If you've ever been in a pro shop or golf store looking for a golf glove, you've seen two types of golf gloves: regular golf gloves and cadet golf gloves. You see both types, regular and cadet, in the small, medium, large and extra large sizes.
So in comparing regular and cadet golf gloves, what's the difference?
Regular vs. cadet golf gloves
There are two differences in comparing regular versus cadet golf gloves. The first, and primary difference, is the finger length. Generally speaking, cadet golf gloves have fingers which are approximately 1 inch shorter than regular golf gloves. Cadet gloves fit best for golfers whose hands aren't quite proportional to the length of their fingers.
The second difference is cadet gloves typically have a wider palm area than a regular glove. Since the proportion in the fingers is different, naturally the hand width also follows as being different.
That's why there are regular and cadet golf gloves, each offering different sizing and fit.
Proper golf glove fit
A properly fitting golf glove feels somewhat like a second skin, adhering to the skin with some movement for natural hand and finger use in the golf swing. The velcro flap should close just shy of the far edge of the velcro base. There should not be extra material at the end of the fingers on the glove.
For golfers with shorter fingers, there may not be a perfect cadet glove fit with the wider palm. The end result may be a golfer with shorter fingers fitting into a size smaller in a regular glove. Each company makes a slightly different fit with their gloves, so it's best to try on your prospective glove before buying it to make sure it fits properly.
