Best Golf Caps 2024: Our shortlist of peak performers for style and protection

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:

Best for practicality: Titleist Players Performance Ball Marker Golf Cap | View Offer

Best for comfort: adidas 3 Stripe Tour Golf Cap | View Offer

Best snapback: Puma ‘P’ Snapback Golf Cap | View Offer

Best tour-inspired: Callaway TA Performance Pro Golf Cap | View Offer

Best waterproof cap: Galvin Green Argo Waterproof Golf Cap | View Offer

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
Coming in a choice of 10 colors, this tour-inspired cap is constructed from a technical polyester material with moisture-wicking properties and an adjustable velcro closure.

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
If you are a fan of tour-inspired caps with bold and unmistakable branding, you'll no doubt love this Ping Tour classic cap as worn by Viktor Hovland and many other Ping Staff Players.

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
We love the stylish all-over print design of the 3 Stripe Tour Cap, but if you want to tone it down then this cap is also available in less dizzying black, white, and navy versions.

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
If you like the snapback look then this 'P' branded cap with a slight curve to the bill should be on your shortlist. This 'Rickie Orange' colorway is our pick of the bunch, but it also comes in four other less-garish designs.

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
We love the style and quality offered by the trailblazing performance lifestyle brand and this Mapes Baseball Cap is no exception with its alternative and playful golf cart logo.

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
If Callaway is your go-to brand for equipment then this heavily branded cap featuring Ai-Smoke, Chrome Tour and Odyssey logos should be right up your street.

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
Price: £25.00 RRP
Not only does the Iso-Chill Driver Mesh Cap come in multiple eye-catching designs, but it also backs up style with excellent performance to keep you cool when golfing in extreme heat.

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
Branded front and center with a rubberized 'JL' bridge logo, this sporty aesthetic has been constructed with a ventilating mesh fabric that makes it a great choice for those looking for a breathable and fast-drying option.

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
While this non-traditional aesthetic that sits high on the head will not be for everyone, it will appeal to those who take themselves less seriously on the course and want to move away from the status quo.

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
Offering 100% waterproof and windproof protection, this fully seam-sealed Gore-Tex Paclite cap makes a great addition to any golfing wardrobe in our opinion.

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
The Sunset offers a fresh and modern take on the TaylorMade logo, featuring a badge inspired by the company's home state of California, where the sunset paints the Pacific Ocean.

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 its seamless, stitch-free construction, the Mizuno Tour Delta Cap is one of the most comfortable, lightweight and innovative designs on the market.

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.

Wyndham Clark and Rickie Fowler will both compete in the TGL golf league in 2024

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 is a Senior Digital Writer for Today's Golfer.

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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