Golf Glove Fit and Care: How to Size, Check and Look After a Cabretta Leather Glove

Your glove is the only thing between your hand and the club, so how it fits and how you look after it both matter. A glove that is too big lets your hand move inside it. A glove that is left damp in your bag goes stiff and wears out sooner.

This guide covers how a golf glove should fit, how to measure your hand with the Mint size guide, quick checks when you try a glove on, what wear patterns can tell you, and how to care for a cabretta leather glove like the MintGOLF Drive Pro Plus.

Why glove fit matters

FootJoy's golf glove fitting guide says a glove should "fit like a second skin, tight across the palm and fingers, with no loose material." It also estimates that "upwards of 50% of golfers" are wearing the wrong glove size, and that most are wearing one that is too big.

FootJoy calls the glove your closest point of contact with the club. If it does not fit properly, your hand can move inside the glove, and that movement could compromise your swing.

Which hand do you wear a golf glove on?

Most golfers wear a single glove on their top hand on the club, which is the non dominant hand. As PGA TOUR Superstore's glove buying guide explains, that means a right handed golfer usually wears a glove on the left hand, and a left handed golfer on the right.

How to measure your hand

The Mint golf glove size guide sizes gloves by hand circumference and hand length, and says measurements should be taken with a relaxed hand. Measure across the middle of the palm at its widest point, then measure the length of your hand, and compare both numbers with the chart.

These are the sizes the Drive Pro Plus gloves come in, taken from the Mint size guide:

Men's Drive Pro Plus (M, L, XL, XXL)

Women's Drive Pro Plus (M, L)

The full guide, including sizes outside the Drive Pro Plus range, is on the size guide page. If you fall between two sizes, FootJoy's advice is to try the smaller one first. FootJoy also suggests checking your size at the start of every season, because it can change over time.

Fit checks when you try a glove on

Once the glove is on, run through these quick checks, based on FootJoy's fitting guide:

• Palm. It should be snug across the palm with no wrinkles or loose material when you make a grip.
• Fingers. The fingers should be snug, with no extra material at the fingertips.
• Closure tab. Fasten the tab. FootJoy says it should cover about 75% of the back of the hand, leaving roughly 1/4 inch of the fastening uncovered, so you have room to adjust it during play.

The Drive Pro Plus has an adjustable closure that the listing says "allows a secure, customized fit," so take a moment to set it each time you put the glove on.

What glove wear can tell you

Ideally a glove shows no wear before it is time to replace it. If it does, FootJoy's guide says the pattern can point to something in your grip:

• Palm wear. Your hands may be slipping during the swing, or you may be holding the club in your palms rather than your fingers.
• Heel wear. You may be regripping at the top of the swing, or holding the club too close to the end. FootJoy suggests gripping about an inch from the end.
• Thumb wear. You may be extending your thumb too far down the shaft.

If one glove keeps wearing in the same place, a coach can check your grip. For the club side of the connection, see our guide to Siligrip Ringz and the Siligrip Ringz golf collection for a grip option.

What the MintGOLF Drive Pro Plus offers

All product details here come from the Mint listings for the men's black, men's white, women's black and women's white gloves:

• Cabretta leather. The glove is crafted from cabretta leather for a soft feel, secure grip and comfortable fit.
• Perforations. Precision located perforations support airflow and help reduce moisture, to keep your hand dry and comfortable.
• Adjustable closure. It helps create a precise fit around the hand.
• Magnetic ball marker. A Mint branded magnetic marker keeps a ball marker close at hand, so it is easy to mark your position on the green.
• Colors and sizes. Black or white. Men's in M, L, XL and XXL. Women's in M and L.

How to care for a cabretta leather golf glove

Leather gloves last longer when they are kept dry, clean and flat. These general care tips apply to a cabretta glove like the Drive Pro Plus:

• Do not store it damp in your golf bag. Air dry it flat, away from direct sunlight.
• Clean gently. Wipe it with a damp cloth. Avoid soaking it or putting it in the washing machine.
• Keep the marker with it. Store the glove with the magnetic ball marker attached so you do not misplace the marker.
• Rotate gloves. If you play often, rotate between gloves to extend their life.

FootJoy makes the same point about rotation: switching between gloves gives each one time to dry out between uses.

Glove fit and care checklist

• Measure a relaxed hand and compare it with the Mint size guide.
• Snug across the palm and fingers, no loose material at the tips.
• Closure tab covers most, not all, of the back of the hand.
• Between sizes? Try the smaller one.
• Air dry flat after play, out of direct sun, never stored damp.
• Wipe clean with a damp cloth, no soaking or machine washing.
• Rotate gloves if you play often.

Browse the full MintGOLF range for gloves, tees and golf balls, and read our guide to Surlyn vs urethane golf balls if you are choosing a ball as well.

FAQ

How tight should a golf glove be? Snug. FootJoy describes the ideal fit as a second skin, tight across the palm and fingers with no loose material.

What if I am between sizes? FootJoy suggests trying the smaller size first.

Can I wash a leather golf glove? As a general rule, wipe a leather glove with a damp cloth and avoid soaking it or putting it in the washing machine.

How should I dry my golf glove? Air dry it flat and away from direct sunlight, and do not leave it damp in your golf bag.

What sizes does the Drive Pro Plus come in? Men's M, L, XL and XXL, and women's M and L, each in black or white.

Sources

• Mint Sport, MintGOLF Drive Pro Plus golf glove listings and Size Guide: Golf Gloves
• FootJoy, Golf glove fitting guide
• PGA TOUR Superstore, How to buy golf gloves