LBGC is Canada's largest golf equipment provider, and they know that properly cared-for golf gloves significantly improve our performance on the course. Golf gloves are a vital tool for grip, comfort, and control throughout your game, yet are rarely washed. Proper knowledge of washing a golf glove can help extend the life of the glove while maintaining its quality. Whether you are a seasoned golfer or a newcomer, it is essential to know the care and cleaning process for your golf gloves so that you can maximize your investment in this equipment.
Why is it Important to Clean Your Golf Glove?
Cleaning your golf glove is not just about personal hygiene—it's a performance and longevity point. Dingy gloves badly affect grip, so poor hits and less control over swings are common. Regular maintenance prevents this and avoids all buildup of grime and sweat that can cause the glove to harden or smell over time. Now let's dive into the reasons why clean gloves are a must.
- Improved Grip: A dirty or wet glove will reduce friction between your hand and the golf club, resulting in a poor hold on the club. You make sure that you are in complete confidence to continue playing with all these things should be clean and consistent.
- Extended Durability: A well-maintained glove lasts longer, reducing the need to replace it frequently. Knowing how to wash golf gloves properly can save you from unnecessary purchases, especially when investing in high-quality gloves like leather ones.
- Enhanced Comfort: A clean, well-maintained glove fits better and feels more comfortable on the hand, reducing the chances of blisters and improving your overall game experience.
Understanding Golf Glove Materials
Before you are going to take up the washing process, it becomes really imperative to know what material your glove is made from. The kind of glove you will use determines how to clean it.
- Leather Gloves: Leather gloves provide exceptional grip as well as comfortable capability. Special care needs to be taken while using leather gloves. Over-cleaning or inappropriate products may cause cracking or stiffness.
- Synthetic Gloves: These gloves are more durable and often less expensive than leather gloves. They can withstand tougher conditions and are easier to clean. Synthetic gloves are also great for those who play in varying weather conditions.
- Mesh Gloves: This is the synthetic glove subtype that is known for breathability; they are chosen by golfers in highly warm weather conditions, but the gloves usually need extra care to maintain flexibility.
How to Wash Golf Gloves: The Step-by-Step Guide
Now that it is established how important a clean golf glove is, let's go over how to correctly clean each of these gloves. Remember, the care approach to cleaning a glove should be gentle, as wrong approaches in cleaning may shorten a glove's lifespan.
1. Leather Golf Gloves
Among the different types of golf gloves, leather gloves are the most fragile and demanding of care during the cleaning process.
- Step 1: Brush off any loose dirt from your glove by gently washing it in cold water. Avoid using hot water to prevent scorching the leather.
- Step 2: Prepare a minimal amount of mild soap or detergent with cold water. Dampen a clean cloth with this solution and rub it into your glove gently; pay extra attention to the dirty spots.
- Step 3: Once cleaned, rinse the glove thoroughly with cold water to remove any soap residue. Be sure to remove all the soap, as it can cause the leather to stiffen if left on the glove.
- Step 4: Put the glove flat on a towel and squeeze gently to remove excess water. Do not wring or twist the glove since this will distort the leather material. Hang the glove to air dry at a safe distance from the sun or heat.
- Pro Tip: Apply leather conditioner to revive softness and flexibility after it has dried out.
2. Synthetic Golf Gloves
Synthetic gloves are more durable than leather and can be cleaned with a bit more ease.
- Step 1: Inside out turn the glove to expose the contact areas directly exposed to your hand.
- Step 2: Place in a basin with cold water and a little mild detergent. Soak the glove for around 10-15 minutes.
- Step 3: Rub the glove with your hands or a soft cloth, carefully removing the dirt and grime present.
- Step 4: Wipe off the remaining detergent by thoroughly rinsing under cold running water. Ensure that the Velcro strap is free of soap. Otherwise, it may eventually clog, losing its effectiveness.
- Step 5: Let the glove air dry, flat or hanging up, out of direct sunlight or heat so no damage might occur to the material.
3. Mesh Golf Gloves
Synthetic gloves are sturdier than leather and can be cleaned easily with a bit more ease.
- Step 1: Inside out flip the glove and wash it under cold water.
- Step 2: If the glove is very dirty, you could soak it in cold water with a little bit of detergent for 10-15 minutes.
- Step 3: Gently scrub with a clean cloth and rinse the glove to make sure you have removed all soap left.
- Step 4: Lay flat or hang to dry, avoiding direct sunlight or heat.
FAQs About Washing Golf Gloves
Can You Wash Golf Gloves in a Washing Machine?
While synthetic gloves may come through an abbreviated wash on the washing machine, most recommend putting leather gloves nowhere near a washing machine at all. If you are forced to place synthetic gloves in the washer be sure to wash them inside out and on the cold, delicate setting. Air dry afterward.
Can You Put Golf Gloves in the Dryer?
No. Never put golf gloves, especially leather ones, into the clothes dryer. The hot air will likely shrink, stiffen, or cause a loss of flexibility in the gloves. Always let your golf gloves air dry in a cool shaded area.
Why Do Golf Gloves Get Hard?
Golf gloves will become stiff with dirt, sweat, and the elements over time. That can be prevented through proper and frequent washing. Additionally, putting your gloves in a well-ventilated space after each round may reduce the buildup of moisture that causes them to stiffen.
How Long Do Golf Gloves Last?
On average, a well-maintained golf glove should be able to last about 15-20 rounds. However, longevity will actually depend on how often you play, how you store the glove, and how well you maintain it. Cleaning the glove regularly will help extend its life.
How to Store Golf Gloves to Prevent Damage
In addition to knowing how you clean a golf glove, proper storage of your gloves is also key. What to do after each game:
- Keep your gloves in a well-ventilated area.
- Avoid storing them in sealed bags or containers where moisture can build up.
- Rotate between multiple gloves during a round to minimize wear and tear on a single glove.
