Different sports require certain equipment such as helmets, shoes with cleats, certain jerseys or shorts, and sometimes, the right gloves. American football and golf are two particular sports where the players benefit greatly from having the right gloves to get the most out of their game. Getting a good football grip, for example, means the difference between a great play and a disappointing fumble, so the right gear is critical. Sometimes, in fact, getting a good football grip means having bare hands, and in this case, football towels are an important piece of gear for any athlete. Sticky gloves are better in some situations than others, after all, and a football grip may be dictated by the weather or other conditions. Golfers, meanwhile, often wear one glove to play, and getting the right one can have a big impact on one’s game.
Who Plays Football and Golf?
These are popular sports in the United States and beyond. Football is often a staple sport among Americans; in 2017, for example, around 5.22 million Americans aged six and up played tackle football, and during the 2016-2017 school year, high school football was played by around 1.09 million students, although a 25,000 player drop was noted in 2018 compared to 2017. The NFL is provided a lot of equipment for play; Wilson Sporting Goods supplied some 25,000 official game balls per season, which averages out to 780 balls for each team.
Golf, meanwhile, attracts many players, some younger than most people would expect. In 2018, for example, around 13.12% of respondents aged 18 to 29 years old in a survey said that they play golf, and the single biggest age group for this sport, according to the Nation Golf Foundation, is those aged 30-39, who represent 18.8% of all golf players. The 40-49 age group is second, at 17.6%. Getting the right gloves for either of these sports, and similar equipment, is critical for a football grip or a great golf swing. What to buy?
Gloves and You
In drier weather conditions, football players have great incentive to buy and wear good gloves, which may even act as a second skin. These gloves, especially for receivers, may be somewhat sticky on their palms and fingers, an this stickiness can be boosted every so often with a spray. Rubber, textured pads may also improve the grip, which is essential for catching the ball and having it not literally slip through one’s fingers. Throwing the ball and controlling its spin and force is also aided by such gloves, while players who make the most contact with the other team may want thicker, tougher gloves to endure these impacts and protect the player’s hands.
Gloves must be the right size; too tight, and they restrict movement and blood flow, and too loose, they slip and slid, which ruins the entire point. And in more humid or damp gameplay conditions, players may forgo gloves and instead throw or catch footballs barehanded. In this case, a good football grip comes from washer towels, which can be fastened to the player’s waist for convenience. These towels are used to simply wipe moisture, dirt, mud, and other contaminants from the player’s hands and maintain a better grip. Hands slicked with mud, for example, make for a poor catch.
Golf gloves can be cheaper if need be, but quality, leather gloves are optimal for dedicated players who need a good investment for a better game. These gloves should fit well, just like a football player’s gloves, and for similar reasons. The more flexible and tough these gloves, the better. And golf gloves’ life spans can be extended if the glove is sealed from moisture and other contaminants when not in use.
