Non-golf Rain Jackets for Golf

[Pearson10M]

The amount of times I play golf in light rain is possibly a 1-3 times a year. I have a bunch of "non-golf" rain jackets, but they have attached hoods and most golf jackets have no hoods. Any reason that golf jackets are hoodless? I want to throw a older non-golf hooded one in the golf bag and not have to buy a "golf" one.

 

[eastriver]

You should be fine doing that. my guess on the golf jackets not having hoods is that a rain hat is more practical than a hood while playing and the hood will just get in the way and even collect water. I have a hoodless 'golf' jacket (Kjus) which is great, but before that I used a light rain shell. I would flip the hood so that it hung inside the back of the jacket and stayed out of the way. this might not be comfortable for heavier jackets, though.

[nealkb]

I have a few golf rain jackets with a hood

[bellken]

If it doesn't inhibit your golf swing, there is no reason not to use a non-golf rain jacket for golf. A golf specific rain jacket might be a bit lighter and have more stretch.

[Springsteennut]

I have a non golf jacket With a hood I use from Columbia. I paid $30 for it. Works fine for as little as I use it.

[Bigarch]

The best golf rain jacket I have ever found is a fishing rain jacket where the hood snaps on and off. When the hood is off, the collar hides the snaps and you would never know it had a hood to begin with. I've had it for several years because just like OP, I only wear the thing a few times a year.

[cristphoto]

The OP said he only plays a couple times a year in light rain. For these conditions most any "water resistant" jacket will do. However there may be times when you are either in an outing or a tournament where you don't have the option to come in when conditions get a bit worse. That's when a proper rain jacket is priceless. Yes you will pay up front but if used only on the couple times a year you're caught in the rain a quality rain jacket will last for many years. I still have my first MacGregor Goretex jacket that's well over 20 years old and still protects. Nothing worse than being on a golf course when you're wet.

[JoeEEE]

I've got a decent Patagonia waterproof hiking shell jacket, obviously not golf specific, that is adequate. It keeps you dry, but I'm still looking for a deal on a golf-specific GORE Tex waterproof; there is value in a jacket designed for a golf swing.

[Flip4000]

One jacket that I have used in a pinch was an apex flex jacket from the north face.

It is extremely flexible and has a gore tex membrane plus a hood. It definitely will keep me dry and doesn't inhibit my swing despite being form fitting

[Rebbutt]

Eddie Bauer Cloud Cap 2.0 Stretch with hood, velcro cuffs, armpit zippers ... material is relatively quiet while walking & swinging, effectively repels water, stretchy, and breathable