Rain Gear for Golf: 10 Best Wet Weather Picks for Men

The best rain gear for golf is a seam-sealed, breathable jacket with matching over-trousers, backed up by rain gloves, waterproof shoes and a vented umbrella. Choose a three-layer or GORE-TEX jacket if you play through steady rain all winter. Choose a packable shell if you only need cover for the odd shower, and short sleeves if your wet rounds are warm. Add a hooded pullover if you dislike full zips, and an insulated jacket if the cold bites as hard as the rain.

A wet round goes wrong in predictable ways. The jacket leaks at the seams, sweat builds up inside, the grips turn slick and your feet are squelching by the sixth. Every label says waterproof, so choosing men's golf rain gear from the label alone is guesswork. This guide gives you a short buying guide first, then ten pieces of wet weather golf gear. Each one comes with how it works, what to check and who it suits.

At MoreSports we sell golf clothing, footwear and accessories from brands including FootJoy, adidas, Titleist and Under Armour. We ship across the UK, Ireland and the EU from our base in Northern Ireland, so the advice here is written for British and Irish weather.

How to choose rain gear for golf that stays dry

Choose on three things: a genuine waterproof rating with sealed seams, enough breathability to keep sweat out, and a cut that lets you swing freely. Everything else is detail.

A jacket that keeps rain out but traps sweat will leave you just as wet.

Waterproof or water-resistant

Water-resistant fabric sheds light drizzle for a while, but waterproof fabric with taped seams keeps out steady rain. Waterproofing is usually quoted as hydrostatic head in millimetres, which measures how much water pressure the fabric withstands. Treat the figures below as a rough guide, because brands test in different ways.

Label	Typical rating	Best for
Water-resistant	Below about 5,000mm	Drizzle, a short shower
Waterproof	About 10,000mm	Regular showers, the odd wet round
Highly waterproof	15,000mm to 20,000mm and above	Steady or heavy rain, winter golf

A big number is not the whole story. Water gets in at the seams, zips, cuffs and collar long before it passes through the fabric, so sealed seams and a storm collar matter as much as the rating.

Breathability, seams and fit

Breathability is measured in grams of moisture per square metre per day, and higher is better. A round takes four hours of walking and swinging, and you produce a lot of heat doing it. If the jacket cannot release it, you end up damp from the inside.

Fit decides whether you forget the jacket is there. Try it on with your normal layers and make a full backswing in the mirror. Check that the sleeves do not ride up, that the hem stays down and that you can still see the ball past the collar or hood. Baggy gear can restrict your turn as much as tight gear.

Layering and keeping gear waterproof

Wear a thin, wicking golf base layer and add a mid layer only when it is cold. A waterproof shell then sits over the top. The shell's outer fabric carries a durable water repellent (DWR) finish that makes rain bead off, and that finish wears away with use and dirt. Once the fabric soaks up water, breathability drops sharply.

• Wash the garment as the care label says, with a technical cleaner rather than fabric softener.
• Tumble dry on low if the label allows it, because gentle heat can revive the finish.
• Reproof with a spray-on or wash-in treatment when water stops beading.
• Hang your gear to dry after every wet round so it does not go musty.

1. Full-zip waterproof golf jacket

A full-zip waterproof jacket is the foundation of rain gear for golf, and for most men it is the one piece worth spending properly on. FootJoy's HydroTour and the lined GORE-TEX Galvin Green Aston are good examples of jackets built for steady rain rather than a passing shower.

If you only buy one piece of wet weather kit, make it a properly sealed jacket.

How it works

Three-layer jackets bond a waterproof membrane between a tough outer fabric and an inner lining. The membrane blocks rain, the outer fabric protects it and the lining keeps it off your shirt. Taped seams close the stitch holes, and stretch fabric lets you rotate through the swing. GORE-TEX models add a windproof barrier that still lets sweat vapour escape.

Check these points before you buy:

• Fully taped seams and a waterproof front zip
• Adjustable cuffs and a storm collar that sits clear of your chin
• Stretch through the shoulders and back
• Zipped pockets, with one big enough for a scorecard and phone
• A quiet fabric that does not swish as you swing

Who it suits and what it costs

This jacket suits golfers who play through rain most months, league and competition players who cannot head in when it pours, and anyone who has given up on a cheap jacket that leaked at the shoulders. Lined GORE-TEX options suit cold, windy rounds best.

Expect mid-range to premium prices, which is fair because you pay for construction rather than a logo. Skip it if you only need cover for the occasional shower, and look at item 3 instead. Winter golfers should also compare item 6.

2. Waterproof golf over-trousers

Waterproof over-trousers keep your legs dry and are the most overlooked part of men's golf rain gear. The FootJoy HydroLite X trousers and the Sun Mountain Monsoon trousers are two pairs that pull on over your normal golf trousers when the sky turns.

A dry jacket over wet trousers still leaves you cold by the turn.

How it works

Over-trousers use the same membrane technology as jackets, but they are cut roomy and fitted with long leg zips. The zips open wide enough to pull the trousers on over your golf shoes without sitting down to unlace. An elasticated or gripper waistband holds them up on the walk, and most pairs pack small enough to live in the bag.

What to look for:

• Leg zips that open wide enough for your shoes
• A choice of leg lengths, so hems stay off wet grass
• A stretch or gripper waistband
• Taped seams and a quiet, soft fabric
• Pockets you can still reach with the trousers on

Who it suits and what it costs

Walkers and trolley pushers get the most from them, because their legs take spray from wet grass and the trolley wheels. They also suit anyone who tees off early in heavy dew and hates wet trousers by the third hole.

Budget pairs do a decent job for occasional use, while dearer pairs are quieter and stretchier. If you dislike pulling anything on mid-round, some brands now make waterproof trousers cut like chinos that you can wear all day. Buy over-trousers alongside your jacket if you play in the rain regularly.

3. Packable shower jacket

A packable shell is the sensible answer if you want wet weather golf gear that is actually in the bag when the rain arrives. The Sun Mountain Monsoon stows in its own pocket, and FootJoy's HydroLite X range is designed to fold small.

The best rain jacket is the one that is in your bag when the shower comes.

How it works

Packable jackets use a lighter two-layer or 2.5-layer construction instead of a full three-layer build. The membrane is thinner, the fabric is lighter and the whole jacket folds into a pocket or stuff sack. You lose some durability and some long-term waterproofing, but you gain a jacket that weighs almost nothing in a stand bag.

Features worth checking:

• It packs into its own pocket or a stuff sack
• Sealed seams and a rating of at least 10,000mm
• Elastic or adjustable cuffs
• Windproof fabric
• A hem that stays put at the top of your swing

Who it suits and what it costs

This is the pick for golfers who mostly play in dry weather but get caught out, for walkers who count every gramme in the bag, and for anyone travelling on a golf trip. It is usually the cheapest way to get a genuinely waterproof jacket.

Be honest about the limit. A light shell can wet out in a long downpour and will not last as long as a three-layer jacket. If you play in the rain every week, buy item 1 instead.

4. Short-sleeve rain jacket

A short-sleeve rain jacket keeps your body dry while your arms stay cool, which makes it the right rain gear for golf on warm, wet days. The Walter Hagen P11 Hydrocover short-sleeve and the Galway Bay Erris are two examples.

On a warm wet day, a full-sleeve jacket keeps the rain out and the heat in.

How it works

The sleeves stop above the elbow, so there is nothing to bunch at the crook of your arm in the swing. The body uses a light waterproof fabric, and many designs add a vent across the back panel so hot air escapes. Your forearms get wet, but bare skin dries quickly once the shower passes, and you never overheat under a sealed sleeve.

Look for:

• A vent system across the back
• Sealed seams and a decent waterproof rating
• A T-shirt style fit that does not cling when wet
• Water-resistant zips
• A fabric light enough to pack into the bag

Who it suits and what it costs

It suits summer and early autumn golf, humid rounds and players who hate anything on their forearms during the swing. It is also a good second jacket if your main one is a heavier three-layer.

The downside is cold. When temperatures drop, wet forearms chill fast, so choose full sleeves from autumn onwards. Prices sit at the budget to mid-range end, which makes it an easy add-on to your wet weather golf gear.

5. Waterproof pullover or hoodie

A waterproof pullover or hoodie suits golfers who dislike full-length zips, and it is a neat alternative to a standard jacket. The adidas Ultimate365 Tour CLIMAPROOF+ anorak and the Abacus Bounce waterproof hoodie are two well-known examples of this style of rain gear for golf.

Fewer zips means fewer places for water to get in.

How it works

A half-zip or pull-on design removes the long front zip, which is often the first place a jacket leaks. The hood gives full cover while you wait on a tee or walk between shots, and you can push it back to swing. Fit is usually relaxed, so there is room for a layer underneath without restricting your turn.

Points to check:

• A hood that does not block your vision or catch on your cap
• A half-zip long enough to pull over a cap and glasses
• Taped seams
• A published waterproof rating, so you know what you are buying
• A front pocket that keeps its contents dry

Who it suits and what it costs

This is a good pick for golfers who want a hood in windy rain and for anyone who wears their rain gear off the course too. Walkers like it because it sits snugly in the wind without flapping open.

It is slower to take on and off than a full-zip jacket, and you get less ventilation when you overheat. Prices run mid-range to premium, and last season's colours are often cheaper if you shop around.

6. Insulated winter rain jacket

An insulated waterproof jacket is the answer when the forecast is cold as well as wet. KJUS's Insulated Storm Jacket is built for late autumn and winter golf, and lined Galvin Green waterproofs do the same job. Either can replace a stack of layers when you want rain gear for golf in January.

Warmth without bulk is what separates a winter golf jacket from a ski jacket.

How it works

Insulation, whether padding or a soft mesh or fleece lining, traps warm air between your body and a waterproof, windproof outer shell. Because the jacket carries the warmth, you can wear a thinner mid layer and keep your shoulders free. Good winter jackets use stretch panels across the back and arms so the extra material does not fight your swing.

What to look for:

• Slim insulation rather than thick padding
• Freedom through the shoulders on a full backswing
• Hand-warmer pockets with weather flaps
• Adjustable cuffs and hem
• A high collar that seals out wind

Who it suits and what it costs

It suits golfers who keep playing through British and Irish winters, and competitors in winter leagues who cannot choose their tee times. It also earns its keep off the course on dog walks and at the touchline.

It is a premium purchase and too warm from spring onwards. If you only play in cold rain a few times a year, a mid-weight waterproof plus a thermal base layer is cheaper and more flexible.

7. Waterproof golf shoes

Waterproof golf shoes are essential rain gear for golf because wet feet end a round faster than a wet jacket. Look for a membrane-lined pair from brands such as FootJoy, adidas or ECCO, whose BIOM C5 uses GORE-TEX Surround. You can browse golf footwear from adidas and FootJoy at MoreSports.

The membrane keeps water out of the leather, but the opening still lets it in over the top.

How it works

A waterproof membrane sits between the upper and the lining. It stops rain passing through while letting sweat vapour out, and a gusseted tongue blocks water entering at the laces. Water can still run down your leg and in over the ankle, so wear trousers that cover the shoe opening on soaked days.

Things to check:

• A warranty on the waterproofing, which many brands offer for a year or more
• A gusseted or padded tongue
• Spikes or spikeless: spikeless suits flatter courses, spikes suit hilly, wet grass
• Room for thicker socks in winter
• A wipe-clean upper

Who it suits and what it costs

These suit every golfer who walks wet fairways, which in the UK and Ireland means most of us for much of the year. Early-morning players benefit from them even without rain, because dew soaks standard shoes within a few holes.

Waterproof pairs usually cost a little more than non-waterproof ones, and it is money well spent. After a wet round, care for your golf shoes by stuffing them with newspaper and letting them dry naturally. A radiator can crack the leather and damage the membrane bonding.

8. Rain gloves

Rain gloves keep your grip secure when a leather glove goes slick, and they cost little compared with the rest of your wet weather golf gear. FootJoy's RainGrip gloves are built to grip better as they get wet, and they are sold as a pair so both hands are covered.

Your grip is your only contact with the club, so protect it first.

How it works

Rain gloves use a synthetic or knit palm that holds its tackiness when soaked, whereas leather loses grip as it absorbs water. You wear one on each hand, because your lower hand gets just as wet as your upper one. Put them on at the first drops rather than waiting for your usual glove to soak through.

What to check:

• They come as a pair, not a single glove
• A snug fit, because a loose glove twists on the grip
• Stretch across the back of the hand
• A spare pair kept in a dry pocket
• Club grips that are not worn or glazed

Who it suits and what it costs

Every golfer who plays in the rain should carry a pair, and they are especially useful if you play year-round in changeable weather. Cost is low, so they are the cheapest upgrade in this list.

Worn grips matter too. A glazed rubber grip slips in the wet however good the glove is, so regrip your clubs before winter if yours are shiny. In dry weather a leather glove gives better feel, and in the cold you will want a winter glove with a water-resistant palm instead.

9. Golf umbrella

A vented golf umbrella is the cheapest way to keep your grips, glove and bag dry between shots, and it belongs in any list of rain gear for golf. Titleist's Tour Double Canopy, at 68 inches, is a good benchmark for golf umbrella size and wind resistance.

A dry grip matters more to your score than a dry back.

How it works

A double canopy has a smaller top layer over a vent in the main canopy, so wind passes through instead of catching it like a sail. Strong, flexible ribs bend in a gust instead of snapping. A large canopy covers you and the top of your bag while you wait to play, so the grips, towel and glove stay dry.

Look for:

• A canopy of roughly 62 to 68 inches
• A vented double canopy
• Flexible ribs that spring back
• A comfortable, non-slip handle
• A handle that fits your trolley's umbrella holder, if you use one

Who it suits and what it costs

It suits walkers and trolley golfers who stand around on tees and greens. A UV coating, as on the Titleist, makes it useful as shade on sunny days too. Expect to pay mid-range prices, and note that cheap umbrellas flip inside out in the first strong gust.

One safety point. Never hold an umbrella or shelter under a tree during a thunderstorm. If you hear thunder or see lightning, leave the course and follow your club's rules on suspending play.

10. Bag rain hood and golf towel

A rain hood with a dry towel protects your clubs and grips, so it finishes your rain gear for golf even when the jacket is perfect. Callaway's Rain Hood Towel is a typical example, pairing a cotton towel with a nylon hood that slips over the top of your bag.

Keep one towel dry, and you can dry your grip last, just before you swing.

How it works

The hood covers the top of the bag and the grips, with Velcro or zipped sides so you can pull a club without removing it. The towel sits under the nylon, which means you always have a dry patch for your hands and grips. A carabiner clip hangs it from the bag. If you use a trolley, a full cover sized to your bag and trolley protects more of the bag.

What to check:

• Access to the clubs without taking the hood off
• A fit for your bag type, whether stand, cart or trolley
• Water-resistant versus waterproof: many hoods only cover the top
• A second spare towel in a zipped pocket
• A waterproof pocket for your phone and keys

Who it suits and what it costs

It suits every golfer, from walkers with stand bags to those with push or electric trolleys. The cost is low, and it does more for your grips than any jacket will.

A water-resistant hood will not save you in a long storm, because the rest of the bag still gets wet. For heavy rain, choose a full trolley cover or bag cover, keep a towel tucked underneath, and wipe your grip dry only when you are about to hit.

Dress for the forecast

The best wet weather kit starts with a sealed jacket, goes on to over-trousers, gloves and waterproof shoes, and finishes with an umbrella and a dry towel. Match each piece to how often you play in the rain and how cold it gets, and read what to wear golfing in the rain for the full outfit. Check seams and breathability, not just the label, and look after the waterproof finish so your gear lasts.

If you play most of the year, build the kit from items 1, 2, 7 and 8 first. Add a packable shell, short sleeves or an insulated jacket as your rounds demand. You can compare golf clothing, shoes and accessories from brands you trust at MoreSports, with free UK delivery over £25 and 90-day returns on unused items.