So you want to buy a glove

You can learn so much about a player by examining their glove and where they keep it. If the thumb is worn there tends to be too much tension in gripping the club, if the heal of the palm (below the little finger) is scuffed there’s friction and loss of control at the top of the backswing. Too much overlap on the velcro fastening identifies a glove that is too big for the hand or too small, got wet and been overstretched.

Etonic Difference.

If the press stud ball marker is missing, chances are you are forgetful and left it on some putting green outpost when your playing partner claimed the hole or it’s in the depth of a golf bag that hasn’t seen a clean out since you took up the game when Tony Jacklin won the 1969 Open.

Alternatively you might keep it with the fingers draped out of your back pocket pretending to be a Tour pro when you putt, or when not in use, neatly folded and stuffed into your side pocket (like Monty).

The only problem is that the disorganised player tends to drag out their hanky, various tees, loose change and pitch mark repairer when they reach for their glove on the next tee! I tend to keep mine on throughout the round at the expense of it showing signs of grubbiness before I’ve played three holes. I’m a glove retailer’s delight!

So if you need a glove at all – and Fred Couples is one of a handful of players who foregoes a lucrative contract by never wearing one – what should you be looking for in your purchase?

There are a range of colours, materials and prices available but ultimately size matters.

It should fit snuggly to the tips of your fingers to allow you to take a firm grip of the handle of the club without slipping during your swing. It should also have plenty of ventilation to avoid sweaty palms and ideally fasten firmly with a velcro pad.

FootJoy Dry ICE.

We tested several samples, most of which claimed to knock shots off your game but in the end all were of excellent quality whether soft leather or of man-made fibre.

My personal preference was the Etonic Difference (£9.99) made by Spalding. The cabretta leather is of Ethiopian original, apparently, but what impressed most was the excellent fit that made me feel I could perform surgery while wearing it, as well as play finesse shots with soft hands.

Also liked flat-topped ball marker, so need to move it if on line of another putt. The Mizuno Tec Flex and FootJoy Dry ICE is highly recommended, too.

THE GLOVES

Etonic Difference (RSP £9.99)

Ethiopian Cabretta leather palm and fingers for
maximum grip, comfort and performance.c Coolmax
microfibre to wick away moisture from the skin. Revolutionary Air-Tech 1000 to improve fit and breathability.
Available in: Men’s left and right S ,M M/L, L, XL.

Review: Smart, good fit and feel. Sensible flat-topped ball-marker.
Golfmagic rating: 9/10.

Etonic ST2 (£5.99)

Value all-weather glove, with Coolmax microfibre for breathabilility and Air-Tech 1000 for comfort and fit.
Available in: Men’s LH and RH – S, M, M/L, L, XL.

Review: Cheaper version of Etonic Difference. Ideal for winter use.
Golfmagic rating: 7/10

Maxfli Revolution (£12.99)

Maxfli Revolution.

New to range using same urethane technology featured in the Revolution ball, with adhesion in the grip. Tackiness increased by water or body heat. More durable leather. Available in: MLH and MRH – S, M, M/L, L, XL.

Review: Works best if, like mine, your golf induces sweaty palms to improve tackiness! Stylish but only available in white.
Golfmagic rating: 8/10.

Maxfli XD (£6.99)

All weather glove for rain resistance and durability. Available in: MLH (navy or black) and MRH (white only) - S, M, M/L, L, XL.

Review: Sensible dark colours for winter wear – unless you're a left-handed golfer!
Golfmagic rating: 8/10.

Mizuno TecFlex (£9.99)

Mizuno Tec Flex.

First to incorporate the lycra inserts around the knuckles, Mizuno now have their gloves updated with Fit-Bridge reinforcement across the V of thumb and finger for a firmer fit. A new lycra mesh also wicks away moisture.

The synthetic version costs £9.99, the Pittards leather, in a range of colours, £12.99.
Available in: MLH and MLH (white/khaki, white/navy, black, grey) – S, M, M/L, L, XL. Ladies LH and RH - S, M, L.

Review: Distinctive and a bit flash but very comfortable, complete with flat-headed ball-marker.
Golfmagic rating: 9/10.

Mizuno Duraflex (£7)

Knuckle-fit system with ventilated Lycra finger gussets (to allow movement on mis-hits! Oh, really?). Serina synthetic fabric for grip in the wet.Claims excellent wear resistance.
Digital Serina fabric on palm and thumb for greater adhesion. Mizuno brand ball marker.
Available in: MLH only (black/silver, navy/silver, white/silver) - S, M, ML, L, XL. Ladies LH black/silver, white/silver – S, M, L.
Review: Distinctive, stylish glove at a good price – as long as you don’t play golf left-handed!
Golfmagic rating: 8/10

TaylorMade Tour Preferred (£15.99)

Tour Preferred Glove.

Comes in its own ‘Vent Pak’ casing to keep glove in shape and more durable after use. Long-fibre Technology leather which claims to be stronger, thinner and lighter than cabretta and abrasion resistant.
Available in: MLH Regular (white only) – S, M, M/L, L, XL, Cadet (MLH white) – M, ML, L and Ladies (LH white only) – S, M L. No RH options.
Review: Again left-handers need not apply. Moderate finishing on cut and stitching. No ball-marker because pros never use them. Pricey.
Golfmagic rating: 7/10.

Dunlop Stretch (£5.99)

Claims to be the ultimate in durability, fit and comfort in all weather. Features pwernet mesh across the knuckles and three of the fingers.
Available in: MLH (white, black and navy), MRH and Ladies (white only). Sizes as per Maxfli.

Review: Good value but tends to lose its shape when dried after rain. Ladies won’t be happy with poor colour choice.
Golfmagic rating: 7/10.

FootJoy Sta-Sof (£15)

FootJoy Sta-Sof glove.

Exclusive tanned leather cabretta by Pittards. Water and perspiration resistant for durability. Sta-Sof softness.
Available in: MLH and MRH (navy) – S, M , M/L, L, XL, Ladies LH – S, M, M/L, L

Review: Good quality, soft feel, good fit, unless you have a short thumb!
Golfmagic rating: 8.5/10

FootJoy Weather-Sof (£8.50)

Fiber-Sof synthetic material designed for softer more consistent feel. Assisted by cabretta leather in key stress areas of thumb and palm.
Available in: MLH and MRH (navy) – S, M , M/L, L, XL, Ladies LH – S, M, M/L, L
Review: The best of the all-weather gloves thanks to the strength patches on areas where handicap golfers tend to wear them out (see above).

Golfmagic rating: 8/10

FootJoy Weathersof.

FootJoy Dry ICE (£13)

ComforTemp DCC technology impregnated into exclusive Pittard leather at the back of the hand to regulate hand temperature with microfibre on knuckles for durable fit. Premium leather in palm and fingers for extra feel and grip.
Available in: MLH and MRH (white) – S, M , M/L, L, XL, Ladies LH (white) – S, M, M/L, L.

Review: Looks great, smells delicious! Lots of attention to detail in fit and feel and technology.

Golfmagic rating: 9/10

Nike DriFIT Elite Feel (£13.99)

Nike DriFIT Elite(left).

Dri-FIT breathable fabric evaporates moisture through the back of the hand. Lycra spandex provides customised fit for all sizes of hand. Perforated, vented fingers for breathability and comfort. Junior Tech Feel glove available for £8.99.

Available in: MLH and MLH regular plus cadet and women’s LH (all available white or black/white).

Review: Comfortable and well-made and if it’s good enough for Tiger and Duval…
Golfmagic rating: 8/10