Why Do Golfers Only Wear One Glove & Not Two?
Golfers on television or at your local course often sport a single glove, usually on one hand, leaving the other bare. If you have picked up a club for the first time or simply watched golf now and then, you may have wondered about this style choice.
It looks like a small detail, but there is a practical reason behind it. Once you understand what the glove is doing during the swing, the one-glove approach makes a lot more sense. Read on to learn more.
Why Golfers Wear Gloves in the First Place
Golf gloves are a common sight on courses across the UK. You will often spot players pulling on a thin, fitted glove before each shot. The main reason for wearing a glove is grip. Clubs can turn in the hands, especially if your palms get sweaty or the weather turns damp. A well-fitted glove adds traction so the club stays secure throughout the swing.
There is also a comfort element. Over 18 holes, repeated swings create friction where the hands meet the handle. Without a barrier, that rubbing can lead to sore spots or blisters. A glove provides a smooth layer that helps protect the skin without feeling bulky, which is why golfers often keep one in play for most full shots.
Materials tend to be either leather, which gives a soft, responsive feel, or synthetic fibres, which are slightly more durable and cope well with mixed weather. Many golfers carry a spare and rotate during a round so the glove stays dry and effective. Fit matters too: a glove that is snug across the palm and fingers, with minimal loose fabric, lets the hand work naturally.
You will also notice some players take the glove off for putts or delicate chips. That is to increase feedback through the fingers when touch and pace are the priority.
Why Do Golfers Only Wear One Glove?
Most golfers use just one glove, worn on the top hand on the grip. For right-handed players, that is the left hand; for left-handed players, it is the right. This lead hand anchors the club, managing most of the pressure through the swing. Extra grip here reduces twisting at impact and keeps the face more stable.
The lower or trail hand guides the club and provides a lot of the feel. Leaving that hand ungloved preserves fine feedback in the fingers, which helps with controlling the start direction, shaping shots and gauging how the club is moving through the turf. It is the same idea you see when players remove the glove for putting: more skin contact can improve touch.
Wearing a single glove also keeps the overall grip from feeling too thick. Two layers of material can dull sensation and slightly restrict how the hands work together. By gloving only the hand that benefits most from added traction, golfers get a blend of security and responsiveness that suits full swings and shorter shots alike.
Do All Professional Golfers Use a Glove?
Most professionals wear a glove for full shots because it offers consistent grip in every condition, from hot afternoons to sudden showers. On tour, it is common to see players carry several gloves and switch as soon as one becomes damp, keeping the feel identical from tee to green.
That said, a few well-known players have gone without. They prefer direct contact with the handle and trust their technique to maintain control in different weather. You will also see many pros take the glove off for wedges around the green and for putting, prioritising touch over traction for those precise moments.
In other words, there is no fixed rule. The decision reflects how a golfer balances security, comfort and feel across different parts of the game.
Are There Any Golfers That Wear Gloves on Both Hands?
A small number of golfers wear gloves on both hands, but it is unusual. The most common reason is weather. In steady rain, purpose-made rain gloves work best in pairs because they actually grip better when wet. In winter, insulated gloves on both hands help keep fingers warm enough to hold the club properly, which can be more important than pure feel on a frosty morning.
There are also rare cases where two gloves become part of a player’s style. Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey is the standout example, building his identity around the look. Even then, most players return to a single glove as soon as conditions allow. Two gloves can reduce finesse in the short game, where tiny differences in pressure and release make a big impact.
If you notice someone wearing two, it usually says more about the day’s conditions than a different method. When the course dries out or the temperature rises, almost everyone goes back to one.
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