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To outsiders, golf looks like an elite sport solely reserved for high rollers. But any golfer who’s really had their time on the course will tell you - it’s not all as fancy and proper as it seems. Golf will expose you to the harsh, uncaring side of Mother Nature, beating down on your being as you try to estimate distances, wind speed, and more. Needless to say, the elements are all a part of the challenge of the game.
One of the most relentless frustrations you’ll encounter on the course is none other than the golden sun itself. Scorching heat and bright sunlight won’t only get you sweating, but it might just make it harder to see your golf ball and where it needs to go. For that reason, it becomes easy to see why the best golf hats for sun protection have become such big business in the golf gear industry.
On any average day, you’ll typically find yourself taking shelter from the sun’s sweltering heat. But why is sun protection particularly important during the golf game, you ask? Here are some important considerations worth thinking about.
Have you ever tried looking out into a vast, open space under the heat of the noontime day - without squinting? Bright sunlight can cause all sorts of glare that can mess with your vision and make it harder to see the course and your ball. And because your sight plays a vital role in how well you navigate the game, allowing some shade to let you assess and estimate makes it possible to diminish the sun’s impact on your sight.
There’s a reason why golf courses are so stingy on shade. When it comes to turf care, direct sunlight is always preferred. That’s because shaded areas are prone to moss, algae, and weeds. And when grass isn’t exposed to sunlight, there’s the tendency for it to thin out and become more susceptible to traffic damage. That said, you shouldn’t expect there to be a lot of shade on the golf course, which makes a sun hat an obvious essential.
Interesting fact: a casual golfer will take anywhere between 3 and 4.5 hours on an 18 hole golf course. And that’s if you’re playing alone. A large chunk of this time will be spent under the sun that can be harmful for your skin. Experts have found that very light skinned people might start to develop sunburn after just 15 to 30 minutes of midday sun exposure.
So to double up your defenses, throw on a hat and wear high SPF sunscreen like Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Spray to add an extra layer of skin protection.
Golf hats do more than just protect you against the sun - they can be stylish outfit additions as well. But be careful, there are some hats that will sacrifice coverage for fashion. So before you toss your money on a hat for its aesthetic appeal, it helps to consider how it performs on the course.
The quintessential baseball cap silhouette, these inexpensive hats can be purchased a dime a dozen. Their brim covers most of the face, helping to keep glare and harsh sunlight out of your eyes. In some cases, a baseball cap might tout a mesh back panel to help maintain ventilation. The biggest downside of wearing a baseball cap through a course is the sweat it might accumulate especially in the area of the forehead.
Like a cap-less baseball cap, the visor design frees up your head for better air circulation and sweat management. The brim - just like a baseball cap - covers the area of the face for eye protection. In the same way, visors might also encourage a bit of forehead moisture, but at a much more controlled rate than a baseball cap.
With the silhouette of a sun hat, wide brim golf hats makes a good choice for complete coverage. These hats have a complete 360° brim that covers the face and the back. This can be particularly ideal for individuals with sensitive skin, allowing more shade on the back of the neck and shoulders. Some of the best women’s golf hats for sun protection come in the wide-brim design. On the downside, the wide-brim makes the hat slightly prone to being blown around by strong winds.
Also sometimes called a fisherman’s hat. The bucket hat touts a downward pointing soft brim that provides excellent sun coverage. They’re simple, cheap, and comfortable, usually using a soft fabric material like canvas. Some models include mesh panels that improve breathability to minimize sweat production. The biggest drawback? Probably that they look more utilitarian than fashionable.
The baseball cap’s more stylish older brother. The flat cap is usually preferred for its vintage, preppy aesthetic. With a shorter brim than a baseball cap, the flat cap might make a good choice in conditions where the sun is directly above. That’s because its limited brim length might not be able to offer significant protection against sunlight that’s cast at an angle.
Don’t let the wide selection fool you - not all of the hats you’ll find will effectively protect you from the sun. So if you want to make sure you’re buying the best golf hat for hot weather, consider these qualities.
A larger brim that extends farther from your head will provide excellent protection against sunlight that’s projected at any angle. Whether or not you feel the need for complete 360° is entirely up to you. But it can be particularly cooler compared to just a brim over the face.
The wetness of sweat can make a hat uncomfortable, especially over prolonged periods of wear. Hats that incorporate mesh panels or ventilation holes can minimize and manage sweat production to keep you cool and dry for longer.
Hats with stiff material that dig into various areas of the head can cause pain down the line. Opt for soft materials and look for a hat you can adjust to prevent any seams or material from embedding into your skin.
As one of the most popular men’s golf sun hats, the Nike Golf Sun Protect 2.0 features a wide-brimmed silhouette that’s perfect for full coverage and sun protection. The semi-rigid brim holds its shape through years of use, promising to maintain its protective extension around your head after countless trips to the golf course. At the crown, this hat touts a stretchable, breathable fabric that allows excellent ventilation and fit. For you, that means extended comfort for long periods of play on some of the most demanding golf courses.
Another excellent wide-brimmed hat choice, the Coolibar Matchplay Golf Hat features a UPF 50+ treatment that protects its user from 98% of UV rays. This makes it particularly ideal for golfers with sensitive, light skin. To add to its benefits, the Matchplay Golf Hat uses the brand’s Lite Fabric material. Made predominantly from polyester, this construction provides a soft, cottony feel that’s lightweight, breathable, and especially easy to dry.
The eccentric Bushie Perforated Aussie Chiller Golf Hat works just as interestingly as it looks. This safari hat falls within the wide-brim category, and brandishes a rich, ultra-soft, lightweight chamois material perforated all around the crown for maximum ventilation. But to make doubly sure that you keep your cool throughout the course, the hat can be immersed in ice cold water to provide cooling comfort for around 3 hours or until the hat dries.
Boasting that quintessential golf cap design, the Callaway Performance Pro Golf Hat is a casual yet classy outfit addition that’s functional to boot. The lightweight headgear comes with 30+ UV protection that strengthens your defenses against harmful UV rays. Its low-profile semi structured design holds its shape well against rugged use for long-wearing durability. And to address the issue of sweat production, the hat comes with a moisture wicking sweatband that works to absorb sweat and keep it from soaking your skin and hair.
The Adidas UPF Sun Hat is simple, straightforward, and effective, offering ample protection from both glare and UV rays. Built-in UPF treatment shields the user from harsh ultraviolet rays that have been known to cause all sorts of skin damage. Its wide semi-rigid brim extends far from the crown, providing reliable sunlight coverage regardless of what time of day it is. Made from double woven fabric, the Adidas UPF Sun Hat is durable yet lightweight, offering a comfortable fit that doesn’t exacerbate sweat production.
The golf course will get pretty demanding, and prepping for the hazards is all part of the game. While many casual players will focus on the obvious needs, it’s equally important to consider your golf attire essentials. The best golf hats for sun protection can help amp up your game by giving you better visibility on the course and saving you from potentially distracting skin damage. So go ahead, find a hat, and stay cool and comfortable on your next trip under the hot golf course sun.
