Do Golfers Have to Wear Hats?

So let’s have a bit of fun here by thinking more about whether or not golfers need to wear hats?

Now, the obvious answer is that they most certainly do not have to wear them as there’s no legal obligation, but that’s not to say that wearing them is a bad idea. In fact, considering the conditions you may be playing in, then wearing a hat may be a brilliant decision.

You see, the idea of hats, and having the right one, is more important than most players will realize. It’s not about the style or how cool it looks. Instead, this is all about function and the way it can influence how well you play.

So, let’s look into this issue in a bit more detail.

The Benefits of a Hat

The main benefit of wearing a hat is because of the way it protects you from the sun. Now, we aren’t just talking about sunstroke here either. It’s a bit more complex than that.

Instead, the hat is going to also keep the sun out of your eyes, and that’s pretty important when it comes to you being out on the course. That sun can blind you, make it difficult to line up your shots, and basically add a number of shots to your game.

But then there’s the rain.

There’s every chance you will find yourself out on the course at some point and the heavens open. That’s also going to be a point where a hat can play a major role in stopping those drops from running down over your eyes or tickling your face.

Even something as simple as rain drops on your face can be a major distraction, and that’s when all sorts of things can go wrong when it comes to your shots. It can even throw off your swing, and who knows what type of trouble you will then end up getting into.

The Visor

Just to throw something else into the mix, what about the visor? This sort of thing is not really a hat, but it does keep the sun out of your eyes, so it does have a role still to play. However, it’s not the most popular of solutions.

The main reason for this is because it doesn’t do a good job of keeping your head cool when the sun is out and beating down on you. It leaves your head exposed to the elements. Sure, it may stop the sun in your eyes, but that’s about all it does.

So, if you want some real sun protection, then a visor may not be the right option for you.

A Summer Hat vs a Winter Hat

There’s another aspect you need to consider, and that’s whether you want to wear a summer hat or a winter hat. Of course, you may live in a part of the world where there’s not too much of a difference between seasons, but for everyone else, this is another important decision to make.

You must be aware that even though a baseball cap hat is the real mainstay of the golf hat world, it’s not the best in winter. Sure, it may still be fine on those milder days, but if you are out on the course when things are tough, then a baseball cap won’t do.

Instead, that’s the point where you need to look at a winter hat, and the main reason for this sort of hat is to keep your head warm rather than keeping the sun out of your eyes. After all, you may not have much sun at that point of the year.

At this point, you need either a bobble hat, or a beanie. The choice is up to you, but both are going to be adequate when it comes to keeping you warm. 

But Who Wears One?

Here is something to consider. 

Look at the pro players, and pay attention to those that wear hats on a regular basis, and also those who do not. You will see how it comes down to personal preference, and there’s no rhyme or reason as to who wears one, and who doesn’t.

Top names such as Tiger Woods and Bryson DeChambeau wear hats, with the latter wearing a flat cap. Iain Poulter will also often wear a visor, but he has been known to wear other hats as well.

But on the flip side, the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Ollie Schniederjans will very rarely wear one. 

As you see, guys at the top of the game will sometimes wear them, and sometimes they won’t.  The list for both for and against hats would be extensive, but they don’t always wear one, or not wear one either. This is something that chops and changes.

Of course, it’s not always about the weather conditions on the course that determines if they wear one. These guys are paid a fortune to wear a hat, so some of them will get used to wearing it simply because of the money it brings into their bank account.

So, the ultimate answer is that there is no legal requirement for you to wear a hat on a golf course. It’s something that you decide to either wear or not wear. 

There are real benefits to it, and in all honesty, it’s tough to see why you wouldn’t wear a hat when the need calls for it. This will certainly be far more comfortable for you, instead of trying to contend with having sun in your eyes when playing your shots.

Perhaps the best thing is to not just decide if you will be wearing a hat or not, but to also go ahead and try out different styles before you do so. That’s going to allow you to even decide if a baseball cap is best, or does the bucket style work better for you? 

Ultimately, it’s all about making sure you are comfortable with your hat, if you choose to wear one, and that you basically forget it’s there and get on with the game.