Pool gloves and Golf glove history

C

Cameron Smith

is kind of hungry...
Silver Member
http://www.travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/articles/golf-glove-story

Here is an interesting article. I've always thought there was a parallel here. I wonder how long before the majority of top players wear gloves, as it seems it took upwards of 30 years for golfers. At the moment most people shy away from them due to them being a fashion faux pas.

It seems as though golfers went through the same thing. However the big difference is that golfing is largely a private experience, in other words generally not a lot of other people around except for those in your party. Pool on the other hand is far more of a public game, much easier to succumb to embarrassment.

P.S. I have a glove, but only wear it a couple of times year during extreme humidity.
 
I remember when gloves really started to hit the market. I never had a problem with new things so I jumped on it almost immediatly. It just seemed to make sense to me. One less variable in your game seemed like a good thing to me. I remember alot of the older players would make jokes about it but now you look around and all those guys are wearing them. I don't really think anyone even gives it a thought any more.

Btw back in the day I used to tell people who would make a crack about my glove that I wore it so I wouldn't get any crap on my hands when I run the 8 ball up your A$$. :)
 
Back in the 70's there was a guy who's nickname was "The Glove". He wore a full wool army glove. A pioneer. I forget his name.
 
Love the Glove

The glove makes a ton of sense. Keeps the shaft looking brand new and clean, avoids talc on my table and clothes. Cheap too.

Look at your shaft... Is it getting grimy? Looking used? Losing resale value?

Wear one or don't wear one. I carry two.
 
I think that was one of the positives that they pushed when trying to get pool rooms to sell gloves. Talc was not only bad for cue but bad for the cloth also and would save them money in the long run if people didn't use talc.
 
Interesting piece. Funny how the author felt a little ashamed of wearing em despite the fact 85% of hackers and 95% of pros do. So he invented this weird little "ritual" attachment to justify it.

Wonder what the percentages are with pool players ... maybe 5% and 15%?

For me, it's no ritual. I used to tote around powder and tried to be not so much of a slob with it, but figured it's pool and that means never having to say you're sorry about leaving a little talc on the table. But after I cut a finger on my bridge hand and NEEDED a glove for a couple of weeks, I was totally sold on the consistent feel. Because if you're using powder, there's often a different amount on your hands, sometimes you have to decide whether to pat down again before a big shot ... lot of nonsense creeps in. If it's good enough for Earl and John Schmidt ...

But I don't find it keeps the shaft any cleaner. You still pick up stuff from the table and chalk comes off your tip. But you don't have to clean your shafts as often to keep a decent feel, at least.
 
I tried one of those 3 finger glove things, didnt like it. It feels like a broken condom and was distracting me. My hands stay fairly dry though so I never need one anyway. At my local room, anybody who wears one there usually doesnt wear it a second time after all the jokes hit them.
 
In both sports, I think it's more need and preference....

In pool, I don't use chalk nor a glove.....don't need either.....if I ever have an issue, I simply go wash my hands with soap, dry well, and all is good....I don't really care if someone wears them either way, but guys with a pink or purple glove make me think twice :D

In golf, I have to wear one - the club slips in my hands....I take off the glove within about 30 yards of the green, no need for short game and putts....there is a guy on tour that wears two gloves, and he even wears them when putting....there are also pros, like Freddy Couples, that don't wear them at all......if it rains, I have to break out the rain gloves and wear them on both hands to hold onto the club....if I could go without the glove, I'd prefer to....one less expense :D

I don't forsee gloves being mainstream in pool.....not due to fashion concerns, but more because I don't think most need them.....
 
I've never been one to worry about what other people think when it comes to things like this. I don't need my ego stroked and the jokes roll off my back. I don't use a glove regularly but I do have one in my case and it gets a lot of use during the summer months. Japan is humid and powder is just plain messy, no matter how careful you are with it there will be visible powder marks on the table. If people don't like my glove that's their problem, not mine.
MULLY
never owned a pink one
 
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