We’ve all been there.

It’s Sunday morning and you’re loading the clubs into your trunk and you realize you’ve forgotten that the last time you played your glove got a hole in it. It’s time to run to Golf Town and grab one in a hurry so you don’t miss your tee time. You run in, slap on a glove that neither cuts off your circulation and won’t fly off mid-swing. And just like that you fitted yourself for a golf glove.

Or so you think.

We often talk about the importance of having the right fit to enhance your game. And we’re not just talking clubs or shoes. Your golf glove doesn’t get the same attention to detail when many golfers are purchasing equipment, but in fact, the glove is one of the most important contact points throughout your entire swing. Although having a properly fitted glove may seem like a minor detail, poorly fitted gloves can cause discomfort, inconsistent ball striking, and a general lack of confidence.

According to Maria Bonzagni, Senior Director of FootJoy Gloves, the vast majority of golfers are wearing their gloves too big.

“People think it’s comfortable, like you’re wearing a shirt or something,” she says when asked why golfers opt for roomier gloves. And although the baggy glove may seem comfortable on first try, the excess material will cause wear, leading to glove damage, friction, and unwanted clubhead movement that can lead to wayward shots.

Finding the Right Fit

So how do you know if your glove is the right fit? Bonzagni says that a glove should feel like a second skin, with both the width and length of your hand taken into consideration. A quick test to ensure your glove is properly fitted is to cup your hand––if the palm of the glove loses its tautness and creates a bubble, then it’s too big.

And although it may seem simple enough to get a glove that fits, there are a couple curveballs that make it somewhat more complicated. For example, gloves naturally stretch over time, meaning the glove in your bag will change in sizing as you wear it. To take into account the glove’s stretch, Bonzagni says golfers should use the fasten test––when you pull over the Velcro tab you should only be able to fasten it three-quarters of the way, allowing space for eventual stretch.

Finding the Right Material

Now that you’ve got the right fit nailed down, it’s time to make sure it’s the right feel for you. Gloves are available in different materials – leather and synthetic being the most popular.

Cabretta leather is the most popular material found in golf gloves. A leather glove is comfortable and breathable. A leather glove can wear faster than a synthetic glove, but its designed for a tight fit, which you just learned is extremely important for your swing.

A synthetic glove offers more flexibility. They’re more durable but not as breathable or comfortable as a leather glove.

A hybrid golf glove is exactly what its name suggests: a mix of leather and synthetic material. The palm and fingers are typically made of leather to give you a better feel of the club while upper or joint areas are made a synthetic material for more durability.

Finding a glove you love

Ultimately the right material for you comes down to what you’re most comfortable in. The best way to know for sure is to test out different models and sizes through a few rounds to see which one feels best for you. Just make sure it has a snug fit to control your swing and reduce unwanted friction that will reduce your glove’s lifespan.