12 Men’s Best Golf Hats for Sun Protection + Buyers Guide

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If you have had skin cancer, you know the importance of having the best golf hats for sun protection. Read on to know our must-have golf sun hats for men.

Did you know that UV radiation in sunlight is the cause of over 80 percent of skin cancer cases? That is alarming when considering the fact that most golfers are continuously out in the sun.

Sunglasses and sunscreen go a long way toward keeping you safe against the harmful effects of UV rays, but there might be times when you want something more substantial than just a pair of sunglasses. And that’s where hats come in.

Sun protection is vital for most amateur and professional players alike. With that in mind, here’s a quick guide to the men’s best golf hats for sun protection you can buy today. 

12 Best Sun Protection Hats For Golfers

With great precision, our team compiled a list of sun protection hats for enthusiastic golfers. This ten-product list has its basis around the function, price-to-value ratio, and availability. 

By the end of this article, you’ll be aware of all the attributes a premium sun protection hat has. Therefore, assessing whether a product is perfect for you will be easy.

Let’s jump right into the compilation of the men’s best golf hats for sun protection:

Adidas Men’s Victory 4 Golf Bucket Hat

Adidas Men's Victory 4 Bucket Hat; best golf hats for sun protection

Starting from a well-known brand, the first product is 100% polyester. The Adidas Men’s Victory 4 Bucket Hat has a decent brim width, providing UPF 50 sun protection. 

Furthermore, it has a special moisture wicking headband and an adjustable chinstrap that enhances comfort. For that reason, the hat is going nowhere if you drive the cart a bit too fast or swing the club with a lump of force. 

The Adidas Golf Bucket Hat color options include:

  • Blue
  • White
  • Black
  • Grey
  • Core Tiger Black

PROS

  • Affordable
  • Extremely Ventilated
  • Drawstring Closure

CONS

  • Not machine washable
  • The moisture wicking headband can be a bit floppy

Read some of the rave reviews by golf players:

“Nice look – nice price….I use this hat on the golf course and I am happy to say it looks great even after storing it away in the golf bag. Very lightweight.”

– David, (Adidas Golf Hat review)

Coolibar UPF 50+ Matchplay Golf Hat – Sun Protective

Coolibar UPF 50+ Matchplay Golf Hat Sun Protective; best golf hats for sun protection.  Shown in grey with white band

Coolibar is one of the best brands for all types of sun protection clothing and accessories. They have stylish golf and everyday clothes to make it easy to avoid harmful sun rays.

The Coolibar UPF 50+ Matchplay Golf Hat is a unisex golf hat with extra protection against UVA and UVB rays. The 100 percent polyester fabric used in it is really soft and lightweight. Therefore it gives a finishing feel of cotton. 

Besides that, being lightweight, it is extremely comfortable to wear. The mesh plate and considerably large holes keep the airflow constant and help to keep your head cool. Therefore, you can use these for longer periods without worrying about discomfort. 

Coolibar Matchplay Hat color options:

  • Black & Carbon
  • Silver & White
  • Stone & Navy
  • Tan & Kayak
  • White & Carbon

PROS

  • Lightweight foam brim
  • Elastic cord to toggle adjustable straps
  • Internal band
  • Multiple colors
  • Ultra soft comfortable feel

CONS

  • Handwash only
  • Not water repellent
  • Limited breathability

Read the excellent reviews by golfers:

“My husband had been looking for another hat that would protect him from the sun and stay on while golfing. We read the info about this hat and promptly ordered it. He has loved it. It is cool, protects him well, doesn’t fly off when the wind picks up, and it looks sharp. This is an excellent purchase! He’s very pleased. He picked the tan/khaki color.”

– Neici, (Coolibar, Best Golf Hats for Sun Protection review)

Nike UV Golf Bucket Hat

Nike UV Golf Bucket Hat

Nike Golf Bucket Hat uses special dry-fit technology to supply protection and comfort simultaneously. It also has UV protection which makes it one of our top choices for best golf hats for sun protection.

The golf hat does not have another color option available. However, the overall presentation of this product is simple and minimal.

The upper head circumference has a perforated material ideal for ventilating airflow. The Nike Bucket Hat helps block UPF 50 ultraviolet rays and almost 98 percent of their intensity. 

Besides laser perforated holes, special vents on the side take breathability and comfort up a notch.

PROS

  • Adjustable straps
  • 360-degree brim coverage
  • Drawstring Closure
  • Dri-Fit technology

CONS

  • Pricey
  • No broad color options to choose from on this bucket hat

Read some of the 5-star reviews by golfers:

“Comfortable, durable, with sun protection! …Love this bucket hat I picked up a couple months back. It serves as a great hat to wear on many different occasions, for example the beach, a pool party, golfing, yard work or anywhere you may be looking for some head and neck cover!”

– Shawn, (Sun Protective Golf Bucket Hat by Nike review)

Sunday Afternoons Charter Hat

Sunday Afternoons Charter Hat

The Sunday Afternoons Charter Hat is 100% nylon and looks like a cowboy hat. The brim shape is also somewhat oval, referred to as semi-circular, covering extra-shady space. So, it helps to protect from the sun much better.  

The hat also has an internal moisture wicking headband to keep it hygienic. Besides that, there is slipstream ventilation on the outer headband. 

It isn’t as good as a perforated headband, but it still serves the purpose to some extent. 

The grade of sun protection involves UPF 50 rays safety. Besides that, the hat is stain and water-resistant. Therefore, you won’t have to wash it again and again as it isn’t getting dirty so easily. 

PROS

  • Nylon material
  • Semi-circular brim
  • Floatable foam core
  • Moisture wicking headband
  • Stain resistant

CONS

  • Not as breathable 
  • Not machine washable

Adidas Men’s UPF Golf Sun Hat

Adidas Men's UPF Golf Sun Hat, Golfing Hats with Sun Protection

Adidas Men’s UPF Golf Sun Hat has a much wider brim radius, covers more area, and protects from sunlight with extra perfection. However, the material used in it is the same, polyester. 

There isn’t a specific moisture-wicking band specified, but the material used is water-absorbent. Thus, it can absorb the sweat from the body and touch points.

Moreover, this product comes under the category of “Aero-Ready,” and you’ll feel drier as you move.

Amazon also currently offers a try-before-you-buy option for Prime members. So you can wear your hat on the golf course before you buy it!

PROS

  • Try before you buy
  • Golfing Hats with Sun Protection
  • Adjustable chin strap
  • Pre-curved brim for extra shade
  • Aero-Ready product

CONS

  • No proper ventilation mesh
  • Very large wide brim hat that may bother your golf swing

Titleist Golf Tour Aussie Hat Legacy Collection

Titleist Golf Tour Aussie Hat Legacy Collection

The Tour Aussie Hat offers complete protection against the sun despite its unusual design. The acknowledged grade of protection is more than 40 UPF. So, we can say it serves the purpose ideally, plus it goes with about every golf outfit!

The material used is stretchable and has adjustable closure making it comfortable to wear. So, even if your size is a bit short, the hat will adjust itself according to the fit.

Furthermore, the hat has a special removable chin strap. The product allows you to remove it or store it inside the built-in storage pockets.

PROS

  • Stretchable Material
  • Adjustable strip
  • Broad usage for outdoor and sports aspects
  • Premium design, wide brim hat

CONS

  • Pricey
  • No airflow mechanism for ventilation
  • Less than 50 UPF sun protection

Callaway Golf Sun Hat

Callaway Golf Sun Hat

The Callaway Golf Sun Hat offers more than 50 UPF sun rays protection. The wide brim hat has an unstructured design that is lightweight, minimal, and presentable. The material used in it is 100 percent polyester. 

The hat has an adjustable headband closure that you can use to adjust according to your desire. Moreover, it gives you a much more comfortable and compact feel while wearing.

It has an internal moisture wicking headband and perforated design that helps keep the hat breathable. 

PROS

  • Affordable, budget-friendly product
  • Extremely ventilated, breathable mesh
  • Adjustable drawstring closure

CONS

  • No color options to choose from

Read some of the fabulous reviews on this golf hat:

“If you play in the sun, this is a must have…The only thing I regret is waiting so long to own one. Fantastic protection of your face, ears and neck. It also improves your ability to follow a ball off the tee particularly into or partially into the sun. I love this hat!”

– DonaldS, (Callaway wide brim golf hats review)

PGA Tour Standard Solar Hat UPF 50 with Chin Strap

PGA Tour Standard Solar Hat UPF 50 with Chin Strap

The PGA Tour Golf Hat has one of the most minimal designs. However, it tops up any other option in features.

This wide brim hat is extremely breathable thanks to its huge perforated mesh. 

The production material involves the usage of polyester. PGA calls it a ripstop fabric that is UPF 50 sun protective. Plus, there is an extra chin strap that is adjustable using plastic gear. 

This golf hat comes in a variety of colors:

  • Peacoat Blue
  • Chili Pepper Red
  • Silver Lining
  • Duck Green
  • Caviar Black
  • Pearl Blue

PROS

  • Affordable hat
  • 360-degree massive brim
  • Massive perforated mesh 
  • Adjustable chin straps for windy days on the golf course

CONS

  • Only one size to choose from

Read what reviewers are saying:

“One of the best hats my husband is ever owned. Great looking, great fitting and if it’s windy you got the opportunity to make it stay on.”

– ElizabethT., (PGA Tour Wide Brim Hats reviews)

Dorfman Pacific Co. Soaker Hat with Mesh Sides

Dorfman Pacific Co. Soaker Hat with Mesh Sides

The Dorfman Pacific Co. Soaker has a wide brim which is ideal for a golf sun hat. Therefore, this Aussie style hat protects from the sun more ideally from harmful UV rays. This fashionable hat is one of the more stylish golf hats for sun protection.

The material used in its production is waterproof, meaning sun rays are not the only thing it can withstand.  It can be dipped into water and keep you cool! There is also an elastic inner sweatband which helps keep the hat snuggly in place on your head in most weather.

Another plus point for this hat is its breathable clothing material, made out of elastic mesh. It also has a braided trim band with mesh sides and a 2.75-inch brim for wider sun protection.

PROS

  • You can soak it in water
  • Extremely Ventilated
  • Wide Brim at 2.75 inches
  • Good quality and attractive design

CONS

  • No chin strap

Read the reviews on this golf hat:

“The hat came when expected and was exactly as described. We live in North Florida and I play golf in the heat and humidity so this hat is great both for sun protection and beating the heat…”

– Judie&Ed, (Dorfman Pacific Co., Golf Hat review)

Coolibar UPF 50+ Fore Golf Hat – Sun Protective

Coolibar UPF 50+ Fore Golf Hat - Sun Protective





The Coolibar Fore Golf Hat is our second Coolibar option for golf sun hats. This high-quality brand offers various styles to help avoid skin cancer and harmful rays with UPF 50+ protection.

One of the key features we love is the anti-glare technology under the brim to reduce reflecting off surfaces.

The golf hat is made out of 89% polyester and 11% spandex elastic. The fabric is lightweight, with an internal sweatband and laser-cut side panels to keep you cool and dry. It also has a drawcord for an adjustable fit.

You can easily fold the Coolibar Fore wide brim hat for quick storage in your golf bag.

PROS

  • Quality materials, UPF 50+
  • Extremely ventilated
  • Drawstring closure
  • Wider brim, Brim: 3 1/2 inches (front), 4 1/2 inches (back), 2 3/4 inches (sides)
  • Easy to fold into golf bag

CONS

  • Hand wash only

Quiksilver Bushmaster Floppy Visor Hat

Quiksilver Men's Bushmaster Visor Hat

Unlike the above hats, the Quiksilver Men’s Bushmaster isn’t created from synthetic fiber. On the contrary, the material used is 100% cotton, making it an organic product

Besides that, the hat’s brim isn’t very hard or compact. Rather, it has a floppy visor appearance. 

Overall, the brim is quite large with a considerable diameter. The hat has an adjustable chin strap to keep it in place and give you a comfortable fit. 

PROS

  • Affordable, floppy visor hat
  • Cotton material
  • Multiple sizes available 
  • Drawstring Closure
  • Multiple ranges of colors are available

CONS

  • Hand wash only
  • Floppy design so sun protection can be affected

Einskey Sun Protective Hat

Einskey Sun Hat

If budget is your driving factor, then look no further than Einskey Sun Hat for wide brim hats. With close to 30,000 views, this highly-rated accessory has been well-received with many 5-star reviews!

However, for golfers, it may be too wide, depending on your golf swing. The dimensions are 3.7-3.9 inch wide brim.

Every inch of this water-repellent sun hat is geared to keep you comfortable on hot days and away from harmful rays. There’s the extra wide, lightweight brim with mesh panels to keep the air flowing underneath. There is also a built-in sweatband that soaks up perspiration. Don’t forget it is 50+ UPF!

The adjustable chin cord helps keep your hat in place whether you are on a fast golf cart or a windy golf day. Either way, it won’t blow away!

PROS

  • Very Affordable
  • Extremely ventilated
  • Adjustable chin strap

CONS

  • Hand wash only
  • Extremely wide brim

Buyer’s Guide to Golf Sun Hats

Now that you know what the market offers in this category, it is better that you have a map ahead of you for purchase. There is no better way to get that other than a buyer guide.

The buyer guide here will focus on all the impactful factors you need to assess before buying men’s best golf hats for sun protection.

What To Look For When Buying Golf Hats For Sun Protection?

two golfers, one kid and a adult male wearing a golf sun hat.

This is one of the most common questions asked by users. There is no rocket science behind it. 

Sun protection can be affected by multiple elements involving the material, brim width, and the UV protection it supports. However, that is not the only thing you need to focus on. 

Some additional factors needing attention make up the overall user experience. Here are some of them:

UV Protection

The UV protection factor is one of the most basic yet impactful elements. Because you are looking for a golf hat for sun protection, it comes at the top of the list. Most of the hats out in the market offers more than 40 UPF protection. 

That is the standard you need to set before choosing a hat. Anything below 40 must not be acceptable, and everything above 50 would be preferable. 

Golf Hat Brim

In sun protection, another important factor is the brim. Usually, this part does all the work in blocking UVA and UVB rays from the sun. 

The greater its width is, the better. The greater diameter of the brim helps to cover more area and provide extra shade for the customer. 

Aside from the width, the shape and material of the brim also matter. A floppy brim can never block the rays better. 

On the other hand, a foam-based brim can help you block most of the rays. Furthermore, always try to go for brims that are round or semi-round. That is how you’ll get 360-degree sun protection.

Purpose

One thing that matters the most is the purpose of product creation. You must compare that with your needs and buy a hat accordingly. 

For instance, some products have their solemn attention to sun protection. So, you may not get the ideal airflow and ventilation strategy. On the other hand, some target both in a balanced way. 

Therefore, before choosing a product, determine using its description whether its purpose can fulfill the need of your purchase. 

Chin Straps

This factor has nothing much to do with sun protection but greatly impacts the experience. Normal hats fly off your head multiple times during a round of golf. Sometimes the wind forces the hat off, and sometimes you can lose it when you bend down for a swing. 

So, the chin strap is there to keep the hat from falling off, and these sorts of little things make a difference.

FAQs

Are Baseball Golf Caps Equally Good as Bucket Hats Against the Sun?

Golf baseball caps are not as good as bucket hats for sun protection. They usually have a brim only on the front side that does not block many sun rays. Moreover, the material used in them isn’t very UV protective. 

Why Are Wider Brims Crucial For Golf Bucket Hats? 

The wider the brim, the more space it will cover. As a result, the more sun rays it will block. The major purpose of golf hats is to block sunlight, UVA, and UVB lights.

Having a shorter brim can never achieve that ideally. However, you should also avoid a brim size that is too large for you to carry around.

Should You Have A Chin Strap On A Golf Hat? 

A chin strap comes in handy. It provides additional support to your golf hat if the wind blows against it or some object unintentionally hits it. 

Do Golf Sun Hats Help Shield a Golfer from Skin Cancer? 

It all comes down to UV protection. The skin cancer-causing rays inside the sunlight are UVA and UVB. If your hat has a standard of around 40 to 50 UPF protection, you have less chance of getting skin cancer in the areas it covers.

Moreover, if your hat prevents sunlight from directly contacting the skin, it will also do the job. That is another reason why wide brims are preferred.

What Else Can I Do to Stay Protected Against the Heat?

If you do not want to choose golf sun hats as the preferable choice, sun umbrellas are another great option.

These will protect you entirely from the sun and help you stay cool and protected on sunny days. However, the only downside is that you’ll have to hold it in place. 

Final Thoughts on Men’s Best Golf Hats for Sun Protection

Even for the experts in this sport, buying men’s best golf hats for sun protection is difficult with so many options in the market. We hope this list helped you with your selection.

Before you go…

If you’re expecting rain, you can prepare yourself and choose from the best golf rain hats!

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AUTHOR

Erin has spent over 17 years as a healthcare executive working with seniors in nursing homes, skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living communities. She also holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and other advanced degrees related to seniors.  Erin grew up playing golf in a family of golf fanatics. She started this site to help others add more enjoyment to the game of life through golf.

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