How to look after your golf glove

19 July 2022

Your golf glove is an essential piece of kit—it connects the body with the club. It’s no exaggeration to say that its condition can significantly impact your performance, so it’s important to keep it well maintained.

A good-quality golf glove should last somewhere between 15 and 20 rounds. However, given that some premium Cabretta leather gloves cost north of £20, you can end up spending quite a bit of cash if you’re buying a new one every three or four rounds.

So, here are a few top tips on how to look after your golf glove.

1. Store it properly

So, you finish your round—what’s one of the first things you do? You whip your glove off and stuff it in your bag with all your tees and other accessories.

The danger with this, though, is that the leather can end up getting punctured and lose its shape. If the glove is clean and dry, you should stretch it back to its original shape, as this will bring the natural oils of the leather to the surface and help maintain that suppleness and responsive feel that we rely on when playing.

Then, store it in its original packaging and lay it flat in the same shape it came in. If you don’t still have the original packaging, a zippered sandwich bag will work just fine.

2. Take your glove off between shots

It makes no sense to keep it on. Let your glove breathe!

Try getting into the habit of strapping your glove to your bag or cart. It’s important to take it off when you’re driving a buggy, too, as steering wheels pick up dirt and grime.

3. Rotate your gloves as you play

Swapping one crisp, new glove for another as you play is not showing off—it’s a wise move, especially if your hands tend to sweat a lot. It will give the other glove a chance to dry out properly and help you to keep performing at your best.

4. Don’t dry it on the radiator

It seems like a logical thing to do—but this is a big ‘no no’. Golf gloves do not appreciate being left on top of a radiator or blasted with a hair dryer! This will cause the leather to go hard, crack and shrink.

We’ve all played with one of those gloves before—and they’re no good at all. So, whether your glove has taken a soaking in the rain or it’s been drenched with sweat on a summer’s day, don’t be tempted to leave it on a radiator. Instead, let a wet glove dry out naturally, encouraging it to return to its original shape.

5. Wash it

This isn’t an exact science, but many golfers swear by popping dirty golf gloves in the washing machine. If you’re going to do this, though— and only bother if it’s obvious the glove doesn’t need changing—do so on a cold and delicate wash.

Afterwards, while it’s still wet, slip it back on to get it back into its original shape. Give it a squeeze or two, then place it down and let it dry—but not on a radiator!

There’s also another way to wash your golf glove that doesn’t involve a washing machine. Pour a small amount of cold water over it and use a towel to wipe away the grit and grime. You can do it whilst the glove is on your hand, and there’s no need to use soap.

However, a word of warning: continuous washing may wear out the leather, so only give a golf glove the washing machine treatment if it’s noticeably spoiled.

There comes a time when you just have to bite the bullet and invest in a new one.

Related: How do I clean a golf glove?

6. Don’t use it as a wipe

Show your glove a bit of respect—it’s not a cloth! By taking it off between shots, you’ll yourself from using your glove to wipe your ball. Nor should it be used to wipe sweat from your face and arms. Salt from sweat dehydrates the leather, which is going to reduce its lifespan. Yes, they’re designed to control moisture, but that doesn’t mean you should use them as towels.

7. Practice with an older glove

One way to get the most out of your ‘best’ glove is to use an older one on the range. We’re not saying you should keep a bunch of old cracked gloves with holes in them, but those that score six or seven out of ten are just fine for hitting and chipping balls with.

8. Check your wear marks

If your glove is wearing out on the palm below the pinky finger, this suggests that you may have a problem with your grip. Don’t blame the quality of your glove if it’s wearing quickly in the thumb and index finger area, either. Show your club pro, and you might get a diagnosis.

Specialist golf insurance through Golf Care

Now you know how to look after your golf glove, you should also consider protecting yourself and your equipment with insurance, should anything happen while out playing a round.

At Golf Care, our arranged golf insurance includes Equipment cover up to £7,500, Public Liability up to £10m and much more. It’s also underpinned by our very own ‘Ripe Guarantee’, which promises great cover and exceptional service at a price you can afford.

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