The concept of the circular economy is gaining momentum across a range of industries, and the production of leather for golf gloves offers a clear example of how this thinking translates into practice. Golf itself enjoyed a resurgence during the covid-19 pandemic, as players sought outdoor activity with space for fresh air and social distance. This renewed enthusiasm led to increased demand for equipment – not just clubs and balls but also gloves, which play an essential role in grip and control. At the top end of the market, leather, specifically Cabretta leather, remains the preferred material, prized for its feel, durability, and performance.

But there is more to Cabretta leather than sporting function alone. Its story illustrates the principles of resource efficiency and value retention that underpin the circular economy. Cabretta leather comes from the skins of indigenous hair sheep – animals that are not farmed for their skins, but primarily for meat. The leather is a by-product, ensuring that nothing from the animal goes to waste and that maximum value is extracted from each animal raised.

These hair sheep are well suited to dry, challenging environments. In Africa, countries such as Ethiopia, Nigeria, Chad, Mali, and South Africa have the largest populations, while in Latin America, Brazil and Mexico lead the way, with breeds such as the Santa Inês and Pelibuey. Other nations, including Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru, maintain substantial numbers of Criollo hair sheep, descended from African stock, and adapted to tropical conditions.

This production system, typical of most leather supply chains, where skins are a by-product of meat production rather than the primary reason for raising livestock, offers clear sustainability advantages. It ensures that valuable raw materials are not wasted, reduces environmental impact, and supports the economic viability of rural farming communities.

In addition, recent research has highlighted a further potential benefit. As climate change accelerates, hair sheep may play an increasingly vital role in global food production. These animals are more resilient than most other livestock, showing a greater tolerance for heat stress and limited feed resources. Their ability to grow and reproduce under such challenging conditions suggests they could help safeguard supplies of animal protein in a warming world, reinforcing their importance within integrated and sustainable agricultural systems.

For the leather industry, Cabretta represents more than just a high-performance material for premium golf gloves. It is also a quiet success story of the circular economy in action: a material that delivers function and quality but also fits into a system where resources are used efficiently, and environmental impacts are kept in check.

Livelihoods and local value

The name “Cabretta” is a nod to the Spanish word for goat – Cabra – though the leather itself comes from hair sheep, not goats. These sheep are different from wool sheep: they have smooth coats rather than fleece, and their skins are naturally thin, fine-grained, and supple. That makes them ideal for leather goods where feel, fit, and flexibility matter - such as gloves.

Ethiopia is one of the world’s largest producers of indigenous sheep, with almost all of its 42.9 million sheep belonging to native breeds that have adapted over centuries to thrive in the country’s diverse environments. Raised mainly by smallholder farmers across the highlands and lowlands, these sheep – alongside goats and cattle – are an essential part of Ethiopian culture, rural life, and the national economy, particularly in regions where crop farming is unreliable. They provide meat, income, and, importantly, their skins – a valuable material that would otherwise go to waste. The supply of skins flows through a complex and far-reaching network of traders that extends deep into every region of the country. Broadly speaking, Ethiopia’s sheep fall into two main categories: Highland and Lowland breeds. Lowland sheep are often black-headed and tend to have a woollier fleece compared to their Highland counterparts. The livestock sector contributes around 12% to Ethiopia’s total GDP, and more than 30% to its agricultural GDP. It also provides a livelihood for about 65% of the population, many of whom are small-scale farmers. For these communities, raising sheep is about much more than meat production: it’s a source of resilience and independence.

Transforming the sheep skins into high-performance leather connects these rural producers with international supply chains. It brings income to regions that might otherwise be excluded from global trade and ensures that more value is extracted from every animal raised.

Why golfers still prefer Cabretta

So, what makes this leather so special on the course? According to Reg Hankey, former CEO of Pittards, a company with over 200 years of leather expertise, it all comes down to the “feel factor”.

“A glove is not just a commodity,” he explains. “It’s a precision tool. The tactile connection between player and club needs to be consistent, reliable, and almost invisible to the wearer.” Leather delivers on that better than any synthetic material.

Cabretta leather’s tight fibre structure makes it soft and pliable yet highly resistant to tearing or abrasion. Its ability to maintain grip without the player having to squeeze the club too hard is critical to preserving swing mechanics. That delicate balance between control and comfort is why top tour professionals continue to favour full-leather gloves.

From skin to stitch: the making of a glove

Turning raw hairsheep skin into glove leather is a meticulous process. It is tanned, shaved, softened, and inished to achieve a consistent thickness of just 0.45 mm with a tolerance of half the thickness of a sheet of paper (ie 0.45 +- 0.05mm). This precision matters. Golfers can feel the difference if even one part of the glove is slightly thicker or stiffer than the rest.

Some of the biggest performance benefits come from advanced leather treatments. Pittards’ Stay Soft technology, for example, was introduced over 40 years ago and remains a key innovation. It helps gloves stay soft and grippy even after exposure to sweat and moisture – a common challenge for golfers playing in humid or rainy conditions.

Behind the scenes, manufacturing a glove is no less involved. Maria Bonzagni, former senior director of golf gloves at Acushnet Gloves and FJ Gear, spent 25 years overseeing the development of tour-grade gloves. She says a single glove involves about 30 separate production steps, from material inspection and die-cutting to stitching, shaping, and final quality control.

Each component, from the leather itself to closures and linings, is tested for colour, stretch, and consistency. Cutting patterns are tailored to different hand shapes, while the sewing process requires precise control of thread, tension, and stitch count to ensure durability without compromising feel.

Once assembled, the gloves are placed on heated forms to hold their shape, then tested for fit. “Quality checks throughout the manufacturing process – and particularly the final size check – confirm and validate the glove before it ever reaches the package,” Ms Bonzagni explains.

Fit, function and sustainability

A well-fitted glove should feel like a second skin: snug but not restrictive, firm without being stiff. Fit affects everything from grip to confidence. A glove that shifts or sags can lead to discomfort, blisters, or erratic shots. When a leather glove fits properly, it gets better with age, stretching slightly to match the user’s hand and maintaining grip over many rounds.

Although synthetic materials are gaining ground for their durability and weather resistance, leather remains the benchmark for comfort and performance. Many gloves today use hybrid designs – Cabretta in the palm for feel, synthetic panels elsewhere for flexibility – but for purists and professionals, nothing beats a full-leather glove.

And with proper care, these gloves last. Stretching the glove back into shape after each round helps bring the natural oils to the surface, keeping the leather soft and extending its lifespan – another nod to circular thinking: invest in quality, take care of it, and make it last.

A global Journey with local roots

From small farms in Ethiopia’s highlands to the final stitch in a factory, the journey of a Cabretta leather golf glove is one of craftsmanship, science, and sustainability. It is also a powerful example of how the circular economy works in practice: making use of by-products, supporting rural economies, and extending the life of natural materials through careful design and production.

As the golf industry continues to evolve, and as players become more aware of where their gear comes from, the humble glove might just become a symbol of what thoughtful sourcing and sustainable production can achieve. One round at a time.

Share this story: