It can be difficult keeping your hands dry while golfing in the middle of the summer. On a hot day, moving around and swinging a club 100+ times with a glove on will most likely cause sweaty hands.

This scenario poses a problem when trying to hold onto a club while swinging. 

I know firsthand how frustrating this can be. A slippery grip can affect your swing and can cause trouble on the course. Not being able to confidently hold your club will only hurt your swing, and your score.

Since I suffer from sweaty hands too, I thought I would share some tips on how to avoid a slippery grip and keep your hands dry.

How to keep your hands and grips dry

If your hands have a tendency to get sweaty then you’re in the right place. 

There are preventative and reactive methods for dealing with sweaty hands.

If you know it’s going to be wet or hot and you have a tendency to have sweaty hands then you can take preventative measures.

While out on the course, when your hands are already wet and you need to dry them off, then you can take reactive measures to solve.

With that in mind, here are a few methods to prevent a slippery grip and sweaty hands…

Carry multiple gloves and rotate during your round

When a golf glove gets wet, it loses some of its grip. So when you hit with the same glove and you can see the moisture build up, then it may be time to switch out your glove, mid round. I know golfers who carry 3 or more gloves so they can switch them out every hole. That way you’re allowing time for each glove to dry while using the other.

When you’re not using a wet glove, some people will let it air out by hanging it off their bag or cart. This allows the glove to air dry better than sitting inside your bag.

Curious what gloves are best for golfers with sweaty hands?

Consider keeping a spare rain glove

Traditional golf gloves are made of leather (and other synthetic material), which stick well to your golf grip in dry conditions. Then when things get wet, the hold becomes less sticky and more slippery. Rain gloves on the other hand are made of a suede material that actually gets grippier when wet. They usually come in a pair so that both of your hands can maintain their grip on the club.

I really like the Footjoy Rain Glove, which comes in a two pack.

Replace your old grips with new ones designed for moisture

Believe it or not, there are club grips designed to handle moisture better than others. Most of these grips are made from a blend of cord and other materials that will stay tacky for all-weather golfing. As with any golf purchase, I recommend trying out and actually touching grips before you go out and purchase though. You could buy one grip and test it out before buying more. For me, when I tested out new grips, some felt unnatural. Golf is a game of feel, and your grips are an important part of that.

It’s also worth noting here that maintaining your existing grip will make a huge difference as well. Fresher grips will always have a tackier feel. Make sure to keep them clean as it will give them more life.

READ MORE: What are the best golf grips for sweaty hands?

Bring a few towels

I have a golf towel attached to my bag at all times. I use it to wipe my clubs off, but also to help keep my hands dry during a wet round. If you know the round is going to be wet then it’s a good idea to bring a couple backups, that way you can change them out when they get too wet.

Apply grip spray

Tacky sprays applied to your grip will help with traction during your round. It’s something that you have to frequently apply, most likely a few times during the round if necessary. I suggest checking out a few different products and seeing what works best for you.

I found the the Cramer Anti-Slip Spray works really well. I couldn’t believe how sticky my hands were to the club, I almost had to peel it away!

Use dry hand products

Talcum powder is great for absorbing moisture. Applying some inside and outside your glove will help improve friction and your grip. I’ve seen others online recommend a rosin bag, which contains a sticky substance extracted from the sap of fir trees. Using this in between shots will certainly help with your grip, although may be a little much for some on the course.

Many golfers swear by Dry Hands from Nelson Sports.

Wear a sweatband on your wrist

Sometimes sweat from the rest of your body trickles down to your hands, especially on a really hot day. Since keeping your hands dry is paramount, I suggest using a wristband to catch any extra sweat from your arms before it reaches your hands. You can also use it to wipe your brow or other parts of your body you tend to wipe with your hand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you keep sweaty hands dry while golfing?

Applying talcum powder is a great option to keep your sweaty hands dry during a round of golf. The talcum powder absorbs excess moisture and if applied generously between shots, should provide enough relief that you can grip your club. This is completely legal and if you have a problem with sweaty hands I suggest trying out this stuff called Dry Hands.

How do you make a golf grip tacky?

A rosin bag is a great way to make your golf grip tacky. These bags contain a sticky or adhesive substance that is extracted from fir tree sap. Using between shots will help your golf grip maintain a tacky feel, and help you hang onto your club. A rosin bag is perfectly legal as well.

How do you put gloves on with sweaty hands?

A personal trick I use is putting a small amount of baby powder inside my glove. This should help on the course when the sweat is causing your hands to stick to the inside of the glove. The powder will allow you to slide your hand in the glove quite easily.

How do you stop sweaty hands in gloves?

For starters, use a glove with breathable mesh to help airflow. You should also remove your glove as frequently as possible. If you keep the glove on it will build up moisture and it will try to escape through your glove.

When you take the glove off, let it air out. You should also dry off your hand if it’s sweaty or wet at all. One of the many reasons why it’s smart to carry a golf towel on the course.

Can you use a rosin bag for golf?

Yes, it is within the rules of golf to use a rosin bag during your round. According to Rule 14-3 C (ii) “resin, powder and drying or moisturizing agents may be used”. That means keep those hands dry and have at it!