Fits like a Glove: A Pool Glove Buying Guide

When I first started playing pool back in the mid 1990’s (or as my junior students say with a smirk, “The Late 1900s”) Pool Gloves were not a big thing in my local pool room.  As a matter of fact, I can remember occasionally joining in with some of the old timers to poke fun amongst ourselves whenever some new player came in and donned his glove before starting to play.  The old guys would snicker and of course assumed that if you had a glove on it meant you didn’t play very well.

Why those two things became synonymous I don’t know.  Perhaps it was because it seemed like a gimmick, like it made the player better just by putting it on.  In some lesser billiard establishments regulars would even question your manhood if you wore a glove!  Why? No idea, ignorance, I guess.  If only we knew back then what we know now, and what we were missing out on, especially on those humid summer nights playing pool with sweaty hands.

Today, the story is different. Top players like Shane Van Boening, Skylar Woodward, Francisco Sanchez Ruiz, and Earl Strickland are all using billiard glove technology to add consistency and a smoother stroke to their game. This has sparked new popularity in the world of billiard gloves. If you're still on the fence, let's explore the pros and cons of using a glove, how to choose the right one, and how to care for it to keep it performing at its best.

Advantages of Using a Pool Glove (Pros):

1. Helps With Sweaty Hands: One of the most common struggles among pool players is sweaty hands, which can create a grippy friction when moving the cue through your bridge.  A pool glove prevents gripping from clammy hands by absorbing excess moisture and providing a slick, dry surface for your cue to glide through your fingers.
2. Smooth, Consistent Stroke: A smooth and consistent stroke is the most important thing in billiards, a glove aids in this endeavor by reducing friction between the hand and the cue shaft. The result is fluid, effortless strokes that enhance accuracy and control.
3. Keeps Hands and Cue Cleaner: Dust, oils, chalk, whatever the last guy had on his hands that was at the table, all this can accumulate on the cue shaft and make it dirty and sticky.  A pool glove not only keeps your hands clean but also protects the cue shaft, prolonging its lifespan and maintaining optimal performance.
4. Great for Use with Carbon Shafts: Carbon fiber cue shafts have gained popularity for their low deflection, responsiveness and power/spin qualities among others.  Carbon Shafts can sometimes feel sticky on bare skin and friction will cause resistance as you try and move the shaft through your fingers.  Dirt and oil can rest on top of the surface of the shaft and cause that feeling.  A pool glove complements these high-performance shafts, providing a lower friction surface for the carbon fiber to slide on.
5. Reduces Distractions/Improves Focus: By eliminating concerns about a sticky shaft due to moisture or residue, a pool glove allows you to maintain unbroken focus on your shot. This freedom from minor irritations helps you concentrate fully on execution, leading to better overall performance.

Disadvantages of Using a Pool Glove (Cons):

1. Dependency: Once accustomed to playing with a pool glove, some players find it challenging to play without one. This can be inconvenient, especially if you forget your glove or need to play spontaneously.
2. Maintenance: Like any piece of equipment, pool gloves require regular cleaning to maintain their smooth soft feeling. Neglecting to clean your glove can lead to odors, deterioration, and increased friction, diminishing its performance over time.  A little soap and water now and then will keep your glove feeling soft and smooth.  And your friends won’t have a creative nickname for your stinky gloved hand.
3. Slight Loss of Feel: While a glove provides a smooth surface for cueing, some players may experience a slight loss of feedback compared to playing with bare hands. This diminished sensation can impact shot finesse and control, particularly in touchy soft spin shots.
4. Durability: To combat the “loss of feel” most pool gloves are made with thin, stretchy fabrics that is more susceptible to wear and tear, especially with frequent use. Over time, the material may degrade, seams may loosen or pop, and high friction spots, like the grip pad, may wear out.

Pool Glove Styles – What to Look For:

Finding the perfect pool glove involves considering several factors to ensure optimal fit, comfort, and functionality:

• Size: A glove should fit snugly but not too tight, allowing for natural movement without slipping or constriction.
• Finger Style: Choose between open or closed fingers based on personal preference and playing style. Closed fingers provide full coverage, while open fingers offer enhanced feel and contact with the cue and table.
• Quality Materials: Look for durable materials, double stitching, and reinforced seams at stress points to ensure longevity and performance.
• Closure: A secure closure mechanism ensures a snug fit and prevents the glove from slipping during play.

• Non-Slip Palm Pad: A non-slip pad on the palm enhances grip and stability, particularly during bridge formation.

Brands and Colors:

With a plethora of brands and colors available, selecting a pool glove allows for personal expression and style. Whether you prefer a specific brand for its fit and comfort or desire a glove that matches your outfit or personality, the options are endless.

My Pool Glove Preference:

Myself, I lean towards open-finger gloves for their tactile feedback and stability during play. Additionally, finding a glove with extended fingers ensures complete coverage, preventing any exposed skin that may hinder a smooth stroke.

My personal favorite is the NEW Kamui Glove. In their quest for excellence Kamui has done it yet again with the latest addition to their line of top-quality billiards products. This new glove features a shorter wrist cuff for comfort and freedom of movement. The new smooth, stretchy fabric feels great on your hand, and has dry fit moisture wicking technology to keep your bridge hand dry and smooth. The new Kamui glove also has a non-slip grip pad to keep your bridge from sliding on the cloth. This glove has two of my favorite features, a top closing Velcro strap that is extremely adjustable, and my favorite thing of all about this glove is the length of the fingers and thumb!

I have always had an issue with the fingers and thumb not being long enough to cover my giant chimpanzee hands. With this glove I don’t have to spend time constantly adjusting the fingers so my cue doesn’t stick to my hand. The gloves are available in a wide variety of sizes and three different colors, with more to come soon knowing Kamui.

Gratuitous Shout-Out to PoolDawg:

The NEW Alpha Pro glove from Pooldawg is truly amazing! The glove is made of a super smooth dry fit material that feels great against your skin and extra slick as your cue moves through your bridge hand. The palm of the Alpha Pro sports a silicone dimpled, no-slip, grip pad against a state-of-the-art Tech-Fit Air Flow Moisture Control material. Both materials have a stretchiness to them and an adjustable Velcro closure on top to ensure a perfect fit and feel. The glove is available in five different sizes to accommodate just about any pool player. But that’s not all.

The Alpha Pro Glove also comes with a two-sided magnetic pocket marker/shot tracker! One side showing the height of fashion with the PoolDawg logo pocket marker, and the other side a 2-way training tool! Tool one is the 30-degree Rule Shot Tracker & tool two is the Tangent Line path finder. Click here to learn more about using the 30-degree and Tangent line shot tracker.

Pool Glove Care and Maintenance:

Taking good care of your pool glove will help it last longer and perform better. Here are some key tips:

First off, make sure that you choose the correct size. Review the manufacturers size guides and check out the product reviews to see what other players that use the gloves say about the fit. If you’re still on the fence between sizes after researching try the larger size. Forcing a hand that's too large into a small glove can stress the seams and material, leading to premature wear.

Secondly, be gentle with the seams and stitching when putting the glove on and taking it off. While many modern pool gloves are made with stretchy materials and double stitching, they are also relatively thin to preserve the “feel” that players require making them more susceptible to wear and tear. Don’t just rip the glove off your hand like a “Hulkamaniac”; instead, gently slide it off to prevent damage like in the above image.

Last but not least, keep your glove clean. Over time, your glove will accumulate sweat and chalk dust, which can degrade the material. Just like any other piece of clothing, regular cleaning will extend its lifespan. Even with the best care, gloves will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

In conclusion, pool gloves serve as invaluable accessories for players seeking a smooth stroke, control, and cleanliness during gameplay. By weighing the pros and cons and considering your personal preferences, you can find the perfect glove to elevate your billiards experience to new heights.

~Mikey V