MGS Tested: GOLF UMBRELLA 2019

2019 GOLF UMBRELLA BUYERS GUIDE

Picture this!

75 and Sunny. Sounds like the perfect day to play a round. But if the forecast said 75 with a chance of showers would you still go out? We say don’t sacrifice a good day on the course just because of a little rain. Head out, but be sure to bring your umbrella. Not just any umbrella, though. At MyGolfSpy, we specifically sought out umbrellas created with the golf course and the elements in mind.

This year, we tested the usual suspects, along with offerings from some of the bigger equipment OEMs. It’s notable that some of those brands outsource their umbrella manufacturing to the experts in the category. That’s neither surprising nor uncommon; it just makes sense. At the end of the day, golfers want an umbrella that keeps them dry. 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, for some buying advice to get started, or just want a closer look at what’s on the market right now, 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.

FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU

Durability

No matter how good the umbrella is, you want it to last. The best umbrellas, like Shedrain and Gustbuster, last for years in all weather conditions. During testing, we discovered umbrellas that did not fully extend or did the opposite and hyperextended, which can dramatically limit longevity. This is something to consider, especially when contemplating a more expensive option.

Opening 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 you likely you are to get wet. The Athletico and BagBoy are great examples of umbrellas that can be opened quickly. Their automatic opening systems limit fumbling and therefore provide better opening speed to get you out of the rain quickly.

Coverage

No one wants to be soggy on the golf course, and many 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. Larger umbrellas typically perform better on the golf course. 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. You’ll want to avoid handles that are unbearably hard and provide no gripping structures. We found that the handles that perform better than others offer recessed areas for fingers to wrap and grip, and are made from materials that aren’t compromised as conditions get wetter.

2019 Umbrella Features Chart

	Product	Canopies	Opening	Colorways	Diameter
	Athletico Elite 62" See the Best Price!	2	Automatic	1	62
	Athletico Elite 68" See the Best Price!	2	Automatic	1	68
	BagBoy Wind Vent See the Best Price!	2	Automatic	4	62
	BagBoy Telescopic UV See the Best Price!	2	Automatic	1	68
	BagBoy UV Wind Vent See the Best Price!	2	Manual	1	62
	Big Max Aqua UV Protection See the Best Price!	2	Automatic	4	68
	Gustbuster 62" See the Best Price!	2	Manual	6	62
	Gustbuster 68" See the Best Price!	2	Manual	Customizable	68
	Mizuno See the Best Price!	2	Manual	1	68
	Ping Single Canopy See the Best Price!	1	Manual	1	62
	Ping Tour See the Best Price!	2	Manual	1	68
	Pro Active Sports SunTek See the Best Price!	2	Manual	3	62
	Procella Golf See the Best Price!	2	Automatic	5	62
	Shed Rain Vortex Pro See the Best Price!	2	Manual	3	62
	Shed Rain Vortex XL See the Best Price!	2	Manual	5	68
	Srixon Z 79cm See the Best Price!	2	Manual	1	68
	Sun Mountain See the Best Price!	2	Manual	1	68
	Titleist Pro Folding See the Best Price!	1	Semi Manual	1	58
	Titleist Tour Single See the Best Price!	1	Manual	1	62
	Titleist Pro Single See the Best Price!	1	Semi Manual	1	58
	Titleist Tour Double See the Best Price!	2	Manual	1	68
	Under Armour See the Best Price!	2	Manual	1	68
	Vice Guard See the Best Price!	2	Automatic	1	62

Small But Effective - Titleist Professional Folding Umbrella

For those golfers who want an umbrella for everyday use, the Titleist Professional Folding has your back. Its compact design allows you to store it in your backpack or other small compartments. It's reinforced inner skeleton handles moderate wind conditions easily while keeping you dry at the same time. Although we wouldn't recommend using it for heavy use on the golf course, the Pro Folding is excellent for everyday use.

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 off with tap water and leave it fully open and upright to dry.
• Some golfers prefer umbrellas that have automatic opening systems that fully extend with minimal effort while others prefer the manual opening umbrellas. Whatever your preference, there’s an umbrella for you.
• If you get a tear in your umbrella, repair it with water-resistant fabric on both sides of the canopy for double the protection.

2019 Umbrella Results

	Product	Water resistance	Coverage	Opening Speed	Handle	Durability	Total
	GustBuster 68" See the Best Price!	1st	1st	10th	13th	4th	89
	Shed Rain Vortex XL 68" See the Best Price!	4th	1st	10th	7th	1st	89
	Titlesit Tour Double Canopy See the Best Price!	4th	1st	10th	13th	1st	88.5
	Shed Rain Vortex Pro 62" See the Best Price!	3rd	8th	10th	7th	1st	87.5
	GustBuster 62" See the Best Price!	1st	15th	10th	13th	4th	85.5
	Athletico elite 68" Double Canopy See the Best Price!	10th	8th	1st	1st	9th	85
	Under Armour See the Best Price!	9th	4th	16th	7th	7th	84
	BagBoy Telescopic UV Umbrella See the Best Price!	17th	4th	6th	7th	13th	83
	Athletico 62" Double Canopy See the Best Price!	10th	16th	1st	1st	9th	82.5
	Titleist Tour Single Canopy See the Best Price!	4th	20th	16th	13th	4th	82
	BagBoy UV Wind Vent See the Best Price!	17th	12th	3rd	1st	17th	82
	PING 68" Tour Umbrella See the Best Price!	16th	4th	16th	1st	16th	81.5
	Sun Mountain See the Best Price!	10th	7th	16th	1st	17th	81
	Vice Guard See the Best Price!	7th	16th	6th	18th	13th	80.5
	Srixon Z 79cm See the Best Price!	7th	12th	16th	22nd	7th	80
	Bag Boy Wind Vent 62" See the Best Price!	17th	12th	9th	7th	13th	79.5
	Big Max Aqua UV Protechtion See the Best Price!	10th	19th	10th	7th	9th	78.5
	Titlesit Prof Single Canopy See the Best Price!	10th	23rd	6th	13th	9th	77
	Pro Active sports SunTek 68" Golf Umbrella See the Best Price!	20th	8th	16th	21st	21st	75.5
	Procella Golf 62" See the Best Price!	22nd	16th	3rd	22nd	17th	74
	Titleist Prof Folding See the Best Price!	10th	21st	3rd	20th	20th	73.5
	Mizuno Umbrella See the Best Price!	23rd	11th	16th	18th	21st	73
	Ping 62"Single Canopy See the Best Price!	21st	22nd	10th	1st	21st	71.5

What do I need to know about a golf umbrella?

Q: Is a bigger coverage area actually better in an umbrella?

A: In most situations, bigger is better when it comes to coverage. You want an umbrella that covers you and as much of your golf bag as possible in those quick downpours.

Q: What is better? Single or double canopy?

A: Double canopies are better in windier conditions because air can pass through; therefore, it helps prevent the umbrella from turning inside out. Pay close attention to double canopies that have bungee straps attaching the top canopy to the arms of the umbrella, thus reinforcing the structure. ShedRain and Gustbuster are excellent examples.

Q: Do all umbrellas have UV protection?

A: Not all umbrellas provide you with 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 those harmful rays. Always check the label for details to ensure you get an umbrella that blocks the sun.