One thing golfers tend to get wrong when buying their gear is the golf glove size. Sometimes, they end up with gloves that don’t fit properly without even realizing it. But one of the most important things in golf is having a good feel for the game.
Making the right glove decision can have a huge impact on your game. The correct glove will not only strengthen your grip and offer protection from cuts and blisters but also enhance your feel.
While golf gloves offer similar features, they are not all manufactured the same way and don’t all come in the same sizes. There are some minor differences in their design that contribute to their overall functionality. For instance, a glove labeled “cadet” is usually shaped differently than a regular one.
In this article, we highlight the differences between a cadet vs regular golf glove and how they may be useful for you.
Differences Between a Cadet Vs Regular Golf Glove
When comparing cadet golf gloves to regular ones, there are major differences worth noting:
Length
The first difference is the length of the finger. A cadet glove is designed for men with relatively short fingers and a wide palm and is usually shorter than regular golf gloves by an inch. They also provide the best fit for golfers with shorter hands that aren’t proportional to the length of their fingers.
Width
The second difference is that cadet gloves commonly have a wider palm area than that of a regular golf glove. The hand width will naturally be different for people with disproportionate fingers. Regular golf gloves are designed for men with proportional fingers and palms.
When placed side by side, a cadet glove is typically wider and shorter. To determine what type of golf glove you need, measure the length of your middle or longest finger and the width of your palm. You can also try both gloves on at the store to see which would fit best.
Why Are Cadet Gloves So Popular?
Shopping for golf gloves goes beyond picking a brand, color, or design. Cadet size gloves are a popular trend in golf because they provide a solution for golfers with irregularly-shaped hands.
Whatever glove you choose can potentially make or break your game, so it is important to find a glove with the perfect fit regardless of your hand differences.
Why Should You Wear a Glove While Golfing?
Although gloves are not a compulsory requirement for golfing, they’re recommended for golfers of all levels. Players wear a golf glove over their leading hand for several reasons, including:
1. Grip
The golf glove helps create a grip to prevent the club from slipping out of your hands. It also helps to not overcompensate the grip. These gloves have holes for proper aeration and to keep your hand and glove dry at all times. The traction also allows you to loosen your grip on the golf club or to keep it firm.
2. Protection from the Elements
Golf gloves also offer protection from the weather elements and keep your hands fresh and clean at all times.
Golfing gloves are made with different materials and can prove useful in different weather conditions. They can also protect your hands against cold as some come with inner insulated materials or against harmful rays from the sun.
There are also weather-specific types of golf gloves, like the rain golf gloves that help improve your grip in wet weather conditions. Cold-weather golf gloves provide warmth and insulation when you experience a temperature drop. Some winter models also have extended cuffs to deal with the chill.
Most golfers prefer gloves made with leather or synthetic materials because they can be used with any club and in a wider variety of conditions.
3. Prevents Blisters and Calluses
The repeated action of swinging a golf club can cause blisters, especially when the grip is too tight. With a golf glove, you have zero worries about calluses or blisters that may occur from your palm rubbing against the golf club.
What to Consider Before Choosing a Golf Glove
Regardless of which type of golf glove you go for, they both have an array of benefits. The right style will not only help improve your grip but also add blister and callus protection.
Golf gloves can also protect against weather elements. Golf Club Pro summarises what to look for when searching for the best golf glove for you.
1. Fitting and Comfort
When choosing a golf glove, you should first prioritize comfort and fitting before style. A properly fitting glove adheres to the hand like a second skin while allowing room for finger use and movement while playing golf.
There should not be any material at the end of the fingers when the glove is worn. The velcro flap should also close a little of the far edge of the velcro base.
Depending on the shape of your hand you might need a cadet or regular-sized golf glove. If you have difficulties with measurement, simply walk into a store and try them on to determine the best fit. Gloves differ in sizes and materials by brand so sometimes trying it on is the best way to determine its fit.
Wearing the wrong size of gloves may affect your game. If it has extra material at the fingertips then it affects the overall feel while playing. If it is too tight it can cramp your fingers and negatively affect both your grip and gameplay.
2. Price Difference
You should get gloves that fit perfectly regardless of your hand shape or size. Cadet gloves cost around the same price as regular ones, so the price wouldn’t be a constraint.
3. Style
Some golfers like to maintain a certain style. Glove brands have made sure they don’t have to sacrifice their style because of their game.
There are fashion gloves to cover different styles without compromising comfort and fit. Some gloves may fit golf players with long nails while others have slits for ring openings.
Some are specially designed with materials that allow UV to pass through causing your hand to tan while you play. You can also choose from an array of colors, especially for female golfers.
4. Features
Low-priced gloves tend to offer fewer features than more expensive ones.
While pricey gloves are made from soft leather, low-priced ones are commonly made from synthetic materials. They can also differ in durability, ruggedness, and comfortability.
5. Size
Both regular and cadet golf gloves come in a variety of sizes. For men, sizes range from small to double or triple large for regular gloves.
Depending on the brand, these sizes might differ and a priority of the large sizes is given to men’s choices. It is also not uncommon for women to find their sizes from the men’s section.
Here are a few tips to determine your accurate glove size:
- For golfers who intend to make a purchase online and can’t do a physical fitting, you can measure your longest finger length and the width of your palm size with a ruler.
- Measure the circumference of your hand around the knuckles. For right-handed individuals, measure your left hand and vice-versa for left-handed people.
- To determine the length of your hand, measure from the crease of your wrist to the point of your longest or middle finger.
6. Golf Glove Materials
There are several available options when it comes to the materials used in the making of golf gloves. Choosing a material type always comes down to personal preference.
Leather golf gloves are often the most popular choice amongst golfers because they are soft, look exquisite, and provide close contact with the golf club. They are quite pricey and may stretch when used repeatedly. It is always better to pick a smaller size.
Synthetic Gloves offer improved flexibility and are more durable. They are also more affordable than leather ones. The only downside is they may not breathe as well as leather gloves.
Combination golf gloves are a mix of synthetic joints and leather palms and fingers. This design combines the best features of the two materials. It is generally more durable and provides a close feel to leather gloves.
How to Care for Your Golf Glove
These few steps will help you keep your gloves in the best condition till the next use and generally improve longevity and durability.
- Air out your glove to dry off after wearing it for a game round
- Carry two or more gloves and change them as the round goes on to prevent too much wear and tear on each pair
- Take off your gloves between shots when you are on course to help keep it drier
- Storing your glove in a plastic zip-lock bag may prolong its longevity
Final Thoughts
Golf gloves are an essential part of a player’s gear, so it is important to make the right choice. A tight or loose glove would do more harm than good in the long run.
With the knowledge provided in this piece, you can conveniently make the perfect glove choice between the cadet vs regular golf glove anytime, anywhere.
Look through our collection of articles to help you select the best golfing gear.
