can cause the club to slip and go flying.

Remove It Between Shots

Another way to limit the impact that sweat has on your hands is by removing the glove between shots. You have probably seen pro golfers do the same. I recommend it because it airs your hand and restricts the amount of moisture that circulates inside your glove.

For added convenience, store your glove in your back pocket between shots. Make sure that the palm of the glove sits inside your back pocket, with the fingers sticking out. That way, you do not impede the shape of the glove.

Keep in mind that despite their higher price, leather gloves are typically non-washable, as the water dehydrates the leather and shrinks it.

Keep It Clean

Before you clean your glove, check whether it can go in a washing machine or needs to be hand washed. Your gloves are bound to pick up dust particles and mud rapidly. That is why I suggest cleaning them frequently for maximum grip and comfort.

Grip Your Club Softer

Another way to increase the lifespan of your glove is to loosen your grip slightly. When you strangle the club, you put excess pressure on the material of your glove, causing it to tear around the palm region.

Take It Off For Your Short Game

Other than airing your hand, I suggest removing your glove when your wedges or putter is in hand. Not wearing a glove in your short game helps you increase the feel of the club to produce supreme control around the green.

Store It In Its Packaging

Once your round is complete, straighten out the glove to ensure the correct shape and place it back into its packaging. That protects it from becoming misconfigured or torn while resting in your golf bag.

Matt Stevens

Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years. Current Handicap: 8

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Let’s be honest—we could probably all do with learning how to clean our golf balls and other golf equipment better to make them last longer.

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place. Golf equipment can be expensive, so it pays to look after it.

How do you clean golf balls?

While most of us leave our balls in the bottom pocket of our golf bags until we let one slip out of bounds, there’s a better way forward, both for the longevity of the ball and its dazzling appearance.

• The most tried-and-tested method is to get a bucket of warm water and mix some soap into it. A wipe with a damp cloth should remove any excess dirt. If you want to try a bit harder, a toothbrush or soft-bristled brush should do the job. One final rinse should have them looking close to new again.
• If that hasn’t worked, soak your golf balls in a bucket of water and add some white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach or OxiClean (a mix of hydrogen peroxide and washing soda). Soak the balls for up to half an hour, but no longer, to avoid them becoming waterlogged. Again, a cloth or a soft-bristled brush should remove any remaining dirt. This method is considered one step up from the more traditional soap and water combination. 
• You don’t have to search very far before finding a photo of a load of golf balls in a dishwasher. But does it actually work? It has been tested many times, and it appears that the placement of the balls in your dishwasher doesn’t matter—the results are great. It should be noted that if you have a ‘Heated Dry’ cycle, it’s advisable to turn this off, as lengthy heat exposure and golf balls aren’t a good mix. This seems a particularly easy way to get old golf balls looking like new again.
• If you’re looking to remove your permanent marker lines, rubbing alcohol, acetone, or nail polish remover is your best bet. Rubbing alcohol is the gentlest of these solutions, while acetone is the harshest. If applying the latter, use gloves and take care when handling it.  

What not to do when cleaning your golf balls

When cleaning your golf balls, don’t…

• Soak the balls for too long 
• Leave them in the sun for too long, as this could change the internal compression, which will impact how the ball reacts off the clubface
• Use undiluted bleach, as this might have an unwanted effect on the ball’s outer layer 
• Use a sharp metal brush or too stiff a bristled brush, as you might scratch the surface of the ball or damage the outer layer, both of which will impact the performance of the ball 

How to clean golf shoes

Proper golf shoes are a significant investment, and with some straightforward care, you can easily prolong their lifespan, feel and performance.

FootJoy is the No. 1 golf shoe brand and offers valuable tips and advice on caring for your golf shoes. Some of the following will be alarmingly familiar…

• FootJoy suggest rotating your golf shoes, as two pairs of shoes will last more than twice the length of time one pair will
• Use a shoe horn when putting on your shoes to protect the heel. Damage to the heel can cause a poor fit and often leads to blistering 
• FootJoy strongly recommend leaving a shoe tree in your shoes when you’re not playing
• Don’t over-tighten your cleats, and check on them after each round 
• Don’t store your golf shoes in the boot of your car, as high temperatures will break down the materials over time

What to do with your golf shoes after a round

Always remove any dirt from your shoes straight after a round. Make the most of the air dryer if possible, and remove any residue, which will make the post-round clean much easier. Wet wipes are also a great way to give your golf shoes a thorough clean. A soft brush and warm water with soap/Fairy Liquid will also reach the tricky spots.

Tip: For optimal cleaning, remove the laces and inner soles to give your shoes the best chance of looking and performing at their best. When drying, place them in an airing cupboard or a well-ventilated area indoors, rather than in direct sunlight. Never use a hairdryer, as excessive heat can damage the uppers and outsoles.

Given that we live in the UK, we often play golf in the rain, so we must take care of our shoes. After cleaning, place a newspaper inside the shoes for approximately 8-10 hours to absorb excess water. Then, use the shoe tree to help the shoes return to their standard shape.

FootJoy offers a Wax Shoe Polish perfect for looking after high-quality leather and giving your shoes a lasting shine. However, remember that this is a polish, not a cleaning product, so ensure your shoes are as clean as possible before applying it.

How to clean golf gloves

Like with your shoes, it’s a good idea to have a few pairs of golf gloves on rotation to extend the lifespan of each of them. 

If you’re hitting balls on the range, there’s not necessarily any need to use one of your finest Cabretta leather offerings for this. Instead, it’s worth considering a synthetic glove for practice, as they’re more resistant to repeated use, and leather gloves certainly lose their effectiveness when used in high temperatures and sweating.

Air your golf gloves out as often as possible. Some golf bags even have a Velcro tab to let you attach your glove, which certainly helps you get the most out of them.

While Tour pros may change gloves every round or so, a decent glove should last you for 15-20 rounds at least. You can achieve this by not stuffing it in the bottom of your bag with the rest of your gear. There’s a chance that it might get punctured on the tees, and when folded up, your gloves will lose their shape and become crusty.

Remember how it felt when you first put that leather glove on? Well, put it back in your bag the same way that it came out. Stretch it back to its original shape and place it flat away from your other bits or, ideally, in the packet it came in.

And when it gets wet, that doesn’t necessarily spell the end of its lifespan. However, never use a hairdryer or put it on a radiator—instead, use your airing cupboard or just let it dry out naturally to help it back to its original shape.

Most leather gloves are not machine washable, either, so only gently hand-wash your favourite leather gloves with a mild detergent, and always air-dry afterwards. 

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

In addition to ensuring your golf equipment is kept in top condition, you may also want to consider protecting it with specialist golf insurance.

Through Golf Care, policies include Equipment Cover up to £7,500 and Public Liability up to £10m, so you can play golf with peace of mind. Get an online quote today.

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