2017 GOLF UMBRELLA BUYER’S GUIDE

Did you know that the umbrella was invented over 4,000 years ago? With so much time passed, it’s reasonable to expect significant innovation. The thing is, most of the umbrellas on the market today are the same as they have been for decades, perhaps even centuries. How can a product improve if it doesn’t change? Golfers are accustomed to companies to push the envelope, and we’ve set out to figure out if anyone has done that within the umbrella category.

We’re Here to Help

The process of buying anything in today’s time has become stressful and time-consuming. We feel the best reviews are those that help you make the right choices and help you get the most out of your time and money. This way you can buy with confidence and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. We are here to help show you how a product will perform before you buy.

One key to our testing protocols is that we test products head-to-head. We select the top products from each category and put them through extensive and detailed head-to-head testing. We test both in the lab and in the field. We score each product across a range of weighted categories. We then rank the products, explain why, and give awards to the best-performing products in the category.

THE METRICS

An umbrella is expected to keep you dry, but it’s also a must for it to be durable as well as easy to use. Those looking for a golf umbrella, however, demand more. Everything from the grip of the handle, the speed of opening, the quality of materials, and the effectiveness of wind resistance were examined to determine the best golf umbrella of 2017.

We’re always fine-tuning the process to make sure we’re collecting the best data possible. Continuing that trend we’ve updated and refined this year’s analysis to bring you the best buying advice possible.

UMBRELLA FEATURES CHART

Name	Cost	Canopies	Opening	Shaft Material	Colorways	Diameter
GUSTBUSTER TOUR SERIES GOLD	$44.95	2	Manual	Super Strength Fiberglass	Customizable	62"
PING TOUR	$65.00	2	Manual	High Density Fiberglass	1	68"
SUN MOUNTAIN H2NO	$44.96	2	Manual	FiberGlass	1	60"
VICE GUARD	$44.95	2	Automatic	Carbon Fiber	1	55"
COBRA DOUBLE CANOPY	$46.01	2	Automatic	Faux Carbon	1	68"
PROCELLA 68 INCH	$27.99	2	Manual	FiberGlass	2	68"
BLUNT GOLF	$71.10	1	Manual	FiberGlass	5	57"
TOTES STORMBEATER	$19.19	2	Automatic	FiberGlass	4	60"
PROCELLA 62 INCH	$27.97	2	Automatic	FiberGlass	6	62"
TOTES AUTO OPEN GOLF NEVERWET SUNGUARD	$30.00	1	Automatic	FiberGlass	5	60"
LOUDMOUTH CLOVER	$49.99	2	Manual	Braided Fiberglass	1	62"
GFORE PEACE	$120.00	2	Manual	Braided Fiberglass	1	62"
SRIXON TOUR	$59.99	2	Manual	FiberGlass	1	62"
WILSON STAFF PRO TOUR	$34.91	2	Manual	Graphite	1	68"

 

We put in hours of testing leveraging data-driven protocols to examine new metrics. The process is more detailed than ever.

To best examine golf umbrellas, we waited for rain and then headed outside to test. We tested in different over multiple days to see how the umbrellas would perform in a variety of storm conditions. During testing, the umbrellas were rated in multiple categories. In consultation with experts, we also created a series of lab tests. These tests focused on wind resistance, coverage, and handle effectiveness.

Wind Resistance (30 points) – We put the umbrellas to the test both in our lab and on the course. On the course, the umbrellas were subjected to storms with wind gusts of up to 45 mph. We then put the umbrellas to the test under simulated wind conditions. Poor performers had shafts that bent and canopies that nearly collapsed. Top performers didn’t falter at wind speeds approaching 50 mph.

Coverage (20 points) – It’s important to note that an umbrellas diameter isn’t the sole factor in the coverage score. Some umbrellas are designed to provide greater clearance for the head, torso, and clubs. Umbrellas that feature domes that force the water to cascade out as opposed to down performed best. Poor performers were either too small, or their design didn’t maximize the potential coverage of the umbrella.

Opening Speed (15 points) – How fast does the umbrella open? The opening speed score is a combination of both the velcro straps and opening mechanism. Some umbrellas have automatic opening while others must be opened manually. Umbrellas without multiple velcro straps were inconvenient to operate.

Handle (5 points) – How easy is the handle to hold in both wet and dry conditions? Do you feel like a gust of wind could blow the umbrella out of your hand? Umbrellas that performed had sandpaperlike-handles that were contoured to the hand. The best umbrellas are easy to grip under the wettest of conditions.

Durability (30 points) – Is the umbrella made of high-quality materials? Is the umbrella constructed in a way that limits breakable pieces? Did the umbrella break during any portion of the test? An umbrella isn’t a bank-breaking purchase, but it’s important that it lasts for as long as possible. The best performers durability wise were incredibly sturdy, and some even boast lifetime warranties. Poor performers were battered around by the wind, while some even broke.

Final grades were awarded based on total scores. Best Overall is our highest overall scoring golf umbrella, and awards are given to the top three umbrellas. Also, more specific Best in Class recognitions are awarded to umbrellas in certain categories (like wind resistance, durability, and coverage) that push the industry’s design envelope.

We also give an “Editor’s Choice” and a “Best Buy” award to those products that provide value products that compete with the bigger names on performance.

THE BEST GOLF UMBRELLA OF 2017

2017 GOLF UMBRELLA BUYERS GUIDE

Name	Cost	Wind Resistance	Coverage	Opening Speed	Handle	Durability	Score
GUSTBUSTER TOUR SERIES GOLD	$44.95	1st	7th	6th	1st	1st	94.1
PING TOUR	$65.00	2nd	1st	10th	2nd	2nd	91.9
SUN MOUNTAIN H2NO	$44.96	4th	3rd	8th	3rd	3rd	90.5
COBRA DOUBLE CANOPY	$46.01	3rd	2nd	1st	9th	5th	89.3
PROCELLA 68 INCH	$27.99	7th	5th	9th	12th	7th	88.8
VICE GUARD	$44.95	5th	13th	5th	4th	8th	87.1
BLUNT GOLF	$71.10	6th	14th	7th	8th	4th	86.1
TOTES STORMBEATER	$19.19	9th	8th	4th	5th	6th	84.8
PROCELLA 62 INCH	$27.97	13th	12th	2nd	12th	11th	76.8
TOTES AUTO OPEN GOLF NEVERWET SUNGUARD	$30.00	11th	10th	3rd	5th	10th	75
LOUDMOUTH CLOVER	$49.99	14th	6th	11th	10th	13th	73.1
GFORE PEACE	$120.00	12th	11th	11th	7th	12th	73
SRIXON TOUR	$59.99	10th	9th	14th	11th	9th	71.8
WILSON STAFF PRO TOUR	$34.91	8th	4th	11th	14th	14th	70.1