How to Stretch a Golf Glove
Last Updated on June 14th, 2023
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There are going to be plenty of unique techniques on how a person can stretch and ‘break in’ a golfing glove, but the simple way to do so will be to wet the gloves.
Again, this process will be simple, starting with putting the gloves on and applying small amounts of water to the material.
The water makes the leather loosen, to which simple balling of the fist and finger extension stretching will be enough to stretch the leather material to customarily fit a player’s hand.
They must leave the glove on until they are dry in order for them to maintain their shape and form even after you take them off.
Should Gloves Fit Tight or Loose?
When it comes to finding gloves for sports, you’re looking for a snug fit but not uncomfortably so. As the old saying goes, “it fits like a glove.” Thinking about the uses for the golfing glove, the fit required is tight against the hand to prevent friction and any conditions for blistering.
Too tight, and you might damage your hand, but too loose, and you might as well be playing without the gloves. Too loose, and the club might just go flying from one’s grip, potentially to a ruckus of laughter and risk of injury or damage to the club.
How Fast do Gloves Loosen Up?
To give some context before answering the question, the average lifespan for golf gloves will be about five to ten completed rounds. Therefore, for some manufacturers, the solution is to have ready-to-wear products for immediate use on the course.
In truth, one of the simplest techniques to loosen up the leather on a golfing glove is to wet the material by soaking the gloves for a short period or, when wearing them, run warm water over the gloves for a semi-customized fit.
Each brand will have a different timeline when it comes to a pair becoming broken in.
Can You Stretch it Faster?
There is no faster move when it comes to purchasing and using a pair of gloves than obtaining some ready-to-play brand golf gloves that will be usable right out of the package.
Even these will benefit from a small amount of water soaking to loosen up the glove material a smidge.
The next fastest approach will be to use the water soaking techniques described earlier in the article, and these methods will allow the glove materials to form in the player’s hand, providing additional comfort and grip.
Otherwise, consider using fingerless gloves to avoid all the timely fitting procedures of the full gloves.
How to Tell if Your Gloves are Stretched Enough?
Properly fitting gloves will leave little to no space between the skin of the hand, the glove, and the grip of the club. Likewise, there will be no room between the finger’s tip and the edge of the gloves; the palm should feel as if the glove is just an additional dermal layer.
When the glove truly breaks in, most golfers hardly notice, for it just happens, and the creases begin to develop in the right places. The bane of any golfing glove is that it has extra materials which can interfere with a player’s swing and grip.
Common Mistakes You need to Avoid
- Soaking your gloves for too long – possibly the most commonly made mistake is leaving the gloves in the soaking water too long. This can damage the fabric and even warp some materials, making the glove useless.
- Non-ready-to-play gloves – Another mistake new players make is to purchase gloves, thinking they are ready-to-play brands, but find them to be stiff and unstretched and potentially ruin a day out on the course.
- Forgetting a backup pair – Not all players will need to worry about this, but backup gloves will prove invaluable for those who cannot go barehanded.
Final Thoughts on How to stretch a Golf glove
Golfing gloves are supposed to act as a protective second layer of skin, mainly to prevent blistering. However, having gloves that are not fitted properly can be just as harmful as going barehanded and rubbing in the wrong places until painful soreness develops.
That being said, there is no need for golfing gloves, and there is no rule stating that a player must have a pair on, but if you find yourself with the ability and resources to get a nice pair of gloves, you will not regret it.
As a usual heads up, research the product and know what you are buying; having the preset knowledge base will help provide an informed buying experience.
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