A protective glove comprising a glove body having a padded cuff, an exterior covered with padding, finger pockets and a thumb pad, a palm flap integrally connected to the glove body adjacent the opening of the finger pockets such that the interior surface of the palm flap can be positioned to face the interior surface of the glove body, the palm flap further including a thumb pad pocket adapted to receive the thumb pad of the glove body, and an adjacent thumb pocket for receiving the wearer's thumb, flexible releasable fasteners situated along the periphery of the palm flap and at corresponding locations on the glove body for releasably connecting the palm flap to the glove body such that the palm flap and the glove body define a hand cavity when they are connected that communicates with the finger pockets.