Why Cut Matters: Edge vs. Center Leather and What It Means for Your Glove

“Center cut” means something in golf—a putt that drops dead center. Pure. Clean. No doubt.

But it also means something in glove making.

Most golfers don’t realize that not all cabretta leather is the same—not just in grade or thickness, but in where it’s cut from on the hide.

At Circle 15, we use center-cut cabretta leather, and it makes a huge difference in how our gloves feel and how long they last.

Here’s why it matters.

The Anatomy of a Hide

A single sheepskin hide isn’t uniform. Different areas have different properties:

• The center (backbone area):

  • Dense fiber structure

  • Stronger, tighter grain

  • Naturally more uniform

  • Slightly thicker and more durable

• The edges (belly, sides, and neck):

  • Looser grain

  • Thinner, more porous

  • More stretch, less structure

  • Prone to early tearing or hardening

Using edge cuts helps brands reduce costs. But it comes at the expense of quality.

Why Most Gloves Use Edge Cuts

Simple: cost savings.

Edge cuts are easier to source in bulk and make up a large portion of the hide. They’re soft to the touch at first, which looks and feels great in a store.

But here’s the problem:

• They overstretch

• They wear out quickly

• They often crack or curl after drying

It’s a shortcut—one most golfers don’t even realize they’re paying for.

Why Circle 15 Uses Center Cut Only

We believe that better gloves start with better leather—from the right part of the hide.

Center-cut cabretta:

• Has tighter, more uniform fibers for long-term durability

• Resists tearing and stretching

• Maintains feel and shape round after round

• Holds up better to sweat, humidity, and real-world play

It’s also more expensive and harder to source, but that’s the difference we’re proud to build around.

Center Cut: From Glove to Green

Golf is a game of consistency. So is leather.

When we say “center cut,” we mean:

• More durability where it counts

• More control through your swing

• A glove that doesn’t give out halfway through your season

That’s the Circle 15 standard. Just like a center-cut putt, it feels pure every time.

Final Thought

If you’ve ever had a glove stretch out, tear at the seams, or feel flimsy after just a few rounds—it might not have been the leather. It might’ve been the part of the leather.

At Circle 15, we’re committed to using only the best cuts—because we don’t believe in shortcuts.

👉 [Shop the Circle 15 Glove – Built from the Center Out →]
👉 [Next: What Leather Grade Really Means (and Why It Matters) →]