How to Measure Your Golf Glove Size

← Golf Equipment | Golf Accessories & Apparel

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Quick answer

• Grab a flexible tape measure and size your dominant hand.
• Measure palm circumference and middle finger length.
• Match those numbers to the brand’s specific size chart. Easy peasy.

Who this is for

• Anyone looking to buy new golf gloves and wants to get it right the first time.
• Golfers who’ve dealt with gloves that feel like a wet noodle or a vice grip. A good fit is crucial for your game.

Tools and prerequisites

• Flexible measuring tape: Think sewing tape, not a metal construction tape. It needs to bend around your hand.
• Pen and paper (or your phone): You’ll want to write down those numbers.
• Manufacturer’s sizing chart: This is non-negotiable. Every brand is a little different.

What to check first

• Your Dominant Hand: This is the hand you swing with, plain and simple. Measure this one.
• Relaxed Hand Position: Your hand needs to be flat and natural. No squeezing.
• Tape Measure Flexibility: A stiff tape will give you a bad reading. Make sure it wraps smoothly.
• Manufacturer’s Specific Chart: Don’t assume a Medium is a Medium across all brands. Always check their guide.
• Clean, Dry Hand: Moisture can affect measurements. Make sure your hand is dry.

Step-by-step plan for measuring golf glove size

1. Action: Relax your dominant hand.

• What to look for: Your hand should be flat and natural, with fingers slightly spread but not tense. Imagine resting it on a table.
• Mistake to avoid: Clenching your hand into a fist. This makes your palm artificially wider, leading to a glove that’s too big and sloppy.

2. Action: Wrap a flexible measuring tape around the widest part of your palm.

• What to look for: This is usually just below your knuckles, where your palm is at its broadest. The tape should be snug but not constricting. You should be able to slide a finger under it slightly.
• Mistake to avoid: Measuring too high up towards your fingers or too low down towards your wrist. You want the true widest point of the palm.

3. Action: Record the palm circumference measurement.

• What to look for: Note the number clearly in inches or centimeters, depending on the sizing chart you’ll use.
• Mistake to avoid: Forgetting to write it down or misreading the tape. Double-check your number.

4. Action: Measure the length of your middle finger.

• What to look for: Start at the very tip of your middle finger and measure straight down to the crease where your palm meets your fingers. This is the crucial length point.
• Mistake to avoid: Measuring to the end of your palm where your wrist starts. This is longer than the glove is designed to cover.

5. Action: Record the middle finger length.

• What to look for: Another precise measurement to add to your notes.
• Mistake to avoid: Guessing or rounding too aggressively. Small differences can matter for a good fit.

6. Action: Consult the golf glove manufacturer’s sizing chart.

• What to look for: Find the chart for the specific brand of glove you’re interested in. Match your palm circumference and middle finger length to their recommended size (e.g., S, M, L, XL, or specific numbers).
• Mistake to avoid: Assuming all brands use the same sizing system. They definitely do not. Always use the brand’s chart.

7. Action: Try on the glove if possible.

• What to look for: The glove should feel snug on your palm and fingers without being tight. There should be no excess material bunching up, especially in the palm or fingers. The cuff should sit comfortably at your wrist.
• Mistake to avoid: Buying online without checking reviews for fit comments or assuming your usual size will work.

How Do I Measure My Glove Size for Golf?

Getting the right glove size is a game-changer. It impacts your grip, control, and overall comfort on the course. It’s not rocket science, but you do need to be a bit precise. Forget about winging it; follow these steps and you’ll be setting yourself up for success. A well-fitting glove feels like a second skin, not a burden. It lets you focus on your swing, not on adjusting your gear.

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Measuring the wrong hand.
• Why it matters: You wear a golf glove on your dominant hand (the one you swing with) to improve grip. Sizing the wrong hand means the glove won’t fit where you need it to.
• Fix: Always measure your dominant hand. If you’re right-handed, measure your right hand. If you’re left-handed, measure your left.
• Mistake: Clenching the hand while measuring.
• Why it matters: This artificially inflates the circumference of your palm. It makes your hand look bigger than it is, leading to a glove that’s too loose and can slip during your swing.
• Fix: Keep your hand completely relaxed and flat. Let it rest naturally.
• Mistake: Measuring too far up the wrist.
• Why it matters: Golf gloves are designed to end at the base of your palm, right where your fingers meet your hand. Measuring higher up will give you an incorrect, larger measurement.
• Fix: Measure only to the crease at the base of your palm. Stop there.
• Mistake: Using a stiff ruler or non-flexible tape measure.
• Why it matters: Your hand is round. A flexible tape measure will conform to the curve of your palm, giving you an accurate circumference. A rigid ruler won’t.
• Fix: Use a soft, flexible measuring tape, like one used for sewing or tailoring.
• Mistake: Not checking the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
• Why it matters: Sizing standards can vary significantly between golf glove brands. A medium in one brand might be a large in another. Relying on general knowledge can lead to a poor fit.
• Fix: Always find and use the specific sizing chart provided by the brand of glove you intend to buy.
• Mistake: Rounding measurements too much.
• Why it matters: Golf glove sizing often relies on precise measurements. Small differences can mean the difference between a perfect fit and one that’s slightly too tight or too loose.
• Fix: Be as accurate as possible with your measurements, noting them down to the nearest eighth or sixteenth of an inch, or millimeter.
• Mistake: Forgetting to consider glove material.
• Why it matters: Leather gloves tend to stretch and conform to your hand over time, while synthetic gloves might offer less stretch. This can influence whether you lean towards a snugger or slightly looser fit initially.
• Fix: Read product descriptions and reviews to understand how the material behaves. Some brands might recommend sizing down slightly for leather gloves that will stretch.

FAQ

• How do I measure my golf glove size accurately?

Accurate measurement involves using a flexible tape measure to find the circumference of your dominant hand’s palm just below the knuckles and the length of your middle finger from tip to the palm crease. You then compare these two measurements against the specific sizing chart provided by the golf glove manufacturer.

• What is the best way to measure my palm for a golf glove?

The best way is to keep your dominant hand relaxed and flat, then wrap a flexible measuring tape snugly around the widest part of your palm, ensuring it’s not too tight or too loose. Record this measurement.

• Should I measure my dominant or non-dominant hand for a golf glove?

You should always measure your dominant hand. This is the hand that will wear the glove during your golf swing, and it’s the one that needs the precise fit for optimal grip and control.

• What if my measurements fall between sizes on the chart?

If your measurements fall between two sizes, it’s often best to try on both if possible. Many golfers prefer a snugger fit, which would mean choosing the smaller size. Others might prefer a little more room, opting for the larger size. If you can’t try them on, check reviews for the specific glove model for advice on sizing up or down.

• Do golf gloves stretch? If so, should I account for it when measuring?

Yes, golf gloves, especially those made of leather, do stretch and conform to your hand over time with use. For leather gloves, some manufacturers suggest choosing a snug fit initially, as they will loosen slightly. Synthetic gloves tend to have less stretch. It’s always best to consult the manufacturer’s specific recommendations regarding material stretch.

• How important is the middle finger length measurement?

The middle finger length measurement is crucial because it helps determine the overall length and fit of the glove fingers. Combined with palm circumference, it ensures the glove covers your hand properly without being too long or too short in the fingers, which can affect your feel and control.

• Can I use a piece of string and a ruler if I don’t have a flexible tape measure?

Yes, you can use a piece of string and a ruler if you don’t have a flexible tape measure. Wrap the string around your palm at the widest point, mark where the string overlaps, and then lay the string flat against the ruler to get your circumference measurement. Do the same for the middle finger length. Just be extra careful to keep the string taut and straight for accuracy.