Putter & Tweed

Hole 6 · Since 1900

The golf glove: why one hand, and who played without one

1900s onwards: the leather glove becomes standard kit

A glove on the lead hand only, the hand that grips hardest and blisters first. Standard gear since the 20th century, though Ben Hogan and a few other champions never wore one.

A white leather golf glove on the green beside a ball and putter
A white leather golf glove on the green beside a ball and putter. Gerarddm / Wikimedia Commons, CC0. CC0. Source.

What it solved on the course

The lead hand rests on the handle more than the lower hand, so it blisters and slips more. A glove protects the skin, adds grip and reduces tension, letting the hands release through the swing. It also keeps a bare trailing hand free for a drink, a cigar or a sandwich.

History

Early golfers did not set out to make a fashion statement. Clubs had crude grips made of rough leather or twine, and players pulled on canvas or sheepskin coverings, essentially the first gloves, to hold on without tearing up their hands. Modern leather gloves arrived in the 20th century, probably borrowed from glove-wearing sports like baseball and equestrian riding, and they settled on one hand: the lead hand, which sits on the handle hardest and takes the most punishment.

That logic still holds. The lead hand slips and blisters more, so a glove there reduces tension and frees the release of the hands. A second rumoured reason is more domestic: a bare trailing hand can hold a drink, a cigar or food without smearing grease on the leather.

Not everyone agreed. Ben Hogan never wore a glove, and his calluses were famous; fellow Masters champion Jimmy Demaret said shaking hands with him felt like putting your hand in a meat grinder. Jack Nicklaus kept his glove on even while putting. Lucas Glover, the last US Open winner to go without one, in 2009, has worn exactly one golf glove in his life. Fred Couples dropped the glove altogether rather than keep buying new ones in the Seattle rain.

Who wore it best

  • Ben Hogan

    Never wore a glove at all. His hands turned so callused that Jimmy Demaret compared his handshake to a meat grinder.[3]

  • Jack Nicklaus

    Wore his glove for the whole round, keeping it on even while putting.[2]

  • Fred Couples

    Gave up gloves entirely after spending too much money replacing them in the Seattle rain.[1]

  • Lucas Glover

    The last US Open winner to win without a glove, in 2009, and he has worn exactly one golf glove in his life.[2]

How to wear it now

  1. Choose the lead hand: right-handed players glove the left hand, left-handed players glove the right. If you are unsure, buy one glove and try it before committing to a dozen.
  2. Cabretta leather gives the softest feel and best grip in dry weather; synthetic gloves last longer and cope better with rain and heavy practice. Keep a spare in the bag.
  3. Match the glove to your bag rather than your outfit if you want a tidy look. White stays classic, but black, gray or tan hide dirt better on winter fairways.
  4. If chafing or wet weather bothers you, a glove on both hands is allowed and lower-hand gloves are easy to find.
  5. Let the glove dry flat and away from direct heat after a round. Take it off to putt if you prefer the bare-hand feel.

Where to buy

New

Vintage

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Sources

  1. Why do golfers wear only one glove?, GOLF.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  2. Tiger Woods, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and their perfect golf grips, GOLF.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  3. Ben Hogan, Wikipedia. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
  4. Golf equipment, Wikipedia. Retrieved 2026-09-29.

Updated .