Best golf bucket hats: shade, style, and sun protection
Bucket hats were once reserved for the older male fishing population, but these days, thanks to hipster, street-style vibes, the bucket hat has gained a new life on the golf course. While some may pick it to achieve a look of irony, the bucket hat is a sneaky piece of apparel that protects you from the sun far better than a regular golf hat. And if you pick one with the right material, it can shield you from the rain as well.
A quality bucket hat will protect your face, neck, and ears from sunburn and help keep your vision clear on putts when it’s raining. We’ve selected the best bucket hats in each category, depending on your needs and preferences.
Top 7 bucket hats
Staff favorite: Tilley The Iconic T1 Bucket Hat
Best budget: Sunderland Golf Waterproof Wide Brim Hat
Best for the rain: Galvin Green Art Waterproof Hat
Best for sunny days: Rhoback The Spackler
Best fashion: Malbon Eagle Bucket Hat
Best for a relaxed look: Birdie Juice Bucket Hat
Best decorative logo: Arnold Palmer Men’s Imperial White Bay Hill Allover Umbrella Bucket Hat
How we chose the best bucket hats for golf
Knowing that the bucket hat is as much a fashion or statement piece as it is a protective covering, we tried to thread the needle between style and function. We researched materials, the hat’s ability to resist water, and traditional and wide-brim offerings to determine the best hat in each category. We also considered moisture-wicking properties for those hot days on the course. Last but not least, we highlighted some iconic logos that honor the game’s tradition and past.
Staff favorite: Tilley The Iconic T1 Bucket Hat
Staff favorite: Tilley The Iconic T1 Bucket Hat
Benefits
— UPF 50+ sun protection
— Exact sizes offered
— Durable water-repellant finish
Drawbacks
— Highest-priced pick
Tilley is an excellent brand offering a guaranteed-for-life hat in exact sizes. Featuring a durable water-repellent finish and moisture-wicking properties, it’s an everyday lightweight option. It has a hidden pocket and wind strap to keep it close on windy days and has a high UPF 50+ sun protection rating. The expensive price may push some buyers away, but with its lifetime guarantee, this may be the only bucket hat you need.
Colors: 11 | Fabric: Cotton duck | Size range: 7-7 7/8
Best budget: Sunderland Golf Waterproof Wide Brim Hat
Best budget: Sunderland Golf Waterproof Wide Brim Hat
Benefits
— Waterproof
— Elastic headband for comfort
— Affordable
Drawbacks
— Overly visible branding
— Only 1 color
Bucket hats can be a sneaky choice in inclement weather for their ability to keep the rain off your face and, in this case, your neck, too. The wide-brim hat by Sunderland is a great budget choice with moisture-wicking properties and the ability to perform in the rain. Its lone colorway is black, which may not be the most appealing on hot, sunny days, but this is the hat that can be stowed in your bag easily and only pulled out for the rain if you choose.
Colors: 1 | Fabric: Polyester | Size range: S/M and L/XL
Best for the rain: Galvin Green Art Waterproof Hat
Best for the rain: Galvin Green Art Waterproof Hat
Benefits
— Extra long brim to protect the neck
— Waterproof and windproof
— Chin strap
Drawbacks
— Pricey
Galvin Green is an industry leader in foul-weather apparel, and it rises above the other choices in its own lineup of bucket hats for its extra long brim in the back to prevent the rain from running down your neck during a cold, wet round. With an elasticated sweatband for ultimate comfort and a chin strap to avoid being swept away by strong winds, the Art Hat comes in five different sizes for a snug, sure fit.
Colors: 2 | Fabric: Polyester with ePTFE membrane | Size range: S-XXL
Best for sunny days: Rhoback The Spackler
Best for sunny days: Rhoback The Spackler
Benefits
— Adjustable chin strap
— Moisture-wicking
— UPF 50+_sun protection
Drawbacks
— Small fit
— Larger brim can flip up in the wind
The Spackler is a smooth-looking hat built for sun protection with a larger-than-average front, side, and neck coverage than the others on our list. It has an adjustable chin strap for those extra windy days, but beware that the oversized brim can flip up in the wind. The nylon fabric provides breathability and excellent drying properties, and the UPF 50+ rating will keep you from burning in the sun. Reviews noted that this bucket hat tends to run small, so we suggest opting for the larger size when purchasing.
Colors: 2 | Fabric: Nylon | Size range: S/M and L/XL
Best fashion: Malbon Eagle Bucket Hat
Best fashion: Malbon Eagle Bucket Hat
Benefits
— Retro logo embroidered on the front
— Sun protective
— 4 color options
Drawbacks
—Lacks great moisture-wicking properties
Malbon’s street-style infused lineup with a slew of collaborations has provided average golfers with more flair. This fashionable bucket hat embroidered with a retro Malbon eagle on the front isn’t the most technical piece of apparel — it’ll be sopping wet on rainy days, but you can count on it to keep your ears sunburn-free on hot days. Coming in four different colorways (black, white, red, and navy), you can show off your top-tier style by rocking this look on the course.
Colors: 4 | Fabric: Cotton | Size range: S/M and L/XL
Best for a relaxed look: Birdie Juice Bucket Hat
Best for a relaxed look: Birdie Juice Bucket Hat
Benefits
— Fun logo and design
—On- or off-course wear
— Sun protection
Drawbacks
— Not as fitting for those who don’t listen to the Subpar podcast
When you want to announce that you don’t take yourself super seriously on the golf course but love the game nonetheless, the Birdie Juice Bucket Hat is the go-to choice. The design announces your fandom of Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz and their Subpar podcast for those in the know, and the cartoon logo welcomes a fun and flirty look.
Colors: 1 | Fabric: Not listed | Size range: M/L and L/XL
Best decorative logo: Arnold Palmer Men’s Imperial White Bay Hill Allover Umbrella Bucket Hat
Best decorative logo: Arnold Palmer Men’s Imperial White Bay Hill Allover Umbrella Bucket Hat
Benefits
— Signature Bay Hill umbrella logo
— Protects the head and neck from the sun
— Fun and colorful design
Drawbacks
— Only 1 design option
— 100% cotton
Arnold Palmer’s signature umbrella logo is one of the best-known logos in golf history, celebrating a legend. Made by Imperial, a leader in headwear, this bucket hat replicates a wallpaper print filled with mini umbrella graphics — all while protecting your head and neck from the scorching sun. What this lid may lack in technical features (such as rainproof fabric), it makes up for with class. This bucket hat is a fantastic choice for older and younger golfers to connect with the game’s history.
Colors: 1 | Fabric: Cotton | Size range: M-XL
Protect yourself on the course
Sun protection is more important now than ever. On top of a layer or two of sunscreen, you want a physical barrier between you and the sun. Bucket hats for golf are an ideal choice to protect your face, ears, and neck from excessive sun exposure. Playing well means having stamina in later rounds, but if you’re sun-worn, you won’t finish strong. A quality bucket hat should be breathable, packable (bounce back from bending), moisture-wicking, and/or water-repellent.
How to pick the right bucket hat for you
Pick a hat you like in terms of style, but make sure it’ll protect you from excessive sun or rain as well. If you play a lot of rounds in the summer, opt for a white hat to keep you cool and one you can easily wash. If you typically play in rainy weather, look for waterproof options with sealed seams.
Waterproof vs. regular
Many golf companies offer waterproof hats. A waterproof hat is a smart choice if you know the rain isn’t going to run you off course. Sealed seams and Gore-Tex should be the first things you look for. Bucket hats that cover your neck are ideal in these situations because they’ll repel the water away from your neck and back. A long neck brim will help keep you dry — and a bit warmer.
Cotton vs. tech fabric
Cotton is great for its breathable and lightweight properties. But it can also take on water and become heavy. Whether that moisture is sweat or rain, a bucket hat made of cotton isn’t great for overly hot or rainy days. Instead, invest in something nylon or made of technical fabric for breathability and water-repellent qualities.
Fashion vs. function
Golf fashion has significantly evolved in the last five or so years, and the bucket hat is a centerpiece of that. Not many bucket hats offer the best of both worlds in this regard, aside from our top choice from Tilley. But everyone likes to flash some personality on the golf course. The most fashionable hats typically don’t double as functional pieces for poor weather, so keep that in mind and pick accordingly.
FAQ
Can you wear a bucket hat for golf?
Of course — and you should! It’s easy to neglect the ears when applying sunscreen, and therefore, they burn most quickly. Bucket hats help mitigate the damaging effects of the sun on both your ears and neck.
Why do golfers wear bucket hats?
Some golfers like wearing bucket hats simply for the hipster look and to show off their style. Others like them for their sun-protecting or moisture-wicking properties.
Can PGA players wear bucket hats?
Yes, but few do, except “Full Swing” star Joel Dahmen.
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