How Long Do Golf Gloves Last? (Everything You Need To Know)

How long do golf gloves last? The truth is it depends on the player, the conditions they play in, and the type of glove a golfer uses. All of these factors and more will affect the performance of your glove.

If you’re like me, it’s crucial to find the best golf equipment for your game, and perhaps nothing is more important than any equipment that involves your grip on the club. If your glove wears out, it will affect your grip, and ultimately your golf swing will suffer. However, if you’re going to find the longest-lasting golf glove for your game, you will need to consider several factors.

Player vs. Golf Glove

If a golfer only plays once a week and rarely practices, the likely hood of them going through a glove quickly is slim to none. It’s simple but true: the less you use a golf glove, the fewer wear marks you will get, which is why Tiger Woods goes through quite a bit of gloves during practice and tournament weeks, especially during his prime when his practice schedule was even more demanding.

Professional golfers—especially PGA Tour and LPGA Tour pros—who play the game for a living will likely practice almost daily, which means they will go through gloves much quicker than the average weekend golfer who plays the occasional Saturday round and rarely hits range balls. It’s simple logic but overlooked at times.

Weather Matters

Another thing to consider when determining how long a glove may last is the weather.

If you’re like me and get sweaty hands when playing in the heat, a full leather glove will wear out faster and may also cause problems with your grip on the golf club. This is not to say that leather gloves are a terrible choice (I use a full Cabretta leather glove); you just have to consider the glove’s inevitable wear down and keep an extra in your golf bag if possible.

If you’re playing golf in hot weather and high humidity, chances are you will sweat, and your glove will not last as long. However, if it’s in the mid-50s outside and the humidity is almost nonexistent, your glove should hold up well.

Wet weather is also a factor that will significantly affect the durability of a glove. Once most of the full Cabretta leather gloves get wet, they stretch and eventually tear, and nothing may be worse than a wet glove. Sometimes a glove can be dried out and reused, but even then, it will not be nearly as good. So, if you plan on playing golf in the rain, you should consider using rain gloves or at least bringing an extra glove or two for the round.

The Type of Glove Is Key

There are three main types of golf gloves:

• Full Cabretta Leather
• Synthetic
• Hybrid

Full Cabretta Leather

Although a full Cabretta leather glove is the highest quality of the three and preferred by top players, it tends to wear out faster, resulting in the need to replace it with a new glove more often. This full leather golf glove will also expand as it is used, especially during the hot months, so it’s important to find the right size for you—perhaps err a little on the snug side.

Synthetic

Even though a synthetic glove will lack the feel of its full leather counterparts, it will usually last much longer. These types of gloves are great for those who just want something that will last longer and are not as concerned with feel; however, it’s still essential to find a glove that fits you properly, especially when it comes to synthetic, because they tend to have a looser fit.

Hybrid

The hybrid version of the golf glove is an excellent alternative for those who want a glove with some leather and want it to last longer. The hybrid is a mixture of both Cabretta leather and synthetic. I’ve experimented with these types of gloves and find them useful, especially in the summer months in hot climates when I sweat more and there’s more moisture in the air.

Size Wise

You should do a couple things when trying to find the right fit for a glove.

First, try it on and see how it fits in the fingers and palm. If the glove feels too snug, chances are it’s not the right fit for you; however, if it’s too loose, it’s also not sized correctly. This first step is just a general observation of what feels right.

Second, once you feel like you’ve found the right size glove, there’s one more step to make sure it is indeed right for you: open your hand completely while wearing the glove and try to pinch the material in the palm. If you can pinch little to no material, you’ve found the right size glove for your hand, but if not, it may be wise to size down.

How Long Do Golf Gloves Last?

Picking the right type and size golf glove is essential for your game. If, after taking in all the information above, you’re still unsure how to find the best golf glove for you, do not hesitate to reach out to a golf professional at your local club for help. Chances are they will be more than willing to help you find the right glove that will make all the difference in practice sessions and on the golf course because a good glove leads to a better grip and potentially lower scores.

Another option is to visit a good golf retail store and speak with a knowledgeable team member. Don’t be afraid to ask questions because not only can the right person tell you approximately how long golf gloves last, but they will also be able to point you in the direction of the longest-lasting golf glove in stock. Just remember that many factors play a role in the life and performance of your glove, and a good golf glove is the one that is right for your game.

Resources:

https://golftips.golfweek.usatoday.com/types-golf-gloves-1538.html