One Golf Glove or Two? When to Wear Both (and Why Most Wear One)
Walk onto any course and you'll see the same thing: nearly everyone wearing a single glove on one hand. It looks a little odd until you understand what the glove is actually doing. Here's why one is the norm, and the handful of situations where two - or none - is the smarter play.
Why most golfers wear one glove
A golf glove's main job is grip. Most of your control over the club comes from your lead hand - the top hand on the grip - so that's the hand that gets the glove. For a right-handed golfer that's the left hand; for a left-handed golfer it's the right. (If that's news to you, start with what hand you wear a golf glove on.)
Your trailing hand mostly stabilizes the club and doesn't take the same friction, so a second glove adds little for most players - and many golfers actually prefer the bare-hand feel on the bottom hand.
When to wear two golf gloves
There are real reasons to double up:
- Cold weather. Two gloves (or dedicated winter gloves) keep both hands warm so you don't lose feel in the cold.
- Rain and wet grips. All-weather or rain gloves work best worn as a pair - the wetter it gets, the more they grip. See rain golf gloves for how that works.
- Sweaty hands. If both hands sweat and slip, a second glove can restore control. More on that in golf gloves for sweaty hands.
- Blisters or sensitive skin. A second glove protects the trailing hand on high-volume practice days.
When to wear no glove at all
Plenty of golfers pull the glove off around the greens. Putting and chipping reward feel and touch over grip pressure, so bare hands often work better there. Taking the glove off also lets it air out and last longer - a habit we cover in how long golf gloves last. A small number of players wear no glove at all and simply grip the club directly; it comes down to feel and preference.
So what should you do?
Start with one glove on your lead hand - it's the standard for good reason. Add a second when the weather or your hands make grip a problem, and take it off entirely for the short game if you like the feel. There's no rule that scores you a penalty; it's whatever gives you the most consistent hold on the club.
Get the one that matters right
Whether you wear one glove or two, your lead-hand glove is the one doing the work. The B&C Proto I is 100% cabretta leather for the grip and feel where it counts, in left-hand and right-hand versions and five sizes. Dial in the fit with our sizing guide.
Frequently asked questions
Why do golfers only wear one glove?
Because most of your control over the club comes from your lead hand. The glove improves grip on that hand, while the trailing hand mainly stabilizes the club and doesn't need the same friction, so a single glove does the job for most players.
Is it OK to wear two golf gloves?
Yes. Wearing two gloves is common and sensible in cold or wet weather, for golfers with sweaty hands, or to prevent blisters during heavy practice. It's a matter of comfort and grip, not rules.
Should you take your glove off to putt?
Many golfers do. Putting and chipping rely on feel more than grip pressure, so removing the glove can improve touch around the greens. It also helps the glove air out and last longer.
Which hand does the single glove go on?
On your lead hand - the left hand for right-handed golfers, the right hand for left-handed golfers.
