of Skin Cancer Foundation states that five or more sunburns double the risk of melanoma. Playing golf can leave you on the course for four or more hours at a time, which is a lot of exposure. Sunscreen is good, but there’s more you can do to protect yourself on the golf course. Here are some of our favorite golf gear for sun protection.
SMS+ Sun Mountain Umbrella
The Sun Mountain SMS+ Umbrella ranked first in the best UV protection category in our 2023 Golf Umbrella test and finished fifth overall.
Our testers didn’t like the handle on the SMS+ umbrella. Other than that, the umbrella performed quite well. Sun Mountain SMS+ contains reflective material that blocks harmful UV rays.
If you’re having trouble finding the Sun Mountain umbrella or the price is a bit high, try the Haas-Jordan Sunflector. Its UV protection is just as good.
Shelta Seahawk Hat
The Shelta Seahawk is an excellent hat for sun protection. It’s not a traditional golf hat, as this is more of a bucket style, but the design will give you more neck and ear protection from the sun.
With the Shelta Seahawk, you get UPF 50+ protection and a vapor barrier, which makes it a good choice for playing in hot conditions.
Golfers who walk the course or play during daylight hours should try this one.
FreeFly Bamboo Flex Polo
The Polo FreeFly Bamboo Flex is a great option for sun protection on and off the golf course. It has UPF 50+ sun protection and four-way stretch fabric.
It’s available in four colors and is currently on sale for $51, down from $78.
Aussie Chiller Hats
Aussie Chiller hats get a lot of attention because they can be soaked in water for extra cooling. This wider golf hat provides face, ear and neck protection.
Golfers love the lightweight Aussie Chiller hats. Remember that the fabric does not provide additional protection from the sun. It simply covers a larger area than a baseball style cap or hat.
Veloce Sunglasses Fans
The Tifosi Veloce sunglasses finished fifth in our test of the best golf sunglasses 2023. These budget sunglasses offer excellent clarity, UV protection and face coverage.
With Tifosi, you get impressive color contrast, so finding a golf ball that happens to miss the fairway can be a little easier. Golfers also cite the added benefit of not having to take sunglasses to read the greens.
Under Armor Iso-Chill Polo
If the name Iso-Chill polo doesn’t sound like a shirt you’d want to wear on the golf course when it’s sunny, we’re not sure what does. Iso-Chill is a quick-dry, moisture-wicking golf shirt with UPF 50+ protection.
Under Armor Iso-Chill helps disperse body heat, making it feel cool to the touch. It is available in five colors and six sizes.
Sun protection SPF 30
Even with all this great golf gear to protect you from the sun, you’ll still want some sunscreen to help fight the burn. Golfers say the Sun Bum is an oil-free design that’s easy to apply and offers strong protection.
If you don’t want to get sunscreen on your hands, look for the Sun Bum Face Stick.
Coolibar Men’s Drive Long Sleeve Golf
If you prefer to cover your entire arm when playing golf, the Coolibar Men’s Long Sleeve Polo is a smart choice. It is a UPF 50+ shirt with moisture wicking technology. It comes in six colors and Coolibar calls it a great mid-protection option.
Coolibar has the Women’s Prestwick Golf Polo, which features many of the same technologies and sun protection.
Boy Nitron Bag Open Auto Push Cart
The Bag Boy Nitron was our favorite golf cart for 2023. An umbrella holder is a standard feature included with the cart. In addition, the Nitron is quick and easy to set up, has a lightweight frame and makes walking more enjoyable.
If you’ve been avoiding hiking to stay out of the sun, Bag Boy makes it a little easier with this option. If you already have a lounger, consider adding an umbrella holder attachment.
FootJoy Performance Sun Sleeves
The FootJoy Performance Sun Sleeve provides 50+ UPF protection keeping your arm cool.
They are breathable and have a four-way stretch. Most importantly, FootJoy sun sleeves offer a non-slip fit, so you won’t have to worry about them slipping down your arm while you play. The sleeves are anatomically shaped and specially made for golfers.
One last tip…
As you shop for the best golf sun protection gear, you’ll see the terms UPF, UV, and SPF thrown around a lot. It can be confusing to know what is best to protect yourself. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor):
- Measures the fabric’s effectiveness in blocking UV rays. A UPF rating of 50+ is ideal, as it blocks 98 percent of UV radiation.
- SPF (sun protection factor):
- It shows how well the sunscreen will protect your skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn. SPF 30 blocks about 97 percent of UVB rays. Higher SPF provides slightly better protection, but proper application is the most important factor.
- UV (Ultraviolet radiation):
- It refers to the sun’s rays, divided into UVA and UVB. UVA causes skin aging and UVB causes sunburn. Look for products labeled “broad spectrum” to provide protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
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