Matt Cradock
A golf glove is one of the most under-appreciated pieces of golf equipment you can purchase, with the hands the only point of contact between you and the golf club. Not only do they help with grip, but they protect you from blisters, allow for confidence when addressing and striking the ball, as well as provide great feel through impact. A good golf glove is one of the best golf accessories you can invest in so, it stands to reason, that you purchase one that has style, durability and longevity because, although it may not seem it, it is an item which can improve your game without you even noticing.
What's more, there are a number of different options on the market that cater to a magnitude of different aspects. For those seeking the quality and feel trusted by top professionals, the premium leather offerings could be just the ticket as these gloves offer great comfort, breathability and unrivaled feel. Then, there are models from brands that perhaps aren't as recognized, with their offerings going for style and innovation.
In this guide, we have taken a look at the very best golf gloves on the market, with brands like FootJoy, Titleist and adidas all featuring. Additionally, if you are looking for a specific type of golf glove, then we also recommend taking a look at some of our other guides, such as the best golf gloves for women, the best golf rain gloves or the best winter golf gloves.
Best Golf Gloves
Materials: Premium Cabretta Leather
Sizes: S-3XL
+ Exceptional grip
+ Snug yet comfortable, adaptable fit
- Only one color option
The StaSof has been an incredibly popular franchise for over 35 years, both at retail and on Tour, with its popularity coming from the combination of feel and traction, as well as a hint of durability.
Constructed from a premium Cabretta leather, which provides a soft, supple feel, it also has a Powernet Mesh section at the back that helps with comfort and breathability. Along with its practicality, we thought it looked stunning at address and the stand-out feature is how it handles different weather conditions. This comes from the moisture management on offer that ensures, on hot days, you won’t lose control of the club. It features an All-climate grip and exclusive APL leather used on the palm and, in light passing showers, it performs admirably.
- Read our full FootJoy StaSof Glove Review
Material: Premium Leather
Sizes: S-XL
+ Sleek design
+ Tacky grip
- Not great in wetter weather
A lot of Tour players use Callaway golf equipment and the same is said for this Authentic golf glove. Developed with feedback from Callaway staff players, it is a premium leather glove taken to new heights thanks to the introduction of Callaway’s innovative Griptac. This greatly enhances the tackiness and grip it delivers.
We found this to be not only a comfortable glove, but also an option that offers tremendous feel and control on the grip. The cuff of the glove is constructed from a moisture-wicking material and the closure system has been cleverly designed to provide a neat and solid fit. There are also strategically placed perforations that mean the glove remains breathable in warmer conditions.
Material: Premium Leather
Sizes: S-XL
+ Sleek design
+ High quality leather
- Limited breathing holes
The Tour Preferred golf glove is a model of choice for many of the world's best players including Collin Morikawa and Charley Hull. It is a sleek and simple choice made from AAA Cabretta Soft Tech leather, which is ultra-thin for maximum comfort and feel.
The leather delivers a wonderful tackiness that means its grip on the club is excellent, with the contoured wristband and Velcro closure tab providing a comfortable and snug fit. Finally, the wristband is also moisture-wicking to keep your hand dry and sweat-free, with the Tour Preferred a great-looking premium leather glove that delivers all you need from a high-class performer.
Material: Premium leather
Sizes: S-XL
+ Stylish, premium design
+ Well-made and ample durability
- Thumb came up a fraction short for us
Next up we have the Tour Edition from Skins Golf, available in a multitude of cool colors and styles that definitely stand out on the golf course. But performance is not just aesthetic though, as these gloves are very well made and offer a soft, premium feel thanks to the leather. Of course this makes them extremely comfortable too.
What differentiates it further is, during our testing, the glove proved to be resilient and durable which can be a problem with soft, leather gloves. In fact we think it strikes a good balance between not being too soft and offering a decent level of durability. The price is also an attractive element here too.
Material: Premium leather
Sizes: S-2XL
+ Excellent fit and color choices
+ Cabretta leather gives exceptional feel
- Not good in wet weather
It's no secret that G/FORE produces some extravagant golf clothing and this premium golf glove is no different. Certainly, aesthetically, it will help you stand out on the fairways, with there being a tremendous range of colors to choose from, including the Camo version above.
However, it’s not just the looks that are worth commenting on, as the glove is constructed from AA Cabretta leather. This makes it a very comfy offering that provides an excellent and neat fit. Finally, it's precision-crafted and is highly durable as a result, with the seams and perforations very well placed, designed so the wearer won’t notice them and can play without distraction.
- Read our full G/FORE Golf Glove Review
Material: Premium Leather
Sizes: S-XL
+ Classic styling
+ Cabretta leather feels soft
- Scuffed up on the palm after a few rounds
The 100% premium Cabretta leather of the adidas glove feels and performs like a premium model with a soft, comfortable fit and excellent grip. It does give the impression that it is slightly smaller than other top models, but we were big fans of it during testing.
Just like the best adidas golf shoes, the durability was solid, with the glove offering a unique twist to those on the market. One way it does this is by having no air holes underneath the fingers. You may think that this affects breathability but, in testing, we found it performed superbly.
- Read our full adidas Ultimate Leather Glove Review
Material: Premium Leather
Sizes: S-2XL
+ Lightweight
+ Soft touch
- Thick seam on the palm noticeable at times
To begin with, the fit and feel of the HyperFLX Glove when we slid it on for the first time was exceptional, with the Cabretta leather feeling soft and premium. Importantly, we found there to be no excess material on either side of the hand and, consequently, the club didn't slip or move inside the hand during the swing.
Featuring stretchy ventilated sections on the back of the hand, the breathability was also superb, whilst there was no restriction as we gripped the golf club. One last point to make is that, despite being a softer leather, it was surprisingly hard-wearing so, if you store it correctly in your golf bag, it should last longer than you might expect!
- Read our full FootJoy HyperFLX Glove Review
Material: Premium Leather
Sizes: S-XL
+ Classic styling
+ Premium leather
- Not waterproof
Titleist are known for producing some of the best golf clubs on the market and, in the case of the golf glove category, they certainly know a thing or two, with the Players glove designed to make you look like a professional out on the golf course.
Offering a design that is classic and timeless, it is trusted by many of the world’s top players and is constructed from super thin Cabretta leather for the ultimate in feel and touch. Like most of the best Titleist golf bags on the market, this glove is also very durable thanks to satin reinforcements around the cuff and thumb. The seams have also been designed to not interfere with your grip on the club and the overall feel is excellent.
Material: Premium Leather
Sizes: S-3XL
+ Premium and comfortable material
+ Classy and smart appearance
- Durability in tougher conditions
The Jordan Tour Glove takes pride from its premium quality leather, creating a comfortable and soft feel, reinforced by a sturdy grip and fit around the hand. The glove rises to the top of the pile when it comes to comfort and appeals to golfers who perhaps value a glove’s quality over its resilience.
It perfectly suits dry conditions and reassures the golfer at address, knowing they are gripping the club with sturdiness. The high-quality design and feel comes at the cost of its endurance. Like most gloves, after a round of golf in less amicable conditions, the glove visibly suffers from some wear as a result of the material.
Material: Synthetic Leather
Sizes: S-XL
+ Textured palm for enhanced grip
+ Lightweight and breathable
- Not the softest feel
This all-purpose offering is a good all-around, versatile option that is durable and provides excellent value for money. The synthetic material used is also both comfortable and hard-wearing, with the Medal glove standing up to most weather conditions. The textured palm offers excellent grip and a really nice tacky feel on the club and it's also lightweight and fast drying, with the stretch material across and between the knuckles delivering a great fit.
What's more, there is also the addition of an excellent, precise closure tab, with the Under Armour a solid, lightweight everyday glove that will look great paired with any outfit.
Materials: Premium Leather
Sizes: S-XXL
+ Soft, premium leather construction
+ Great breathability
- Premium price tag
Nike golf gloves are worn by some of the best golfers on the planet, including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, and, in terms of the Tour Classic 4, we can see why, with it providing excellent breathability and a premium feel from its range of soft, sheepskin and goatskin leather.
Featuring more perforations at the fingers and the back of the hand, the breathability of this glove is excellent and, consequently, it kept our hands fresher for longer in testing. What's more, there is an angled tab that helps the overall fit and comfort, something which is crucial for when you're out on the course. Overall, this is a great golf glove that performs extremely well, but just be wary that it is on the slightly pricier side...
How we test golf gloves
In terms of testing golf gloves, we should say our process is similar to all the other golf gear reviews we produce in that manufacturers cannot pay for a good review, and we tell it how we see it.
We seek to try and be as comprehensive as possible in testing and reviewing the product, which means we have used it over a number of rounds and in different conditions because this often gave us great insight into things like durability, fit, quality and so on. It is worth acknowledging that our dedicated testing team reviews a lot of golf clubs and that allows them to test golf gloves considerably as well, whilst the entire Golf Monthly team are regular golfers as well which allows us to be as honest and insightful as needed.
What to look for in a golf glove
You may not think the golf glove is that important compared to other pieces of equipment; however it really is as, after all, it is the only part of the body that remains connected with the club throughout the swing.
So, what are the things you need to think about when looking into purchasing a new golf glove? Well below are some factors and pieces of advice to consider.
1. Which hand?
For the beginners out there, a golfer who plays right-handed will typically wear a golf glove on their left hand. This is because the left hand is the lead hand in the swing, provided the player has a conventional grip. Golfers who play left-handed typically wear a glove on their right hand.
Related: Which Hand Do You Wear A Golf Glove On?
2. Type
First things first, know what type of glove you want. You may be after a premium leather model which will perform totally differently to a synthetic, or even, a wet weather model. These do different things and, more importantly, feel different, so think about what you like to feel when wearing a golf glove.
3. Material
The material will also be important too. The top premium leather models are designed to feel soft whilst also giving you a good feel of the grip during the swing. They are essentially designed to be like a second skin. Some gloves also have synthetic parts on them, which are designed to offer more stretch, especially along the knuckles. These synthetic gloves also might be more durable than the leather designs. Finally, wet weather gloves are more about protection than feel. The material on most all-weather models offers more grip the wetter they get so, if you play in an area with a lot of rain, definitely consider a model designed to deal with it.
4. Fit
We can hear you asking how should a glove fit? Well, the golf glove should feel like a second skin with no excess material either across the palm of the hand or at the end of the fingers. Make sure there’s a snug fit across the palm and there’s no loose material at the end of the fingers. But you also don’t want a glove to be so tight that it feels like it’s cutting off the blood supply. You should be able to stretch your fingers and make a ball with your fist without the glove pulling or over-stretching.
5. Breathability
This is a big point to consider when buying a new golf glove especially if you're playing in warmer conditions where your hand can sweat and slip along the grip of the golf club. For that reason, you need to consider buying a golf glove that can keep your hand well-ventilated on the course. For more advice on the best golf gloves for breathability, check out our guide on the best golf gloves for sweaty hands.
FAQs
What glove should I wear for golf?
We would always recommend wearing a golf glove that has been designed for the game because this will ensure grip, stability and confidence. In terms of which hand, a golfer who plays right-handed will typically wear a golf glove on their left hand. The reason for this is; with a conventional grip, the left hand is placed at the top of the club and is the lead hand through the swing. It's essential that the left hand provides a firm attachment to the club. The opposite is true for left-handed players.
Why do professional players take their golf gloves off to putt?
Pro golfers often take their gloves off to putt and sometimes chip as some feel it gives them greater control and feel on the putter and the wedge. That means you are more able to hit dinky shots and judge the speed of the ball better.
Do golf gloves actually help?
The simple answer here is yes. Golf gloves provide grip and are tackier than normal gloves which allows the player be able to grip onto the golf club with more confidence and stability. If a player is not using a golf glove then the club may twist in their hands which could lead to errant shots. Golf gloves are also designed to be able to deal with sweat and wet conditions as well, both of which can have a detrimental impact on grip throughout the golf swing.
For more golf buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf rangefinders, best golf drivers, or best push carts.
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