Last updated October 22, 2026
What should I check first when choosing a golf glove?
Check the hand first, because a golf glove is sold for one hand. Then check the size, the material and the fit:
| Check | What to look for | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| Hand | Lead hand: left for right-handed golfers, right for left-handed golfers | Next section |
| Size | Middle-finger length and hand circumference, on that brand's chart | "What size golf glove do I need?" below |
| Cut | Regular or cadet, plus men's, women's or kids' sizes | "What is a cadet golf glove?" below |
| Material | Cabretta leather, synthetic, or a hybrid of both | "Cabretta or synthetic?" below |
| Fit | Snug, no loose material at the fingertips or palm | "How should a golf glove fit?" below |
Which hand do I wear a golf glove on?
Wear the glove on your lead hand, the one that grips nearer the butt end of the club. Right-handed golfers wear it on the left hand, and left-handed golfers on the right (The Golf News Net).
GOLF.com says the lead hand "rests on the handle more than the lower hand," so it is more prone to blisters and slipping. A glove helps with both.
Do I need two golf gloves? No. GOLF.com says a glove on the lower hand can numb the feedback from your shots, and it is common to putt without a glove. Wearing none, one or two is personal preference.
How do I measure my hand for a golf glove?
Take two measurements: the length of your middle finger and the circumference of your hand. Then match both on the brand's chart.
| Measurement | How Nike says to take it | How the FootJoy chart on SCHEELS describes it |
|---|---|---|
| Hand circumference | Wrap a tape "snugly around your knuckles" | Around the first knuckle, without the thumb |
| Middle-finger length | From between your middle and index fingers to the tip of the middle finger | Length of the middle finger |
Bruce Bolt measures length differently, "from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle finger." So use the method that the chart you are reading uses.
What size golf glove do I need?
Your size is where your finger length and hand circumference meet on the chart. This is Nike's men's chart, in inches. The ranges overlap, so one hand can fit two sizes:
| Nike men's size | Middle-finger length (in) | Hand circumference (in) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 2.7–3.21 | 7.36–8.25 |
| M | 3–3.31 | 7.36–8.46 |
| M/L | 3–3.41 | 7.6–8.68 |
| L | 3.13–3.5+ | 8.03–8.9+ |
| XL | 3.21–3.5+ | 8.25–8.9+ |
| XXL | 3.41–3.5+ | 8.68–8.9+ |
Source: Nike golf gloves size chart (see Sources). Nike's women's chart runs S to L, with hand circumference from 6.93 to 7.82 in:
| Nike women's size | Middle-finger length (in) | Hand circumference (in) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 2.56–2.7 | 6.93 |
| M | 2.56–2.85 | 6.93–7.15 |
| M/L | 2.56–3.21 | 6.93–7.82 |
| L | 2.56–3.31 | 6.93–7.82 |
Bruce Bolt says "sizes vary between brands," so check each brand's own chart. If you fall between two sizes, Bruce Bolt's advice is to size down.
What is a cadet golf glove?
A cadet glove is cut for a hand with a wider palm compared with its finger length. Sources disagree on the detail. Red Rooster Golf says cadet is "designed for a proportionally wider palm at the same finger length." Nike's charts, below, pair each cadet size with a shorter finger range and a larger hand circumference than the men's size with the same letter.
Nike publishes a separate cadet chart, in inches:
| Nike cadet size | Middle-finger length (in) | Hand circumference (in) |
|---|---|---|
| S | 2.56–2.85 | 7.82–8.03 |
| M | 2.85–3 | 8.03–8.25 |
| M/L | 3–3.13 | 8.25–8.46 |
| L | 3–3.21 | 8.46–8.9+ |
| XL | 3.21–3.31 | 8.68–8.9+ |
The FootJoy chart on SCHEELS also runs cadet sizes from Cadet S to Cadet XL.
Should I choose cabretta or synthetic golf gloves?
Choose cabretta for a thin, soft leather palm, and synthetic for lower cost and easier care. The sources give these trade-offs:
| Factor | Cabretta leather | Synthetic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Leather from sheep that grow hair rather than wool | Man-made material | Dictionary.com (cabretta) |
| Feel | Thinner and softer than most leathers; cowhide is "thicker, heavier, and slower to break in" | "The feel may differ from leather" | Grip Boost; Bruce Bolt |
| Wear | Leather gloves "may cost more and wear faster in hot or wet weather" | "Hold up well to frequent use" | Bruce Bolt |
| Price | Leather "may cost more" | "Often more affordable" | Bruce Bolt |
| Care | Leather: air dry, keep away from direct heat, store flat | Easier to maintain | Bruce Bolt |
What is a hybrid golf glove? A hybrid pairs a leather palm with a synthetic back. Bruce Bolt says this gives leather grip where it counts and ventilation elsewhere.
How thick is cabretta in a golf glove? There is no industry standard. Bruce Bolt says it uses 0.45 mm cabretta in its golf gloves, which is that brand's own spec.
Why do golf gloves use hair-sheep leather? A Bath Spa University report on a visit to the Pittards tannery says golf gloves need suppleness and resistance to water and sweat while staying breathable. It calls hair-sheep skin "stronger, smoother and finer than other kinds of sheep skin." For more on leathers, see glove leather types.
Most of these points come from glove brands. We found no independent test that compares cabretta and synthetic golf gloves on grip or lifespan.
How should a golf glove fit?
A golf glove should feel "like a second skin, snug without pinching," with no extra material at the fingertips or palm (Bruce Bolt).
- Too loose: the glove "bunches and slides" (Bruce Bolt).
- Too tight: you "lose flexibility over 18 holes" (Bruce Bolt).
- The closure tab: it should secure comfortably around your wrist (Bruce Bolt).
- Break-in: expect a brief break-in while leather softens and molds to your hand over a few rounds (Bruce Bolt).
How often should I replace a golf glove?
Bruce Bolt says to replace a golf glove when the palm wears thin, it no longer fits snugly, the grip drops or you can see wear. It estimates that regular players may need a new glove every 10 to 30 rounds. It says rotating two or three gloves helps each one last longer.
Making golf gloves for your brand or pro shop?
The checks above are the specs your customers will ask about, so put each one in your tech pack: hand, size range, cut, material and closure.
UMIRX makes cabretta leather golf gloves to order in Sialkot, Pakistan. Custom gloves start at 100 pairs per design, and you can mix sizes and colours within those 100 pairs. You start with a paid sample: our cabretta golf glove listing shows a Paid sample price. Production takes about 29 days after you approve the sample.
Our listed golf glove is a full-finger cabretta leather glove for the left hand, with a hook-and-loop adjustable wrist strap, in sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL and M/L. If you want a different material, ask about it in your quote request.
See custom golf gloves, our golf gloves range, or private label gloves if you are starting a brand. Making batting gloves too? Read how to choose batting gloves.