2020 GOLF UMBRELLA BUYER’S GUIDE
The elements are always a factor on the golf course. Fortunately, there’s an abundance of equipment to combat them. Golf umbrellas are designed for all sorts of weather including sun, wind and, of course, rain.
This year, we tested the usual suspects along with offerings from some of the bigger OEMs, some of which outsource their umbrella manufacturing to experts in the category. That’s neither surprising nor uncommon; it just makes sense. There are zero reasons why club guys should also be umbrella guys. The logo doesn’t matter, though we’re here to tell you that not every umbrella is the same.
With all the options, finding the right umbrella can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We put the top golf umbrellas on the market to the test to ensure you have the best information available when it comes time to buy.
Whether you’re looking to buy an umbrella today, seeking buying advice to get started or just want a closer look at what’s on the market, this guide will help you find the right golf umbrella to fit your needs.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect Golf Umbrella to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no detail unchecked, and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Umbrellas are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating Golf Umbrella include Water-Resistance, Coverage, Opening Speed, Handle, and Durability.
MOST DURABLE UMBRELLA - Titleist Tour Double Canopy
It might say Titleist, but the Tour Double Canopy is a ShedRain product. It provides abundant coverage and has reinforced arms in addition to a bungee system that moves air through the umbrella to combat windy conditions.
FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU
Durability
No matter how good the umbrella is, you want it to last. During testing, we found some umbrellas do not fully extend or did the opposite and hyperextend, which dramatically limits longevity.
The best umbrellas, like ShedRain and Gustbuster, last for years in all weather conditions.
Deployment Speed
Opening your umbrella without any hassle is important if you’re caught in a downpour. The whole point of an umbrella is to keep you dry so the faster it opens, the less likely you are to get wet.
The ShedRain is a great example of an umbrella that can be opened quickly.
Coverage
No one wants to be soggy on the golf course and most of us don’t want to miss a day on the links because of rain. We found that smaller umbrellas that might be fine for everyday use don’t provide sufficient coverage for golfers and their gear.
Umbrellas such as Gustbuster and PING are great examples of umbrellas that provide maximum coverage.
Handle
If you are playing golf in the wind and rain, you want a comfortable grip. We found that the best handles offer recessed areas for your fingers and are made from materials that aren’t compromised as conditions get wetter.
Great examples of a comfortable handle are Mizuno and ShedRain. ShedRain has a gel handle which conforms to your hand no matter the size.
EXPERT TIP - Comfortable Handle
Regardless of the feature set, or how good an umbrella looks, if the handle doesn't fit comfortably in your hand, don't buy it. It sounds trivial, but in testing, we found that umbrellas with ill-fitting handles can cause wrist pain, which isn't what you want on the golf course (or anywhere else).
The Best Umbrella 2020 - Features
Product | Canopies | Opening | Colorways | Diameter | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BagBoy UV Wind Vent Check Price | 2 | Manual | 1 | 62 | |
GustBuster Pro Series gold 68" Check Price | 2 | Manual | Customizable | 68 | |
Inesis ProFilter Large Check Price | 2 | Automatic | 1 | 68 | |
Mizuno Dual Canopy Check Price | 2 | Manual | 3 | 68 | |
Motocaddy Clearview Check Price | 2 | Automatic | 1 | 68 | |
PING 68' Tour Canopy Check Price | 2 | Manual | 1 | 69 | |
PING Single Canopy Check Price | 1 | Manual | 1 | 62 | |
ShedRain Vortex Pro Check Price | 2 | Manual | 3 | 62 | |
ShedRain UnbelievaBrella Check Price | 1 | Automatic | 6 | 48 | |
ShedRain Vortex XL 68" Check Price | 2 | Manual | 5 | 68 | |
ShedRain Windpro Check Price | 2 | Automatic | 6 | 62 | |
Srixon Double Canopy Check Price | 2 | Manual | 1 | 68 | |
Sun Mountain UV Umbrella Check Price | 2 | Manual | 1 | 68 | |
Titleist Tour Double Canopy Check Price | 2 | Manual | 1 | 68 | |
Under Armour Double Canopy Check Price | 2 | Manual | 1 | 68 |
More Tips
Your clubs aren’t walking sticks, neither is your umbrella. If you want it to last and work at its full capabilities, use it only as intended. To prevent your umbrella from rusting or developing mildew, rinse with tap water and leave it fully open and upright to dry. You can choose between umbrellas that have automatic opening systems that fully extend with minimal effort and those that open manually. Try before you buy. If you get a tear in your umbrella, repair it with water-resistant fabric on both sides of the canopy. .truegolffit-banner-inner-right { padding-top: calc(574/1020 * (100% - 430px)); } @media screen and (max-width: 991px) { .truegolffit-banner-inner-right { padding-top: calc(574/1020 * 100%); width: 100%; } }GET FIT FOR YOUR GAME WITH TRUEGOLFFIT
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SEE MY RESULTS
The Best Umbrella 2020 - Results
Product | Water Resistance | Coverage | Opening Speed | Handle | Durability | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GustBuster Pro Series gold 68" Check Price | 1st | 1st | 7th | 11th | 3rd | 89 | |
ShedRain Vortex XL 68" Check Price | 2nd | 1st | 7th | 7th | 3rd | 89 | |
Titleist Tour Double Canopy Check Price | 2nd | 1st | 7th | 11th | 3rd | 88.5 | |
ShedRain Vortex Pro Check Price | 2nd | 8th | 7th | 7th | 1st | 87.5 | |
Inesis Pro Filter Large Check Price | 5th | 12th | 2nd | 7th | 5th | 85.5 | |
Under Armour Double Canopy Check Price | 7th | 4th | 11th | 7th | 7th | 84 | |
ShedRain Windpro Check Price | 13th | 13th | 2nd | 2nd | 5th | 83.5 | |
Mizuno Dual Canopy Check Price | 11th | 8th | 11th | 1st | 9th | 83 | |
BagBoy UV Wind Vent Check Price | 12th | 9th | 2nd | 3rd | 11th | 82 | |
Motocaddy Clearview Check Price | 9th | 9th | 2nd | 11th | 11th | 82 | |
PING 68' Tour Canopy Check Price | 11th | 4th | 11th | 3rd | 12th | 81.5 | |
Sun Mountain UV Umbrella Check Price | 9th | 7th | 11th | 3rd | 14th | 81 | |
Srixon Double Canopy Check Price | 7th | 9th | 11th | 15th | 7th | 80 | |
ShedRain UnbelievaBrella Check Price | 5th | 15th | 1st | 14th | 9th | 78 | |
PING Single Canopy Check Price | 15th | 14th | 7th | 3rd | 15th | 71.5 |
FASTEST DEPLOYING UMBRELLA - ShedRain UnbelievaBrella
The ShedRain UnbelievaBrella is perfect for everyday use. It's small and compact so it fits easily in your car or briefcase. The fast automatic opening and closing system means it's easy to use. It does have a reinforced skeleton but it isn't made for severely windy conditions.
What do I need to know about a golf umbrella?
Q: Is a bigger coverage area better?
A: In most situations, bigger is better when it comes to coverage. You want an umbrella that covers you and your golf bag.
Q: What is better? Single or double canopy?
A: Double canopies are better in windier conditions because air can pass through, thus preventing the umbrella from turning inside out. Double canopies with bungee straps attaching the top canopy to the ribs of the umbrella reinforce the structure. ShedRain and Gustbuster are excellent examples.
Q: Do all golf umbrellas have UV protection?
A: Not all umbrellas provide UV protection. The most common umbrellas that protect you best from the UV rays are solid sliver in color on the inside. The material used is also thicker to block harmful rays. Always check the label to ensure you get an umbrella that blocks the sun.
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