Some tour pros use a new golf glove for every round they play. For the rest of us mere mortals, we hope that each glove we purchase lasts a while. If we play a lot, we'll probably have to budget $100-$200 a year for gloves.
How long should a golf glove last? There's no easy answer. It depends on:
Material: Leather gloves, especially those made from Cabretta leather which is thin to give a golfer better feel, will wear out faster than those made of synthetic materials.
How often you play: Golfers who play a lot will put more wear and tear on a glove if they don't allow it enough time between rounds to dry out from sweat and water.
Grip: Golfers with a tighter grip will wear out gloves faster than those who don't use a death grip on the club.
Care and maintenance: Take good care of your glove and it should last longer than if you toss it in a pocket after your round, then forget about it till next time.
Your personal standards: The meticulous golfer might toss out a glove after 10 rounds. The more-frugal golfer might make it last for double or triple that.
Here's how to spend less on golf gloves.
Use an old glove on the driving range. Banging balls on the range will wear out a glove faster than playing a round. Keep a not-perfect glove in your bag for range use; save your good gloves for the links.
Dry it out after your round. Especially after playing in the rain but always a good idea is to let it air dry after your round. Stuffing it in a bag pocket when it's still wet from sweat will shorten a glove's life.
Make sure you buy the right size: It's less likely to rip if it's a not-too-tight, not-too-loose fit.
Put gloves in rotation: Buy new gloves in multi-packs, then rotate them. Swap every few holes, and each glove wont get too soggy.
Take the glove off between shots: This will help keep it dry. At the least – as is common for many golfers – take it off when you putt.
Clean gloves occasionally: Footjoy recommends hand-washing every few days, using a solution of mild soap and warm water (no harsh chemicals). Pat dry. Definitely do not put gloves in a dryer.
Bonus tips for saving money on golf gloves
Buy enough gloves so that you aren't left gloveless when one gets to be unplayable. You want to avoid having to buy one of the overpriced ones in the pro shop when you show up at the course.
Buy multi-packs, since that obviously will save you money.
Fix your grip if your glove is showing bad wear in a specific spot.
If you really want to save money on gloves, don't use one. It's not recommended by most golf coaches (and you might end up with blisters), but some golfers prefer to go gloveless (Fred Couples, Lucas Glover).