How to Choose Golf Gloves: Size, Material and Fit
A simple guide to choosing golf gloves — how to size them, which hand to wear one on, and when leather beats synthetic.
How to choose golf gloves: size, material and fit
A good glove is the cheapest way to improve your grip and comfort on the course, so it pays to choose well. Learning how to choose golf gloves comes down to three things: the right size, the right hand, and the right material for your climate. Get those right and the glove feels like a second skin; get them wrong and it twists, slips or wears out fast.
Get the size and hand right
Golf glove sizing is based on the circumference of your hand around the knuckles. Wrap a tape measure around the widest part of your lead hand and match the number to the maker's chart. A correct glove reaches your fingertips with no loose material and fits snugly like a second skin — if you are between sizes, size down, because gloves stretch slightly with use. Right-handed golfers wear a glove on the left hand and vice versa. Value multipacks like the Penguin Golf Glove (Pack of 2 pcs) Right Hand Glove for Left Hand Player (₹449) and Penguin Golf Glove (Pack of 2 pcs) (₹449) make it easy to keep a fresh spare in the bag.
Leather vs synthetic
Premium Cabretta leather is the gold standard — soft, breathable and it moulds to your hand for the best feel. The downside is that it stiffens and loses grip in wet or very humid conditions, which matters in Indian summers and the monsoon. Synthetic gloves are tougher, more weather-resistant and hold their shape longer, though they sacrifice a little feel. Many golfers keep both: leather for dry rounds and a synthetic for humid days. A reliable option like the PowerBilt Golf LH Glove (₹740) covers everyday play.
Care and storage
A glove lasts far longer if you look after it. Take it off between holes to let it breathe, never stuff it damp into your bag, and smooth it flat to dry. Rotating two gloves doubles their lifespan. A simple GolfBasic Premium Glove Hanger (₹299) keeps spares dry and in shape. Replace a glove once the palm goes shiny or thin — that is the grip failing.
If you have a wider palm with shorter fingers, look for cadet sizing, which is cut for exactly that hand shape and fixes the common problem of a glove that fits the palm but leaves the fingertips loose. And while a glove improves grip, it is not a substitute for a clean, dry grip on the club itself — wipe both down between holes in humid weather for the most consistent hold.
Leather vs synthetic gloves
| Factor | Leather | Synthetic |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Best | Good |
| Wet/humid grip | Weaker | Stronger |
| Durability | Moulds, wears faster | Holds shape longer |
Shop the gear
- GolfBasic Premium Glove Hanger — ₹299
₹490 - Penguin Golf Glove (Pack of 2 pcs) Right Hand Glove for Left Hand Player — ₹449
₹599 - Penguin Golf Glove (Pack of 2 pcs) — ₹449
₹599 - PowerBilt Golf LH Glove — ₹740
₹800
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Frequently asked questions
How should a golf glove fit?
Snugly, like a second skin. Your fingertips should reach the ends with no loose material across the palm. If you are between sizes, size down because gloves stretch with use.
Which hand do you wear a golf glove on?
On your lead hand — the left hand for right-handed golfers and the right hand for left-handed golfers. Some players wear two in wet weather.
Is leather or synthetic better for golf gloves?
Leather offers the best feel but loses grip when wet or humid. Synthetic is tougher and more weather-resistant. In humid Indian conditions, many golfers keep one of each.