Callaway X Spann: No Pull Tab, No Problem
    © Callaway Golf

    Glove tested: Callaway X Spann (men’s) Retail price: $20 Material(s): Cabretta leather, mesh and silicone Colors: White with black Hand: Left, right Sizes: S, M, ML, L, XL

    Available in cadet* fit: Yes Weather: All

    About this glove: Here’s something different – a golf glove with no fastening pull tab.

    Callaway’s X Spann glove dispenses with the usual velcro pullover in favor of a one-piece design; there’s an elasticized insert at the wrist to provide flexibility when slipping the glove on and off.

    Other features include a breathable, moisture-wicking compression mesh across the back of the hand, microfiber suede with silicon sensors in the ring and pinky fingers, and cabretta leather in the other fingers and palm.

    Credit Callaway for the cool concept. Let’s see how well the X Spann glove does its job.

    Appearance: It looks kind of like a scuba-diving glove, but that’s not necessarily a drawback (unless you’re a staunch traditionalist or afraid of the water). We suggest wearing contemporary clothing with this one – it might clash with a pair of pleated khakis and saddle oxford golf shoes. But it still gets our thumbs-up.

    Comfort: Slip into the Callaway X Spann glove and the first thing you notice is its weight, or lack thereof. It’s extremely light. Breathable, too. We were a bit concerned about the fit given the glove’s lack of adjustability, but ours was nice and snug from fingers to wrist.

    Yes, playing in a glove with no pull tab takes some getting used to. It’s a lot like driving a car with an automatic transmission after years in a stick shift. You’ll find yourself reaching for the fastener when pulling on or taking off the glove. That’s not what we’d call a deal breaker.

    Feel: You can tell this glove is made with high-quality cabretta. The surface is thin, soft and stretchy yet substantial. “Feel” players will gather plenty of feedback through the club’s grip. Thanks to the secure fit, there’s no excess leather between hand and club.

    Tackiness: Excellent, as any cabretta leather glove should be. In the ring and pinky fingers, you can feel a little extra grip supplied by the silicone chevrons. There’s a seam at the bottom of those two digits, which you might dislike when first wearing the X Spann glove. We found the sensation barely noticeable after a few holes, though your mileage may vary.

    Durability: Due to their extra seams, we tend to be wary of multi-piece gloves in the durability category. We experienced no loose threads or gaps in ours, however, while the cabretta surface survived intact after a couple of rounds.

    Bottom line: You’ll have to decide up front whether the Callaway X Spann’s appearance is your cup of tea. If you’re cool with it, we think you’ll really like this glove’s fit and performance.

    *Cadet gloves have shorter fingers than regular gloves of the same size; e.g., a cadet medium glove has the same palm fit with shorter fingers than a standard medium.