Believe it or not, a golf glove makes a huge difference to your overall game. Thats because it allows you to grip your club securely, meaning you can then execute your shot correctly. Thats the thing about golf, its all about getting the fundamentals correct and then building on top of that, so making sure youve firmly gripped your club in a secure manner is paramount to striking the ball correctly.
Even beginners are encouraged to use a golf glove as early as possible; this is how fundamental this piece of equipment is to the game. If you havent ever picked up a club before, make sure you practice striking the ball consistently first, and then move on to making your shots more accurate. For everyone else, getting the right type of golfing glove will bring with it many benefits; these include:
Grip
As mentioned, the main reason that golfers use a golf glove is to ensure theyve got a firm grip when holding and swinging the golf club. The grip that golfers use will dictate how well they strike the ball. Youre grip shouldnt be too firm or too loose, because if you swing the club with a loose grip youll either let the club go, or change the angle of the club face, thus affecting the direction of your shot when you follow through and strike the ball.
If your grip is too hard, you wont have the flexibility in your wrists and swing to maximise the power of your shot, and so you will actually hinder your own game as a result. Using a glove will give you the added grip that you need, so you dont need to overcompensate your own grip or worry about the club being too loose.
Protection
Another major benefit of using a golf glove is the way that it can protect your own hand from rigours of golf. Any budding golfer will tell you that the first thing which starts to hurt when they play a round is their hands, from constantly gripping their clubs for several hours. Without a golf glove, you could have a serious problem on your hands (no pun intended). The gripping action can cause blisters and calluses on your hands, and if youre halfway round the course its going to get quite painful gripping your club if you have damaged your hand in this way. It can also protect you from the weather elements, so if its particularly wet or cold, your hand and thus your grip wont be affected.
Comfort
Another main benefit with a golf glove is their ability to provide comfort when playing a round. As mentioned, the affects of gripping will not only make you hand ache, but you can also develop nasty blisters and soars without using one, so preventing this and having added comfort will help you play much better. Many gloves actually have small holes to allow for perspiration, which means your hand will be kept dry and cool, allowing you to grip more effectively.
Things to consider
If you are right handed, its best to have your golf glove on your left hand. This is because when you grip a club, you use your left hand to grip the club, whilst your right hand is used to guide your shot. Your glove should fit comfortably over your hand, stretching across your palm. They need to fit your hand well, so make sure your glove isnt too large, the smaller the better. They do come in different sizes, ranging from Small to XXL, and come in a range of styles and designs suitable for men, women and children.