What Does ML Mean in Golf Gloves?

Ever found yourself staring at a wall of golf gloves, trying to make sense of the sizing alphabet soup? You see the familiar S, M, L, and XL, but then you spot it: ML. It throws a little curveball into what should be a simple purchase. If you’ve ever wondered what ML means and whether it might be the secret to your perfect fit, you’ve come to the right place. This article will clear up the confusion around the ML size and guide you step-by-step to find a golf glove that feels less like equipment and more like a second skin.

So, What Does ML Actually Stand For in Golf Gloves?

Let's get straight to it: ML stands for Medium-Large. It’s an intermediate, or “in-between,” size designed for the golfer who finds a standard Medium (M) glove just a bit too snug, but a standard Large (L) glove too loose and baggy.

Think of it as the half-size of the golf glove world. Just like some people need a size 10.5 shoe because a 10 is too tight and an 11 is too roomy, the ML a more tailored fit for a hand that falls squarely between the two most common men's sizes. It acknowledges that golfers' hands aren’t built on a one-size-fits-all template and provides a much-needed option for a significant portion of the playing population.

Why 'In-Between' Sizes Like ML are a Game Changer

The standard sizing system (S, M, L, XL) generally works on a proportional scale. As the size increases from Medium to Large, both the width of the palm and the length of the fingers increase. But what if your hand doesn't follow that perfect proportion? This is where the fit gets tricky and where specialized sizes become so important.

A golfer’s hand has two primary dimensions that a glove needs to accommodate:

• Palm Width/Circumference: The measurement taken around your knuckles.
• Finger Length: The measurement from the base of your palm to the tip of your middle or index finger.

The problem for many golfers is that their hands might be "Large" in one dimension but "Medium" in another. This fit issue is precisely why a whole family of sizing was developed, often referred to as "Cadet" sizing.

Understanding the "Cadet" Category

While ML is simply "Medium-Large," it's often discussed alongside another important fit category: Cadet. Understanding both will help you diagnose your own fit needs.

• Regular Sized Gloves (e.g., Medium, Large): These gloves are designed for hands with "proportional" dimensions. The finger length is designed to match the palm width according to a standard scale.
• Cadet Sized Gloves (e.g., Medium Cadet, Large Cadet): These gloves are designed for golfers with a wider palm but shorter fingers than a "Regular" size. For example, a Medium-Cadet glove has the palm width of a Medium glove but the finger length of a Small glove. This is a very common fit and solves the problem of having baggy, excess material at the fingertips.
• Medium-Large (ML) Gloves: The ML size is a bit different. It’s not about correcting a disproportion like Cadet sizes are. Instead, it’s a true intermediate size. A Medium-Large glove has a palm width and finger length that are both, quite simply, in between a Medium and a Large. It’s for the golfer whose entire hand is just a little bigger than a Medium, but not quite big enough to fill out a Large.

Getting this distinction is helpful. If you try on a large and the palm fits but the fingers are way too long, you are likely a Large Cadet. If you try on a large and everything feels just a little too loose - the palm, the fingers, the overall a - then a Medium-Large (ML) might be your perfect match.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Nailing the Perfect Fit

Finding your exact glove size removes the guesswork and makes buying gloves online or in-store a breeze. Here’s a simple process to follow to find your ideal fit, whether that ends up being an ML or something else.

Step 1: Check Your Current Glove for Fit Issues

Before you measure, put on your current glove and analyze it like a coach. What's wrong with it?

• Too Tight?: If it feels like the seams might split when you make a fist, or if the velcro closure barely connects, it's too small. This is a recipe for a torn glove.
• Too Loose?: The biggest giveaway is wrinkles or bunches of fabric across your palm when you grip a club. This can cause blisters and makes you lose the feel of the club. Another sign is more than a half-inch of extra material at the tips of your fingers.

Step 2: Know the "Second Skin" Rule

A properly fitted golf glove should feel like a second skin. It should be snug across the palm and through the fingers, with no loose material. When you attach the velcro tab, there should be about a quarter-inch of the fuzzy part still visible. If the tab covers it completely, the glove may be too big, if it barely reaches, it's too small.

Step 3: Measure Your Hand (The Pro Method)

Grab a soft tape measure. You’ll need two key measurements to compare against brand sizing charts.

1. Measure Your Hand Circumference: For a right-handed golfer (who wears a glove on the left hand), wrap the tape measure around your left hand's knuckles, just below where your fingers begin. Do not include your thumb. This measurement in inches is your primary size indicator. For example, a hand around 8.5 to 9 inches often fits a Medium glove.
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2. Measure Your Hand Length: Lay your hand flat and measure from the crease at the base of your palm (where your wrist begins) to the tip of your middle finger. This second measurement helps you figure out if you need a regular or a cadet size. If your circumference suggests a Large but your length is closer to a a, a a-Cadet might be your answer.

Step 4: Consult a Brand’s Sizing Chart

Head to the website of a major glove manufacturer like FootJoy or Titleist. They all have detailed sizing charts. Find your circumference measurement and length measurement on their chart. This will give you a fantastic starting point. It will tell you if you're squarely a Large, or if you fall into that Medium-Large (ML) or Cadet range.

Step 5: The Final Test - Always Try It On

A sizing chart is a guide, not a guarantee. Different brands can fit slightly differently. If you can, go to a golf store and try on the sizes around your recommendation. If the chart says you’re an ML, try on a Medium, a Medium-Large, and a Large from the same brand. Make a fist. Grip a club. See which one gives you that perfect "second skin" fit. You’ll know it a you feel it.

It's Not Just Comfort: How the Right Glove Impacts Your Swing

This might seem like a lot of effort for a simple glove, but finding the right fit has a direct impact on your performance on the course. A proper fit isn’t just about comfort, it's about control.

• Better Grip & Less Tension: When a glove fits correctly, your connection to the club is more secure. You don't have to squeeze the grip so tightly to prevent it from slipping. This "lighter" grip pressure is something every golf coach preaches, as it helps relieve tension in your hands, wrists, and forearms, allowing you to make a freer, more powerful swing.

• Increased Durability: A poorly fitting glove wears out quickly. A glove that's too small will tear at the palm seam or on the thumb. A glove that’s too large creases and bunches up in the palm, causing high-friction wear spots that will rub through in no time. The right fit lasts longer.

• Superior Feel & Consistency: The point of a high-quality cabretta leather glove is to provide exceptional feel. If there's a wad of extra material between your hand and the club, you lose that feedback. A snug fit delivers a consistent and reliable connection to the club, shot after shot.

Final Thoughts

In short, ML in a golf glove simply means Medium-Large. It’s a solution for the many golfers whose hands fall between the standard medium and large sizes. Understanding if you need an ML, a Cadet, or a regular size comes down to properly measuring your hand and knowing what a proper, snug fit is supposed to feel like.

This sort of specific knowledge about your gear and your game can remove so much uncertainty from golf. Answering the small questions - from glove sizes to strategic choices on the tee - is a powerful ay to build confidence. That's the core idea behind a tool like . Having an expert in your pocket for any question on gear, rules, or strategy means you can stop guessing and start playing with the clarity and focus of a seasoned pro.