GOLF.com Review: I went searching for the best golf umbrella — I settled on this one

By way of introduction, let me say that in no way am I being compensated for reviewing this umbrella — just a big fan!

For much of my adult life, I’ve gotten into the horrible habit of running through those fold-up black mini umbrellas you buy at CVS in rain emergencies. In three years living in New York City, I’ve easily run through eight of those things, which snap in half every time there’s a strong gust. So when I was tasked with contributing to GOLF’s list of “Best Golf Umbrellas,” it was a welcome excuse to invest in the category. Look, there are a ton of manufacturers making quality products in the umbrella space, but I’ve been particularly blown away (not literally — that’s the entire point) by my new Weatherman.

From the moment I snapped it open, I could feel the power and the structure of this new weapon. I swore off crappy umbrellas forever. (Sidenote: We should all do this! Wean yourself off those cheap, flimsy things that blow inside out and wreck your day! Join me!) Frankly, what I want from my umbrella is nothing overly complex: I’d like to stay dry and I’d like my umbrella to stay in one piece. Weatherman goes above and beyond to ensure I can do just that. Way above and beyond, to be honest: There’s an app that comes along with the umbrella that I’ve not found much use for. But the important part, for me: It’s sturdy, it’s substantial and it was built with golfers in mind, offering a proper shape to protect you and your clubs.

Golf is a game of the elements, and every golfer knows to prepare for the unpredictability of being outside for four or more hours at a time. When it comes to choosing a golf umbrella, it’s important to consider what your priorities are. Are you planning to play in a light drizzle or a Bishop-in-Caddyshack level deluge? Are you taking your umbrella from the golf course to the city streets? But I’d argue that whatever answer you land on, you probably want something trusty.

Some details: Weatherman umbrellas are the brainchild of a meteorologist and perform accordingly. First of all, they’re big: the golf umbrellas come in 62” and 68” models (I chose a 62” so as to better sneak through the city streets). They’re durable, built with industrial-strength fiberglass, teflon-coated fabric and UPF 50+ protection. There’s a pocket for storage, a rib to hang a towel from and a mesh pocket for gear you want to keep dry. To top it off, the Weatherman comes with an app that will literally tell you when to bring an umbrella — and uses Bluetooth to tell you where yours is. It’s hard to get more complete coverage than that.