The weather is getting better, but thanks to the best golfing waterproofs, you can get a round even if the forecast turns gloomy. From waterproof golf jackets and trousers to rainproof hats, the best waterproofs for golfers come in many different guises but they all have one thing in common: they keep you protected from the rain and wind when you're on the course.
They are designed to repel the worst of the weather, all while offering the right level of breathability and flexibility needed to not interfere with your swing or make you overheat on the course. The courses and conditions in which you play will vary throughout your time as a golfer, so pick clothing that can be layered up as required by the changing weather conditions on the day.
While it's generally true that the more you pay the better the gear is, we have found some effective pieces that won’t break the bank. Among these are tried and tested outdoors and top golfing brands like Callaway, ProQuip and Under Armour.
The best golfing waterproofs include golf trousers, snazzy golf jackets and rainproof golfing hats created in a variety of designs. Each is designed to offer you a high level of weatherproof protection, as well as boosting your comfort on the green.
Need some more golfing gear? You're in luck as T3 has more golf guides, aplenty! In your own time, have a look at our best golf watch roundup, especially if you want to track swings and heart rate accurately on the course. Store the best driver and the best golf balls in the best golf bag: what can we say, we only cover the best golf gear on T3!
The best golfing waterproofs to buy now
Galvin Green are the top name in premium golf apparel and the Apollo Paclite Gore-Tex is perhaps the best jacket they have ever released. Ergo, it’s perhaps the best waterproof golf jacket anyone has released. Yes, it’s that good.
So what makes it so special? The short answer would be ‘everything about it’. It’s fully seam-sealed so not a single drop of rain is getting in this jacket, no matter how heavy the downpour. It has excellent breathable properties and is also totally windproof.
The Galvin Green Apollo is lightweight, extremely comfortable when swinging the golf club and comes in a number of incredibly stylish designs and snazzy colour combinations. The Cool Grey/White/Sharkskin/Black is especially classy looking, but the more conservative golfer may prefer the Navy/White/Cool Grey/Sharkskin design.
Much like a high quality, luxury Garmin golf watch, a Galvin Green jacket makes a statement. It tells the world that you are a serious golfer. Not necessarily a force to be reckoned with on the course, as your game will probably not match the quality of the jacket, but it will mark you out as someone who takes their golf seriously.
If you’re tempted but need to justify the hefty price tag to yourself (you won't get much change out of £300) then look at this as a long term investment. It’s of such a high quality that it will last you a long time, so rather than spend £150 now and then another £150 on a replacement a few years down the line, treat yourself to a Galvin Green now.
Made from 100% polyester the PING SensorDry 2.5 is waterproof to 20,000mm and has breathability to 20,000g.
In layman’s terms that means if it’s wet but hot and muggy you won’t sweat in it, and if it’s dry but with a chilly breeze the jacket will shield you from that without restricting your movement in the swing. The only thing it won’t do is keep you warm on a really cold day, but then it isn’t designed for that.
The engineered 2.5 stretch fabric has a soft and supple feel that gives great freedom during the golf swing and the jacket features a fully seam sealed, two way centre front zipper which goes right up to a collar that sits high enough on the neck to keep the rain out, but not too high that it is restrictive.
Despite being extremely lightweight the PING SensorDry 2.5 also boasts great wind resistance to keep that chill out when on those breezy days down at your local links.
It’s even fashionable enough that you can wear it away from the golf course too, as the discreet nature of the branding means it just looks like a nice casual rain jacket.
A waterproof jacket such as the SensorDry 2.5 or something of similar quality is a must have for the serious golfer, so if you've been 'making do' and spending your money on more glamorous golf kit, it might be time to rethink.
Want to know more? Try my full, T3 Platinum Award winning PING SensorDry 2.5 waterproof jacket review.
Gore-Tex's membrane has long been the first word in clothing that combines weatherproofing and ventilation. Thanks to the fabric and the UA Storm technology, this jacket won’t let in a bite of wind or a drop of rain. Despite this, it’s miraculously breathable, which will keep you relatively sweat free underneath.
Urban Armour's Paclite technology does what the name implies: the jacket packs down so small when not in use that you can keep it in your pocket 'just in case' the heavens open.
The only downside to this waterproof golfing jacket (available in Red and Black) is the long zip, which may bulge out when you bend over to take a shot. It's certainly no deal-breaker, though.
Ping don’t shout about what constitutes their SensorDry fabric, but they guarantee that it produces a waterproof, breathable all-year round trouser. This makes the Osbourne Waterproof Trouser the ideal choice for year-around golfing.
100 per cent stretch polyester lining means you shouldn’t feel restricted by the material either, so you’ll be able to maintain your stance when poised at the tee. With a luxury soft touch finish and offering complete breathability, these slim-fitting trousers are a welcome addition to any wet weather golfing wardrobe.
Providing a high level of protection on the green, Nike’s HyperAdapt Storm-Fit Jacket is a popular golfing waterproof because of its lightweight and comfortable fit. This makes it the perfect choice for drizzly summer golfing or to wear over a thicker baselayer in autumn and beyond.
As the jacket is seam-sealed, rain has little chance of seeping in. Adding to this protection are waterproof zippers and a storm flap. The HyperAdapt is windproof too, with mesh sleeve panels enhancing airflow and keeping you cool during play. Nike is so confident that the HyperAdapt Storm-Fit jacket is one of the best golfing waterproofs around, it’s backed it with a three-year waterproof guarantee. You’ll get a fair few rounds in during that time.
This popular golfing waterproof from FootJoy combines the brand's own waterproof fabric with three layer bonded fabric tech. In short, this is a lightweight, breathable jacket that doesn't interfere with your mobility during play.
The core fibres in the material trap your natural body heat to keep you warm in the wet, while the raised collar keeps out any drafts. Available in a vibrant blue or red, it’s definitely one to bring colour to a dull day.
If you're looking for a jacket that can offer protection against more serious weather, the Tour 3.0 is an excellent option. It earns its place on our list of best golfing waterproofs due to its Opti-Dri tech, which moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and minimising odours.
Opti-Stretch tech is also on hand to ensure the jacket doesn’t restrict you, giving you full and unhindered mobility to move and swing during play. The Callaway Tour 3.0 Waterproof Golf Jacket features a full zip opening and a hi-lo hem cord, in addition to adjustable cuffs and even a back score card pocket.
If you want a golfing waterproof that’s slim-fitting and unassuming, this is the one for you. The lightweight ProQuip TourFlex Elite 360 is ideal for keeping you dry during a drizzly round in the summer, and it’s also highly breathable and comfortable.
A storm collar protects your neck when the rain picks up, while side pockets with zips are perfect for keeping your small valuables tucked out of sight. Like the Nike HyperAdapt, ProQuip’s contender for best golfing waterproof comes with a three-year guarantee. More importantly, this jacket is rustle-free so you won’t annoy anyone else on the course.
The price of the very best golfing waterproofs featured higher up in our list may put you off. They’re expensive for a reason, but for those struggling to justify the expenditure, this waterproof golf jacket is more budget-friendly.
We can’t guarantee it will offer the same level of protection as the Under Armour, for example, but Sunderland says the Vancouver Golf Jacket is waterproof, windproof and breathable, so you'll still benefit from some of the qualities of Gore-Tex without actually paying Gore-Tex prices.
While a cap may offer you protection from the odd shower, it won’t keep you dry during a rainstorm. Golfing jackets don’t tend to come with hoods either, as they can impair your vision.
A bucket hat, on the other hand, while not the trendiest garment on the course, will do a grand job of keeping the rain off of your head.
This one from Under Armour is made from Gore-Tex, making it naturally weatherproof. The bucket design flares out to guide rainwater away from your skin, too, so it won't let any rain run down the back of your neck.
Choosing the best golfing waterproofs for you
There are different degrees of weatherproofing available, from all-out waterproof materials that can keep you dry in the harshest of showers, to highly technical fabrics designed to lessen the impact of the wind. For a more detailed look check out our handy guide to what to look for when buying waterproofs for golf.
But for now here's a brief summary...
- Waterproof: does exactly as it says on the in, keeping the rain out (and your base layers dry) no matter the length of your game of golf.
- Rainproof: not as hefty as waterproof, but still offers far more protection than your regular golf jacket.
- Windproof: unless specified, this type of weatherproofing won’t protect you from the rain but it will spare you from biting winds.
When buying the best golfing waterproofs for you, it's wise to try them on and do a few practice swings when wearing them, if you can, to see how each garment might enhance or impact your performance.
