Something tells me we watch golf differently. I get oddly excited to see rainy PGA Tour events because it fascinates me to see what gear players suit-up in to stay dry (don’t judge). Therefore, the 2022 Wells Fargo Championship provided me with plenty of entertainment. My very (un)scientific tally from this past weekend indicates that FootJoy is not only the #1 shoe and glove on Tour; they also dominate raingear, outfitting more players than the next two closest competitors combined (Galvin Green and Kjus)! Admittedly, I did not see every grouping of the tournament but I did confirm 24 players wearing FootJoy raingear. Also making an appearance at a soggy TPC Potomac were heavyweights Adidas and Nike, as well as Puma, Columbia, Zero Restriction, Sunice, and Helly Hansen. Bottom line, FootJoy reigns supreme in the rain on the PGA Tour.
Raingear is an expensive but essential golf investment. There are multiple high-quality options available at different price points depending on your budget. Clearly, cost is less of an issue for a player on Tour. So, assuming they wear the “best” waterproofs, let’s run down some of my favorites from the brands I spied most often.
Full disclosure, I have only ever worn Galvin Green raingear.
FootJoy
Max Homa
Might as well start with the champ…..Max Homa made a smart move by wearing FootJoy’s HydroKnit Rain Pants over the weekend. These are a tailored alternative to your traditional pull-on rain pant, while still being lightweight, waterproof, and breathable. The HydroTour Rain Jacket helped keep Max in contention on a wet and wild Saturday.
Patrick Reed
Patrick Reed opted for the conveniently packable and lightweight, albeit baggier FJ HydroLite Rain Pants. They are a reasonably priced pair of 100% waterproof pants to keep stored in your bag. On a side note, I recently counted six different polo brands that Patrick Reed has worn since he became an apparel free agent in 2021.
Hank Lebioda
Hank Lebioda is rain ready in the Select LS Rain Jacket, FootJoys lightest, most waterproof, super-soft, and quiet jacket. He wisely paired it with the HydroTour Rain Pant and RainGrip glove. I think it is funny when guys wear visors in the rain….
J.T. Poston
If versatility is what you are after in your raingear, you cannot go wrong with the HydroLite Zip-Off Sleeve Rain Jacket.
Galvin Green
Anirban Lahiri
The Galvin Green Apollo GORE-Tex Paclite Stretch jacket and Alpha pant seemed to be the most popular GG pairings.
Keith Mitchell
Not that fashion matters very much when it is raining, but the navy combination that Mitchell wore looks pretty sharp! Another rainy day visor!
Rickie Fowler
As a result of his deal with Puma, Rickie had to hide the branding on this Galvin Green Apollo jacket.
Keegan Bradley
Or, if you are a hearty New Englander like my boy, Keegan; just wear the Arthur GORE-Tex pant with a TravisMathew merino-wool sweater for a smart, yet rugged look.
KJUS
Luke List
Luke List clearly prefers arm freedom in his raingear. The short-sleeved Kjus Dexter 2.5L Troyer provides plenty of that while still keeping you dry. The Pro 3L 2.0 Pants are the perfect complement to his top! These three-layer rain pants not only feature 4-way stretch through all layers, but they also have specially-engineered X-Stretch jacquard panels at key areas of the knees, upper thighs, and glutes.
Abraham Ancer
The Kjus Pro 3L 2.0 Jacket has so much technology that it has been engineered in both a right-handed version and a left-handed version. Apparently, Kjus studied the biomechanics of the golf swing to create this golf rain jacket!
Jhonattan Vegas
There is always this approach to staying dry…..an umbrella. Especially if you pair it with the Kjus Gemini Pant. These rain pants are stretchy, waterproof, and feature technology that absorbs 99% of ambient heat and pulls it inside the pant, keeping you warm. Sounds perfect for spring golf in New England!
This was such a fun change of pace. I really enjoyed it and thanks for writing. Creativity is off the charts this year