With increased levels of golf travel and tee sheets heavily booked these days on weekends and peak times—seemingly more often than not—golfers are showing greater willingness than ever to play in foul weather.
For those of us diehards, this means rain gear isn’t just optional, it’s essential. And experts in the field insist the difference between a comfortable (or at least tolerable) round and a miserable one isn’t just whether you have rain gear, but which gear.
Waterproof ratings are a good place to start, but what matters most is ultimately a balance of waterproofing, breathability, and swing-friendly fit. After all, a trash bag might keep you dry, but it sure isn’t going to breathe. Like the golf swing itself, balance is important.
As a primer, here is a quick rundown of the most vital considerations and a look at the latest from some reputable brands.
Essential Golf Rain Gear Features
Water Repellency
Waterproof ratings essentially measure the permeability of the fabric—how much can it take before the water penetrates the membrane? A good rule of thumb is golf gear with a DWR (Durable Water Repellency) coating and a waterproof rating between 15,000 and 25,000; that will keep you dry in most conditions and still retain its breathability.
Quick Use / Portability
When the weather turns, you want gear that goes on fast: ankle zippers; large hood openings; pullovers or jackets with a clean fit so you can slip your arms in without fumbling. Gear that packs small or attaches to your bag helps too, so you’ve always got it. As an Irish caddie once sagely advised when I wrestled with packing rain gear, “I’d rather have you looking at it than looking for it.”
Freedom of Motion
Golf rain gear at one point in time was notoriously stiff, almost like a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency situation. But comfort is, or at least should be, a non-negotiable today. Stretch knit panels in the back, shoulders, and arms; rain pants that look like regular golf pants; and lightweight flexibility and a lack of bulkiness in the arms, shoulders, and back are essential for allowing us to swing freely.
Details Matter
Sometimes it’s the littlest things that make a big difference. Waterproof seals over zippers and pockets to help keep scorecards, money, and other valuables as dry as possible; a high, zipped collar; and straps around the wrists of the jacket.
What’s New & Noteworthy
FootJoy
The HydroLite X line delivers performance and the lightest waterproof garment ever produced by FootJoy. This lineup of rain jackets ($225) and pants ($165) is designed for warmer playing conditions and is stretchable, breathable, and easily packable in addition to touches like a waterproof front zipper, seam seals, and waterproof cuffs. There’s also the DryJoys Select ($450) at the high end of performance as well as the HydroTour line ($350) for more severe weather in cooler conditions.
Galvin Green
Galvin Green’s GORE-TEX gear helps golfers stay dry in any weather without restricting freedom of movement in the swing. The collection of breathable golf rain suits includes jackets that range from the Ames (sub $400) to the top-end Argus ($729) that’s stretchable, hooded, and aesthetically inspired by streetwear but geared for the course.
Adidas
The Ultimate365 Tour Climaproof+ Anorak jacket ($350) and rain pants ($200) are engineered for comfort and unrestricted performance in wet, windy weather. The jacket has a durable ripstop build and a hood for full coverage when the heavy stuff moves in.
Sun Mountain Sports
The raingear lineup from Sun Mountain Sports starts with the affordable Monsoon line (under $100 each for the soft and lightweight jacket and pants). The Stratus line occupies the midrange, with the Cirque jacket and pants delivering Sun Mountain’s topline combo of waterproofing (20k), breathability, light weight, and quiet—no swishing here when you walk.
Zero Restriction
The Power Torque jacket ($340) from Zero Restriction has a 15,000-waterproof rating and multiyear construction to battle the elements, along with features like adjustable Velcro cuffs, waterproof zippers, and an anti-chafe guard for added comfort when you’re zipped to the gills. The jacket also has a packable design to fit into its own pocket.
