Written by Michael VanDerLaan
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So you love golf, but you're nervous about the damage the sun is doing to your skin. In addition to using sunscreen, having a quality hat for sun protection is a great way to enjoy a great round with some peace of mind.
Best Overall
Titleist men's tour wide brim sun hat
Best Men's/women's
coolibar matchplay golf hat
Our favorite
titleist men's stadry golf bucket hat
One of the greatest things about the game of golf is you get to enjoy the great outdoors. How often these days do most people get outside for several hours straight - either solo or with their buddies?
One of the most prominent reasons golfers wear hats is to protect their faces and necks from the sun. If you're not careful, it can definitely sneak up on you, and the first line of defense is not leaving home without a proper sun hat for the golf course.
Types Of Golf Hats For Sun Protection
In order to get the most sun protection out of your golf hat, you have to branch out a little bit and borrow from some styles that have already been perfected by other outdoor enthusiasts. The three most common types of golf hats for sun protection are the bucket hat, the wide brim sun hat, and the straw hat.
Each of these hats favor different materials, and give very different looks ranging from “sporty” to “pure class.”
Some favor a more packable design that can be thrown in a bag or the trunk without thinking twice, while some can trend towards being more collectable pieces that you could just as easily wear for a tropical night out on the town.
That said, all three have one thing in common: they provide full sun protection from the front, sides, and back of the hat at all times. That’s the basic criteria, but even inside that design, we’ll find many different looks and options to choose from.
Bucket Hats
Your standard-issue bucket hat has long been the choice of many golfers, but has shifted from a kind of Caddyshack gag piece to a competitive fashion statement in recent years. Overall it is functional, proven, and if it’s good enough for PGA Tour winner Joel Dahmen, it’s good enough for anybody.
Bucket hats are more likely to feature a chinstrap for windy conditions and be made from water-resistant or stretchy material. The other main feature is that most of these hats are collapsible and some can even be machine washed.
Wide Brim Sun Hats
Golf Gear Advisor staff member John VanDerLaan with his caddy Matt Achatz
Another option is the classic wide brim hat. An absolute staple in equatorial climates ranging from Southeast Asia to Southern Alabama, you’ll see different variations of this hat that suit any look from the “rugged outdoorsman” to the “southern belle.”
Wide brimmed hats are a favorite of a lot of pro caddies out there that are looking for protection from the sun.
RELATED: How To Wash Golf Hats
Straw Hats
For a truly gentlemanly throwback look, or a nod to your favorite Aussie superstar, the engineering marvel that is the straw hat has still yet to be dethroned by the modern textiles industry.
Whether you want to channel The Slammer or your inner Greg Norman (or just want to save a few drops of sweat) you can’t go wrong with this tried-and-true staple.
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Best Overall: Titleist Men's Tour Wide Brim Sun Hat
If you want a one-and-done no-brainer choice, this is the model made popular by your favorite PGA Tour players when they want to stay “made in the shade.”
It checks all the boxes functionally, and provides a little bit larger and firmer brim than what a bucket hat would provide.
This also gives it a more “serious” look. Throw in a removable chin strap and a hidden inner pocket and we can see why this hat was made for Titleist’s playing pros.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that Titleist is best on the market when it comes to golf equipment. The Men's Tour Wide Brim Sun Hat is no exception to that rule. This hat is the perfect mix of look and function to keep your skin cool and safe.
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Titleist won’t put a product out on the market with their signature without giving it that “pro” signature style. Their products are always pure class.
The only drawback to this hat is that you’re going to pay for arguably the top brand in golf. This is one of those cases that you get what you pay for. Between the durability and reliability of the Tour Wide Brim, there is truly no better hat for those hot and sunny days on the course.
Best Men’s/Women’s: Coolibar Matchplay Golf Hat
The Matchplay Golf Hat is another hat specifically designed to be worn when you play golf.
Brought to you by the Coolibar brand, it will present a significant savings over some competitors while still offering an ultra-soft, breathable, and well-made woven design.
Also featuring UPF 50+ and coming in several different sizes to choose from, it’s guaranteed to keep any dome protected from a scorching while out on the course.
We were especially impressed with the number of size options and the additional drawstring that makes the Matchplay perfect for any head size. Whether you play the tips or the ladies tees, this is truly one of the best golf hats out there.
Related: Best Golf Hats For Big Heads
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The Coolibar Matchplay Golf Hat isn’t going to set you back as much as a more heavily-logo’d option. It provides fantastic coverage with a brim extending to 4 inches in some parts.
While there is no chinstrap on these amazing sun hats, the drawstring that helps you find the perfect fit for your head can be tightened around your chin. If you like to play on windy days, too, this hat isn't going anywhere!
Just make sure to order the right size, and you’ll find this hat delivers all the performance you’d want out of a sun-protective golf hat.
This is the ideal golf hat for men or women to wear golfing.
Henschel Hat Company has been in business since 1947.
With their Aussie Breezer, they offer a great twist on a classic wide brim hat design. This hat thrives in the heat, offering the ultimate breathability with a mesh cotton design that mimics a straw hat style.
The big advantage here is that unlike a straw hat, this design is crushable and packable and can go in your golf or travel bag.
This may not be the style for everybody, but if your search for the best golf hat is purely based on function, you can't go wrong with the Aussie Breezer.
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If you’re looking for maximum sun protection on the golf course while maintaining breathability, this cotton design literally cannot be beat.
You also don’t have to worry about babying it between rounds like you might with a stiffer straw hat. Crush it up and store it in the big pocket of your golf bag so that you're always prepared for those high-UV days!
With a UPF 50+ rating and a 3-inch brim all around, the Aussie Breezer has you covered.
The Pacific Co. Men's Soaker is a more budget play on the “Aussie” design, which features a wide brim but with breathable mesh at the top.
This hat’s brim is slightly smaller than some others at 2 3/4 inches. It comes in a polyester/nylon design that has its own advantages when it comes to durability and easy cleaning - just wipe it off, dirt doesn't seem to stick.
Most of all it’s going to leave an extra $10-$20 in your wallet when it’s all said and done compared to some of our other featured hats.
If you want a quality hat for the course, but you're only going to wear it occasionally and want to save money, this is the hat for you!
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If you want a no-muss, no-fuss hat that isn’t going to break the bank, this might be your best option.
It’s going to provide great functionality if you’re looking to switch up styles or only find yourself needing crazy sun protection once in a while.
The Men's Soaker is also the perfect hat to see if you like the style. You will receive a quality Aussie-type hat for a relatively small chunk of change.
If you plan on really heavily relying on a hat to keep the intense sun away, it might be worth investing in a hat with more features or different materials than this one.
Best Bucket Hats For Sun Protection
Let's talk about bucket hats. Here is a style that has been making a comeback in recent years both on the course and in casual attire.
With a smaller brim that is angled down to, most bucket hats double in function as both a sun-protective hat and a rain hat. We love them, and we compiled a list of the best bucket hats for sun protection.
If bucket hats are your thing, look no further that the Titleist StaDry. While it doesn't offer as much sun protection as the Titleist Tour Wide Brim, it does protect the ears, face and back of the neck.
It is a very comfortable, lightweight hat that is a top pick from golfers around the world.
It is also waterproof, so it is ideal for those wet, rainy days on the course.
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As the popularity of golf continues to grow, we see more and more golfers going to the bucket hat.
The one that they choose most often is the Titleist StaDry Bucket hat. It is the ideal choice for bucket hat lovers.
Callaway rings in with their bucket hat offering, and it’s a good one.
Going for maximum style, this hat leaves a few of the extra bells and whistles at home in favor of a simple, crisp, and functional design. Coming in two neutral colors, this is a strictly fitted hat which offers fantastic sun protection without a bunch of other gadgets to worry about.
It’s very similar to the Titleist line except they have added laser perforations for some extra airflow.
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Callaway comes in strong in the sun protection game with their take on the bucket hat.
A very modern and elegant look is a change of pace for the company, and they’ve pulled it off well. The Callaway Golf Hat is very simple and sturdy hat that will serve anyone well who doesn’t want to play with a lot of drawstrings, chinstraps, and other fringe features.
Check out this classic from one of the most respected brands in golf for a basic version of the growing bucket hat style.
There’s a curveball here in that this hat from MISSION is designed to be dipped in water, wrung out, and the material should drop to 30 degrees below the ambient temperature. A real treat on those extra-hot desert days!
Overall, even without that it functions as an ideal bucket hat, featuring a chinstrap as well as ventilation holes all while being able to fold it up and toss it in your bag before or after a round.
MISSION is one of our favorite brands for the hot summers in Southern Florida. We absolutely love the cooling ability of their products, and we think you will too!
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This is the perfect bucket hat for somebody who wants an extra hat or wants to be able to pull something out of their golf bag to bail themselves out in a pinch.
It really does offer everything you’d want for a fraction of the price, you just have to go without the moniker of your favorite PGA Tour brands.
If a good quality bucket hat that provides both sun protection and cooling features for hot days on the course sounds like you, then don't waste any more time! Get your's ASAP!
Best Straw Hats For Sun Protection
Now this style is a classic. From Byron Nelson to Sam Snead, and even a young Tiger Woods, straw hats are a long time favorite of some of the game's best players.
And even better, they provide massive coverage for the best sun protection. Here are the best straw hats that we were able to find that will keep you cool under pressure... and the sun!
This Stetson Gambler Straw Hat is made from 100% seagrass and comes in a few sizes to fit your needs, but will also stretch slightly if you need it.
A classic design, it is accented with a genuine leather head band and, unlike the straw hats your grandfather wore, this has UPF 50 protective inserts in the brim and crown to make it a true sun protection hat for the golf course.
We know, not everyone can pull of the straw hat. But we think this hat from Stetson may change some outlooks and revamp some styles!
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The Stetson brand speaks for itself, and if you can pull off this epic, understated, “gambler’s crown” look then this is the piece for you.
Whether you look up to the greats of golf past, or you're just looking for something new to spice things up on the first tee, rest easy knowing you’ll have that throwback style with modern UPF50 protection.
If you’ve ever wanted to go out in a tropical location and want to absolutely ooze that “Caribbean-yet-sophistocated” style, Panama Jack has always been waiting there, ready to deliver just that.
The brand is synonymous with a high-end good time, and there’s no better place to bring that than to the golf course.
The only drawback of this hat looking so great is it’s going to have a slightly smaller brim than most of its competitors, entering the market with a 2 ½” reach.
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This hat will get the job done, and you will sure look good doing it. It’s just going to leave you slightly more exposed from some low angles, allowing you to work on that island tan without getting totally burnt.
We love to mix it up a little when it comes to style on the golf course, and this is the perfect hat to do just that!
This high-top option from Stetson brings in a little bit more of that West Texas look to your weekend foursome while still providing plenty of amenities.
By far the most open-top design we’ve seen, it still provides full UV protection with a solid crown. The signature here is the style, with a woven leather accent band and a 4.5” high pinched crown.
The combination of features here makes this the “coolest” hat on our list in more ways than one!
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At the end of the day this hat really provides as much function as it does form. No matter what you shoot you’ll be able to ride off into the sunset with confidence ― and a sweat-free noggin.
Not only is this a great hat for sun protection, it fits on bigger heads too! If you need a hat that fits bigger heads and straw isn't your style, let us help you find your new favorite!
Final Thoughts
The game of golf and great weather go hand-in-hand. Fortunately, that has produced a lot of solutions to the sun protection problem when it comes to golf hats. In fact, the baseball-style hat is a relatively modern occurrence in the game, while long days out in the intense sun are not.
RELATED: Golfing In Jeans: Can You wear Denim To Play Golf?
Modern equipment manufacturers have borrowed classic styles and married them with high-tech breathable fabrics and UPF coatings to make the sun protection of best hats more effective than ever. All you really have to do is pick which look you want to emulate - whether you want to go for the Mr. Snead or Mr. Spackler - and you’ll be more than ready to let your game shine all summer long.
RELATED: Golf Essentials For Beginners
