The overwhelming majority of golfers choose to use a glove while playing a round or in practice. While most golfers take them off on the greens (some players don’t) the majority of the golf population use them for almost all full swing shots.
I’ve been playing for 20+ years and anytime I see golfers without a glove I always wonder how they’re doing it! Without a golf glove I’d be 4-5 shots worse (or more) from a lack of clubface control. We’ve written a full article on how a golf glove helps you. Not to mention they’re so helpful when it comes to playing golf in the rain or hot summer weather.
But getting the right fit for your golf glove is very important. Otherwise, you risk getting golf blisters and maybe having to take some time off to let them heal.
To avoid blisters you might need a cadet golf glove. A cadet glove is different from a regular glove and might be just what your hands need to play better golf.
Keep reading to learn more about finding the right size golf glove, what is a cadet golf glove, and more.
Cadet Golf Glove vs. Regular Golf Gloves
If you’re like most golfers chances are you’ve accidentally bought the wrong size golf glove before. There’s nothing worse than going to put it on at the range only to notice it’s too small or big.
But there’s a version of a glove that can help a lot of people and a ton of golfers don’t know about it.
What is it?
A cadet size golf glove.
These types of gloves are different from normal golf gloves and might be just what your hand needs. A cadet golf glove has two main differences:
- Shorter finger lengths
- Wider palm and back of glove
Sizing of Golf Gloves (Cadet Golf Glove Size)
Now that you know the main difference between a cadet glove vs. regular glove, let’s get into sizing. For male golfers, the common sizes for regular gloves are small, medium, medium large, large, XL, and even 2XL – all based on hand/finger length. For female golfers the most common sizes are small, medium, medium large, and large.
But cadet golf gloves differ; cadet size gloves are slightly different due to the shorter fingers and wider palm part of the glove. Luckily there is a big selection for men including small, medium, large, and XL.
However, FootJoy (the #1 glove in golf) does not make cadet golf gloves for women. These are exclusively for male golfers but women can use them too (they just don’t make women’s specific colors and cadet sizes).
Additionally, cadet gloves are not offered for left-handed players. Since such a small population plays left-handed and only 20% or so of all golfers need a cadet glove size, it’s not worth them producing a large quantity. Sorry lefties, you need to stick with a regular golf glove!
How a Golf Glove Should Fit
You might be wondering, how should a golf glove fit? It’s a good question because if it’s the wrong size you might not as well even wear one at all.
A golf glove should fit securely with a little room for your wrist to breathe. You should be able to put a finger from your other hand in there, otherwise it’s too tight.
You also want to make sure that the fingers don’t have too much freedom either. A good fitting glove should feel like you don’t even have a glove on at all! You want minimal spacing between the edge of your fingernail and the glove.
If it fits in the hand but not in the fingers, opt for a cadet size. Additionally, you can always check out the FootJoy sizing chart to measure your middle finger and palm width to find the right size.
FAQs About Golf Gloves (Regular vs. Cadet Golf Gloves)
Do you have more questions about finding the best gloves in golf? If so, keep reading to learn the most frequently asked questions and answers below.
Which hand do you wear a golf glove on?
You wear a glove on your non-dominant hand. So if you’re a right-handed golfer, you would wear your glove on your left hand. Vice versa for left-handed players.
How do I know if I need a cadet golf glove?
If you’re at a sporting goods store, test out a cadet golf glove to see how it fits your hands. Sometimes it is hard to measure online and each brand runs slightly differently in terms of size. But if you can put one on your hand, it’ll be pretty easy to tell if you need a regular golf glove or a cadet glove.
What is a cadet size golf glove?
Cadet style gloves have slightly shorter finger lengths and wider palm than a normal glove. This is a great option for a good amount of golfers who are in between sizes and/or have shorter fingers. A cadet size ensures you can find the perfect fit to help you on the golf course.
Is a cadet medium smaller than medium?
A cadet medium golf glove has shorter fingertips than a normal-sized medium glove. However, it has a wider palm than a medium size glove.
How long does a golf glove last?
Whether you’re a cadet style glove or regular golf glove, how long it lasts depends on several factors. Some of them include your grip, weather, type of grips you use, frequency of practice/playing golf, and more.
Most golf gloves should last 6-10 rounds and possibly more depending on the factors above. Some gloves can be washed. For more on that, read how to wash a golf glove.
Should you wear a glove while putting?
I think it’s best to take off your golf glove when you’re on the greens. Being able to feel the putter grip more in your hands and fingers tends to enhance feel and make better putts.
Of course 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus did keep a glove on when putting he’s one of the few exceptions. Most amateur golfers would benefit from removing before going through their full putting routine.
Final Thoughts on Cadet Golf Glove vs. Regular Golf Glove
Hopefully you understand the difference between a cadet vs. regular golf glove to find the best one for you. Don’t forget to use a golf glove size chart to better understand cadet golf glove sizes vs. regular gloves to not waste money on ones that don’t fit.
While I couldn’t find any empirical data on using a glove vs. not using a glove, I can say from personal experience they help (a ton). While a lot of good players have different swings and sets of clubs, one thing 99% of them have in common is wearing a glove.
If you want to gain more control and feel better on full swing shots, opt for a golf glove. But the key is to make sure it fits your hand and fingers correctly. A lot of golfers can benefit from switching to a cadet size glove which can help you shoot lower scores.
Do you wear a normal size or cadet size golf glove?
Let us know in the comments below. Also, make sure to read our best golf gloves article now.