I’ve had some of my best days on the golf course when it was raining outside. However, to make playing golf in the rain an enjoyable experience, you must have the proper gear to keep you from feeling uncomfortably drenched.

A waterproof golf hat is one of the most essential pieces of rain gear for golfers. There are a ton of golf rain hats available, so finding the right one can take time and effort.

To help with that, we’ve researched and compared a bunch of them and compiled the following list of the 10 best golf rain hats of 2022. Now a popup shower won’t ruin your next round of golf!

How We Came Up With This List

To find the best golf rain hats on the market, we carefully considered a variety of important factors. First, each golf rain hat on our list had to be made of a waterproof material. We know there’s nothing worse than buying a piece of rain gear that claims to be waterproof but isn’t.

Next,  we searched for golf hats that were lightweight. This is key to ensuring a comfortable fit on a rainy day. Golfers don’t need a hat that will weigh them down during rainy weather.

Last but certainly not least, we wanted to make sure every golf hat on our list was durable. While other factors like coverage and waterproofing are essential, all of that’s meaningless if the hat doesn’t hold up well over time.

Top 10 Rain Hats for Golf

1. Titleist Men’s StaDry Hat Black / Grey (Best Overall)

Pros

• Has a reasonable price point for such a quality item
• One of the most respected brands in the golf world
• It comes with an adjustable closure on the back to give you the perfect fit
• The sleek black and grey colors will still have you styling on a rainy day
• The whole hat is built to repel water, especially the visor

Cons

• Some have said the hat’s too big, even with the adjustable fit
• Only available in 1 color and style

Our search for the best golf hat for rainy days on the course was a tight one. While we narrowed the choices down to 3 or 4 options, we settled on Titleist because of this hat’s lightweight, waterproof material. Golfers have been trusting Titleist since the company was founded in 1932.

2. CLAPE Outdoor Hat (Most Budget Friendly)

Pros

• Built to hold up in rainy conditions
• Any type of moisture like rain or sweat will dry quickly
• It also repels the sun with its UPF50+ rating
• Affordable for golfers on any kind of budget
• One size fits most
• It has a small opening in the back for folks with long hair
• It comes in 28 different styles
• It can be thrown into a washing machine without durability concerns

Cons

• Not an established golf brand like Nike, Titleist, or Adidas
• The size could be too big for some golfers

If you’re looking for value, look no further. The CLAPE outdoor hat is incredibly affordable and comes in 28 different colors. This hat is made up of 80% polyester, one of the world’s most water-resistant materials.

3. Nike UV Bucket Golf Hat Black (Best Bucket Style Rain Hat)

Pros

• One of the most established brands in the sports apparel industry
• Bucket-style hat has a wide brim that provides a large amount of coverage from both rain and sunshine
• Made with unique fabrics that dry quickly in any conditions
• It comes with an adjustable nylon drawstring that’ll come in handy on windy days
• Wide brim gives golfers a full 360 degrees of sun coverage
• The drawstring can be removed if needed

Cons

• One of the most expensive golf hats on the market
• It only comes in 2 sizes: Medium/Large and Large/Extra Large

PGA Tour golfer Joel Dahmen has made golf bucket hats more popular than ever. Nike has a fantastic option if that also happens to be your style of choice. This golf hat has tiny holes on the side for maximum breathability, and it’s made of 100% polyester to help keep your head dry on even the rainiest days.

4. Lvaiz Waterproof Golf Baseball Cap (Best Baseball Cap Option)

Pros

• Made with an unstructured panel so that you can fold it up and keep it in your golf bag
• One of the most lightweight golf hats on the market at only a tad over 2 ounces
• The bill has a 3M belt on it to protect you from the sun
• Most folks love the snap closure and say it fits them perfectly
• Built with a unique headband that will wick away sweat
• Stylish enough to wear both on and off the golf course

Cons

• Material isn’t as breathable as some would have liked
• Some have had issues with the seams of the strap on the back

You probably haven’t heard of Lvaiz, but this company makes high-quality sports apparel. This golf baseball cap holds up very well in harsh elements like wind and rain. It’s also breathable and has a reflective bill with a UPF 50+ rating to beat the sun’s deadly rays.

5. FUWODE Wide Brim Rainproof Hat (Most Versatile)

Pros

• It comes in some excellent varieties like Camo and Khaki
• Made up of 65% polyester, so it’s a tremendous waterproof bucket hat
• It has an adjustable chin strap so that it’ll stay on your head during windy days on the golf course
• It has a 3.5-inch wide brim, which is one of the largest out there
• Made with a specific fabric that’s UV resistant and UPF50+ rated
• Includes a mesh sweatband on the inside to keep sweat away from your eyes
• It does a phenomenal job of keeping the rain off your neck, face, and head
• Perfect for golf or other outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, or water rafting

Cons

• It can’t be put in a regular washer at home; it must be hand-washed only
• Some of the darker colors won’t hold up to water with chlorine in it

Want a rain hat that’s perfect for the golf course and the beach? The FUWODE rainproof hat is possibly your best bet, which is why we named it the most versatile option. This comes in 13 unique styles and color schemes to suit everyone’s tastes.

6. adidas Men’s Victory 4 Bucket Hat (Most Breathable)

Pros

• It has extra perforated holes for the max level of breathability and ventilation.
• Made up of 100% polyester so that the rain will bounce right off of it
• It comes with a nylon drawstring that’s easy to adjust to your comfort level
• Provides UPF 50 protection against the sun
• The inside of the hat has one of the thickest sweatbands around to keep you cool and dry
• It has the unique Boonie bucket silhouette design
• Low price for such a big name brand like adidas
• It comes in 7 different colors
• Very lightweight; only a little over 4 ounces

Cons

• Hand wash only; it can’t be thrown into a standard washing machine
• Some reviewers have experienced sizing issues since it only comes in Small/Medium and Large/X-Large

Do you sweat more than the average golfer? If so, you need a golf hat that’ll hold up in the rain and keep you cool during the summer. The adidas Men’s Victory 4 bucket hat is just the ticket, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg like other name brands.

7. Frogg Toggs Waterproof Breathable Boonie Hat (Best Boonie Style)

Pros

• It has a 1-inch band on the inside to increase your comfort level
• Easy to wash and can be put into regular washing machines
• Available in Black, Stone, or a Mossy Oak Bottomland style
• 100% Waterproof in any type of weather conditions
• Lightweight and durable
• It will save you packing space since its crushable
• It has a nice tension cord that can easily be adjusted

Cons

• It has a shorter brim than other brands
• Only 3 color options
• The brim may be too flimsy for some golfers who play in extreme wind.

More golfers are turning to Boonie-style bucket hats because they can be pressed down and thrown into a golf bag. This is incredibly handy while traveling because you won’t have to worry about warping the shape of your hat. This option from Frogg Toggs is 100% waterproof, so we highly recommend it.

8. EINSKEY Wide Brim Bucket Hat (Best Color Variety)

Pros

• 50% off for a limited time, which is a great deal
• Looks great on both men and women golfers
• One of the widest brims on the market at 3.9 inches, which provides maximum coverage against the rain and sun
• It comes with an adjustable chin strap and drawcord for added convenience
• Made of 100% polyester
• It has mesh panels to reduce sweating and keep your head cool
• The built-in sweatband quickly and effectively absorbs sweat
• Great for golfing, camping, or fishing
• Over 29,000 reviewers on Amazon with an average rating of 4.6
• The brim is durable and won’t flap up even in extremely windy conditions

Cons

• Some may not like the extremely wide brim
• I have seen some complaints of shipping methods leaving the hat with permanent creases

Are you the type of golfer that likes to have multiple outfits with lots of color options? If so, you’ll love EINSKEY bucket hats because of their wide variety of colors. There are 26 options to choose from, so you’ll never get bored!

9. Mission Cooling Bucket Hat (Best for Summer Months)

Pros

• Available in 8 different colors
• It can be washed in a regular washing machine
• Cools your head when wet but repels rainwater
• The cooling panel zones will stay cool for up to 2 hours, which is excellent for summer
• It can be folded for easier packing when traveling
• Soft and comfortable

Cons

• Since it has built-in cooling panels, this wouldn’t be an excellent choice for days with cooler temperatures.
• Some reviews have mentioned that the brim can droop at times

Do you live in a hot climate or play lots of golfer during the summer? This Mission cooling bucket hat has built-in cooling mechanisms to keep you comfortable during those hot days on the golf course. Also, since it’s made of 100% polyester, it does a great job of keeping rainwater off your head during a popup shower.

10. SEALSKINZ Waterproof All Weather Cap (Best for Both Women and Men)

Pros

• Both the inside and the outside of the cap are made of 100% polyester
• This hat is not only waterproof but windproof as well, which is not something a lot of brands can claim
• Works well in both winter and summer months
• Looks great on both men and women golfers
• It has a buckle on the back that ensures a snug fit
• It has maximum breathability to cut down on excessive sweating
• Stylish enough for on the golf course or off of it
• It holds up well in all temperatures
• The SEALSKINZ brand has been making waterproof sports apparel for over 2 decades.
• The only hat we could find that comes with a lifetime waterproof guarantee
• Great for lots of outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, fishing, or hunting

Cons

• Only available in 2 colors: Black and Blue
• The price point is a little high

SEALSKINZ specializes in making hats that hold up well in any type of rough weather. Both men and women golfers will appreciate how dry this hat keeps their heads. This cap has a special waterproof membrane to repel water faster than other brands.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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Have you ever woken up early on a Saturday morning and been pumped up about your tee time, only to see an unexpected thunderstorm coming rolling in?

You may have wondered if you and your buddies would be able to get your round in at your favorite course. What a bummer!

Cheer up though, a rainy day on the golf course doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to cancel your tee time. In this article, we’ll discuss when it’s still feasible to play golf in the rain.

We’ll also give you some tips on how to make sure you are prepared to play in the rain.

How Much Rain Is Too Much for Golf?

It’s tough to say how much rain it takes to cancel your tee time. Some golf courses hold up remarkably well even during a steady rain and dry out quickly. This is especially true of courses in hotter climates.

Other golf courses aren’t as resilient and the extremely wet conditions may lead to wet grass, wet greens, and bunkers that are filled with wet sand and mud. It’s these types of conditions that make the staff decide to cancel some or all of the remaining tee times for the day. Most pro shops only do this if necessary because they do not want to lose the revenue from greens fees.

On a day with particularly bad weather, you may have arrived for your tee time and seen the dreaded “Course Closed” sign displayed near the pro shop. It’s a terrible feeling and you may have wondered just how much rain caused the course to close. Believe it or not, it probably wasn’t rain that caused the course to close.

The majority of the time, course closures are caused by lightning strikes or other types of severe weather like hail or tornadoes that pose an imminent danger to competitors and staff. When this happens, the best thing you can do is go home, pour yourself a cold one, and watch golf on TV. Hey, there are worse ways to spend an afternoon (lol)!

Can You Play Golf in Heavy Rain?

Yes, you can play golf in heavy rain, as long as there has not been a lightning strike in the area within the last 30 minutes. To successfully play golf in the rain, make sure you have extra towels in your golf bag. It’s also a good idea to invest in some quality rain gear like rain gloves, rain hats, and rain pants.

While playing in heavy rain, keep an eye out on the golf course for any signs that are posted. If there has been steady rain for quite some time, the golf course superintendent may opt to close some of the holes that have large puddles. The staff may also employ the “Cart Path Only” rule on rainy days to keep golfers from doing further damage to the course.

You also want to keep an eye out for any parts of the cart path that may be roped off because of being underwater. Never take any unnecessary risks by driving your golf cart into a puddle that looks too deep. If you have doubts about a puddle’s depth, simply drive around it.

How Long After It Rains Can You Play Golf?

As long as the golf course is still deemed playable by the staff, then you’ll be able to still finish your round. The only time you may not be able to keep playing is if the rain has caused significant damage to the course. When this happens you may notice multiple puddles and lots of tree limbs down.

If the course or the cart paths are unusable or lightning strikes keep happening in the area, you’ll need to ask the pro shop about their rain check policy. At some golf courses, you’ll be eligible for a rain check only if you’ve played six holes or less.

What to Do If It Rains While Golfing?

We’ve all been there. You are in the middle of shooting a great score and one of those annoying pop-up thunderstorms comes out of nowhere. Here are four tips for playing golf in the rain.

1. Make Safety Your First Priority

At the first sign of rain, stay alert to the sound of the pro shop blowing the horn. If this happens, you must postpone your round and find shelter. The pro shop staff will closely monitor the local weather radar to try to figure out when it is safe for golfers to resume their rounds.

All golf courses have a few safety shelters available for when lightning strikes happen. If no safety shelters are in sight, try to get back to the clubhouse as quickly as possible to ride out the storm.

According to recommendations from the USGA, when lightning strikes, a delay will remain in effect until after lightning has been absent in the area for at least 30 minutes. The pro shop will then blow the horn to indicate that all golfers can resume their rounds.

2. Break Out the Right Gear

When the rain starts coming down, bring out your umbrella to make sure that you and your golf clubs stay as dry as possible. It’s nearly impossible to hit good quality golf shots with wet grips on your clubs. A lot of golfers like to drape a towel underneath the lining of their umbrellas so that they can dry their hands and grips before each shot.

It’s also a good idea to put on your rain jacket and waterproof golf shoes if you weren’t already wearing them. Take the opportunity to put different spikes on if you prefer them in wet conditions. Spikes can keep you from slipping during your swing and allow you to still make clean contact with the golf ball.

To stay prepared at all times, some golfers like to keep all of their waterproof gear in a plastic bag inside their golf bag. Other things like an extra dry towel, hand warmers, golf gloves, and maybe an extra golf shirt can come in handy.

3. Have a Sound Strategy for Wet Conditions

When the fairways and greens are wet, you won’t get nearly as much distance on your shots. All of your shots will have less trajectory and you’ll get less backspin with your wedges. Because of this, be prepared to take more club on all of your shots during and after a rainstorm.

On long approach shots, use a fairway wood or a hybrid instead of your long irons to help you compensate for the less overall distance. Also, be prepared to hit your chips and putts with more authority. When the greens are wet and you’re hitting a wet golf ball, your chips will stop more quickly and your putts will have much less break to them.

4. Have Fun

Golfing in the rain may not be as pleasurable as golfing on a perfect 70-degree day, but it can still be a lot of fun. When playing during a wicked downpour, try not to take your score as seriously. Everyone tends to play worse in tough conditions, even PGA Tour stars!

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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What do you do when bad weather strikes on the golf course? Do you immediately head for the clubhouse and call it a day or do you simply pause your round until conditions improve? It can be tough to know what to do in these precarious situations.

What if you have a tee time booked and wake up to a rainy day? Do you stay home or head to the course anyway? We answer these questions and more in this article about playing golf in the rain.

Can You Golf While It’s Raining?

Yes, you can still play golf in rainy conditions, as long as there is no lightning in the area. The USGA only demands a suspension of play when there is a sign of imminent danger, the most common of which is a lightning strike. Course officials carefully monitor the weather and will sound the air horn if play must be suspended.

So, as crazy as it may sound, you are free to play a round of golf in a complete downpour. Make sure you are prepared to play in rainy conditions by having all the right accessories and rain gear. We’ll list the most important items to keep on hand during bad weather in one of the sections below.

Should You Golf in The Rain?

This is a tough question to answer because it depends on your tolerance for playing golf in less-than-ideal conditions. Golfers who grew up in a rainy climate like the Pacific Northwest are going to be more comfortable in wet conditions than other golfers who are used to hot and dry climates. Playing in wet weather isn’t for everyone and there is no shame in postponing your tee time to another day.

Why is playing in the rain so difficult? Well, some folks simply aren’t comfortable with trying to complete a golf swing in a rain jacket, rain pants, and a pair of rain gloves. All of the added bulk from the extra gear can make the golf swing feel awkward.

Also, in wet conditions, the golf ball comes into contact with lots of mud. This can make it difficult to generate any type of spin on approach shots. Extremely wet fairways can also make it hard to get any type of backspin on your wedge shots into the green.

Lastly, a golfer’s short game suffers greatly in rainy conditions. Trying to hit chips out of wet sand in the bunkers is almost impossible and trying to putt on wet greens is challenging to say the least.

How Much Rain is Too Much?

Though there is no official rule on this, most folks agree that if there is any standing water on the golf course, it’s probably too wet to play. However, some courses in drier climates tend to hold water exceptionally well. This is especially true for links-style courses.

If the golf course superintendent finds too much standing water in multiple places, the course will close for the remainder of that day and all tee times will be canceled. This is to protect the course from further damage and to prevent injuries to any would-be patrons.

Tips for Playing Golf in The Rain

Playing golf in the rain is a different beast. Luckily, several tips will help you shoot a good score, even in the craziest of conditions. Here are some of the best tips for playing golf in the rain.

1. Make Sure You Have the Right Gear

If there is rain in the forecast, make sure your golf bag is stocked with plenty of rain gear. Extra towels, a rain hood to keep your clubs dry, a waterproof jacket, and a pair of waterproof golf shoes are just a few of the necessities to pack for inclement weather.

Also, waterproof golf bags like the Titleist Players 4 Plus StaDry are nice to have in your battle against the elements. These types of golf bags aren’t cheap but they’ll protect your golf clubs and all of your gear in a rainy downpour.

Use the extra towels to keep yourself dry and to make sure that you have dry grips on each of your golf clubs. It’s also a nice gesture to share these dry towels with your buddies if they forgot to pack one.

2. Don’t Forget Your Spikes

While lots of golfers prefer golf shoes without spikes, that’s not the best idea if rain is in the forecast. On wet grass, the spikes will help your feet dig into the ground and keep your swing balanced. It’s also not a bad idea to keep some extra spikes in your golf bag in case one breaks off on you.

If you have a favorite pair of golf shoes that you always play with, consider purchasing the Golfkicks Golf Traction Kit. This kit will allow you to add soft spikes to any pair of shoes, which is a perfect accessory for rainy days on the golf course.

3. Pack Extra Golf Gloves

Have you ever tried to hit a shot with a wet golf glove? Needless to say, it’s a tall order. Keep a couple of dry golf gloves in your bag so that you can switch them out if they get too wet.

You can also try out the new specialty rain gloves that are now on the market. These are made with an extra sticky grip to help you control the club during rainy weather. Lots of golfers like to wear one of these on each hand during bad weather.

Wondering which rain gloves to buy? We highly recommend the Footjoy Men’s Raingrip Golf Gloves, which are reasonably priced and hold up remarkably well in any type of tough weather conditions. You’ll never have to worry about the golf club slipping out of your hands with these bad boys!

4. Always Keep an Umbrella with You

A good golf umbrella can keep both you and your golf clubs dry during a wet round. If there is any chance of rain in the forecast, make sure you have your umbrella in the golf cart with you. Heck, even if there is no chance of rain, it’s always better to be prepared for that unexpected popup shower.

While you can probably get away with a cheap regular umbrella, it’s best to invest in a golf umbrella because they are more durable and larger. Remember, cheaper is rarely better.

If you’re not sure which golf umbrella to buy, check out the G4Free Automatic Open Golf Umbrella. It comes in 18 different color schemes and has a one-year performance guarantee. It’s also large enough to keep you dry but sleek enough to fit inside your golf bag.

5. Keep Reasonable Expectations

When playing in rainy weather, it helps to keep reasonable performance expectations. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to play well, you have to remember that nobody shoots incredibly low scores in bad weather.

If you have never played in rainy conditions, try to focus on enjoying the overall experience instead of focusing too much on your score. This is a good opportunity to practice staying in a positive frame of mind even though you may be racking up more bogeys than you would like. Remember that the best golfers in the world know how to manage their expectations and emotions.

6. Keep Safety a Top Priority

When playing in bad weather, remember to always use extra caution on the golf course. This applies to whether you are hitting a difficult shot from a slick surface or simply driving a golf cart. In wet weather, play the safe shot, take the simplest path, and don’t try to be a hero.

Never attempt a shot that may cause you to suffer an injury. Also, never drive a cart into any type of standing water because it may be much deeper than you think. Lastly, keep your eyes and ears open for thunder, lightning, or the sound of the airhorn indicating that all play must be halted.

7. Have Fun

While it may not be for everyone, playing golf in the rain can be a wonderful experience. As crazy as it may sound, I’ve always looked forward to rainy days on the golf course, as long as there is no lightning. There’s just something soothing about hitting shots on a secluded course while hearing the raindrops hit the ground.

Mike Noblin

Mike has been involved with sports for over 30 years. He’s been an avid golfer for more than 10 years and is obsessed with watching the Golf Channel and taking notes on a daily basis. He also holds a degree in Sports Psychology.

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