Bowling Gloves: Do You Need One?

Do you need a bowling glove?

In most bowling centers you will see a few players wearing a glove or a wrist support on their bowling hand, while most bowl without one. Whether you need a bowling glove depends on your hands and your game: a glove addresses specific problems such as a moist grip or an unstable wrist. If you do not have these problems, you can bowl perfectly well without one.

Types of bowling gloves and wrist supports

Pro shops and bowling retailers usually group these products into a few categories.

Simple bowling gloves

Gloves made of leather or with a mesh back cover the palm and part of the hand. They are meant to give a more even grip and absorb moisture.

Gloves with wrist support

These combine a glove with a built-in support that stabilises the wrist during the swing and release, so that the hand position stays the same from shot to shot.

Positioner gloves

Positioner gloves hold the wrist and hand in a set position. Some models can be adjusted, for example to keep the wrist slightly cupped.

Separate wrist supports

Wrist wraps and braces without a glove, for example made of neoprene, stabilise the wrist and leave the hand free.

How wrist position affects your release is explained in our guide to bowling wrist supports.

When a bowling glove helps

• Moist hands: Moisture between your hand and the ball makes the grip less predictable. A glove can absorb some of it.
• An unstable wrist: If your wrist bends back during the swing, a wrist support helps keep it in position.
• Long sessions: In long practice sessions or tournaments, a support can relieve the wrist.
• After an injury: After a hand or wrist injury, clarify with your doctor whether and with what support you should bowl.

When you can do without one

Every layer between your hand and the ball changes how the release feels. If your hands stay dry and your grip is already consistent, a glove adds a variable that you do not need. For occasional moisture, some bowlers use a towel or a grip sack between shots instead.

Fit

A bowling glove or wrist support should sit firmly without restricting blood flow or movement. Use the size chart of the respective manufacturer, as sizes differ between brands. Hook-and-loop fasteners and buckles should lie flat and must not get in the way of your grip. If possible, try the glove together with your own ball.

Conclusion

A bowling glove is a solution to specific problems: a moist grip, an unstable wrist or strain during long sessions. If none of these applies to you, you do not need one. If you are unsure, watch your wrist position during the swing – or have someone film it – before you buy a support.

Further reading: Bowling wrist supports · How to choose bowling shoes