Once considered a dying sport, golf has seen a resurgence since the COVID-19 pandemic. While the overall number of golfers is growing, the sport is also attracting more women, people of color and younger players. Golf’s recent renaissance inspired Green Bay-based Saranac Glove to launch its first-ever direct-to-consumer online product: the Saranac golf glove.
The 87-year-old, family-owned company got its start in work gloves before being one of the first to enter the sporting gloves market in the 1960s. As market conditions shifted, Saranac decided to focus on its private-label gloves for major sports brands as well as work, winter and military segments.
Andrew Fabry, Saranac’s marketing consultant, says the new golf glove symbolizes the company’s return to the golf segment. It was conceptualized in 2021 by an internal team that analyzed the current market.
“What we realized was that the golf glove has remained relatively unchanged in the last 30 years,” he says. “We saw an opportunity to introduce actual innovation and design upgrades compared to what the market had to offer.”
The year-long development process included sampling leathers, fabrics and perforation patterns.
“I think one of the most unique things we did was size this using real-life people and hands, rather than a standardized measurement that many major golf brands operate off of,” Fabry says.
The cabretta leather gloves feature a seamless perforated palm made from a single piece of cut leather. “This is a unique feature that offers the player more ‘feel’ and grip without obstruction on the most important part of the glove,” Fabry says.
To increase grip comfort and consistency, the glove uses a specialized dry wrist fabric that more effectively catches and evaporates moisture. A reinforced stress pad on the outer palm of the glove extends the glove’s life and adds comfort to one of the highest friction points.
Vicki Fabry, owner of Saranac Glove, says the innovation developed for the new glove is a testament to the company’s long history and expertise.
“We have been a significant part of the sporting industry for 87 years,” she says. “We are thrilled to be bringing back our brand.”
