When it comes to finding the best golf products, every golfer needs a little guidance. Don’t sweat it, we got you covered! For our new Best of Everything series, we’ve canvassed the golf accessories, apparel and game-improvement space to identify the very best stuff for your game. Think of us as your personal shopping assistant.
BEST GOLF UMBRELLAS
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? Or are you someone who likes an umbrella for sun protection? Here are a few factors to weigh when picking out your next golf umbrella.
Rain protection
This one seems obvious, but you’d better start with the basics. Will this umbrella keep you dry? It’s a baseline performance metric, but you’ll want to be sure your umbrella is properly waterproof and doesn’t leak or drip all over you.
Wind resistance
You don’t want to be the guy or gal with the weak umbrella blown inside-out by a gust of wind; that will leave you wet and upset. But even among good golf options, there’s a gradient when it comes to standing up to the wind. Decide whether you need an umbrella to hold up to a gentle sea breeze or whether you want something that can hold steady in a stiff Scottish wind.
Coverage
Some golf umbrellas are huge and awesome, big enough for a family of four to huddle under. But if you’re taking that same umbrella to work on the New York City subway, you might want something a little more compact. Bear in mind that this is something you’ll want to fit in your golf bag — size matters.
Durability
Your umbrella should be a long-term investment. Different materials and construction in the canopy can radically affect the performance and durability of your umbrella. Basically, you want some high-quality shafts and stretchers to make sure that umbrella holds up under duress.
Best golf umbrella for complete coverage
Weatherman
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. 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.
$79
Best golf umbrella for sun protection
UV-Blocker
Golfers spend more time in the sun than your average person, which calls for an extra emphasis on skin protection. As the name suggests, that’s exactly what you get with a UV Blocker. The Melanoma International Foundation recognized this umbrella’s effectiveness in skin cancer prevention. The Double Canopy Vented Mesh System helps heat escape without letting sun or rain in, which means this umbrella will keep you cool — and dry, too.
$50
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Best golf umbrella for wind resistance
Gustbuster Pro Series
Getting ready for a blustery day on the course? The Gustbuster is another umbrella that lives up to its name and reputation. You’ll see plenty of these on Tour, and with good reason. The GustBuster features a double canopy design that allows air to pass through and therefore promises effectiveness in up to 55 mph winds. We’re a fan of the extra-strength fiberglass shaft, which is light but sturdy. Oh, and it’ll keep you dry, too!
$45
Best golf umbrella for keeping you and your partners dry
G4Free 68”
City-dwellers might favor a small-profile umbrella. Golfers? Not so much. There’s plenty of room for the entire family underneath the cover of this 68-inch arc. A double canopy design ensures that this does well in the wind as well as the water. Add in an automatic-open feature plus a one-year warranty and we’re all in on the G4 for all your oversized umbrella needs.
$30
Best golf umbrella for your clubs
DrizzleStik Flex Golf Club Umbrella
It’s one thing for you to get wet; it’s far worse if your golf clubs do. The best option we’ve found for promised protection of the top of your bag is the DrizzleStik Flex, which can extend to 54 inches and sit in your bag as easily as a club. The deep canopy does a good job protecting your sticks, while a spring top pivots easily so you can still grab a club from beneath. Once it starts to rain, you’ll be the envy of your friends.
$20
Best golf umbrella for durability in harsh conditions
ShedRain Vortex Vent XL Pro
It’s tough to find an umbrella with more overall durability than the ShedRain. The XL version comes in the full 68-inch arc size, which meant plenty of room to huddle underneath. The vented double canopy helps shed wind. But what takes the ShedRain over the top is the reinforced inner skeleton, which doubles down on overall structural integrity. You can go to battle with the ShedRain in your bag.
$77
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