🥇 Top Pick
FootJoy RainGrip
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Grips better when wet, microfiber suede, sold as pair | Bulkier feel |
Rain golf is a test of equipment as much as mental toughness, and nothing separates prepared golfers from unprepared ones more visibly than grip maintenance in wet conditions. A standard leather golf glove becomes essentially useless in heavy rain — the leather saturates, loses all its tack, and the club can twist freely in your hands through impact. Rain gloves are not an optional luxury for golfers who play through wet weather; they're a genuine performance necessity that can keep your round competitive when others are struggling just to hold on.
The physics of rain gloves are counterintuitive but real: certain synthetic microfiber materials actually grip better when wet than when dry, because the fibers create more friction against the grip surface when wet. FootJoy's RainGrip and the Titleist Players Rain Gloves are the most widely tested examples of this technology, and our team can confirm that the performance difference in wet conditions versus a standard glove is dramatic — more grip security in heavy rain than most players have in dry conditions with a standard glove.
Rain gloves are typically sold in pairs, because both hands need grip security in wet conditions — your non-glove hand is usually bare and even less effective on a wet grip. The convention of wearing a single glove on the lead hand only applies in dry conditions. In rain, wearing both gloves simultaneously is standard practice among competitive golfers and a habit that recreational players should adopt for wet rounds.
Microfiber material that grips when wet: This is the defining characteristic of a true rain glove. Look specifically for products that state grip performance improves or maintains in wet conditions — not just that the glove is "water resistant." The tactile feel of microfiber rain gloves is different from leather, but the grip security in rain is significantly superior. Once you've used proper rain gloves, playing in wet conditions with a standard glove feels immediately uncomfortable.
Sold as pairs: Quality rain gloves are sold as pairs for the same reason — both hands need coverage in wet conditions. Single rain gloves exist and are better than nothing, but for competitive play or serious recreational golf in wet weather, using both gloves simultaneously is the correct approach. Budget for pairs when shopping in this category.
Water-resistant (not waterproof) design: A fully waterproof glove would be impractical — it would trap hand moisture without releasing it, creating the same problem as a saturated standard glove but caused by internal rather than external moisture. The best rain gloves are water-resistant enough to shed surface water quickly while still allowing some breathability to prevent heat buildup inside the glove.
Thermal lining options for cold rain: Playing in cold rain is a specific challenge where a standard rain glove may not provide adequate warmth. Some manufacturers offer rain gloves with light thermal linings that maintain hand warmth in cold, wet conditions without sacrificing the microfiber grip performance on the surface.
Pack them in your bag permanently: The biggest practical advice for rain gloves is simply to have them with you. Pack a pair permanently in a waterproof pouch in your bag so you're never caught without them. The space they take up is negligible and the insurance value is enormous — a missed club on a slippery grip in an important round is the kind of avoidable mistake that proper preparation eliminates.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Grips better when wet, microfiber suede, sold as pair | Bulkier feel |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| Tour-quality rain grip, flexible fit | Premium price |
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
|---|---|
| All-weather performance, warm and grippy | Less breathable in dry weather |
Yes — it's genuine technology, not marketing. Microfiber suede materials create more friction when wet, not less. The grip of a good rain glove in a downpour genuinely exceeds a leather glove in dry conditions.
You can, but performance is reduced — they're optimized for wet conditions and feel less natural when dry. Most golfers carry rain gloves as backup to their regular gloves rather than as their primary option.
In heavy rain, yes — wearing gloves on both hands provides maximum security. This is standard practice for serious players in wet weather. In light rain, your normal single glove may be sufficient.
Lay them flat and allow to air dry naturally — don't wring, twist, or put near direct heat. Some rain gloves are machine washable on gentle cycle. Proper drying maintains the microfiber performance for many rounds.