7 Best Golf Hats for Sun Protection 2023 (Wide Brim & Bucket)

Updated
golf sun hats for sun protection

Golfers love the sun because there’s nothing better than playing your favorite course with some friends and taking in some natural vitamin D from the rays.  However, too much sun can be an awful thing for golfers.  Nothing will ruin a weekend faster than a horrible sunburn.

Sunburns aren’t just uncomfortable either.  A nasty sunburn can increase the risk of skin cancer and other serious health conditions. So, in addition to wearing high-quality sunscreen and sunglasses, golfers can also protect themselves by choosing a golf hat that will shield them from the sun.

For this article, the main focus will be on wide brim hats and bucket hats.  Traditional baseball caps are fine but don’t provide the added protection often needed during an afternoon round.  If you’re not sure which golf hat to buy, this article will be a huge help to you.

Best Golf Hats for Sun Protection: Our Top Choices

Before getting to the entire list, here are the best golf hats for sun protection in 2023:

Review of the 7 Best Golf Sun Hats of 2023

1. Einskey Sun Hat (Best Overall)

Best Overall
EINSKEY Sun Hat
$16.99 $13.99

Einskey may not be a popular golf brand like Titleist or Callaway, but these folks make the perfect wide brim golf hat. The Einskey sun hat provides a vast amount of coverage for the golfer’s face and neck area. This hat breathes well, looks stylish, and repels water during rainy rounds of golf.

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03/20/2024 05:02 pm GMT

For the best combination of sun protection, affordability, and comfort, look no further than the Einskey sun hat.  Einskey offers this hat in nine different colors and two good-looking styles. The adjustable chin cord is helpful for those extremely windy days on the course.

The Einskey sun hat is casual enough to wear both on the course and around town.  It also looks great on both men and women.  Another nice feature is that this hat folds up easily without warping the shape, making it easier to fit inside a golf bag.

  • Highly Rated: 4.6 stars out of 5 with 15,362 total reviews
  • Sun and Rain Protection:  Great face coverage and is water-resistant enough to handle even the harshest rain storms
  • Absorbs Sweat:  Nice built-in sweatband absorbs sweat to keep it out of your eyes 
  • Breathes Well:  Two-sided mesh vent near the top keeps your head cool 
  • Versatility:  Can be used for other outdoor activities like camping, fishing, hiking, or bike riding

2. Connectyle Outdoor Mesh Sun Hat (Best Value)

Best Value
Connectyle Outdoor Mesh Sun Hat
$14.99

The Connectyle sun hat is one of the most affordable options on the market today. The mesh lining around the top helps keep golfers from getting too hot and sweating to death! If you need a quality golf hat at a meager price, this could be the perfect choice for you.

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03/10/2024 11:15 am GMT

The Connectyle sun hat has some of the same great features that the Einskey brand has, but it’s a few bucks cheaper.  Golfers who bought the Connectyle sun hat rave about how comfortable it is on the course.  This hat is also lightweight, which further adds to the comfort level.

The only negative about this hat is that some people have complained that Amazon shipped the hat with the bill firmly bent.  However, it appears that this issue has been resolved, and the manufacturer even offers a full refund if this happens.

  • Excellent UV Protection:  The wide brim does a good job of blocking the sun while on the golf course
  • Something for Everyone:  Available in 12 vibrant colors
  • Different Bill Options:  You are able to wear the bill flat or can snap it on the sides to wear it up
  • High Ranking:  4.2 stars out of 5 with 61% of folks rating it 5 stars
  • One Size Fits All

3. Under Armour Men’s Iso-chill Armourvent (Best Bucket Hat)

Best Bucket Hat
Under Armour Men's Iso-chill ArmourVent Bucket Hat
$32.00 $27.58

If you prefer a bucket hat instead of a wide brim, Under Armour offers a phenomenal option. I’ve worn this bucket hat during the hottest parts of the summer, and it has done a wonderful job of keeping me cool. The Iso-Chill sweatband sends a cooling sensation around your head, which is a great feature to have on a scorching afternoon on the links.

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03/09/2024 04:45 pm GMT

Under Armour is one of the most trusted names in the sporting goods industry, and they’ve done a fabulous job with this bucket hat.  If you want to rock a bucket hat like PGA golfer Joel Dahmen, this is probably the hat you want to buy.  As with most Under Armour products, the price tag is a little steep, but the comfort and quality are unmatched.

  • Easy to Wash:  Throw this bad boy into the washing machine after a round of golf without the fear of any damage
  • Armourvent Technology:  lighter and faster drying than any bucket hat on the market which makes it perfect for golfers who are heavy sweaters
  • Iso-Chill Sweatband:  This patented sweatband provides a one of a kind cooling sensation that no other bucket hat offers
  • Premium Comfort: If you’ve ever worn Under Armour tennis shoes, you know that these folks know how to provide comfortable products
  • Available in 4 different sizes

4. Henschel Hats Aussie Breezer 5310 Cotton Mesh Hat

Henschel Hats Aussie Breezer 5310 Cotton Mesh Hat

If you want a wide brim golf hat that looks similar to what PGA legend Greg “The Shark” Norman used to wear, this is a great choice for you! The Henschel Hat Company has been making premium quality hats for over 70 years.

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If you want a wide brim golf hat that looks similar to what PGA legend Greg “The Shark” Norman used to wear, this is a great choice for you!  The Henschel Hat Company has been making premium quality hats for over 70 years.  It’s hard to argue with a brand that has stood the test of time.

This hat has a relaxed feel to it and a sharp overall look. The Henschel Aussie Breezer also provides top-of-the-line sun protection as its UPF rating is 50+.  This hat is rated #4 on Amazon’s list of Men’s Outdoor Recreation Hats and is #11 overall in the Men’s Sun Hats category.

  • High Level of Comfort:  55% Polyester and 45% Cotton
  • Classy Look:  Works well on the course and in the country club bar after your round is over
  • Wide Brim:  3” brim provides plenty of coverage that will help prevent sunburns
  • Available in 5 Colors:  Gold, Natural, Earth, Olive, Khaki
  • Lightweight:  At only 6.4 ounces this hat won’t weigh you down

5. Titleist Men’s Tour Aussie Sun Hat

Titleist Men's Tour Aussie Sun Hat
$64.95

If you’re a loyal Titleist enthusiast, this Aussie golf hat will be right up your alley. The price tag is a bit high, but Titleist makes quality golf apparel, so this hat should last you a long time. Lots of reviewers have commented about how well this hat fits their head.

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03/09/2024 09:45 pm GMT

If you’re a loyal Titleist enthusiast, this Aussie golf hat will be right up your alley.  The price tag is a bit high, but Titleist makes quality golf apparel, so this hat should last you a long time.  Lots of reviewers have commented about how well this hat fits their head.

This hat is one size fits all, but it comes with a handy adjustment tool on the inside to make it easy to find the perfect fit.  The only negative is you have to hand wash this hat and can’t just throw it in the washing machine like some other golf hats.

  • Great Coverage from the Sun:  6” brim width
  • Available in (7) two-tone colors:  Bone/Black, Grey/Royal, White/Black, White/Grey, White/Blue, White/Navy, White/Teal
  • Highly Rated:  203 reviews give this hat an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.  81% of folks gave it 5 stars!
  • Reputable Brand:  Titleist has been around since 1932 so you know you’re getting a quality product

6. Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney

Columbia Unisex Adult Bora Bora Booney
$30.00 $24.21

What’s nice about the Bora Bora is that you get a name-brand hat for only around $20. Columbia may not be a known golf brand, but they’ve been a mainstay in the clothing industry for a long time. The mesh vent is in just the right spot on the hat to keep you cool during even the hottest of summer days.

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03/10/2024 05:45 am GMT

I used to think that Columbia only made those popular fleece jackets that they are best known for.  However, after receiving one of these beauties as a birthday gift, I realized I had been missing out on a great golf hat.  The nylon material holds up very well during those annoying pop-up rain showers on the course.

What’s nice about the Bora Bora is that you get a name-brand hat for only around $20.  Columbia may not be a known golf brand, but they’ve been a mainstay in the clothing industry for a long time.  The mesh vent is in just the right spot on the hat to keep you cool during even the hottest of summer days.

  • Omni Shade Technology:  Provides UPF 50 protection by blocking harmful UVA and UVB sun rays
  • Sweat Wicking Headband:  You’ll never have to worry about sweat getting in your eyes while hitting a shot
  • Unisex:  Looks great on both men and women
  • Highly Rated:  Ranked #2 in Women’s Bucket Hats and #4 in Men’s Hats and Caps; Average Rating of 4.7 with 11,915 total reviews
  • Amazingly Comfortable:  At only 3.68 ounces, this hat won’t weight your head down at all

7. TaylorMade Men’s Bucket Hat

TaylorMade Men’s Bucket Hat
$29.99

If you want a simple but effective bucket hat, TaylorMade offers this great option at a reasonable price.

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03/09/2024 03:10 pm GMT

If you want a simple but effective bucket hat, TaylorMade offers this great option at a reasonable price.  This hat is made of 91% polyester and 9% spandex.  The small amount of spandex helps create just the right fit, no matter what size your head is.

The only downside of this hat is that it is only available in black.  Black-colored clothing tends to hold heat in instead of repelling it.  This means that it may not be the best choice for your rounds of golf in the dog days of August.

  • Stretch Fit:  The spandex material helps this bucket hat stay in place even on those windy days on the course
  • Water Resistant:  Holds up well during a light rain drizzle
  • Great Brand:  TaylorMade is an immensely popular choice for golfers of all skill levels
  • Sleek Logo:  The Taylormade logo really pops on the front of the hat and the back features the word Storm

What are the top features to look for when buying a golf hat?

Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding on which golf hat to buy:

  1. Coverage:  How much sun coverage do you need?  If you have a natural olive-type skin tone, you may be able to get away with a traditional bucket hat with not that wide of a brim.  If your natural skin tone is fairer, it’s probably better to go with as wide of a brim as possible to further cover your face and neck.
  2. UV Protection:  It can take four or five hours to play 18 holes.  This is a lot of time in the hot summer sun’s dangerous UV rays, leading to some nasty sunburns.  When deciding on a golf hat, look for ones that have a high UPF rating.
  3. Adjustable Straps:  Golf hats usually come with some sort of adjustable straps.  Some golfers love the straps because it allows them to tighten up the cap on windy days.  However, I always remove the chin straps because they distract me when I’m trying to hit a shot on the course.
  4. Comfort:  Your golf hat must be comfortable to wear during any type of weather condition.  If your hat isn’t comfortable, you’ll probably take it off after a few holes and end up with a sunburn.  A golf hat that is made out of lightweight material is usually a good choice.
  5. Fit:  You want a golf hat that fits snug enough not to blow off your head but not so tight that it leaves red marks.  Most golf hats are one size fits all, but if the brand you choose is not, be sure to measure your head size.
  6. Sweat Wicking:  Since you’ll be wearing your golf hat during the hottest months of the year, you want a hat that will wick sweat away from your face and eyes.  Also, make sure the hat you buy will breathe well.  When I go to buy a new bucket hat, I only look at ones that have built-in vents to promote good airflow.
  7. Look:  You should like how you look in whatever golf hat you decide to buy.  Let’s be honest.  No one wants to look weird on the golf course.  How you look affects how you feel, and how you feel affects how you play.
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Joe Morelli

Joe Morelli is the founder of TopRankGolf, a passionate golfer with decades of experience playing this amazing sport. He's dedicated to helping golfers learn, improve and enjoy the game of golf.