Growing up in a sub-tropical climate, I was exposed to sweltering heat, which caused profuse sweating.
Besides the overall discomfort, this restricted my ability to induce a firm grip, leading to a loss of traction. In this guide, I will teach you what to do if you’ve got sweaty hands while playing golf.
I have provided 15 tips to combat moisture to maintain dry hands while on the golf course. These tips are a mix of methods I use combined with a couple that worked for my peers.
We will look at ideas to implement between shots, the best golf gloves, golf grips, and a few accessories which do the trick.
1. Breathable Glove
My first recommendation is to source a breathable glove that encourages maximum airflow to keep your hands cool and dry on the links. You’ll find that breathable golf gloves feature a perforated mesh lining across the knuckles, where the air enters.
Golf gloves with limited breathability maintain heat internally, generating moist hands in record time. Even if you remove your glove between shots, a minute with these gloves on in warm conditions can onset sweat.
The FootJoy WeatherSof design is my best golf glove recommendation to promote air circulation inside the glove for maximum comfort. It is also reinforced with Cabretta leather on the thumb and palm for a soft texture and solid grip.
2. Take Off Your Glove Between Shots
A simple tip that most golfers employ is removing the glove between shots.
You’ll notice that this practice gives your hand a chance to breathe and soak up the fresh air, reducing heat and exiling moisture from your palms.
In addition, many players remove the glove for short game shots to enhance the feel and feedback around the green. Implementing this tactic on scorching days gives your hand more time out of the glove than inside, which goes a long way to keeping it refreshed.
3. Carry Multiple Gloves
Gloves are an inexpensive purchase as far as golf equipment goes, and there is no reason not to own multiple units. Having at least two gloves in your bag covers you should one is drenched in moisture and no longer offers sufficient traction.
Playing with a wet glove leads a golfer to remove it and swing barehanded. You’ll notice that sweaty hands with no glove further reduce your traction and can lower your clubhead speed and control of the golf club.
4. Use A Rain Glove
Remaining on the glove topic, I had a buddy who used a rain glove year round because he found it enhanced his grip.
The way he described it, the glove helped him induce sufficient grip pressure for maximum control in all weather.
5. Carry Two Towels
Always carry two towels on the golf course in hot weather, besides the towel for your clubheads after each shot.
Keep one towel wet and as cold as you can. Golfers operating a golf cart can even store the towel in an ice box with some water. Use this towel to wipe your hands before and after each shot to cool them down.
The other towel must remain dry to shed the cold water from your hands before and after every shot. This routine keeps your hands cool and dry to ensure the best grip possible in wet weather.
6. A Cool Bottle of Water
A refreshing bottle of water is an alternative measure you can take to remove sweat. Instead of the wet and cold towel, throw some cold water directly on your hands between shots.
Then rub your hands together to shed dirt and debris and chill your hands. Follow it up by whipping out the dry towel and removing the moisture from your palms and fingers.
7. Use Wet Wipes
Yes, I know they are used for babies, but wet towels are a more hygienic method of shedding sweat and keeping your hands dry and clean.
Pull out a wet wipe before each shot and clear your hand of sweat, dirt, and other grime.
8. Dry Your Grips Before and After Each Shot
Another simple tip that is common practice among caddies and players is drying golf grips before shots.
This is an extra step in the process, but it ensures you remove as much sweat and debris generated on your previous shot. This clears the surface for enhanced contact between your hand and the rubber material.
Take a dry cloth and run it up and down the grip until you are satisfied that it is dry and ready for action.
9. Rosin Bag
A rosin bag is an extreme measure, but I have seen it work for several players. The powdery substance helps their hands stick to the club grip like glue.
Admittedly, I find it uncomfortable and annoying to have the substance on my hands for an entire round of golf, but it is effective. You can also use other powders, such as baby powder or chalk if you cannot source a rosin bag.
10. Gripping Solution
Products such as Dry Hands are gripping solutions to help you hold the club better in any condition. The solution eradicates moisture from your hands, keeping you sweat-free during your round.
Plus, you’ll notice that the substance does not stick to your hands and become an annoyance like other products.
11. Use Tacky Or Cord Grips
If you have tried every trick in the book and still struggle for optimal traction with sweaty hands, new golf grips may help. The best golf grip designs for maximum friction are tacky or cord setups.
Corded grips are typically equipped with moisture-wicking technology that sheds sweat and water from the surface for elevated traction in all conditions. Conversely, tacky rubber golf grips possess sticky layers to keep your hands fastened to the golf club.
An excellent tacky option is the Winn Dri-Tac grip construction. Besides maximizing your hold on your golf club, it promotes lighter grip pressure for optimal comfort during your golf swing.
12. Sandpaper Your Grips
This is not my favorite approach, as sandpaper can wreck your grips. However, I am suggesting it because I know golfers who do it with corded grips, and they swear by it.
Sanding down the surface of your grips will smooth them out and enable you to gain firm control of the grip in hot conditions.
13. Blow Dry Your Hands With A Mini Fan
My final suggestion is a pompous approach to drying your hands. However, I have seen multiple lads and ladies employ the method. All you need is a battery-operated compact fan which you can snatch up one for next to nothing and store it in your golf bag.
When walking between shots or waiting for your partner to play, turn the fan on and let it blow onto your skin. A few moments of cool air hitting your skin will help refresh your hands and dispose of moisture.
14. Ice Pack
This is a tip I use on days when I am driving a cart and can store additional accessories. A mini ice box with a frozen pack is a game changer for comfort.
I reach for the ice pack when my hands are burning and chill them with the freezing chunk of goodness. It is not the most hygienic approach to stick your dirty mitts on the same block of ice all day, so I suggest carrying a couple with you.
15. Botox
It sounds extreme, and it is, but one of the members of my club went in for treatment because sweaty palms became a daily struggle. It was not limited to warm conditions on the golf course. Their condition is known as Palmar Hyperhidrosis which prompts profuse sweating of the palms.
The member in question explained that a medical professional administered the botox to significantly reduce sweating. This is an option for golfers who suffer from Palmar Hyperhidrosis and is not recommended solely for added grip on the golf course.
FAQ
What do pros use for sweaty hands?
Golf pros employ a mixture of methods to keep their hands dry and reduce the impact of sweat. Firstly, they wipe their hands with a wet towel and dry them with another. If this is unsuccessful, they employ a gripping solution or powder to enhance their traction on the golf club.
Furthermore, you will find that professional golfers carry a host of gloves and towels to ensure that every base is covered in warm weather.
Matt Stevens
Matt Callcott-Stevens started playing golf at the age of 4 when Rory Sabattini’s father put a 7-iron and putter in his hand. He has experienced all the highs and lows the game can throw at you and has now settled down as a professional golf writer. He holds a Postgraduate in Sports Marketing and has played golf for 28 years.