Any experienced golfer can tell you how important water protection is on the course. From jackets to pants down to your shoes, you need the right level of protection for all types of weather. Thankfully, most high-quality golf gear is usually available with water-resistant or waterproof protection. But how do you know which type you need? Let’s examine the differences between water resistance and waterproofing as well as what each category provides.
What It Means
Water resistant simply means that the garment resists water. It will keep you dry in light moisture conditions but cannot be guaranteed not to eventually get soaked through in heavier precipitation.
Waterproof means the garment has some type of feature that can block moisture from soaking through. This all comes down to construction. Waterproof gear always includes some type of waterproof membrane or laminate.
There are also different levels to waterproofing. Many waterproof membranes are also breathable to keep you from overheating. Laminates can be less breathable but may also carry a higher waterproof rating. Any garment that has a waterproof membrane, as well as sealed seams, also provides more protection. Sealing the seam blocks another entry point for water to leak into the garment.
Waterproof Ratings
Often times you will see a rating on waterproof golf clothes. These different degrees of waterproofing are determined by a process called the Static-Column Test. This test places a one-inch tube over a section of the fabric. Then they fill the tube with water until the first sign of leakage through the fabric. The rating is then determined by how much water it took for the fabric to leak.
Outerwear
Your outerwear is your main line of defense against moisture on the golf course. There are vests, pullovers, jackets, pants, and full rain suits designed to keep you dry when the weather takes a turn for the worse. Having both water-resistant and waterproof outerwear is a real benefit.
Consider water resistance for your everyday golf outerwear. This way you are covered if you are caught out in light moisture or a quick shower you weren’t expecting. Water-resistance gear will keep you dry without adding a bulky outer layer as well as keeps you comfortable if the temperatures are cool.
You will also want some type of waterproof clothing in your golf bag though. You never want to have to miss a tee time and this is the perfect way to keep the weather from spoiling your day on the course. If the forecast is calling for any significant type of precipitation, you want that waterproof protection handy. You will stay completely dry in gear that is designed to work with your golf swing and stay on top of your game.
Shoes
It is incredibly important to consider the moisture protection of your golf shoes. Even if it’s not going to rain, you may still encounter water on the course. Maybe you have an early morning tee time and are dealing with dew on the grass or traversing standing water to hit your next shot. At TGW, we have our own rating system to easily identify which shoes are best if you think your feet might get wet:
- Waterproof, recommended for all conditions
- Water-resistant, recommended for light moisture or morning dew
- No moisture protection, recommended for dry conditions only
If you frequently play in rain and naturally wetter climates, you will want waterproof golf shoes. For mostly dry conditions or those dew-sweeping tee times, water-resistant shoes should have you covered. Finally, if you know for sure you won’t be coming across any moisture, you could comfortably wear shoes without any moisture protection guarantees. Those shoes are often made of breathable mesh to keep your feet cool in warmer climates.
