Golf Balls & Gloves
The small purchases that make a real difference. Honest picks for Beckley beginners and high handicappers who don't want to waste money.
What Actually Matters
Best Balls for Beginners
You lose a lot of balls at first. These won't hurt your wallet when you do.
Price and feel balanced.
Gloves That Grip and Last
A good glove is cheap confidence. Here's what to look for.
Tested in local humidity.Ball & Glove Topics
All Balls & Gloves Guides
best golf balls for slice: Soft, Low-Spin, and Forgiving Enough to Keep You in the Fairway
The best golf balls for slicers, tested on Beckley's tree-lined courses—soft feel, reduced side spin, and all under ...
how long do golf balls last: A Gear Tester's Honest Answer After 50 Rounds of Abuse
How long does a golf ball actually last? A gear tester's honest guide to wear, scuffs, and when to retire a ball—based o...
best winter golf gloves: Soft Feel and Warmth for Cold Rounds
The best winter golf gloves for cold-weather rounds in Beckley, tested on frosty mornings—warm, tacky, and all under ...
best winter golf gloves: Soft Feel and Warmth for Cold Rounds
The best winter golf gloves for cold-weather rounds in Beckley, tested on frosty mornings—warm, tacky, and all under ...
best golf balls for cold weather: Soft Feel and Low Compression for the Winter Golfer
The best golf balls for cold weather, tested on Beckley's winter rounds—soft, low-compression, and all under a dozen...
best golf balls for women beginners: Soft Feel, Forgiving Flight, and No More Rocks in Your Bag
The best golf balls for women beginners, tested through my own first two seasons—soft, easy to launch, and all under ...
best golf balls for seniors: Soft Feel, Easy Launch, and Built for Slower Swing Speeds
The best golf balls for seniors, tested on Beckley courses—low compression, easy launch, and all under a dozen....
golf ball compression explained: Soft or Hard, and What It Means for Your Beginner Swing
Golf ball compression explained in plain English—what soft and hard really mean, and how to choose the right ball for yo...
best golf balls for high handicappers: Forgiving, Straight, and Built for Weekend Warriors
The best golf balls for high handicappers, tested on real courses—fewer slices, more forgiveness, and all under a do...
best golf gloves for beginners: Soft Grip, Honest Fit, and Under
The best golf gloves for beginners, tested through my first two seasons in Beckley—soft grip, honest fit, and all under ...
best golf balls for beginners: Soft, Forgiving, and Cheap Enough to Lose
The best golf balls for beginners, based on my first year of losing dozens in the Beckley rough—what to buy, what to ski...
Ball & Glove Questions
Start with a dozen inexpensive balls. You will lose several during your first few rounds. As you lose fewer, you can gradually move to better balls without the same cost pain.
Synthetic gloves often hold up better in humidity, while leather gives better feel. Locally, many golfers keep two gloves in the bag during July and August.
Most golfers wear a glove only on the lead hand. Some add a second glove in cold or wet weather. Start with one and adjust from there.