So you have your golf clothing sorted, trousers, shirts and shoes but what about the hat? It’s probably one of the most underrated items of apparel but we should definitely move it up the list of priorities for a number of reasons. Firstly, the best men’s wide brims hats offer much better sun protection compared to a baseball cap or flat cap.
Secondly, wearing a comfortable but stylish hat that makes you feel good can help with confidence. Most golfers like to good on the course – but knowing that your sun hat protects you from harmful UV rays and matches the rest of you golfing attire sure does add an extra 1% to the feel-good factor!
Why Should You Be Wearing a Golf Sun Hat?
As specified earlier, one of the primary reasons that professional and amateur golf players wear wide brim hats is to protect their eyes and face from the sun.
Another reason is to see and hit the golf ball more accurately with a clear line of sight from looking down the club shaft right on to the top of the golf ball. A good hat will not interfere with this process and you should hardly notice that you are wearing a hat at all.
But knowing that your wide brim hat is blocking out the sun to protect your face, back of the neck and eyes in order for you to see that ball without squinting can be a real game-changer on the course!
Now it is the time to go through the most popular wide brim golf hat available in the market.
Top 5 Best Men’s Wide Brim Golf Hats for 2020
We have searched for the best-golfing clothing suppliers online and have found 5 terrific golf hats that offer something for everyone including men, juniors, amateurs, professional players and seniors alike.
1. Coolibar UPF 50 Wide Brim Golf Hat
Recommended by The Skin Cancer Foundation for sun protection this hat covers the three most essential factors: the shape of the brim, size of the brim and construction materials that give it our overall #1 pick for best wide brim golf hat for men in 2020.
Well, the brim of the Coolibar sun hat range somewhere between 3 inches and 5 inches and the shape is oval. Hence, it can successfully block the ultraviolet radiation.
The industry-leading fabrics used are breathable, soft, lightweight, stretchable, anti-microbial, moisture resistant and water repellent.
Features:
- UPF 50+ thus capable of blocking about 98% of the sun’s rays.
- Machine washable and fast dry performance.
- Inbuilt elastic drawcord for a proper fit.
- Foamy sweatband to keep the sweat from rolling down on to your face.
- Eco-friendly.
- Versatile – can be worn by men and women.
Pros:
The chief advantage of Coolibar UPF 50 Wide Brim Golf Hat is its canopy-like brim that keeps most of the sunlight at bay but does not obstruct the vision in any way.
This sun hat is also designed for providing maximum comfort, looks great and in hot weather does a great job of restricting sweat from falling on to the face thanks to the water-absorbent sweatband.
Cons:
The Coolibar UPF 50 is not the cheapest on the market but offers good value for money. It’s built to last and can be machine washed without the worry of shrinking in the wash. Younger players might prefer a bucket or boonie hat.
Their slogan says it all “Sun Protection You Wear”. This hat is made with fibers that are permanently embedded with titanium dioxide for UPF 50+ sun protection and an oversized canopy to provide maximum protection.
2. Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Floppy Hat
With the Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Floppy Hat, you can keep the sun’s rays entirely at bay and enjoy playing golf without any sort of unnecessary distraction.
The front panel features the legendary logo of “Quiksilver® Mountain and Wave”. It is manufactured from sun repelling cotton that reflects heat and keeps the body cool.
The hat is also available in different colors and styles such as camouflage, mauve and beige.
Features:
- Fourteen inch size – suitable for most head sizes including large and fat heads!
- Hand and machine washable.
- Handy adjustable straps to help keep the hat secure in high winds.
Pros:
Besides UV protection, the Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Floppy Hat has acquired widespread popularity probably because it is durable, hypoallergenic, weatherproof, lightweight, and capable of controlling moisture.
The hat is available in variable sizes and colors including camo, khaki and grey – no matter how big or small your head is you can put it on at ease and look great!
Cons:
Although the Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster Floppy Hat is a good choice for the senior golfers, being aware of a few downsides before making the purchase helps. It is not waterproof. Also, a recent review mentioned that after washing the hat manually, its color faded a little.
Light and breathable fabric – the Bushmaster combines the protection of a wide-brim hat with comfort in the heat.
3. Dorfman Pacific Men’s Soaker Hat
The brim on this cool looking soaker hat is wide enough to obstruct the UV rays, but it does not hamper vision in any way. We really liked the elastic sweatband that is non-restrictive and offers decent protection from sweat running down the face.
Although over 50% of the material is made from Polyester, the hat is very comfortable to wear and the mesh construction enables this hat to be extremely light on the head.
Features
- The brim of the hat is made up of paper braid which features an elastic sweatband.
- Lightweight but sun-shielding side mesh lets air flow through the hat to help with cooling.
- Large, overhanging front brim keeps the sun from hitting your eyes.
Pros:
The Dorfman Pacific Men’s Soaker Hat is made up largely of polyester and has an extremely outdoorsy feel. So besides golfers, any outdoor adventure enthusiast will benefit from wearing this hat.
Thanks to the UPF 50+, the hat makes sure to provide excellent UV protection. Also, as the name soaker implies – this hat soaks up sweat even on the hottest summer days on the golf course.
Cons:
Not machine washable, this hat needs to be washed by hand to ensure that the shape and colors stay perfectly intact.
A different style from the other hats on our list, the Dorfman Pacific Soaker offers the best of both worlds. The mesh sidewall provides great ventilation to keep you cool and the brim protects you from UV rays. It has a UPF rating of 50+.
4. Ping Boonie Hat 181
The Ping Boonie is available on the market in just one size but thanks to the adjustable string, it suits any head size shape. Although the hat is available in two different colors the most popular is white and looks fantastic with a smart golf shirt or training top.
The Boonie 181 has a very wide brim that includes aerated mesh on the sides to allow the air to flow through the hat and alleviate sweating as much as possible. To finish, the Ping logo is displayed prominently but not obtrusively on the right-hand side.
Features
- Adjustable sizing via simple draw cord toggle.
- Attractive design featuring the famous “PING” logo.
- Available in two colors, classic white and grey.
- Full circle wide brim design.
Pros:
One of the most significant advantages of the Ping Boonie Hat has other other golf sun hats is that it’s both lightweight and durable – perfect for not getting in the way when you are taking a shot!
Made from 100% polyester with breathable, laser-cut holes fitted into the side of the hat, this Boonie appeals to all ages and both men and women. This hat would also make the perfect gift as it has an adjustable strap toggle to ensure it fits all head sizes from small to extra large.
Cons:
Some online reviews indicate that in strong winds the hat is not as secure as others and prone to blowing off.
You would be more comfortable with a brand with a proven history of creating great golf products? PING offers the Boonie hat. Its wide brim provides ample protection and is designed with a drawstring for comfort fitting.
5. Columbia Unisex Booney Hat
One of the most affordable of our protection recommendations, the Columbia Booney 13 inch wide brim hat features built-in UPF 50, an ultra-sweat-wicking headband, and a mesh vent panel for hours on the course. Columbia is known for making great outdoor gear for the last 80 years.
Take advantage of the Columbia wicking material, which is formulated to soak up and reduce sweat build up running down on to the forehead and there are several color options including white, grey navy blue, green and maroon.
Features
- UPF 50 rated material.
- Adjustable drawcard at the back of the hat – fits all head sizes.
- Sizeable mesh vents on the side to allow fresh air to pass through unrestricted.
- Stiff, reinforced brim 1.3 mm thick.
- Selection of different colors.
- Machine washable.
Pros:
The brim of the hat is very stiff and would stand up to stiff breeze on the golf course. Despite this it flattens down very well and fits perfectly in the golf bag without taking up too much space.
Combine these two pluses with the fact it has a good UPF 50 rating and is produced by a well-known brand with hundreds of very good independent reviews make this hat a welcome addition to any golfers attire.
Cons:
Let’s be honest – It is not as stylish as the other hats available on the market. So, forget looking like a golf pro with this hat.
What Should I Look for in a Wide Brim Hat?
If you start talking to the average golfer about hazards, they will bring up lakes, creeks, bunkers, rivers, or they might even tell you they are called “penalty areas” now.
Most will forget to mention the only one that can impact their health, not their score. Who doesn’t love playing 18 holes (or maybe even 36) on a beautiful sunny day? We just need to make sure we are protecting ourselves from sunburn or even skin cancer.
The Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that for every hour on the course the recreational golfer receives 3.5 to 5.4 times the amount of UV radiation required to develop a sunburn.
Several PGA and LPGA professionals have been treated for skin cancer, including Jimmy Walker and Adam Scott. Adam Scott had a procedure to remove a Basil Cell Carcinoma in 2011 that required 30 stitches, he commented: “It looked like I had been in a bar fight”.
How do we reduce this risk?
The American Cancer Society uses the catchphrase “Slip, Slop, Slap”. Slip on a shirt. Slop on sunscreen. Slap on a hat. Let’s focus on slapping on the right hat. A wide-brim hat provides the best protection and coverage from the sun’s UV rays.
The good news – wide brim hats have evolved since Greg Norman wore his famous black straw headwear. Several things to consider when shopping for a Wide Brim golf hat:
- Comfort – does it fit securely and comfortably on your head.
- Size – is it too big? Does it bother you when you swing?
- UV radiation – does it include technology to block UV rays?
- Stylish – does it make you look good?
- Temp – can you wear it warm weather or do you live a cooler climate? If so, this may not be a critical attribute.
Over the last several years, the demand for sun protection in the form of wide-brim hats has increased significantly and with that demand, more options exist.
Have Fun but Play Safe!
All golfers love being outside on a warm sunny day, but we need to be careful when spending hours on the course. We can’t forget about the biggest hazard of being able to play the game we love.
Suntan lotion is a must and a wide-brim hat provides significantly more protection than your average “baseball” hat or visor.
The good news is that with additional demand from the golf community comes additional options. You will be able to find a hat that fits your personal style and allows you to comfortably swing the club.
We have highlighted a handful of products above, but there are others. Review these products and make a choice – you won’t regret it.
Just remember – Slip, Slop, Slap and enjoy a lifetime in the fairways with our best wide brim golf hats for men in 2020.