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THE BEST PERFORMANCE GLOVE 2021
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2021 Performance Glove Buyer’s Guide
Are you a golfer who wants a more durable glove? If so, our 2021 Best Performance Glove Buyer’s Guide has your back. Well, your hand, really.
We know there is a high demand for performance gloves made from synthetic leather with flexible mesh for a more comfortable fit. But if comfort is your primary concern, you might want to look into the “premium glove” category.
If you’re a performance glove person, you definitely want to know which glove is right for you. That’s where we come in. We put the best of the performance category to the test and even threw in a few rain gloves for good measure.
Whether you’re looking to buy a glove today, looking for some buying advice or just want a closer look at what’s on the market, this guide will help you find the right premium glove to fit your needs—and your hand.
WINNER – Mizuno Elite
If you want a glove that gives that “premium feeling” but lasts longer, go for the Mizuno Elite. Its consistent overall performance was impressive. This performance glove was outstanding across multiple key metrics, making it the undisputed winner of the 2021 Most Wanted Performance Glove Test.
1st in fit 2nd in comfort 1st in feel 7th in grip
THE BEST RAIN GLOVE - Footjoy Rain Grip
The Footjoy Rain Grip Glove reacts to the rain. The more rain, the more the glove grips. No need to wait for a dry spell or waste time wiping your grips. It's comfortable and breathable and even comes in cadet sizes. Bonus Tip: Give these a try if you tend to sweat a lot.
EXPERT TIP - Glove fitting?
Your glove is the only thing between you and the golf club. It should fit properly. A new glove should start with 1/4" of Velcro exposed. It's going to stretch. In addition to sacrificing performance, a glove that's too big will also be less durable. Ultimately that means poor sizing isn't just costing you performance; it's costing you money.
Other Notable Performers
FootJoy Hyper FLX: If you are looking for a glove with a perfect consistent fit, it’s the FootJoy Hyper FLX. Its flexible mesh material is strategically placed throughout the glove for added comfort. Throw in good grip and feel and you have yourself a glove that won’t disappoint.
Under Armour ISO-Chill: Want a glove that is close to premium leather without the constricting factor? The Under Armour ISO-Chill has you covered. Its soft leather and mesh material provide good support throughout the glove. The ISO also was also a top performer in the grip category which is important on those humid summer days.
Features That Matter To You
Comfort
Some golfers prefer thinner material that allows for more connection with the club. Others are happy to trade a bit of feel for the durability that a thicker leather often brings. Generally speaking, gloves in the performance category tend to be thicker than the premium gloves we tested. We still test each glove to ensure there aren’t any poorly placed seams or excess material that can cause discomfort or decrease durability.
Gloves like the PING Sport Tech and Mizuno Elite are great examples of comfort.
Fit
A properly fitting golf glove should be snug across the palm and fingers but somewhat restrictive when clenching your fist. There should a quarter-inch gap remaining on the Velcro closure pad after you’ve secured the glove. Also, when it comes to sizing, some brands are not consistent. One large glove may not be quite as “large” as the next. Not only should you look for a glove that fits properly but serious golfers should gravitate towards brands that can consistently reproduce the exact same-sized glove.
Gloves that offer multiple size options including “cadet” are usually the best fitting gloves. Gloves that can provide these offerings are Bionic Performance Grip Pro, PING Sport Tech and FootJoy Hyper FLX.
Grip
If you don’t wear a glove, this guide isn’t for you. (Duh, why have you read this far?) Why do most professionals wear a glove? Gloves are tackier than skin, particularly in humid conditions, and help maintain a consistent connection to the club. A glove that preserves that connection will help you to feel confident in every swing, knowing that you’re not going to lose control of the club.
Grip is obviously important in a glove but how does it perform in wet or sweaty conditions? A rain glove like the FootJoy Rain Grip can really help get some extra grip when wet. In sweaty conditions, the Titleist Players Flex held its own.
THE BEST PERFORMANCE GLOVES 2021 - FEATURES
| Product | Sizes | Cadet | Material | Colors | Hand | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | BIONIC PERFORMANCE GRIP PRO Check Price | S-XXXL | Y | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | BIONIC RELAX GRIP 2.0 Check Price | S-XXL | Y | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | BIONIC RELIEF GRIP Check Price | S-XXL | N | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | BIONIC STABLE GRIP (NATURAL FIT) Check Price | S-XXXL | Y | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | CALLAWAY WEATHER SPANN Check Price | S-XXL | Y | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | COBRA MICRO GRIP Check Price | S-XL | Y | POLYURETHANE | 1 | R/L |
 | FOOTJOY HYPER FLX Check Price | S-XXL | Y | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | FOOTJOY RAIN GRIP Check Price | S-XL | Y | QUICKDRY | 2 | R/L |
 | FOOTJOY WINTER SOF Check Price | S-XXL | N | AUTOSUEDE | 1 | R/L |
 | INESIS RAIN WEATHER Check Price | S-XXL | N | POLYESTER CATIONIC | 2 | R/L |
 | INESIS RESISTANCE Check Price | XS/S-M/L | N | POLYAMIDE/POLYURETHANE | 1 | R/L |
 | INESIS SOFT Check Price | S-XXL | N | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | L |
 | MIZUNO COMP Check Price | S-XXL | Y | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 1 | L |
 | MIZUNO ELITE Check Price | S-XXL | Y | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | L |
 | NIKE DURA FEEL Check Price | S-XL | Y | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | NIKE TECH EXTREME Check Price | S-XL | Y | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | PALM THE RANGE Check Price | S-XXL | N | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | PING Sport Tech Check Price | S-XXL | Y | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | SRIXON ALL WEATHER Check Price | S-XL | N | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | SRIXON TECH CABRETTA Check Price | S-XXL | Y | CABRETTA LEATHER | 1 | R/L |
 | TAYLORMADE RAIN CONTROL Check Price | S-XXL | Y | AUTOSUEDE | 2 | R/L |
 | TAYLORMADE STRATUS Check Price | S-XXL | Y | HYPERTEC | 1 | R/L |
 | TITLEIST PLAYERS FLEX Check Price | S-XXL | Y | PREMIUM SYNTHETIC | 1 | R/L |
 | UNDER ARMOUR ISO-CHILL Check Price | S-XXL | Y | CABRETTA LEATHER | 4 | R/L |
 | VICE DURO Check Price | S-XL | N | SYNTHETIC LEATHER | 2 | R/L |
 | WILSON STAFF CONFORM Check Price | S-XXL | Y | ABYSSINIAN CABRETTA | 1 | R/L |
 | WILSON STAFF RAIN NON-SLIP Check Price | S-XXL | N | CLARINO | 1 | R/L |
BEST GLOVE FOR ARTHRITIS - Bionic Relief Grip
Developed under the advisement of an orthopedic hand specialist, the Bionic StableGrip works with you to reduce pain that comes from swollen and sore joints. It has soft leather and a mesh lining on the knuckles that provide comfort and extra support.
More Tips
Sizing can vary significantly between manufacturers. Even if you know your correct size, if you’re thinking about changing to a new model, try before you buy. The quality of closures is not consistent across all brands. Look for gloves that secure tightly and stay tight. The performance of lower-quality closures will degrade over time. A glove that doesn’t remain secured is worse than useless. While style preferences vary, finding the proper fit is a necessity. A properly fitted glove offers maximum performance, comfort and durability. Golfers with wide palms and comparatively short fingers should consider cadet-sized gloves. Unfortunately, not all models are offered in cadet sizes.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect performance glove to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no display unchecked, and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Performance gloves are tested head to head with rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating performance gloves include Fit, Comfort, Feel, and Grip
THE BEST PERFORMANCE GLOVES 2021 - RESULTS
| PRODUCT | FIT | COMFORT | FEEL | GRIP | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIZUNO ELITE Check Price | 5TH | 2ND | 1ST | 7TH | 91.5 |
| TITLEIST PLAYERS FLEX Check Price | 2ND | 10TH | 3RD | 1ST | 91 |
| PING Sport Tech Check Price | 2ND | 10TH | 3RD | 3RD | 90.5 |
| BIONIC PERFORMANCE GRIP PRO Check Price | 1ST | 2ND | 13TH | 3RD | 90 |
| FOOTJOY HYPERFLX Check Price | 2ND | 6TH | 3RD | 17TH | 89.5 |
| UNDER ARMOUR ISO-CHILL Check Price | 8TH | 2ND | 8TH | 7TH | 89 |
| FOOTJOY RAIN GRIP Check Price | 8TH | 10TH | 11TH | 1ST | 88.5 |
| COBRA MICRO GRIP Check Price | 8TH | 14TH | 8TH | 3RD | 88 |
| SRIXON ALL WEATHER Check Price | 8TH | 14TH | 3RD | 7TH | 88 |
| WILSON STAFF CONFORM Check Price | 17TH | 2ND | 2ND | 18TH | 88 |
| INESIS SOFT Check Price | 14TH | 6TH | 3RD | 18TH | 87.5 |
| NIKE TECH EXTREME Check Price | 8TH | 14TH | 8TH | 7TH | 87.5 |
| BIONIC STABLE GRIP (NATURAL FIT) Check Price | 5TH | 10TH | 19TH | 3RD | 87 |
| TAYLORMADE RAIN CONTROL Check Price | 5TH | 14TH | 16TH | 3RD | 87 |
| WILSON STAFF RAIN NON-SLIP Check Price | 14TH | 20TH | 13TH | 7TH | 85.5 |
| BIONIC RELAX GRIP 2.0 Check Price | 14TH | 10TH | 20TH | 7TH | 85 |
| CALLAWAY WEATHER SPANN Check Price | 8TH | 6TH | 20TH | 21ST | 84 |
| SRIXON TECH CABRETTA Check Price | 17TH | 20TH | 11TH | 21ST | 83.5 |
 | TAYLORMADE STRATUS Check Price | 23RD | 14TH | 16TH | 7TH | 83 |
| INESIS RAIN WEATHER Check Price | 22ND | 22ND | 16TH | 7TH | 82.5 |
| VICE DURO Check Price | 23RD | 14TH | 13TH | 20TH | 82 |
| BIONIC RELIEF GRIP Check Price | 19TH | 22ND | 22ND | 7TH | 81.5 |
| FOOTJOY WINTER SOF Check Price | 23RD | 6TH | 22ND | 21ST | 80 |
| MIZUNO COMP Check Price | 20TH | 26TH | 22ND | 21ST | 77 |
| PALM THE RANGE Check Price | 20TH | 24TH | 22ND | 26TH | 77 |
| NIKE DURA FEEL Check Price | 26TH | 24TH | 22ND | 21ST | 76 |
| INESIS RESISTANCE Check Price | 27TH | 26TH | 27TH | 26TH | 71 |
The Best Performance Gloves of 2021 – FAQ
Q: How much do I need to spend on a glove?
A: We found great options in 2021 for golfers looking for value as well as those looking for performance. If you want top-notch performance and consistency, expect to spend between $15 and $25 per glove. The best performing gloves in 2021 in our testing were the Mizuno Elite, Titleist Players Flex and the PING Sport Tech. But the Srixon All Weather glove performs well at only $10.
Q: How do I know when a glove fits correctly?
A: It’s a cliché perhaps but a glove really should fit like a second skin. There should be no extra material on the palm, fingers or the top of the hand. A glove is going to stretch. A new glove should fit snugly with a quarter-inch of Velcro still showing on the closure pad when secured. Take a look at this fitting guide for help.
Q: Do I need to wear a glove?
A: Ah, yes, as multiple major winner Billy Shakespeare once asked, “To wear or not wear?” A glove is, to a degree, personal preference. Certainly, there are some who pride themselves on playing bare-handed. While that approach can save a significant amount of money over a lifetime, it should be noted that the best players in the world all wear gloves. A properly fitted glove will help to ensure a consistent connection with the club regardless of heat, humidity, sweat, etc.
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