Best Golf Caps 2024: Our shortlist of peak performers for style and protection
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Today’s Golfer shortlists the best golf caps on the market for keeping you cool, protected, and looking sharp.
Best Golf Caps – Jump To:
The humble golf cap might not be packed with quite the same amount of protective and innovative technology as some of the best golf sunglasses. However, it has come a long way since tweed ruled the roost, and mentioning the phrase ‘baseball cap’ would have you called up before the golf club committee.
Now every major golf equipment supplier has their own take on the golfing headwear that comes into its own in the spring and summer months. The golf cap represents some of the most prime marketing retail estate in your golfing wardrobe so not only should it perform its functional duty as a moisture-wicking, UV-light protective garment, but it should look great in doing so.
Best At A Glance:
Whether you prefer to stick with a more traditional curved bill design or a modern and edgy snapback look, our shortlist of peak performers below is bound to have something that will look the part with a fresh polo shirt and pair of the best golf shorts.
And if you’re in the mood for snapping up a few differnt headwear options for every eventuality, why not head over to our dedicated pages of the best golf beanie hats and golf bucket hats. We’ve got you covered!
Best Golf Caps 2024:
As worn on tour by Titleist Staff Players.
Best for practicality
Aside from the iconic styling and plethora of colors, we love how this cap comes with a magnetized ball marker on the visor for easy access to save rummaging through your pockets only to discover it has gone missing, again!
Pros
- Great color selection
- Super handy magnetic ball marker
| Size | One Size |
| Material | Polyester |
| Colors | 10 options |
One of the most iconic caps on tour.
Best for bold branding
Coming in a choice of four colors, this simple design is made from a performance polyester fabric with a moisture-wicking sweatband and dark underbelly for reduced glare.
Pros
- Iconic Ping branding
- Dark underbelly for reduced glare
| Size | One Size |
| Material | 97% Polyester, 3% Elastane |
| Colors | Black, White, Navy, Grey |
Three stripes on a cap have never looked so good.
Best for comfort
Constructed from soft and lightweight recycled materials, this cap boasts UPF 50+ sun protection and an AEROREADY moisture sweatband to keep you cool and comfortable throughout your round.
Pros
- Fresh bold styling
- Strong UV sun protection
| Size | One Size |
| Material | 100% Recycled Polyester |
| Colors | 6 options |
Channel your inner Rickie Fowler with this bold snapback.
Best snapback golf cap
The cap has excellent moisture-wicking properties, incorporating Puma's DryCELL technology to keep you cool in the hottest conditions or when you're standing over a knee-knocking three-footer to win the hole.
Pros
- Popular and modern styling
- Puma DryCELL technology
| Size | One Size |
| Material | 97% Polyester, 3% Elastane |
| Colors | 5 options |
Add some SoCal vibes to your summer golfing wardrobe.
Best fun design
The cap features flexfit technology with a stretch headband and adjustable snapback closure at the rear for a comfortable one-size-fits-all wear.
Pros
- Very comfortable
- Playful laid-back vibe
| Size | One Size |
| Material | Cotton/Polyester/PU Blend |
| Colors | Light Teal |
The ultimate tour-inspired cap for Callaway fans.
Best tour-inspired cap
Available in six block colors, you'll be hard-pressed not to find a design that works well with your wardrobe. With an adjustable back closure and UV 30+ protective fabric, this cap delivers functional style for those wanting a tour-inspired look.
Pros
- Tour-inspired look
- Strong UV protection
| Size | One size |
| Material | 100% Polyester |
| Colors | 6 options |
A top choice for those seeking outstanding ventilation.
Best for ventilation
The cap features a cool-to-the-touch Iso-Chill sweatband, a stretch mesh back panel, and laser-perforated side panels for all-around ventilation.
Pros
- Excellent cooling properties
- Eye catching designs
| Size | One Size |
| Material | 90% Polyester, 10% Elastane |
| Colors | 8 options |
A highly breathable and fast-drying sporty design.
Best quick-drying
It's available in a strong choice of block colors which combined with its simple and sophisticated staying, should make this a worthy contender for your head this summer.
Pros
- Great ventilation
- Simple and smart styling
| Size | One Size |
| Material | 100% Polyester |
| Colors | 7 options |
Get the Tony Finau pro-ball-playing look on the course.
Best for ball-player look
That said, the cap is more than just style over substance featuring Nike's Dri-FIT technology to help you stay cool, dry, and comfortable on the course.
Pros
- Modern ball-player look
- Nike Dri-FIT technology
| Size | M/L, L/XL |
| Material | 100% Polyester |
| Color | Black, Grey |
A fully seamed waterproof hat with a Gore-Tex membrane.
Best waterproof cap
Available in a few non-offensive colors, the Argo is durable, easy to wash, and has been constructed with a highly breathable material that enables the release of excess heat and moisture. Galvin Green also uses Bluesign-approved fabrics which will appeal to those who consider the environment when making clothing purchases.
Pros
- Fully waterproof
- Breathable and eco-friendly material
| Size | One Size |
| Material | 100% Polyester with ePTFE membrane |
| Colors | Black, Navy, Grey |
A fresh take on the powerhouse band's logo.
Best progressive look
We love the progressive look and with seven colors to choose from you really can't go wrong. The cap is finished with a mesh back design to aid ventilation and has an adjustable fit via the snap-in rear closure.
Pros
- Fresh progressive styling
- Good ventilation
| Size | One Size |
| Material | 60% Cotton, 40% Polyester |
| Colors | 7 options |
A lightweight and super functional fused panel cap.
Best innovative design
With a simple and clean aesthetic, we love how the cap looks with the Mizuno logo popping against the bright white or royal blue backdrop. The garment also features a 3-layer multi-function headband and stain block technology on the crown.
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Multi-functional headband
| Size | S/M, L/XL |
| Material | 100% Polyester |
| Colors | White, Blue |
Best Golf Caps: Buying Guide
Unlike contemplating which driver shaft you should plumb into your brand-new driver, choosing a golf cap shouldn’t cause you too many headaches. Here are the key considerations.
Type
The vast majority of golf caps are still designed with a pre-curved bill to help shield your eyes from bright sunlight when trying to follow your ball as it flies down the fairway and hopefully not toward the long stuff. Alternatively, more and more golfers are opting for casual snapback designs that have a flat bill. It’s purely a personal choice but keep in mind the balance between style and function you require.
Comfort
With golf rounds often lasting more than four hours in hot conditions, remaining cool and comfortable is paramount to helping you stay focused on your game. To avoid overheating and becoming distracted, make sure your chosen model has suitable moisture-wicking properties and has enough built-in ventilation to help dissipate heat throughout your round.
Protection
Perhaps the most important consideration, if you play regularly in bright sunlight, is the level of protection your golf cap provides. A cap will not block out as much harmful UV light as a pair of the best golf sunglasses, but it’s certainly a good first line of defense and we suggest reading the manufacturer’s specifications to get more of a steer on how much protection your chosen model is expected to provide.
Fit
The vast majority of golf caps are labelled as ‘one-size-fits-most’ meaning that the majority of us shouldn’t have too much trouble securing a comfortable fit. Golf caps are typically adjusted via a clasp, velcro, or snap-in strap at the rear which enables you to tighten to your preference with ease.
Color
The fun bit and your chance to either make a fashion statement or go about your business with understated style and sophistication. The only thing worth considering before you reach for that bright neon lime and purple striped beauty is that you double-check your wardrobe and ensure you can pull it off!
Budget
The golf cap perhaps has one of the highest cost-per-wear ratios that you will find and therefore we think finding a cap you like, even if it’s at the top end of your budget will still represent excellent value for money compared to many other items of clothing and footwear. As always though, consider how much you want to spend first.
Best Golf Caps: FAQs
Why do pros wear golf caps?
The primary reason that professional golfers where caps is to protect their eyes in bright sunlight and to enhance their vision, especially if they do not wear a pair of sunglasses. With golf tournaments typically played in good weather, a golf cap also helps to keep players cool and comfortable with their moisture-wicking properties. And finally, golf caps provide great advertising space for the pros to promote their sponsors and equipment manufacturers.
How are golf caps different from baseball caps?
There are not too many obvious differences between golf caps and baseball caps. Golf caps are more likely to offer a little more comfort as they are designed to be worn for periods in excess of four hours whereas many baseball caps often prioritize style over functionality. Golf caps also are designed with moisture-wicking properties such as an inner sweatband to help keep you cool in hot conditions.
What is a snapback golf cap?
Traditional baseball caps have a pre-curved brim that helps to provide shade around the eyes whereas a snapback cap is designed with a flat brim. This is the reason why the vast majority of cap-wearing golfers will opt for a traditional curved brim as they are more functional out on the course.
What are bucket hats used for?
Bucket hats are typically useful in bright conditions when there is a strong chance of a downpour or two. This is because they provide a shield around your neck, helping to shelter you from the rain while also protecting you from the sun’s harmful rays. It’s rare to see too many golfers wearing bucket hats though as they are less streamlined than a cap and can be a little more distracting when swinging.
About the author
Ross Tugwood
Senior Digital Writer
Ross Tugwood is a Senior Digital Writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.
Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.
He is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.
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Best Golf Caps 2024
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adidas 3 Stripe Tour Golf Cap
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Galvin Green Argo Waterproof Golf Cap
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J Lindeberg Canden Cap
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Mizuno Tour Delta Golf Cap
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Nike Dri-Fit Pro Structured Futura Cap
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Puma P Snapback Golf Cap
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TaylorMade Sunset Baseball Cap
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Titleist Players Performance Ball Marker Golf Cap
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TravisMathew Mapes Baseball Cap
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Under Armour Iso-Chill Driver Mesh Baseball Cap
