2020 PERFORMANCE GLOVE BUYERS GUIDE
Not too long ago, cost was the primary determining factor for golfers choosing between premium (tour) and performance gloves. As value options have entered the market, however, price isn’t the consideration it once was.
Take a look at these premium gloves and notice that the Kirkland Signature premium gloves are a whopping $5.75 per glove. If, for some reason, you don’t like the Kirkland gloves and are still a baller on a budget, the performance category is for you. Performance gloves are typically thicker (more durable) leather or stretchy materials with greater breathability. The category also allows golfers to wear familiar logos, often at price points significantly less than the premium category.
If you’re a performance glove person, you will 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, this guide will help you find the right premium glove to fit your needs – and your hand.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect performance glove to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no display unchecked, and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Performance gloves are tested head to head with rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating performance gloves include Fit, Comfort, Feel, and Grip
FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU
Comfort
Some prefer thinner material that allows for more connection 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.
Gloves without Velcro tend to provide the best comfort. Gloves like Falko Airlite are great examples of this. However, you can find similar comfort in the PING Tour , which does have Velcro.
Fit
A properly fitting golf glove should fit snugly across the palm and finger, but restrictive when clenching your fist. There should a 1/4″ gap left after you’ve secured the glove. Also, be aware that, when it comes to sizing, some brands are not consistent. 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.
Gloves that offer multiple size options including cadet are usually the best fitting gloves. Gloves that can provide these offerings are Titleist Players Flex, PING Sport and Inesis Soft.
Grip
If you don’t wear a glove, this guide isn’t for you (why have you read this far?) but 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.
Grip is obviously important in a glove but how does it perform in wet or sweaty conditions? A rain glove like the FootJoy Rain Grip can really help get some extra grip when wet. In sweaty conditions, the Titleist Players Flex held its own.
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.
The Best Performance Gloves 2020 - Features
| Product | Sizes | Cadet | Material | Colors | Hand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bionic Stable Grip Check Price | S-XXXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 2 | R/L |
 | Callaway Weather Spann Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Synthetic Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Falko Airlite Check Price | XS-XL | N | Robust Buffalo Leather | 8 | R/L |
 | Footjoy Contour FLX Check Price | S-XXL | Y | CabrettaSof Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Footjoy Pro FLX Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Footjoy Rain Grip Check Price | S-XL | Y | Quickdry | 2 | R/L |
 | Inesis 100 Resistance Check Price | XS/S-M/L | N | Polyamide/Polyurethane | 1 | R/L |
 | Inesis Soft Check Price | S-XXL | N | Cabretta Leather | 1 | L |
 | Inesis Winter Check Price | S-XXL | N | Suede Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Mizuno Comp Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Synthetic Leather | 1 | L |
 | Mizuno Elite Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | L |
 | Mizuno Rain Fit Check Price | S-XL | N | Synthetic Suede | 1 | R/L |
 | Nike Dura Feel Check Price | S-XL | Y | Synthetic Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Nike Tech Extreme VI Check Price | S-XL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Ping Sport Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Ping Sport Tech Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Synthetic Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Srixon All Weather Check Price | S-XL | N | Synthetic Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Srixon Tech Cabretta Check Price | S-XL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 1 | R/L |
 | Taylormade Stratus Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Hypertec | 1 | R/L |
 | Titleist Players Flex Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Premium Synthetic | 1 | R/L |
 | Under Armour ISO-Chill Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Cabretta Leather | 4 | R/L |
 | Vice Duro Check Price | S-XL | N | Synthetic Polyurethane | 2 | R/L |
 | Wilson Conform Check Price | S-XXL | Y | Abyssinian Cabretta | 1 | R/L |
Best Rain Glove - Footjoy Rain Grip
The Footjoy Rain Grip Glove reacts to the rain. The more rain, the more the glove grips. No need to wait for a dry spell or waste time wiping your grips. It's comfortable and breathable and even comes in cadet sizes. Bonus Tip: Give these a try if you tend to sweat a lot.
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, try before you buy.
- The quality of closures is not consistent across all brands. Look for gloves that secure tightly and stay tight. The performance of lower-quality closures will degrade over time. A glove that doesn’t remain secured is worse than useless.
- While style preferences vary, finding the proper fit is a necessity. A properly fitted 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.
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The Best Performance Gloves 2020 - Results
| Product | Fit | Comfort | Feel | Grip | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mizuno Elite Check Price | 6th | 5th | 1st | 1st | 91.5 |
| Ping Sport Check Price | 1st | 1st | 3rd | 4th | 91 |
| Titleist Players Flex Check Price | 1st | 11th | 3rd | 1st | 90.5 |
| Ping Sport Tech Check Price | 1st | 9th | 3rd | 4th | 90 |
| Footjoy Contour FLX Check Price | 8th | 5th | 3rd | 4th | 89.5 |
| Inesis Soft Check Price | 1st | 11th | 10th | 4th | 89 |
| Under Armour ISO-Chill Check Price | 8th | 5th | 10th | 4th | 89 |
| Footjoy Rain Grip Check Price | 8th | 11th | 14th | 4th | 88.5 |
| Srixon All Weather Check Price | 8th | 17th | 3rd | 4th | 88 |
| Falko Airlite Check Price | 8th | 1st | 17th | 4th | 88 |
| Wilson Conform Check Price | 16th | 5th | 2nd | 16th | 88 |
| Mizuno Rain Fit Check Price | 16th | 11th | 3rd | 4th | 87.5 |
| Nike Tech Extreme VI Check Price | 8th | 17th | 10th | 4th | 87.5 |
| Bionic Stable Grip Check Price | 6th | 11th | 19th | 3rd | 87 |
| Footjoy Pro FLX Check Price | 16th | 11th | 10th | 15th | 86.5 |
| Callaway Weather Spann Check Price | 8th | 9th | 20th | 17th | 84 |
| Srixon Tech Cabretta Check Price | 16th | 21st | 14th | 17th | 83.5 |
| Taylormade Stratus Check Price | 21st | 17th | 17th | 4th | 83 |
| Vice Duro Check Price | 21st | 17th | 16th | 17th | 82 |
| Inesis Winter Check Price | 8th | 1st | 3rd | 23th | 78 |
| Mizuno Comp Check Price | 20th | 23rd | 21st | 17th | 77 |
| Nike Dura Feel Check Price | 23rd | 22nd | 21st | 17th | 76 |
| Inesis 100 Resistance Check Price | 23th | 23rd | 23rd | 22nd | 71 |
Best Glove For Arthritis - Bionic StableGrip
Developed under the advisement of an orthopedic hand specialist, the Bionic StableGrip works with you to reduce pain that comes from swollen and sore joints. It has soft leather and a mesh lining on the knuckles that provide comfort and extra support.
The Best Performance Gloves of 2020 – FAQ
Q: How much do I need to spend on a glove?
A: We found great options in 2020 for golfers looking for an incredible value as well as those looking for ultimate performance. If you want the ultimate in performance and consistency, expect to spend between $15 and $25 per glove. The best performing gloves in 2020 in our testing were the Mizuno Elite, PING Sport, Titleist Players Flex and the PING Sport Tech.
Q: How do I know when a glove fits correctly?
A: It’s a 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 snugly 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 perference. 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 properly fitted glove will help to ensure a consistent connection with the club regardless of heat, humidity, sweat, etc..
Jason W
3 years ago
I found Asher gloves online and that is what I use.. I have semi large hands with long fingers. Asher was the first glove I found that accommodated my long fingers and didn’t have an annoying seam at the tip of my finger or cut into the webbing of my fingers.