If you watch professional golf, you have seen Aaron Rai. And if you have seen Aaron Rai, you have noticed his gloves. Most golfers wear one glove on their left hand. But Aaron Rai wears a glove on each hand. This is his look. It is different. It makes people stop and ask a question.
Why does he do it? Is it a trick? Is it for show? The answer is simple, but the story behind it is much deeper. This article will give you the full story. We will explore the clear reason, the history, the science, and what it means for your game. By the end, you will know everything about Aaron Rai and his two gloves.
Why Aaron Rai Wears Two Gloves
Aaron Rai wears two golf gloves for three main reasons.
- A Better Grip: The main reason is to have a steady and secure hold on the golf club. The two gloves help him grip the club the same way every single time. They also stop his hands from sweating and slipping, which is important when it is raining or hot.
- A Lifelong Habit: This is not a new trick for him. Rai started wearing two gloves when he was around eight years old. He has done it for so long that it feels completely normal. Playing with one glove would feel strange to him now.
- Comfort and Care: Hitting hundreds of golf balls daily can hurt your hands, causing blisters and hard skin. The two gloves protect both of his hands and keep them comfortable during long practice sessions and four-hour rounds of golf.
This choice is a key part of his game. He wears golf shoes as normal. Now, let us learn more about the man behind the gloves.
Who Is Aaron Rai?
It helps to know who Aaron Rai is so that we can understand his choice. He is a professional golfer from England who plays on the PGA Tour, the top level of golf in the world. He is known for being very careful and precise in everything he does.
His attention to detail does not stop at gloves. He has another famous habit. After he hits an iron shot, he often takes the club to a nearby water source. He washes the clubhead to keep it clean. This shows his personality. He is a player who believes in his own methods. He does what works for him, even if it looks different. Wearing two gloves fits this picture. It is a personal ritual that gives him confidence.
The Detailed Reasons Behind the Two-Glove Approach
The short answer is helpful, but the real story has more layers. Let us break down each reason in detail.
Grip and Control
Think about the golf swing. It is a fast, powerful movement. The only things connecting you to the club are your hands. If your grip slips even a little, the shot can be ruined. The ball can go far away from your target.
This is the core of Rai’s choice. Two gloves give him maximum control.
- Consistent Feel: The club handle feels the same in both hands with two gloves. There is no difference between the feel of a gloved left hand and a bare right hand. This sameness helps him repeat the same grip pressure every time.
- Fighting the Elements: Golf is played in sun, rain, and wind. A sweaty hand or a rainy day can make a single glove wet and slippery. With two gloves, both hands have a dry, tacky surface, making his grip strong in all weather conditions.
- Lighter Grip Pressure: Many golf teachers tell players to hold the club lightly, like holding a small bird. When a player is nervous, they often squeeze the club too hard, killing a good swing. The security of two gloves can help a player relax their hands. A relaxed grip usually leads to a smoother, faster swing.
For Aaron Rai, this is not just theory. It is a practical tool that improves his performance.
A Habit Forged in Childhood
Habits that start young can become a part of who you are. Aaron Rai has said this himself in interviews. When he was a child, just starting to play golf, he began using two gloves.
He did not do it because a coach told him to. He did it because it felt right for him. He liked the feeling. As he grew up and became a good golfer, he never saw a reason to change. Why fix something that is not broken? For over twenty years, this has been his normal. His brain and his body are used to it. Changing now would be like writing with your other hand. It would feel wrong and would likely hurt his game.
Comfort and Practicality
The life of a professional golfer is hard on the body. They practice for hours. A professional might easily hit 500 balls in a single day. Then, they might play 18 holes of golf, which takes about four hours.
All that rubbing and pressure from the club can cause painful blisters. Blisters on your hands can ruin your week. They can stop you from practising or playing well.
By wearing two gloves, Aaron Rai protects the skin on both hands. The gloves absorb the friction, not his skin. This is a simple and smart way to avoid injury. It lets him practice as much as he needs to without pain, which is a very important part of staying ready to play for a professional.
A Custom Partnership
When a professional golfer does something unique, their equipment company often helps them. Aaron Rai’s glove choice is no different. He has a partnership with the golf brand FootJoy.
He does not just use two of the same gloves. He uses a specific combination:
Hand Glove Type Purpose
Left Hand (Lead Hand) Standard Tour-Level Glove: This glove provides premium grip and feel, which is the standard for professionals.
Right Hand (Trail Hand) Thinner “Tour Tray” Glove Offers grip and protection, but is thinner to allow for more feel and feedback in the trail hand.
This detail is very important. It shows that his choice is not random. It is a carefully thought-out equipment setup. The thinner glove on his right hand helps answer a common criticism about two gloves: the loss of feel. He gets the best of both worlds: security and a touch of sensitivity.
Should You Wear Two Golf Gloves? A Practical Guide for Amateurs
This is the big question for most people reading this. If it helps a pro, will it help me? The answer is: maybe. It depends on your own game. Let us look at the good and bad points.
The Good Parts of Wearing Two Gloves
- Better Grip in Wet Weather: Two gloves can be a game-changer if you often play in the rain or early morning dew. They will stop the club from twisting in your hands.
- Less Hand Pain: If you get blisters on your right hand after a long-range session, a second glove will solve that problem completely.
- Could Help with Tension: If you know you squeeze the club too hard, the extra security might help you relax your grip. A relaxed grip can lead to longer and straighter shots.
The Bad Parts of Wearing Two Gloves
- Loss of Feel: This is the biggest downside. The golf glove is meant to help you hold the club, but your bare hand is meant to feel the club. Many players say they need the feel of their bare right hand to control the clubface. Two gloves can make your hands feel numb or disconnected from the club.
- Extra Cost: Golf gloves wear out. Using two gloves means you are buying twice as many gloves. This can get expensive over a season.
- It Might Hide a Problem: Sometimes, players want two gloves because they cannot hold the club correctly. While this might be a quick fix for a bad grip, it is better to learn the proper way to hold the club first.
So, What Should You Do?
Here is a simple way to decide.
- Try It Yourself. Buy a cheap second glove and try it at the driving range. See how it feels. Do you hit the ball better? Do you feel more in control?
- Think About Your Conditions. If you live in a place that is often wet and humid, it’s a good idea to try two gloves.
- Check Your Grip First. Ask a coach to check your grip if you are a new golfer. Make sure you are holding the club the right way. Then, if you still have problems with slipping or blisters, consider a second glove.
For most golfers, one glove is the best way. But for some, two gloves can be a helpful tool. Aaron Rai proves that what works for you is the most important thing.
Debunking Myths and Answering Your Questions
Many people have the same questions about this topic. Let us answer them clearly.
Is Wearing Two Gloves Against the Rules of Golf?
No, it is 100% legal. The Rules of Golf allow a player to wear gloves on both hands. No rule stops this. Anyone who tells you it is illegal is wrong.
Do Any Other Professional Golfers Wear Two Gloves?
Yes, Aaron Rai is not the only one. The most famous other example is Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey. His nickname comes from this very habit. He has also worn two gloves for his entire professional career. This shows that while it is not common, it is a valid choice that can work at the highest level.
Doesn’t It Reduce Feel and Feedback?
This is the most common argument against two gloves. And for most people, yes, it does reduce feelings. However, for Aaron Rai and Tommy Gainey, this is not true. Why? Because they have done it for decades. Their brains are used to the feeling of two gloves. For them, two gloves have a normal feel. They have learned to control the club perfectly with that setup. What feels numb to you feels natural to them.
Final word
Aaron Rai’s two gloves are more than just a look. They are a smart piece of his golf game. They help him grip the club firmly in any weather. They protect his hands from damage. And they are a habit he has trusted since he was a boy.
His story teaches us an important lesson about golf. Golf is a game of feel and personal preference. What looks strange to one person might be the secret to success for another.
The best way to play golf is not always the most common way. The best way is the way that works for you. Aaron Rai found what works for him, and he sticks with it. More than the gloves themselves, that is the real reason for his success.