What Hand Do You Wear a Golf Glove On?
By the B&C Golf team · Updated July 2026
It's one of the first questions every new golfer asks, and there's no reason to feel bad if you don't know the answer yet. Here it is, plainly.
What hand do you wear a golf glove on?
If you are a right-handed golfer, you wear a golf glove on your left hand. Right-handed golfers need a left-hand glove, commonly labelled LH.
If you are a left-handed golfer, you wear a golf glove on your right hand. Left-handed golfers need a right-hand glove, commonly labelled RH.
The simple rule: the glove goes on your lead hand - the hand nearest the top of the grip when you set up to the ball.
| If you play golf... | Wear the glove on your... | Glove to buy |
|---|---|---|
| Right-handed | Left hand | LH (left-hand glove) |
| Left-handed | Right hand | RH (right-hand glove) |
Need a glove? Meet the B&C Proto I
100% premium cabretta leather - lightweight, breathable, and built to last. Available left- and right-hand, sizes S to XL.
Shop the Proto IWhy do you wear the glove on that hand?
The glove's main job is grip, and most of your control over the club comes from your lead hand. For a right-handed golfer that's the left hand sitting at the top of the grip, doing the steering. The trailing hand mainly stabilizes the club, so it takes less friction and most golfers leave it bare. The opposite is true for left-handed golfers.
If the lead-hand grip feels strange at first, that's normal - it settles fast with a bit of practice. Hitting a small bucket at a driving range is the easiest way to get used to it, and it's also how a new glove breaks in to your hand. If you're in BC and need somewhere to practice, you can find a range near you on DrivingRangeGolf.com.
Why do you wear only one golf glove?
Because a second glove adds little for most players. Your lead hand does the gripping work; your trailing hand supports. Many golfers actually prefer the bare-hand feel on the bottom hand. That said, there are good reasons to wear two - cold, rain, sweaty hands - which we cover in one golf glove or two.
What does a golf glove do?
A golf glove is your connection to the club. It improves grip on the handle so you can hold the club with less squeeze, which keeps your hands and forearms relaxed through the swing. Gloves also add a little warmth on cold days, help in the rain, and - let's be honest - look the part.
Do you need a golf glove?
A glove isn't strictly required to play, but nearly everyone on the course wears one because it genuinely helps your hold on the club. There are moments where most golfers take it off, though - putting and chipping, where feel matters more than grip. Slipping the glove off for the short game also lets it air out and last longer.
When should you take your golf glove off?
- Putting and chipping - feel beats grip pressure around the greens.
- Between shots - airing out the glove keeps sweat from baking in and extends its life.
- Wet or sweaty rounds - so the leather can dry rather than staying soaked.
Little habits like these make a real difference to how long a glove lasts - more on that in how long golf gloves last.
Getting the right glove (and the right fit)
Once you know which hand, two things decide whether a glove actually helps: the material and the fit. Cabretta leather gives the best feel, while synthetics trade some feel for durability and wet-weather grip - the full comparison is in leather vs synthetic golf gloves. And a glove only works if it fits like a second skin; our golf glove sizing guide shows you how to measure your hand and pass the fit test.
What is the best golf glove?
We may be a little biased, but we're proud of the B&C Golf Proto I. It's made from 100% premium cabretta leather - durable, lightweight, and breathable - and it comes in both left-hand and right-hand versions across five sizes. Whether it's your first round or you're a scratch golfer chasing a performance glove, it breaks in to feel like it was made for your hand.
The bottom line
- Right-handed golfers wear a glove on their left hand (LH).
- Left-handed golfers wear a glove on their right hand (RH).
- The glove goes on your lead hand because that's where your grip and control come from.
- One glove is standard; take it off for putting and chipping.
- Get the material and fit right, and we'd point you to the B&C Proto I.
Frequently asked questions
What hand do you wear a golf glove on?
Right-handed golfers wear the glove on their left hand (a left-hand glove, LH). Left-handed golfers wear it on their right hand (a right-hand glove, RH). The glove always goes on your lead hand.
Why do golfers only wear one glove?
Most of your grip and control comes from your lead hand, so that's the hand that gets the glove. The trailing hand mainly stabilizes the club and takes less friction, so a second glove isn't needed for most players.
Do you wear a golf glove to putt?
Usually not. Putting and chipping rely on feel more than grip, so most golfers take the glove off around the greens. It also helps the glove air out and last longer.
What does LH and RH mean on a golf glove?
LH means a left-hand glove, worn by right-handed golfers. RH means a right-hand glove, worn by left-handed golfers. The label refers to the hand the glove fits, not the golfer's dominant side.
