Batting Gloves vs. Golfing Gloves

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When we think about athletic gloves, the first places that come to mind will most likely be Football, Baseball, Golf, and Softball.

In this article, we will examine the gloves worn when stepping up to the plate for an at-bat in Baseball and Softball and the gloves used for the golf course.

Baseball gloves will generally be made with genuine leather and will be worn in pairs or as a single under the fielders’ gloves and mitts used on defense.

Golfing gloves were traditionally made with leather but have not come in various composite forms to create an edge for the golfer.

 

What are the Similarities?

The similarities will be covered by the leather products that will be manufactured and produced with common materials and procedures. Each will fit on the hand with a similar feel, needing to hug the fingers and provide a snug fit for the palm.

Each will be key for players at the professional levels to produce each day with protection from blistering and any other repeated movement friction causing injuries, but also giving the next level in grip.

The additional grip provides both sets of athletes with additional confidence, along with freeing the mind from grip issue worries and doubts.

 

What are the Differences?

The main differences will be in the innovations that have been made in the golfing industry. The gloves come in different materials than leather now but also come in fingerless and other customizable forms.

Baseball and Softball batting gloves are made with leather and designed to reduce shock from impacts caused by swinging a bat and making contact with the ball.

Golfers will have a lighter impact when connecting with the golf ball, and therefore the gloves will be thinner than those worn on the diamonds.

In addition, some forms of batting gloves will have hardened plastic gauntlet-like protective coverings on the back of the batter’s hand in an attempt to reduce the chance of injury should the hand get hit.

 

Pros and Cons: Batting Gloves vs. Golfing Gloves

For golf gloves, the thin material will be a pro but also a con; in which we mean that the thinner gloves allow for better permeability and sweat prevention.

Especially on those hot summer days, but when it comes to impact and shock reduction, these gloves should not be used on the diamond.

On the other hand, the Baseball gloves will be thicker and provide better protection to the hands, especially when hitting the baseball (or softball) hundreds to thousands of times in a season.

Still, when it comes to getting out on the links and playing a few rounds, that added protection leads to increased sweating and a bulky feeling that might interfere with the player’s swing.

 

Which One is Easier to Maintain?

When it comes to the long-term management of these two different sports gloves, it comes down to the usage and after-play treatments.

Baseball gloves should be replaced each season in order to get a feel for each new season, and they require little preventative maintenance throughout any casual season.

The same is true for golfing gloves, and many average golfers will play between eight to fifteen rounds in a single year which is dead on with when a player should replace them.

Of course, professional-level athletes will replace their gloves more often than casual athletes, but to pick an answer, the thinner golfing gloves will be harder to keep from splitting and cracking damage which will make the thicker baseball gloves easier to maintain.

 

Which One Lasts Longer?

The longer-lasting gloves will be the baseball and softball batting gloves, and each can last a child multiple seasons before needing replacement.

Using the same examples with adult-level competition, many casual weekender league players cannot afford to replace their gloves and keep pairs for up to a few years before replacing them.

Again, golf gloves require a player to replace them more often than the batting glove because of the thinner materials and the average wear patterns that form after ten rounds of golf.

PGA tour pros burn through gloves almost every tournament and replace them nearly every tournament.

 

Final Thoughts on Batting Gloves vs Golfing Gloves

As a player goes through a season of play, the wear to their equipment tells a story about how the athlete runs, swings, and makes contact with the ball.

Batting gloves and golf gloves perform very similar functions when it comes to providing the athlete wearing them with additional grip and protection from friction-caused injuries.

It is not recommended to wear batting gloves golfing, or vice versa; these two types of athletic gloves will be designed specifically for the sport they are to be worn.

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