2019 PERFORMANCE GLOVE BUYERS GUIDE
Who doesn’t want to save money? Not too long ago, cost was the primary determining factor for golfers choosing between premium (tour) and performance gloves. As values options have entered the market, however, price isn’t the consideration it once was. It’s true that premium gloves are typically softer, thinner, and offer full leather construction. It’s also true that not every golfer wants that from a glove. If you prefer thicker (more durable) leather, stretch materials, and greater breathability, your sweet spot is likely in the performance category. The category also allows golfers to wear familiar logos, often at price points significantly below what you find in the premium category.
If you’re a performance glove guy, you may be wondering which glove is right for you? That’s where we come in. We put the best of the performance category to the test – and even threw in a few rain gloves for good measure.
Whether you’re looking to buy a new glove today, looking for some buying advice, or just want a closer look at what’s on the market right now, this guide will help you find the right premium glove to fit your needs.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect performance glove to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a rigorous and fully independent testing process that leaves no leather unexplored, no velcro unsupported, and no stone unturned.
The Test Process
Gloves are tested head to head with rigorous protocols. Consideration is given to the fit, comfort, and ultimately the performance of the glove.
Our Metrics
The metrics we consider when rating gloves include Comfort, Fit, Feel, and Grip.
FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU
Comfort
Some prefer thinner material as it gives them the feeling of being more connected with the club. Others are happy to trade a bit of feel for the durability that a thicker leather often brings. Generally speaking, gloves in the performance category tend to be thicker than the premium gloves we tested. We still test each glove to ensure there aren’t any poorly placed seams or excess material that can cause discomfort or decrease durability.
Fit
A proper fitting golf glove should fit tight across the palm and fingers, but not too restricting when clenching your fist. There should a 1/4″ gap left after you’ve secured the velcro. Also, be aware that, when it comes to sizing, some brands are not as consistent as others. One large glove may not be quite as large as the next. Not only should you look for a glove that fits properly, but serious golfers should gravitate towards brands that can consistently reproduce the exact same sized glove time and time again.
Grip
If you don’t wear a glove, this guide isn’t for you, but the reality is that the overwhelming majority of tour professionals wear a glove. Why? Gloves are tackier than skin, particularly in the humid months, and help maintain a consistent connection to the club. A glove that preserves that connection will help you to feel confident in every swing, knowing that you’re not going to lose control of the club.
EXPERT TIP - Glove fitting?
Your glove is the only thing between you and the golf club. It should fit properly. A new glove should start with 1/4" of Velcro exposed. It's going to stretch. In addition to sacrificing performance, a glove that's too big will also be less durable. Ultimately that means poor sizing isn't just costing you performance; it's costing you money.
2019 Performance Glove Features
| Name | Sizes | Cadet | Material | Colors | Hand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bionic Stable Grip Check Price | S-XXXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 2 | L/R |
 | FootJoy Contour FLX Check Price | S-XXL | Y | CabrettaSof Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | FootJoy ProFLX Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | FootJoy Rain Grip Pair Check Price | S-XL | Y | QuickDry Knit | 2 | L/R |
 | Inesis 100 Resistance Check Price | XS/S-M/L | N | Polyamide/Polyurethane | 1 | L/R |
 | MG Tech Grip Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | Mizuno Rain Fit Check Price | S-XL | N | Synthetic Suede | 1 | L/R |
 | Mizuno Comp Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Synthetic Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | Nike All Weather III Check Price | S-XL | N | Synthetic Microfiber | 1 | L/R |
 | Nike Dura Feel Check Price | S-XL | Y | Synthetic Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | Nike Tech Extreme VI Check Price | S-XL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | Ping Sport Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Cabretta leather | 1 | L/R |
 | Srixon All Weather Check Price | S-XL | N | Synthetic Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | Srixon Tech Check Price | S-XL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | L/R |
 | Taylormade Stratus Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Hypertec | 1 | L/R |
 | Titleist Players Flex Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Premium Synthetic | 1 | L/R |
 | Vice Duro Check Price | S-XL | N | Synthetic Polyurethane | 2 | L/R |
 | Wilson Conform Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Abyssinian Cabretta | 1 | L/R |
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - Best Designed Glove
This is the first year in the test for Bionic StableGrip, and we can see why so many rave about this glove.
Designed by an orthopedic hand specialist, the StableGrip features enhanced padding on pressure points like your palm, fingers, and thumb, which Bionic says promotes better grip and performance. In addition to arthritis relief, the Bionic StableGrip is machine washable (see instructions) which should help keep that new glove feeling a bit longer. If you're looking for a soft, higher performing glove with a bit of extra strategic thickness, Bionic is a brand you want to consider.
More Tips
- Sizing can vary significantly between manufacturers. Even if you know your correct size, if you’re thinking about changing to a new model, we recommend trying it on before buying.
- The quality of Velcro closures is not consistent across all brands. Look for gloves that secure tightly and stay tight. The performance of lower quality Velcro will degrade over time. A glove that doesn’t remain secured is a useless glove.
- While style preferences will vary among golfers, finding the proper fit is an absolute necessity. A properly glove offers maximum performance, comfort, and durability.
- Golfers with wide palms and comparatively short fingers should consider cadet-sized gloves. Unfortunately, not all models are offered in cadet sizes.
2019 Performance Glove Results
| Name | Fit | Comfort | Feel | Grip | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ping Sport Check Price | 1st | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 91 |
| Titleist Players Flex Check Price | 1st | 7th | 2nd | 2nd | 90.5 |
| FootJoy Contour FLX Check Price | 5th | 1st | 2nd | 7th | 89.5 |
| Nike Tech Extreme Check Price | 1st | 5th | 7th | 7th | 89.5 |
| Footjoy Rain Grip Pair Check Price | 5th | 1st | 9th | 3rd | 89 |
| Srixon All Weather Check Price | 5th | 5th | 2nd | 7th | 89 |
| Wilson Conform Check Price | 8th | 1st | 1st | 13th | 88 |
| Mizuno Rain Fit Check Price | 8th | 7th | 2nd | 7th | 87.5 |
| Bionic Stable Grip Check Price | 4th | 7th | 14th | 3rd | 87 |
| FootJoy ProFLX Check Price | 8th | 7th | 7th | 12th | 86.5 |
| Mizuno Comp Check Price | 12th | 14th | 9th | 1st | 86 |
| Srixon Tech Check Price | 8th | 14th | 9th | 16th | 83.5 |
| Taylormade Stratus Tech Check Price | 13th | 11th | 13th | 7th | 83 |
| Vice Duro Check Price | 13th | 11th | 12th | 15th | 82 |
| Nike All Weather Check Price | 13th | 11th | 15th | 13th | 81 |
| MG Tech Grip Check Price | 16th | 16th | 15th | 3rd | 79.5 |
| Nike Dura Feel Check Price | 16th | 16th | 17th | 16th | 76 |
| Inesis 100 Resistance Check Price | 18th | 18th | 18th | 18th | 71 |
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - Best Rain Glove 2019
Want more grip in the rain? The FootJoy RainGrip has you covered.
Keeping a consistent grip on the club can be an issue when conditions deteriorate, FootJoy's RainGrip can actually improve your grip in the rain. The wetter the glove gets, the tackier it becomes. It comes with gloves for each hand, ensuring maximum control and a secure grip.
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FAQ
Q: How much do I need to spend on a glove?
A: We found great options in 2019 for both golfers looking for an incredible value and those looking for ultimate performance. If you want the ultimate in performance and consistency, expect to spend between $15-$25 per glove. The best performing gloves in 2019 in our testing were the Ping Sport, Titleist Players Flex, and the FootJoy Contour FLX.
Q: How do I know when a glove fits correctly?
A: It’s cliche perhaps, but a glove really should fit like a second skin. There should be no extra material on the palm, fingers, or the top of the hand. A glove is going to stretch. A new glove should fit snuggly with 1/4″ of Velcro still showing when secured. Take a look at this fitting guide for help.
Q: Do I need to wear a glove?
A: To wear or not wear a glove is, to a degree, personal preference. Certainly, there are some who pride themselves on playing bare-handed. While that approach can save a significant amount of money over a lifetime, it should be noted that the best players in the world all wear gloves. A proper fit glove will help to ensure a consistent connection with the club regardless of heat, humidity, sweat, etc..
Jeff Bruce
4 years agoThis may seem a silly question.
What choices are there left for left handed golfers? ( Those poor souls who wear a
glove on their right hands.) There are still a few of us left. No pun intended. LOL
Peter
4 years agoI have to admit that I don’t quite understand the difference between “premium” and “performance” gloves. What does it mean for a glove to “perform”?
You mention price used to be a distinction, but the Kirkland glove in the Premium category puts all the others to shame. (I just got a set of 4 and they seem great!) So then you fall back on thickness as a difference between the two categories, yet the #1 glove in the “premium” category (Ping Tour) lists the fact that it has “Thicker leather” as its con.
From what I can figure out, “premium” is simply a term for the most expensive glove(s) sold by each vendor and “performance” is a term for the next cheaper glove(s) sold by each vendor (if they offer one).
Your recent golf ball report managed to compare balls at all price points together; you didn’t have one for Premium Balls and a second for Performance Balls. It seems you could do the same thing here.
Harry Nodwell
4 years agoPeter.
Good question. For the premium glove, the leather tends to be a higher quality leather and it surrounds the entirety of the glove. The leather can be thinner or thicker depending on the golfer’s preference. Performance tends to have a synthetic leather coating or multiple types of leather combined throughout the glove itself. The performance glove can also have a lot of mesh material surrounding the glove for flexibility and breathability.
I also want to mention the Performance glove tends to last longer than its Premium brother in the durability battle. But as you and I said, for $5 a glove, the Kirkland Premium is so affordable, it just makes sense to buy 4 gloves for the price of a top ranking Performance Glove.
Cheers
JaxBeach
4 years agoSame comment as last time you did a glove review. By far the best performing, longest lasting, best humidity/rain glove was not reviewed. Hirzl. Their Kangaroo leather palm never wears out and is extremely tacky even after pouring a bottle of water on it (I do that as a demonstration). Very pricey ($25), but the best (although their velcro also lacks some durability).
Michael G
4 years agoReally like the Wilson glove you tested and it’s price point. So comfortable and holds up well for awhile. Glad it did well on your test. Keep up the good work.
Greg Johnson
4 years agoI agree. The Ping Sport is my favorite glove. I also like the Bionic Stable Grip. For my game, I didn’t notice any loss of feel. But just like golf balls, I’m using Kirkland from Costco… just got 4 Kirkland Signature Leather golf gloves and a Kirkland poker chip ball marker for 20 bucks. Played with it last week… it’s a good glove.
mikecool
4 years agoBionic glove, once you try it you’ll wear nothing else. It’s the Best!
Lakeside Steve
4 years agoAs a retiree cost is a major factor, plus how they hold up after multiple washings. When I worked I used to toss gloves once they were dirty and stretched a little.. now I rotate several during each round and wash them after every 4 or 5 rounds.
I play approx 150 rounds per year here in Mexico, and have found I can go a year with the same six gloves, currently the Costco Callaway Cabrettas. I’ve also done well with the MG premium gloves although they haven’t held up so well as the Callaways.
Gordon Niblock
4 years agoCostco carrying Top of the line Callaway 3 packs for $16.00
Pete
4 years agoI got 8 gloves from COSTCO for $43. Played 2 rounds so far with no wear showing. Great glove for the price!
Alfred
4 years agoAnother great test. Fwiw I just played an under armour cool switch that was marked down and it worked well. Will UA be included next time?
Jim
4 years agoI would agree that the Ping glove is the best available in this category. It’s the most comfortable glove I’ve worn, lasts a long time and is pretty good looking too. The downside is I’ve found it tears at the cuff too easily and that very hot, humid weather can make it hard to take on and off. However for superior comfort and durability it’s hard to beat. A little too expensive though.
Regis
4 years agoI’ve bought a lot of gloves over the years. Usually good gloves in bulk, on sale I know I’m showing my age but when did it become acceptable to no longer include a ball mark on the glove? Even the K Mart house brand had ball marks. Now you re asked to drop $20 on a glove and ball marks have become a fashion statement
Jerry Noble
4 years agoUsing a ball mark from a glove is not “cool”. It’s like wearing black dress socks with your golf shorts.
Mike
4 years agoI have been using the Ping Sport since last year’s most wanted. It is a great glove at a reasonable cost.
Michael
4 years agoI used to use a glove, but now I play without one. Better feel, faster play, one less thing to worry about.
Jon Shaver
4 years agoAs a person who plays about 200 rounds per year, my gloves are of extreme importance to me. As I live in Hilton Head, South Carolina, much of the year is hot and humid. As a result, leather gloves are usually done after a single round. I have found that Zero Friction gloves are the best gloves for fit, feel, comfort, and durability and quite frankly outperform any cabretta leather glove available. I wish MGS would include ZF gloves in testing as I suspect in actual use testing, they would be rated much more highly than many of the more “traditional” gloves that are presented.
Harry Nodwell
4 years agoHi Jon
We have tested them in the past. Here is a link to last years Buyers Guide. Take a Look
https://mygolfspy.com/the-best-performance-gloves-in-2018/
TheBrad
4 years agoIt gets so hot and humid in the south during the summer, I just end up playing with a rain glove anyway.
Jon Glendye
4 years agoIt’s not just in the South…I live in Massachusetts and July/August golf can be a challenge, particularly if you (like me) suffer from very sweaty hands when on 3H days (Hot, Hazy, Humid.) I carry a pair of FJ rain grips at all times!!