Opinion & Analysis
What Your Golf Hat Says About You
Picture a bright summer day. The sun is shining through the trees and you need something to shield your eyes from the light. A hat!
Just about every professional golfer wears one to protect themselves from sun exposure… and because they get paid big sums of money to put logos on them. The last time I checked, however, 99.9 percent of golfers aren’t fortunate enough to have endorsement deals. So why do the vast majority of golfers in the world generally wear similar hats with very similar logos?
Here’s a list of some of the favorite hats worn by golfers across the world, as well a brief description of the golfers who are probably wearing them.
Titleist Hat
Usually a pretty good player. You’re obsessed with swing mechanics. Most of the other members at your course usually see you on the range with a tripod, an iPad, a launch monitor and at least three alignment rods.
- Common Line: “Do you mind filming a swing for me?”
- Shoots Around: 76, but you can shoot in the 90s when the swing gets “off plane.”
Beanie
Beanies are totally acceptable in the winter, but very few people have the confidence to wear one in the summer time… and you’re one of them. Somehow you keep your cool, both on and off the course, even though your bank account is overdrawn and your rent is past due.
- Common Line: “Can I borrow your (insert golf item)? I lost mine.”
- Shoots Around: 91, but you’re scary consistent.
FootJoy Bucket Hat
You’re obsessed with both the game of golf and sun screen… the SPF 100+ stuff. The white sunscreen streaks on your nose don’t fade until the back nine. You play about twice a week and take three minutes to hit every shot.
- Common Line: “Need any sunscreen? I have the spray-on stuff, too.”
- Shoots Around: You always seem to shoot below 85, but it’s never pretty.
TaylorMade Hat
For a brand that literally means “made for you,” you own a hat that is worn by countless other golfers. But you love your new TaylorMade driver, and you want the whole world to know it.
- Common Line: “I dropped my spin by 500 rpm with this driver!”
- Shoots Around: 83, but the way you drove it you should have shot 75.
(Insert Name of Financial Institution) Visor
You’ve been wearing that visor for less than a week, and you’re way overconfident about a recent day trade that made you a few hundred bucks… in less than an hour, of course. Your golf game is terrible, but you play all the time. As an “entrepreneur,” you get to “make your own schedule.” Your playing partners know this before you make it to the first green, which takes a few fatted pitch shots.
- Common Line: “How is IBM is down 5 percent today! Everyone said it was guaranteed to go up.”
- Shoots around: 112, but 95 when you’re keeping score.
Budweiser Hat
You get hammered before you even make it to the first tee. And whether you’re teeing off at 4 p.m. or 6 a.m., everyone knows within a few minutes of meeting you that you came to the course for a good time. Your cigarillos (usually Swisher Sweets, grape flavor) send a warning to nearby golfers to watch out for shanks, skulls and slices.
- Common Line: “(Something GolfWRX can’t print about a cart girl).”
- Shoot Around: Doesn’t keep score, ever.
Nike/Tiger Woods Hat
Tiger fanatic. You were slightly depressed for the 15 months Tiger wasn’t on the PGA Tour, and you’ve watched the 2016 Hero World Challenge on DVR four times.
- Common Line: “I’m getting close.”
- Shoots Around: 80, but you fist pump like a tour player.
Ben Hogan “Cap”
You’re over the age of 55 (or Bryson DeChambeau), and have read Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons and Power Golf at least three times. You’ve compiled a 50-page journal about what you need to do in your golf swing, and you’ve taped your favorite Ben Hogan quote to your bathroom mirror.
“The ultimate judge of your swing is the flight of the ball,” is your current favorite.
- Common Line: “Would you mind if I offered you a tip about your swing?”
- Shoots Around: You rarely break 90 (unless you’re Bryson DeChambeau), but you think your next swing change will have you shooting under par.
MLB Flat Brim Hat
You’re the guy who pulls driver on every tee box (except the par-3s). You normally out drive everyone in the group, but only hit one or two fairways per round. You’re constantly talking about your minor league days, and how things would have been different if you didn’t throw your arm out.
- Common line: “I’m soooo sore. It was leg day yesterday, bro.”
- Shoots Around: 105, but you’re really, really competitive.
Any Other Kind of Flat Brim
There are no 10-handicap golfers wearing flat brim hats. If you wear one, you’re either a stud or not very good at all. And you probably love energy drinks, and have at least one tattoo.
- Common Line: “Do you think the beverage cart girl has Red Bull?”
- Shoots Around: Under par or over 100.
No Hat
Legendary: Ollie Schniederjans is one of the few golfers on the PGA Tour who doesn’t wear a hat.
You’re legendary at your club. You break par almost every round.
- Common Line: “None. You don’t say much on the course.”
- Shoots Around: 68… from the tips.
What hat do you wear to play the world’s greatest game? Let us know in the comments section below.
Aronimink is not a storied club, but when Donald Ross himself proclaimed it to be as good as he can design and build, one had to take notice. Jay Sigel was the pre-eminent male amateur golfer from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. He might have called any number of Philadelphia clubs home, but he chose Aronimink. It served him well. Gary Player won a PGA Championship here in 1962, and was followed by the 1993 winner … nobody. Aronimink gave that event away to Inverness, for reasons of which it is certainly not proud. So be it. We had to wait sixty-four years for the PGA to return to Newtown Square, but here we are. Aronimink has been neo-restored by Gil Hanse and team, to return Ross features with an eye toward defense against the dark arts, errrr, high-tech equipment.
Day one saw Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau dig big holes, to the tune of plus-four and plus-six, respectively. Since the first-round lead will be minus-three at worst, many shots will need to be made up for the power couple to reach contention. By nightfall, seven golfers held the day-one lead at three-under par 67. Shots and sticks caught our attention, and we are proud to present Five Things We Learned on Tech Thursday at the 2026 PGA Championship. Thanks to InsideTourGolfer, Today’s Golfer, and GolfWRX for initial equipment research.
First, meet Min Woo Lee
Min Woo Lee, aka Dr. Chipinski, has once again thrust himself into the conversation of Can he, will he, when will he? Lee has so much talent, wins not nearly as often as we believe that he should, and has no major near-misses (much less titles) on his wiki. The young Aussie is getting older and wiser, but is he able to avoid the scarring that holds the older and wiser back from breaking through? Philadelphia offers another opportunity. Min Woo signed for five birdies and two bogeys on day one, and grabbed a share of the opening-day lead at Aronimink. Winners transcend history and the moment, and Lee will need that sort of ascent to lift the Wannamaker on Sunday.
Second, meet Aldrich Potgeiter
The young South African golfer can rip driver with the best of them. Aronimink tips out at nearly 7400 yards, but beyond the fairway bunkers that ensnare only the mortals, Potgeiter can take his chances with wedge from the rough. On Thursday, he spent plenty of time in the spinach. Like Popeye, he used his muscles to gouge and thrash and dig his way out. Six birdies against three bogeys on the card brought AP in a three deep.
Third, meet Martin Kaymer
Not a major event takes place without a where’s he been throwback moment. We know that Martin Kaymer left the PGA and DP World tours for LIV golf, but the two-time (US Open and PGA) major winner has a lifetime exemption into at least one major event, and he seizes the opportunity each May. Kaymer joined the six-seven brigade with four birdies and a solitary bogey on day one. Kaymer was never a long hitter, and the years are kind to no golfer. The German champion will need to uncork every bottle of guile and strategy in his cabinet to remain in contention. For today, though, he occupies a rung on the ladder of Tour Tech.
Fourth, meet Scottie Scheffler
Let’s see, he’s the defending champion at the PGA, and he found his way back to the top tier with five birdies against two bogeys. To be a favorite and then play up to that stature and expectation is quite difficult. Just ask Rory, Bryson, and some of the other pre-tournament heartthrobs. Scheffler’s game is complete, and to knock him off the OWGR #1 pedestal, one needs to defeat him at the majors. Aronimink is the sort of course that fits Scheffler’s game. Better yet, it unfits the game of many of his challengers. Don’t expect Scheffler to go away anytime soon. Come Sunday, he’ll be around.
Fifth, meet Stephan Jaeger
Clocking in for the unheralded players shift are Ryo Hisatsune and Stephan Jaeger. Hisatsune logged seven birdies on day one, but gave most of them back with four bogeys. Still, he’s tied at the top for a time. Jaeger pitched five birdies against two bogeys, including a run of three consecutive, from holes four through six. Odds are that one of the two will hang around through 36 holes. Odds also suggest that both will be gone by Saturday evening. Still, the PGA Championship has historically been the major most likely to be won by an under-known. Both Hisatsune and Jaeger feature on that list, so good luck, lads!
On this episode of the Club Junkie Podcast, I head to the Titleist Performance Institute for a full driver fitting with the new Titleist GTS lineup. We dive into the fitting process, talk about what made the biggest difference in performance, and break down how the different GTS heads and shaft combinations compare on the launch monitor. If you are thinking about a new driver setup for this season, there is a lot to take away from this one.
I also get into Brooks Koepka and the gear setup he brought to the PGA Championship, including the putters that caught my eye during the week. There are some interesting equipment trends showing up at the highest level right now and we break down what stands out.
To wrap things up, I talk about reshafting a few wedges, what I learned during the process, and swapping an adaptor onto a new shaft for another build project in the shop. A gear packed episode from start to finish for anyone who loves golf equipment and club building.
Follow Club Junkie everywhere:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clubjunkiepod/
X: https://x.com/ClubJunkiePod
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clubjunkiepod
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@clubjunkiepod
Excited for this week’s WITB as we get to add the new Titleist GTS woods to the bag! I was fit at Titleist’s TPI facility in Oceanside California a few weeks ago and my new clubs just showed up. I am also adding a cool set of irons that I built last year some wild custom wedges into a new golf bag. Speaking of the bag I have a new Ghost Anyday Black Ops stand bag that I will be using on my Motocaddy Remote M7 electric cart.
Driver: Titleist GTS3 (11 degrees @ 10.25)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 6s
3-wood: Titleist GT1 3Tour (14.5 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD CQ-7s
5-wood: Titleist GTS (18 degrees)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
9-wood: Titleist GT1 (24 degress)
Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Red 7s
Irons: Bettinardi CB24 (5-PW)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 110 stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (50-09 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (56-12 SB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Wedge: TaylorMade MG5 (60-08 LB)
Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT 125 Stiff
Putter: Dan Carraher ZT Proto
Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour
Bag: Ghost Anyday Black Ops Stand Bag
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoKristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
-
Tour Photo Galleries3 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoGolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
-
Equipment2 weeks agoPGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
-
News2 weeks agoWITB Time Machine: Phil Mickelson’s winning WITB, 2021 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoWhich of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss
-
Equipment2 weeks agoLead Tape Report: Adjusting the swingweight of the Wanamaker Trophy
Ed Bradford
Dec 16, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Nice selection. I personally purchased a golf bucket hat at https://bucket-hat-central.com/collections/golf-bucket-hat and I love it
Ed Bradford
Dec 16, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Nice selection! I personally purchased a golf bucket hat at https://bucket-hat-central.com/collections/golf-bucket-hat and I love it!
Oh Translate
Oct 26, 2023 at 11:36 am
Interesting read! It’s fascinating to learn how the hat you wear on the golf course can reveal aspects about your personality and style.
Miuralovechild
Feb 6, 2017 at 1:25 am
Still waiting for someone to make a Miura visor and put it on Ebay.
Golfraven
Feb 2, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Still Titleist hat dude, although I have only 2 alignment sticks (but other training gear) and use a iPhone plus. Rest it pretty correct.
M Smizzzzzle
Feb 2, 2017 at 12:04 am
Alt facts:
1. Titleist Hat: Dad hooked you up with everything and you think you’re going pro. You’ll work for him instead.
2. Beanie: Stoked about new marijuana laws. Dad is ‘waiting’ for you to come around.
3. Bucket Hat: Glad to just be alive. Dad waiting for kids to move back in any day now.
4. TM Hat: Just bought your 4th TM set in 4 yrs. Free hat from your ‘buds’ at the shop. Dad’s CC.
5. Visor: You got ripped off for only buying half a hat. Dad mad.
6. BW Hat: Your brother in law throwing you a bone to join him after the softball/achilles incident. First and last round. You have twins on the way and the race is coming up.
7. TW Hat: You wish they had 1080p when this dude was playing because watching the magic on Youtube is so F”N hard.
8. Hogan Cap: You don’t have a close friend to tell you otherwise. Keep on going out as a single and someone’s dad eventually lets you know. Or you’re pimp AF.
9. MLB Hat: Used to hit be good in pop warner and heard the swing is ‘basically the same.’ Dad loves his little slugger.
10. Other Flat brims: ‘Take that thing off when you are inside’. Dad.
11. No Hat: I’ll take you to the shop after this round if you promise you’ll keep practicing. See #1.
Charlie
Feb 2, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Great follow up. Had me cracking up
But why do 8 out of the 11 reasons have to do with Fathers/Dads?!?!? Daddy issues anyone???
M Smizzzzzle
Feb 1, 2017 at 11:42 pm
This one stings..
Shoots Around: 83, but the way you drove it you should have shot 75.
Brendan
Feb 1, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Mainly Taylormade hat guy, and other hats on occasion. 0 handicap and College Golfer
ThatGuy
Feb 1, 2017 at 7:41 pm
No hat except in winter, 0 hcp
Chemo
Feb 2, 2017 at 3:38 pm
100% Cancer
mhendon
Feb 1, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Hey can we just start making hats that say XL actually XL, I’ve got a big dome.
Ben
Feb 1, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Flat bill NBA hat (kings, rockets, okc or toronto)
Flat bill works well with sunglasses
29 years, +3
chip
Feb 1, 2017 at 8:48 am
Flat brim guy here. Age: 30. Handicap: 1.
chip
Feb 1, 2017 at 8:47 am
So according to WRX, theres about a 90% chance that if you wear any type of hat, you’re either not good or just OK. WRX, this article is struggling.
creeder
Feb 1, 2017 at 4:23 am
haha, this was a fun article and pretty accurate. i am a flat brimmed guy and yes, i can shoot in the 70s and then over 90 on the same day.
Egor
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:26 am
No hat or Mizuno visor, in blue of course. Not a legend (well, not a golf legend) 12 HI.
Jim
Jan 31, 2017 at 5:53 pm
I’m beginning to wonder if there’s a correlation between ‘living’ in a golf hat from pee-wee to pro that causes hair loss & receding hairlines in so many young guys on tour…
S Hitter
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:13 am
No. That is a myth. But a correlation has been made about having wet hair all the time that could lead to hair loss. But it’s mostly just genetics, there are plenty of people who have worn hats all their lives that have full thick hair
David Ciccoritti
Jan 31, 2017 at 5:02 pm
I don’t wear a hat and apparently I’m not doing myself any justice 🙂
Philip
Jan 31, 2017 at 5:01 pm
Like nothing … someone make a comment about your hat fashion-wear lately? It didn’t match the orange, red and lime green outfit?
Bob
Jan 31, 2017 at 2:53 pm
I prefer to not wear a hat but evidently my game doesn’t live up to that level. Also my dermatologist frowns on it.
nate
Jan 31, 2017 at 2:20 pm
What about the die-hard brand hats, mizino, ping, calloway, with matching bag and clubs
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:02 am
well ya got Ping right. One outta three your a flat brimmer.
Double Mocha Man
Jan 31, 2017 at 12:33 pm
What about the visor???!!!
Brian
Jan 31, 2017 at 8:51 am
Titleist (MLB) hat, but I’m usually in the 80-88 range.
Marco
Jan 31, 2017 at 6:50 am
Haha… I’m no 10 🙂
Love my flat birm and energy drinks. Can shoot 65 as well as 110 😀
Scott
Jan 31, 2017 at 9:46 am
65 to 110? I have told you a million times to stop exaggerating.
S Hitter
Jan 31, 2017 at 2:36 am
#8: or, you’re just a young plonker with an ugly name like Bryson
MuskieCy
Jan 31, 2017 at 12:18 am
Anyone who cares at all about what a hat looks like is a pretender.
I prefer contenders.
Mitch
Jan 30, 2017 at 11:15 pm
“What are we waitin’ for these guys?”
“Hey Whitey, where’s your hat?”
LaBraeGolfer
Jan 30, 2017 at 10:24 pm
What if I wear a white Mizuno hat, a TW hat, a Titleist hat, a Srixon hat, a Bridgestone hat, so on and so forth. I got hats for like almost every day of the month. Except I have to keep throwing the white ones away. Sometimes I go no hat if it’s stupid hot outside or I forget it.
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:05 am
ur a hat ho
Alex
Jan 30, 2017 at 9:57 pm
The no hat comment is hands down the most accurate one. The best player at my club just shows up with no hat, gets hammered, and turns in a 65. Every time. It’s unbelievable.
rymail00
Jan 30, 2017 at 9:50 pm
When I see the Hogan hat I hink Byrson or Little Rascals….either way kinda goofy
Acemandrake
Jan 30, 2017 at 6:28 pm
I might start rockin’ the bucket hat!
George
Jan 30, 2017 at 5:54 pm
I wear a blank white hat. No advertising any company for me. Means I dont need approval
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:07 am
and tighty whities
Double Mocha Man
Jan 30, 2017 at 4:52 pm
I’m a “no hat” guy. Just call me “Ollie”. I wore a hat once, at Pebble Beach, in the rain. It was from a ski resort. My caddy claimed he had skied there, too. I believed him.
Brad T
Jan 30, 2017 at 3:50 pm
look good feel good play good
K dawg
Jan 30, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Hats from top private courses say “I am privileged enough to have played this course which means do not argue with me about anything to do with golf. In particular course design”
Moose
Jan 30, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Free U.S. Open Hat (courtesy of the USGA members program): This guy is very cheap and he drives a Mercedes.
teetyme
Jan 31, 2017 at 11:46 am
Or a BMW like me. Those hats are light and comfortable. LOL
BooBunkie
Jan 30, 2017 at 1:59 pm
My hat says I’m NOT Ben Hogan. That hat should be retired out of respect for The Hawk.
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:15 am
so should fast cars outta respect for Benny Parsons
Justwellsy
Jan 30, 2017 at 12:37 pm
you forgot the snap back vs flexfit argument… or even worse, the velcro back. For the sake of this argument, no hats with team insignias will be considered, only “golf” brand hats. Velcro back guys are either really good or really bad, there’s no in between. Flex Fit guys are the guys that want to look good on the course. They don’t necessarily achieve their goal, but they’ve consciously thought about it and how other people perceive them is very important. Snap back guy either has a huge dome or is budget conscious. I myself wear a 7 3/4 hat so it’s very tough to find a flexfit hat that doesn’t choke my brain. Oh, and fitted hat guy?? That’s reserved for bald guys who wear “baseball coach” Oakley sunglasses. For us mere mortals, these hats just don’t breathe enough. Full analysis and selection chart to follow when WRX hires me as a staff writer.
KRo88
Jan 30, 2017 at 12:30 pm
what about a hat from a nice golf course public/private. or from the Masters?
Joe Burnett
Jan 30, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Considering I’m usually a Masters hat guy myself, I would argue these tend to be the “best-looking” athletic guys on the course.
Bobtrumpet
Jan 30, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Ben Hogan “Cap”
… or if you’re Ty Webb.
Blakester
Jan 30, 2017 at 11:59 am
If I had the game to back it up I’d rock the Chi Chi Rodriguez panama hat or some kind of casual fedora on the golf course. I don’t ever wear them in real life (unless I’m on the beach) but they protect your ears better from the sun and would set one apart from all the ball caps out there.
chinchbugs
Jan 30, 2017 at 11:56 am
“You’re a funny kid ya know…what time you due back in Boys Town?”