Apparel Buyer's Guides Hats and Visors

Best Golf Hats and Visors in 2023 – Top Models for Men & Women!

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Senior adults on golf course

When you’re out on the golf course on a hot day, tree shades feel like a godsend. But why chase the cool spots when you can get yourself a nice pair of sunglasses, a visor and stop thinking about the sun altogether?

That is why having the best golf hats and visors is an essential part of your summer golf gear. How to pick one, though, and what exactly to look for? Now, these are the harder questions that I am going to try answering in this guide.

Below, we will go through some of my favorite models for this year, along with their pros, cons, and major characteristics. We will then talk a little bit further about the various materials hats are made from, the different types, and the other small features that separate the good models from the bad ones.

Best Overall – Callaway Golf Authentic Performance Pro Hat


Our Rating: (5/5)

Callaway is a well-known brand in the golfing world mainly thanks to the superb value of its products as well as the great overall quality. Their Performance Pro Hat is one of the best-selling golf models for this year. The main reason for that is the great design combined with a breathable polyester fabric. This performance fabric has both good moisture-wicking properties and great breathability. That will prevent your head from overheating even when you’re under direct sunlight. Polyester is also UV-resistant so it won’t deteriorate over the long term and will also block almost all UV rays coming towards you.

The brim of the hat has a nice flex to it and is quite durable. It isn’t the longest baseball cap-style brim out there but it certainly is more than good enough, especially when considering the fact that this hat isn’t among the most expensive ones on the market. Additionally, there is a cooling sweatband on the inside which is made out of moisture-activated fibers that will cool your head down exactly when you need it.

The back of the hat has a fairly large opening and an adjustable hoop-and-loop band that will help you find the right size for your head. As a whole, there are 6 colors to choose from, although personally, I love the Heathered grey one!

Pros

  • 6 Unique colors
  • Very durable
  • Low-profile design
  • Lightweight
  • Performance fabric
  • Cooling sweatband
  • Easy to adjust

Cons

  • The brim isn’t too big
  • Not machine washable
  • The ventilation isn’t stellar

Best Golf Visor – Adidas Men’s Golf Tour Visor


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

When the weather gets extremely hot, most caps and bucket hats simply can’t cut it in terms of breathability and temperature control. This is why most men and especially women turn to visors. These visors are essentially a sweatband with a brim attached to its front. They are great since they don’t obstruct the top of your head and allow for great breathability. However, their obvious drawback is that they have little to no UV protection for your head. The Adidas Men’s Golf Tour Visor is one of the best models in this category thanks to its durable nature and simplistic approach.

The visor is entirely made out of polyester and has a pre-curved brim at the front. The brim is fairly large and does provide a decent amount of shade for when you’re aiming. Just like most other golf hats, this visor has a blacked-out underside. This helps reduce or entirely eliminate glare when you’re aiming. The inner side of the visor features a sweatband material that will keep sweat away from your eyes.

At the back, there is a hook-and-loop closure system which allows plenty of adjustments, making the model one-size-fits-most. There are 5 colors to choose from but none of them can be machine-washed which is a slight drawback. One thing that makes up for that, however, is the price. Even some good-quality visors like this one typically cost much less than some baseball caps or bucket hats which is another reason for people to choose them over the other types.

Pros

  • Excellent build quality
  • Easy to adjust
  • Inner sweatband
  • Black out underside
  • Comfortable to wear
  • Excellent for hot days
  • Great for women
  • Cheap

Cons

  • The brim isn’t very big
  • Can be handwashed only

Best Bucket Hat – Nike Golf UV Sun Bucket Golf Hat


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

In the world of sportswear, brands like Nike and Adidas truly dominate almost all fields and golf is no exception to that rule. The Nike Golf UV Sun Bucket is one of the most famous models on the course and is loved by players that prefer to stick to the traditions. Since bucket hats were the first type of hats introduced to golf courses, many country clubs still include them in their official dress codes and preferred apparel.

This particular hat is a great all-rounder for playing golf mainly because it provides far more sun protection than a baseball-style cap. And while it doesn’t make a shade as large as the one of baseball hats, it does protect the side of your face and your neck from sunburn and heat. The hat itself is made out of a polyester/spandex mix which makes it durable, breathable, and slightly stretchable. This enables it to fit most heads although it does come in 3 sizes – S/M, M/L, and L/XL. If you’re wondering between two sizes, go for the lower one since the Nike Flex fabric will stretch effortlessly over your head anyway. There is also an elastic drawcord which further lets you set up the ideal fit.

The hat also has Nike’s patented Dri-Fit technology in its material properties. This allows for maximum breathability combined with great moisture control. To help with breathability, there are also laser-perforated holes at the top. The Golf UV Sun Bucket comes in three great colors including white, dark grey, and black. All three of them have the Nike swoosh at the side. One of the major downsides of this particular bucket hat is that it is a few times more expensive than most other baseball caps out there. This makes it less of a good deal for most people that are on a budget.

Pros

  • 360-degrees sun protection
  • Nike Flex fabric
  • Elastic drawcord for adjustments
  • Dri-Fit material technologies
  • Laser-perforated holes for breathability
  • Very comfortable

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • The brim is floppy and too large on the L/XL size
  • Doesn’t have the best looks out there

Best for Big Heads – Titleist Men’s Tour Performance Hat


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

What would be a guide on golf products with one from Titleists on it? As one of the leading brands in golf apparel and other golf-related items, Titleist is a brand known for its quality, durability, and performance. Their Pro V1 Performance Hat is their best-selling model year after year and it made all the sense in the world to include it for the 2021 season as well. The hat is inspired by Titleist’s Tour line of products and follows the same style lines as the rest of their apparel and gear.

The entirety of the hat is made out of polyester which is great for hats that will be exposed to nature’s elements, especially heat, and direct sunlight. Polyester is incredibly resistant to UV rays as well and will block most of the ones coming down on your head. The brim has 8-layered stitching and is very durable with a blackened underside to reduce glare when you’re aiming or trying to judge the distance for your next shot. On the inside, there is also a moisture-wicking sweatband that prevents any sweat from dripping onto your forehead. Unfortunately, the hat doesn’t offer a ton of breathability performance but is fairly lightweight so it won’t heat things up too much either. Still, if you’re regularly playing on hot days, I suggest getting some of Nike’s Dri-FIT hats that will keep your cool and dry.

The Pro V1 comes in 10 different color options, although there are no size options available. All the colors come with a contrasting brim that is blacked out (or at least a darker color) on the underside.

Pros

  • Precise stitching
  • Superb build quality
  • Tour inspired design
  • Stretch clasp closure
  • 11 color options
  • Contrasting brim
  • Moisture-wicking sweatband

Cons

  • Not a ton of breathability
  • No size options

Best Baseball Cap – Nike Authentic Dri-FIT Baseball Cap


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The Nike Authentic Dri-FIT Baseball Cap is a classic 6-panel model that has a low-profile design that fits any style. It got famous by being worn by professional golfers in multiple tournaments. That is when most clubs started using it in their official apparel and people just fell in love with it. The hat achieves most of its moisture control through the perforated panels at the side and back. In addition to that, it uses Nike’s patented Dri-FIT polyester for all of its main structure, which allows better moisture-wicking properties and temperature control.

One of the features that I absolutely love about this hat is its brim. And not only because it is quite durable and at a great angle but because it has a contrasting bottom part. The blacked-out surface reduces sun glare and makes ball tracking much easier. It also allows you to keep an eye on your ball and target at the same time when you’re aiming. Most golf bucket hats use the same strategy by blacking out their underside in order to keep glare to a minimum.

There is only one size and one style for this cap which is a bit of a downside. However, the hook-and-loop closure system at the back is easy to adjust and allows for quite a lot of room to play in terms of sizes. As a whole, this cap is ideal for sunny days on the golf course and comes at a price that make it a true bargain!

Pros

  • Great price
  • Perforated panels
  • Dri-FIT polyester
  • Easy to adjust
  • Lightweight
  • Very durable
  • Blacked out underside

Cons

  • No size options
  • No color options
  • Not great for large heads
  • Not machine-washable

Best for Sun Protection – Einskey Sun Hat


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Continuing the theme of bucket hats, the Einskey Sun Hat takes what the Nike Golf UV does to another level. It costs just a fraction of what the Nike bucket hat does and has an even larger brim for those golfers that like to have the maximum amount of sun protection on their heads.

Just like most other golf hats, this one is made out of 100% polyester around the top and on the brim. The actual brim’s width varies from 3.7 to 3.9 inches which are easily more than good enough to keep your face, neck, and side of the head under shade. This will help with tracking your golf ball mid-flight and with your depth perception on the course. The hat is also quite flexible and can easily be folded and carried in your backpack. When it is on your head, it feels lightweight and cool to the touch thanks to its mesh top that allows optimal breathability.

While there are no sizes, the hat is true to its size and it has plenty of adjustability to it thanks to the elastic drawstrings. In general, it does fit nicely to most heads with a circumference of around 22-24 inches. Styles-wise, there are plenty of color options to choose from. Add that to the super low price tag, and you have yourself an awesome budget hat that will keep you well-protected even on the hottest days on the course.

Pros

  • Very large brim
  • Protects your face and neck
  • Great for hot sunny days
  • Lots of color options
  • The size is easy to adjust
  • Breathable fabric

Cons

  • Durability isn’t great
  • Not machine-washable
  • Not ideal for large heads

Best Ivy Hat – Puma Golf Driver Hat


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Apart from bucket hats, visors, and baseball caps, golfers often also prefer driver’s hats or the so-called “ivy hats”. One of the manufacturers that makes the best ivy hats for golf is Puma. Their Golf Driver Hat is a model that you can virtually see in every golf club and on every golf course. Apart from its unique style, the reason for this hat’s fame is its actual comfort and long-term durability.

Its construction consists of polyester and elastane which creates a good blend that is breathable and flexible. And even despite its relative flexibility, the hat comes in three size options – S, M/L, and L/XL. The fit isn’t always true to the size but the cap has a bit of leeway to it so most people should be fine. On the inside, there is a moisture-wicking sweatband that will keep your forehead dry. Additionally, there is an additional interior lining that helps with breathability and moisture control.

The hat comes in five unique color combinations, to make it easier to match it to your golf clothes. All in all, if you’re willing to spend a little extra, this ivy hat will provide to be a unique option that will stay durable and evergreen for years to come.

Pros

  • Unique styling
  • 5 color options
  • Very durable
  • Moisture-wicking sweatband
  • Comes in three sizes

Cons

  • The brim isn’t blacked out on its bottom side
  • Not a very large brim
  • Sizing could be an issue
  • A bit expensive
  • Not a ton of protection against the sun

Best for Kids – Puma Kid’s P Hat


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The Puma Kid’s P Hat is a great choice to add more style points to your kid’s golf uniform. It is relatively cheap, has a superb build quality, and great performance. The hat is made out of a polyester and Rayon blend which not only makes it durable but also very lightweight. The polyester in the blend blocks most UV rays and keeps the long-term rigidity of the hat at a high level. The brim is fairly large but doesn’t have a lot of flex to it.

On the inside, you have a moisture-wicking performance sweatband that will keep sweat away from your kid’s forehead. This is essential for comfort when you’re aiming and shooting on a hot day on the course. The “P” for Puma is 3D embroidered at the front of the hat and it is the same on all of the eight color options. While there are no size options available, there is a 7-way adjustment strap at the back which offers some flexibility when it comes to sizes. Grown-up kids or kids with large heads might struggle with this cap, though.

Pros

  • 8 color options
  • Snapback design
  • Very durable
  • Good build quality
  • Internal performance sweatband
  • Great price

Cons

  • No size options
  • Not great for kids with large heads
  • Brim is slightly big

Best Budget – Adidas Men’s Tour Hat Crestable


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

If you’re looking for a budget hat that will be durable and breathable enough for those hot days on the golf course, then this Adidas Men’s Tour Hat is just the right thing for you. Not only does it come cheaper than most other similarly-styled hats but it also matches the build quality and performance of those more expensive models.

The hat is made out almost entirely out of polyester with a little bit of elastane for the back three quarters. It has a stretch-fit with no adjustment options at the back and no opening. This doesn’t make things really easy when it comes to fitment and it also doesn’t make a lot of breathability openings which are essential on similar hats. Still, there is an Adidas Golf performance sweatband that will absorb most of the moisture from your head and won’t allow it to drip into your eyes. The brim upfront is one of a decent size and is also blacked out which helps with reducing sun glare.

There are four color options as well as two size options – S/M and L/XL. As a whole, for people on a budget that simply want something basic that will keep the sun out of their eyes, this is the right hat for the job.

Pros

  • 4 color options
  • 2 size options
  • Stretch fit
  • Blacked out brim
  • Perofrmance Sweatband
  • Very durable
  • Cheap

Cons

  • No adjustment
  • Not a lot of size options
  • Basic design

Best for Hot Weather – BuiltCool Mesh Cooling Baseball Hat


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

While bucket hats offer superb performance under the bright sun, certain baseball hats offer plenty of cooling performance of their own. Granted, they won’t shade you as good as the wide brim of a bucket hat but this particular model right here has a few tricks up its sleeve that will keep your head from overheating. The BuiltCool Mesh Cooling Baseball Hat is a cheap alternative to anyone looking for a lightweight hat that has good thermal performance.

The hat is made out of entirely out of polyester, mixed with bio-cool mesh fibers. These fibers are moisture-activated and can absorb water and dissipate it outside of the hat. Not only does that provide a nice cooling sensation but also provides plenty of breathability to this hat. On the inside, there is a performance headband to absorb excess moisture.

One of the downsides of this model is that it isn’t machine-washable. And although it has a velcro adjustment strap at the back, there are no size options either. Additionally, the brim of the hat seems to be made out of cheaper plastic material rather than the rubber polymer all other premium hats have. This can mean that you can potentially break the bill if you aren’t careful. Still, there are more than 15 color options and the price is just too good to miss out on, especially if you’re looking for a baseball hat that will keep your head cool and dry!

Pros

  • Great cooling performance
  • Budget-friendly
  • Tons of color options
  • Contrasting brim
  • Soft to the touch
  • Adjustable velcro strap
  • Moisture-wicking sweatband

Cons

  • Long-term durability is questionable
  • There can be manufacturer defects
  • Not machine-washable
  • Brim isn’t very durable

Best for Women – Coolibar UPF 50+ Women’s Matchplay Golf Hat


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

Although women often prefer playing with a golf visor, bucket hats aren’t entirely excluded from their dressing code. In fact, there are plenty of women that stick to their favorite bucket hat. The reason for that is because these types of hats offer the maximum amount of sun protection which is what most women are after, especially on a sunny golf course. The Coolibar Women’s Matchplay Golf Hat is a unique bucket hat that is made specifically with UV rays in mind. Thanks to its materials, construction, and color, it blocks 98% of UV radiation, giving it a UPF 50+ rating.

The hat’s brim is asymmetrical, meaning it is larger at the front and back. It measures 4 inches in length at the front while only 3 inches at the sides. This gives it good shading properties while maintaining its overall rigidity. Most bucket hat brims are symmetrical which makes them look flimsy and they typically move a lot, especially when a bit of wind is involved. There is an elastic drawcord to adjust the fit of the hat as well as to wear it on your back when the sun isn’t there. On the inside, you have a sweatband which is the norm for most golf hats nowadays.

Apart from the slightly higher price, another one of its downsides is that it cannot be machine washed with the rest of your golf clothes. Still, size-size, there are three options to choose from, each fitting different head sizes, ranging from 22 and a half inches all the way up to 25 inches for the XXL option. Colors-wise, there is only one choice, although the brand offers plenty of other similar bucket hats that have other styling and colors.

Pros

  • Unique style
  • Lrage 4-inch brim at the front
  • Dark underside to avoid glare
  • UPF 50+
  • Very soft to the touch
  • Lightweight and durable
  • Excellent for both men and women
  • Three size options

Cons

  • A bit expensive
  • Handwash only
  • Not great for large heads

Golf Hats and Visors Buyer’s Guide

Golf hats have a long history that dates back to the 50s and 60s of the 20th century. After they were introduced, they quickly gained a ton of popularity. In less than a decade, hats and ivy caps became an official part of the golfing dress code. That made them even more popular and more and more brands jumped in with their models. Things really took off when sports brands such as Nike and Adidas jumped in. That happened simultaneously as golf transitioned from a recreational game to a fully developed sport across the USA.

Before we move onto the different features that define what a good golf hat is, we need to first go through the different types of hats and caps used on the golf course…

The Classic Types of Golf Hats

Currently, there are three main types of golf hats out there. These are:

  • The Classic Baseball cap
  • Golf Visors
  • Bucket Hats

Each of those has its own set of pros and cons compared to the others, as well as unique features and characteristics that might make it a better choice for your style. Let’s take a closer look at every type now.

The Classic Baseball cap

We’re all familiar with the rounded baseball cap finishing with a stiff bill at the front that comes at a budget price and does what it’s supposed to do. Turns out, these work out pretty great for golf too. They are easy to wear, fairly breathable, and do a great job at keeping the sun away from your eyes. Most golf caps of this type have a mesh backside which allows maximum breathability without compromising the hat’s durability or sun protection.

On the inside of the cap, there is almost always a sweatband that keeps the sweat from entering your eyes. As a whole, these caps aren’t the most fashionable choice and are, indeed, not very suitable for some country golf clubs. However, their budget one-size-fits-all nature makes them an irresistible choice for the casual golfer!

Golf Visors

Golf visors are far more simplistic in nature and arguably even more common on the golf course. They consist of a band that goes around your head and a brim at the front, just like the one on baseball caps. The materials and size of the cap are often exactly the same as the baseball cap but since the top part is missing, there is a bit more ventilation going on at all times. Unfortunately, that doesn’t help with sunlight and some people don’t like the way their heads are heated up during a game in the open greens.

Coming at the same price, visors seem like a bit of an illogical choice. You pay the same but get less cap, right? Well, thankfully, they are far more stylish which more than makes up for the lack of top part, at least in the eyes of most golf clubs out there. As a whole, visors also have a one-size-fits-all type of fitment and are typically worn by women who, unlike men, have hair at the top of their heads that does most of the sun protection.

Bucket Hats

Last and definitely not least on this list is the bucket hat. While most golfers you see on the course will be wearing either a visor or a baseball cap, there are still players that stick to the roots. I say “the roots” because some of the first hats introduced on the golf course were precisely bucket hats.

These hats offer the best protection against the sun out of all three types and are also quite easy to wear. With them, you will have to pay attention to the size of the bucket hat. Not only do their brims vary vastly in terms of their size but they also vary in things like stiffness. Some bucket hats have a short and soft brim, while others have it large and rigid or large and soft. Choosing the one that will fit you the easiest is essential to your comfort. This, however, is their strongest side, as they offer a ton of sun protection, especially when compared to baseball caps and visors. This will not only protect your face but also your neck and the side of your head from the dangerous UV rays.

One particular feature that only bucket hats have is the chin strap. Since they are pretty large and people don’t always prefer wearing them on their heads, there are straps that allow you to wear them on your back when you’re on a shaded spot. Some golfers hate that, while others love it, either way, it is a useful feature that allows you to remove your large bucket hat without having to hold it. As a whole, these hats cost a bit more than the rest but are well-worth their price tag if you’re looking for the most amount of sun protection possible!

Important Features

young man shooting golf ball

While golf hats are relatively simple in their nature and structure, there are plenty of characteristics that you will have to keep in mind when choosing one. Some of the most important ones are:

  • Type
  • Materials
  • Brims
  • Sun protection
  • Breathability
  • Moisture-wicking
  • Comfort & Fit
  • Maintenance
  • Colors
  • Durability
  • Price

Type

Even though we already discussed the various types of golf hats out there, we have to sum things up a bit.

Price-wise, all three types are generally priced in the same categories. Still, on average, bucket hats are a bit more expensive. When it comes to comfort, though, most golfers would argue that the visors take the crown. The reason for that is that they are the lightest and have the most amount of ventilation for your head. Bucket hats are typically also fairly comfortable but their size makes them a bit tiring if you have to wear them through an 18-hole game.

If you’ve joined a country golf club that has official rules for apparel, make sure you check with those before getting any type of hat. There might be restrictions against certain types of even certain colors.

Materials

The material of the golf hat is one of its most important characteristics. The vast majority of golf hats, no matter the type, are made from polyester. However, different models have different blends to them that allow for various characteristics ranging from improved breathability to moisture-wicking.

Some of the most popular material blends out there are polyester and spandex. This ensures a lightweight construction that will feel soft but will also provide a snug fit no matter your head size. Spandex is also extremely durable and in combination with polyester makes the hat quite tough. Other hats are made with 100% polyester which is also good for most of their properties but not so much for breathability. One of the best features of polyester, as a plastic polymer, is that it is incredibly resistant to UV rays. Not only will that protect the hat itself from deteriorating over time but it will also protect your head from the UV rays.

Other materials that could be blended with polyester are rayon, elastane, and cotton. Hats with polyester and cotton blends are the most comfortable to wear but also the rarest to find and most expensive.

The bill or brim of baseball-style hats and visors has a latex rubber core. This allows it to stay firm and prevents breaking when you twist or fold the brim. Bucket hats typically have a latex rubber ring around them, although some soft-brimmed models won’t have anything but polyester surrounding the hat.

Brims

Brims are what sets most caps and hats apart. They vary in size, shape, floppiness, and other factors. On baseball cap-styled hats, you typically have a curved, hard brim. These typically have a bit of flex to them and won’t break if you twist or fold them. Bucket hats, on the other hand, are vastly different in their brims. Not only do they have various shapes and sizes but the angle of the brim also varies. Hats that have their brims fall down at a narrow angle aren’t great for golf as they will restrict your vision when you’re aiming. Brims that are floppy also tend to fall down when you’re aiming, restricting your vision towards the target.

Sun protection

Apart from preventing the sun from getting in your eyes, golf hats are also important for preventing sunburns and other issues associated with sunlight hitting your skin for continuous periods.

Without a doubt, in terms of sun protection, bucket hats are superior to all others. If you’re playing golf on a sunny course all the time, then a large bucket hat is a must. This will keep you cool and shaded even when you’re taking shots against the sun. One alternative to that is getting a golf visor with a large brim but you will have to pay attention to the size of the brim when browsing through all the models out there.

Breathability

The breathability of the hat primarily depends on its materials. Typically, polyester blends have a decent amount of breathability to them. When mixed with certain other materials, however, they are even better at keeping moisture away from your head. For instance, some polyester and cotton blends are especially good at moisture-wicking. Certain patented material blends such as Nike’s Dri-fit technology allow the water molecules to exit the hat along with hot air.

Most golf hats will have mesh backs that are either perforated or made of a very thin and porous material that allows air to go in and out. This allows the hot air to escape the hat’s interior without warming up your head further. Some bucket hats and other models also have holes all around them that act as vents.

If you want maximum breathability for your hat, then I suggest picking up a golf visor. These have their top open, which allows for all the hot air from your heat to dissipate straight away. They are, however, not to be advised if you’re a man with no hair at an open sunny course. For you, I suggest picking a good hat with a mesh top or back that will take care of most of the excess heat.

Moisture-wicking

smiling women in golf cap

Apart from breathability, the hat’s moisture-wicking properties are also very important, especially on a hot day. This is why almost all golf hats have sweatbands embedded on their inside. This will keep your head dry and will prevent sweat from entering your eyes. Certain models take a step further and offer interchangeable bands so that you can wash these separately without having to wash the hat every day.

Other brands have cooling materials put into their sweatbands. These materials are typically moisture-activated and cool your face down whenever you start sweating a lot. Moisture-activated materials are also common for the actual’s hat body that also cool your whole head whenever you start sweating. The last thing that helps with both breathability and moisture control is the mesh. If you sweat a lot I recommend getting a fully-mesh hat. This will allow for maximum breathability and will prevent sweat build-up, even on hot days.

Comfort & Fit

Despite most hats out there not having different size options, the comfort and fit should still be very high on your priority list. The overall comfort of a hat is determined by a lot of factors. These include different cooling materials, soft internal linings, moisture-wicking sweatbands, chin straps (for bucket models), hook-and-loop adjustment closures at the back, drawstring closures for bucket caps, and more. A comfortable golf hat should be one that you put on your head and forget for the rest of the day. If the hat is too tight or makes your head too hot, then that certainly won’t help you enjoy the game more.

Another topic is the actual fit of the golf hat. As I mentioned, there are rarely any size options. Instead, manufacturers rely on their adjustment systems at the back of the baseball-style hats. Bucket hats often have drawstrings to adjust the diameter of the top part. However, some just have elastic bands that will fit a certain group of head sizes.

Golf visors are the easiest when it comes to actual fitment. This is because they consist of a single headband that is very easy to adjust, assuming it has a longer hook-and-loop zone.

Maintenance

When it comes to maintenance, the thing you have to look for is whether the hat is machine-washable. Since these hats will be exposed to heat, lots of sweat, and maybe even some stains from grass, they will need frequent washing. Certain models have removable headbands that eliminate the need to wash the whole hat. Still, models that don’t have that will have to be washed every now and then.

The bad thing about most expensive golf hats is that they cannot be machine-washed. This is because there is a ton of stitching going on all over them and their materials are typically more gentle than the ones on clothes. Moreover, machine-washing can damage most hard brims, which is another reason never to put your hats in the washer or drying machine.

Colors

While this might seem like a subjective factor at first, have in mind that certain golf clubs only allow certain colors on their golf course. For instance, if your club only allows white or grey colors, you can only get a cap that is these particular colors, no exceptions. That is why most golf caps come in either white or just a few other combinations. Still, if there are no rules on the apparel at your golf club, you will be pleased to find that there are models with tons of color options on the market. These will allow you to stick out and will also be easier to match to the rest of your apparel.

Durability

Typically, golf hats don’t have a lot of issues with durability. The reason for that is because most high-end brands such as Nike, Adidas, Callaway, and Titleist used reinforced stitches and polyester for their hats. Polyester is a naturally strong plastic that is UV-resistant and fairly waterproof. This makes it the ideal material for something that will be constantly exposed to nature’s elements.

The durability of the inner sweatband is another important part of the hat’s long-term performance. Some sweatbands don’t change a lot but others get harder and brittle after just a few games. For these, you could use a little softener for the inside of the hat when you’re handwashing it.

Price

Unlike most other golf items, golf hats pretty much all fall into the same price category. This means that the price will likely never be a determining factor if you’re trying to choose between two certain models. Still, there are some budget options that don’t fall into that 20-40 dollar category. These are typically slightly worse at moisture-wicking and heat management and are generally not worth the money unless they are from a reputable brand.

If you are looking for an extra layer of protection against the sun, make sure you also check out my guide on some of the best golf sunglasses for this year! Now, let’s sum up some of the most important benefits of using a golf cap on the course…

Benefits of Using a Golf Hat

There are plenty of benefits of getting some sun protection going on. Hats, sunglasses, sun sleeves should be part of your summer gear. This will make you less exposed to dangerous UV rays. But golf hats and caps tend to have a little more upsides than just that. Here are some of them:

  • Hats allow you to better see your target especially when it’s at a distance
  • The shade provided from golf hats allows you to measure distances better
  • The less sunlight your eyes receive, the better they are at depth perception and contrast
  • You can track your golf ball mid-flight easier
  • You can see your golf ball easier when you’re aiming
  • Sun-protection golf hats prevent sunburn on your face and neck
  • In combination with golf sunglasses, they provide the ultimate performance boost
  • You can match your hat or cap to the rest of your apparel for a more stylish look

Playing outside under the sun isn’t always something you can fix with just a cap, however. Instead, you should be fully ready for the summer heat by having your favorite golf sunglasses, shorts, and a short-sleeved shirt. Also, to reduce heat absorption, make sure you wear light colors all around.

If you’re new to golf and want to learn how to tend the flag, click here to read my detailed article on that topic!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do pro golfers wear hats?

Apart from the normal sun protection a hat provides, it also gives you a little more clarity on what’s going on on the course. The hat’s shade will allow you to look at your clearly when you’re shooting it as well as track it mid-flight. In addition to all that, you will also be able to see and judge your target and the distance to it easier.

Should you wear a hat when golfing?

While there is no official requirement to make you wear a hat, the benefits of one are more than proven. There are a few PGA players that don’t wear hats but these are typically just individuals compared to the majority of pro players that prefer to have their caps on.

What type of hats do professional golf players wear?

Some of the most common hats you will see on today’s golf course is the snapback hat. The classic golf cap (or ivy cap or driver cap) still has a large following, however, and you can see it being sported around quite frequently. Another surprising contender for the first spot is the bucket hat or sun-protection hat that is growing more and more in popularity in recent years.

When did pro golfers start wearing hats for the first time?

Although sun protection was always an issue on the open golf course, it wasn’t until the 50s and 60s when pro golfers started considering wearing caps as part of their official club apparel. One of the first brands to introduce official golf hats with its logo on them was Amana.

Final Words

When you’re playing golf out on the open course, your safety and comfort should be your number one priority. To be able to keep your head from the direct impact of the sun, as well as your eyes safe, getting some of the best golf hats and visors is the right thing to do. After you’ve set your mind to a specific type of golf hat, make sure you take a closer look at the materials. What the hat is made out from will define its breathability, level of protection, and long-term durability. Also, take a look at how easy the cap is to clean as well as to maintain clean and see if it comes in the right size and color for you!