The Association’s members clearly agree: tune in to any televised golf coverage and you will be hard pressed to spot a professional player that doesn’t wear some item of headgear or another, with the baseball cap being by far the most popular choice.

Golf headwear serves a number of practical purposes. On hot sunny days, a cap protects the golfer from the very real risk of sunburn and even sunstroke; on cold winter days, a knitted beanie keeps a player warm and comfortable throughout the round. Whatever the weather, a cap or hat with a peak or brim will improve performance: by shading the player’s eyes from direct sunlight; and narrowing their field of vision, to cut out distractions and help to visualise the shot.

However, there is another reason why every club or corporate golfwear package should contain at least one item of headwear – caps and hats represent the most visible and effective platform for club and corporate branding. Look at that televised golf coverage again. Spot any players’ hats without prominent branding?

A golf cap or hat is the only item in the golfer’s wardrobe that is permanently on display. It is never covered up by another item of clothing, and it is never consigned to the golf bag or left in the boot of the car. It also provides numerous placement options – on the front, back, on the side, wrapped around the front and sides, on the peak, or even on top – so a company name or logo could be visible from any direction.

Then there is the fact that a favourite golf cap gets better with age, often becoming a cherished possession. Factor in affordability and it’s not difficult to understand why golf headwear wins every time in terms of impressions (the number of times the branding will be viewed) per pound spent.

As a specialist headwear brand, Beechfield offers a complete range of golf-related headwear, from traditional baseball caps to sun visors and knitted beanies. These styles have been developed with the demands of discerning, prestige-oriented golfwear users in mind. Just as importantly, from the club or corporate golfwear buyer’s perspective, every style is designed to facilitate embellishment and maximise the impact of any branding. There is no external branding to limit decoration options, or dissuade a golfer from wearing the item: golfers tend to be both brandconscious and brand-loyal; for example, if they have spent thousands of pounds on a particular brand of club they are less likely to want to wear a cap bearing a different brand’s logo, (especially if that brand is perceived as having less prestige in the golf world).

Golf, as a pastime is steeped in tradition, and, unsurprisingly, traditional golf cap styles are the best sellers, with contoured low profile ‘baseball’ designs the number one choice. The classic Beechfield B57 Low Profile Heavy Brushed Cotton Cap tops the leader board. It benefits from plush 100% heavy brushed cotton drill fabric, which creates an upscale product that fits well with golf’s prestigious image. There are nine colourways to choose from: the contrast colour options, in forest (crown)/ taupe (peak, eyelet and button), French navy/ classic red, or French navy/ taupe, are a mainstay of many golf pro shop ranges.

The Beechfield B83 Low Profile Washed Cap is another style that sells strongly into the golf market. The washed cotton gives a more relaxed appearance, and the inclusion of a leather strap fastening adds value. For a sportier look, choose one of the four sandwich peak designs, in brown/ cream, classic red/ cream, French navy/ stone, or stone/ French navy.

For a really relaxed look, go for the Beechfield B85 Textured Cotton Pocket Cap. The heavily textured cotton material will certainly stand out in any fourball, and a handy side pocket with flap is the ideal place to store spare tees and ball markers.

Baseball cap styles may dominate the golf headwear market, but they are far from the only choice in town. Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh are just two top male professionals who prefer a classic visor. The Beechfield B41 Sports Visor is an equally popular choice for female golfers, in pink, French navy, sky blue or white. The visor has lots of space for embroidery and is a proven option for golfing holiday promotions and golf resort merchandise. It is often preferred by those that feel constrained wearing a full baseball cap. However, the ‘follicly-challenged’ are better off with a cap or hat that provides full head cover for effective protection against the elements, especially in hot overseas locations.

Legendary Australian golfer Greg Norman has popularised the wide brimmed straw hat in recent years. To carry off this look requires a good deal of on-course skill and self-confidence, but wearing a hat with a brim does have its practical advantages. It is ideal in wet weather, providing maximum protection without having to resort to a jacket hood; and it also provides extra protection on the hottest days, shading the face, neck and ears from the sun. The Beechfield B88 Cargo Bucket Hat is an understated alternative that is far easier to decorate.

Headwear with insulating properties is increasingly popular now that golf is becoming a year-round sport for more fanatical players. Popular Beechfield styles include: the B45 Acrylic Knitted Hat; the P48 Peaked Beanie Knitted Hat; and the B355 Mountain Cap.

Today, the breadth of acceptable golf headwear styles means that there is a made-for-decoration cap or hat for every type of weather and end user requirement. Including a baseball cap and a knitted beanie hat in a branded golfwear package for a corporate golf day, for example, makes perfect sense for the embroiderer and their customer: the embroiderer boosts profits by supplying two (or more) embroideries, while the customer all but guarantees their logo or promotional design will gain maximum visibility… come rain, snow or shine.

Contact your local Beechfield distributor for more information on any of the featured products

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