Finding the perfect hat is easier said than done. Golfer's need to be prepared and ready to adapt for any weather condition. As such, it's crucial your headwear fits the conditions you're playing in. There's nothing worse than rain trickling through your baseball cap down the back of your neck, especially when it's cold out. Enter: the bucket hat.
Bucket hats offer excellent shelter from both the rain and the sun. Aesthetics, as you know, are important too—the best bucket hats will also offer some degree of style both on and off the golf course. So, bearing in mind the huge selection of choice on the market, we have set out a list of the best golf hats with bucket designs. Additionally, if you want to narrow your focus a bit more, then why not check out our best golf caps, best golf beanies and best golf snoods.
Best Golf Bucket Hats
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The List
Sizes: S/M, L/XL
Colors: 1
+ Wide coverage
+ Reasonable value
- Not the most flattering hat
The ProQuip waterproof bucket hat is a superb rain accessory for golfers. With its 100% waterproof design and wide brim, it directs water away from your neckline to keep you dry and comfortable in heavy downpour.
It's lightweight and easy to store in a golf bag. It also features an innovative rear peak, an adjustable drawcord, and a chin strap for a secure fit, although these latter two elements do slightly take away from the aesthetic.
Sizes: S, M, L
Colors: 2 (Black, navy)
+ Long back brim to protect neck
+ Comfortable
- Front brim not that long
Made from 4-way stretch fabric, the Abacus Links Rain Bucket Hat offers excellent breathability with tapered seams for added protection. We really liked the longer back brim as it protected the neck nicely and covered the back of the rain jacket well to make sure no water got down there, but the front brim could be slightly longer to protect the face a touch more. It was still comfortable and comes in several sizes, along with two colors.
Sizes: S/M, L/XL
Colors: 1 (Castlerock)
+ Trendy design
+ Reversible
- Not the most weather proof hat on this list
Despite being know for their bold designs, Original Penguin has kept things simple with this versatile reversible bucket hat. Whichever side you choose to wear, it offers great style, and getting two looks for the price of one is definitely a bonus. The hat also provides excellent sun protection, especially for vulnerable areas like the neck and ears. Plus, the iconic Pete the Penguin is embroidered on the front, adding a signature touch.
Sizes: One Size Fits Most
Colors: 2 (Grey, Black)
+ Stretch design fits on most heads
+ Water-resistant
- Only comes in two colors
This top-notch bucket hat from TaylorMade offers protection in both rain and sunshine. Even though it's not fully waterproof, it’s water-resistant enough to keep your head dry in light showers. On sunny days, it’s one of the best options for shielding yourself from the sun’s glare. The visor is perfectly designed to shade your eyes and the back of your neck, while the dark underbill further reduces glare, making this hat a great all-weather choice for the course.
Sizes: One Size Fits Most
Colors: 1 (Black)
+ Wide brim
+ Water-resistant and lightweight construction
- May be too large for some golfers and their swings
Featuring the iconic Titleist logo on the front, this bucket hat will definitely ensure you look the part wherever you go on the golf course. We're big fans of the simple aesthetic that is still very functional with it's high-performing waterproof material. With fully sealed seams to prevent any water from seeping through and a protective rim that directs rain away from your body, this hat will certainly keep you dry. We think this is a well-designed hat that can keep both the rain and sun off you while you're on the course.
Sizes: M/L, L/XL
Colors: 1 (Grey)
+ Easy to store
+ Stretchy and breathable
- Not the best hat for wet conditions
Designed with ArmourVent technology, this bucket hat offers excellent breathability in a lightweight, stretchy, durable, and fast-drying fabric. It also features a built-in sweatband and lining that help disperse body heat, with moisture-wicking material to keep you dry, making it ideal for hot days on the course. While it may not be the best option for wet weather, we think this hat excels at keeping you cool and comfortable in warmer conditions.
Sizes: One Size Fits Most
Colors: 2 (Black, Navy)
+ Handy chin strap
+ Fully seam sealed
- Only comes in two colors
Galvin Green's Aqua bucket hat really stood out to us with its fully seam-sealed design and additional features. Namely, the extra-wide brim at the back, storm strap, and elasticated sweatband all work together to provide maximum protection and comfort in harsh weather. We found the wider brim particularly useful—it prevented rain from dripping down the back of your neck, making this hat an excellent choice when conditions get rough on the course.
Sizes: XS-2XL
Colors: 5 (Black, Green, White, Navy, Bliss Lilac)
+ Great for sunny days and wet days
+ Small and minimalist design
- No inner sweat band
Crafted from Primegreen—a series of high-performance recycled materials—this bucket hat is part of Adidas' Rain.Rdy range, designed to keep you performing even in the harshest conditions. Available in multiple colors, it offers protection from the elements with an all-around brim that provides shade and sun protection while keeping your head cool. For a more complete look, why not grab a pair of adidas golf trainers and a premium adidas golf shirt to go with them.
Sizes: S/M and L/XL
Colors: 1 (Black)
+ Wide brim provides excellent shelter
+ Fully waterproof
- May be a little heavier than some of the other hats on this list
The Sunderland Wide Brim Waterproof Golf Hat is a must-have for bad weather. It offers full waterproof protection with heat-sealed taped seams and an extra-deep front and extended back brim to keep rain off your face and out of your collar. Plus, the elasticated headband with micro-mesh lining adds comfort, making it a practical and reliable choice when the weather takes a turn.
Sizes: One Size Fits Most
Colors: 1 (Black)
+ Excellent quality
+ Fully waterproof
- Not the widest brim on this list
Offering maximum protection with DryJoys performance, this fully waterproof bucket hat is essential for unexpected rain showers. Granted, it's not the widest brim on this list but this bucket hat is excellent quality. As one of the top brands for weather protection, FootJoy also features in our guide to the best golf rain pants., ensuring you're covered head to toe.
Sizes: One size
Colors: 1 (White)
+ UV protection
+ Breathable and moisture wicking
- Only comes in one color
As you know, Callaway is renowned for high-quality golf gear, and this bucket hat lives up to that reputation. Perfect for hot conditions, it’s designed to provide excellent sun protection with its 50+ UV protective material and breathable mesh head. The craftsmanship is top-notch, making it an ideal choice for golfers looking to stay cool and shaded on the course.
How we test bucket hats
When it comes to golf apparel, we take the testing process very seriously. Whether we are sent a product or buy it ourselves, we put everything through its paces to ensure we can provide thorough and reliable advice on each product. Our writer Sam Tremlett heads up the apparel sections of our website while every member of the Golf Monthly team is an avid golfer and as such, knows what does and doesn't make for a good piece of golf equipment.
As far as our methodology goes, we review all bucket hats properly, which means we have used each one across multiple rounds and in practice to assess every aspect of its performance. For example, if a bucket hat claims to be the best waterproof bucket hat, we will put that claim to the test to see whether the bucket hat does keep you dry in wet conditions. Specifically for bucket hats, we test each one to assess how its design features can benefit you on the course. We put each hat to the test in both sunny and in rainy conditions to assess how they perform in both climates. This comprehensive testing style is not just exclusive to bucket hats as we test with the same level of thoroughness across all gear categories.
How to choose a bucket hat
While you may think that buying a bucket hat is a pretty simple purchase, there are actually many things you need to consider to ensure you get the best value for money out of your golf bucket hat. For that reason we've set out a list below of the top things we think you need to consider when purchasing your next golf bucket hat.
Coverage
How big do you want your bucket hat to be? Some models above, like the Galvin Green Aqua, or Sunderland Wide Brim will cover your head and neck well whereas others have less coverage, like the J. Lindeberg Hans model. The more coverage, the better protected you're going to be from the elements. But likewise, some bucket hats that have fairly large rims can sometimes get in the way of your swing.
Material
What is the hat made out of? If you want your bucket hat to deal with the rain then we would recommend models that are constructed with fabrics that bead water away nicely. A great example of this are the two adidas models we have included above. Or maybe you want a hat made with a stretchy fabric instead? Or one that feels light on your head? The material of your bucket hat is definitely a factor to consider before you purchase it.
Color
The bucket hat world seems to be filled with blacks, greys and navy's, but there are also models which stand out a little bit more so have a think about what color you want your bucket hat to be and how you want to stand out on the course.
Versatility
Will you be using the hat away from the golf course? There are several models above that have several understated designs that do not compromise performance. They can each be used just about anywhere when the weather takes a turn or when the temperature picks up.
Budget
With most golf gear there are models available at different price points and we have included several different kinds above that come in at different prices. Ultimately, the more technology that is included in each hat, the more costly they will be, so for that reason think clearly about your budget before buying your next golf bucket hat.
FAQs
Can you wear a bucket hat to golf?
Yes you can wear a bucket hat for golf. What makes them so useful and appealing is you can wear a bucket hat in pretty much any weather. If the sun is out and the temperature is hot, then a bucket hat keeps your face and head in the shade and cooler. Additionally there are models designed from waterproof fabrics as well and they bead water away from your head so some models are perfect for bad weather as well.
Do bucket hats keep sun off?
Yes, bucket hats keep the sun off thanks to the wide brim which helps protect the neck, face and rest of the head. A bucket hat will protect areas of your head from exposure to the sun such as your nose and the sides of your face that just do not get covered by a cap.
Who wears a bucket hat on PGA Tour?
The most high-profile player who wears a bucket hat on the PGA Tour is Joel Dahmen, a one-time winner on the Tour. Some other players who have occasionally worn a bucket hat are Rory Sabbatini, Charl Schwartzel and Peter Malnati.
For more buying advice check out our guides on the best golf tops, best golf rain jackets, or best golf pants.
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