Folf umbrella
An umbrella is your constant companion during the hot summer season, nasty windy days, and during pouring rain. In such times, it becomes as important as your mobile and your handbag and briefcase. Not only for daily use, is the umbrella an equally important accessory of golf players on the greens. However, as opposed to an individual using an umbrella while commuting to work or heading to the store, the golf player generally uses a larger sized one.
Dimensions of a Golf Umbrella
While teeing off on a golf course, you dont just want an umbrella that you will duck under when there is sudden spell of rain. You need one that protects you adequately and not one that will leave you nicely drenched! Similarly, your head is protected on a sunny day with a golf cap, but this is inadequate when you are waiting your turn while others play. Standing for long minutes in the hot sun while others make a drive is no fun at all. A golf umbrella should be large enough to save you from all this misery it should cover your head, back and shoulders completely. The ultraviolet rays of the sun hitting you from every angle are thereby considerable reduced.
A few words earlier it has been mentioned that the umbrella should be large. What is being referred to here is the canopy of the umbrella, and not the umbrella in its entirety. You dont need some horrendously large umbrella, which has a handle that is extra long. After all, your energy is required for swinging the golf ball and walking from one hole to another around the course not for holding a heavy golf umbrella over your head! So keep it light overall. Of course, it should not be so delicately light that it simply gets blown from your hand at the smallest wind gust. You need to follow the golf ball around the course, and not go chasing an umbrella !! So when opting for a golf umbrella, opt for a sturdy one that has a large canopy. For example, a 60 ² arc is fine for about 2 people (say you and your caddy); if three adults were sharing the umbrella, a 68 ² arc would be better.
The Composition & Features of a Golf Umbrella
The Canopy Panels: The main material used for the umbrellas canopy is generally nylon. It is not ordinary nylon, though. It is a special nylon material that is usually tested by the manufacturer to check its ability to keep out the suns UV rays. In addition, there will be wind vents on some of the panels
The panels of the canopy are interwoven together, the dimensions of the panel depending on the arc. For example, an umbrella with a 60 ² arc will probably have 20-inch panels; for a 68 ² arc, these panels could be about 24 inches.
The Frame & Ribs: The main frame of any golf umbrella will generally either be made from steel or fiberglass. It will be a double-ribbed frame, for better reinforcement to the canopy. It is important to ensure that the frame is not the type that will result in pinched fingers when folding and unfolding the umbrella. After all, your fingers need to be in good condition to hold the golf club!
The Shaft: Some golf umbrellas are manufactured with a wooden shaft. This could lessen the cost of the umbrella, but it has a major disadvantage : it adds to the weight of the umbrella, Moreover, it can easily develop cracks over a period of time. Sooner or later, it will simply come apart, thereby rending the umbrella unusable. Other golf umbrellas are designed with metal shafts, such as silver or nickel. These do give a trendy touch to the umbrella, but a negative aspect of metal is that it will rust and deteriorate after constant use. A majority of golf umbrellas in the market today have shafts made of fiberglass. This, supposedly, prevents the user from being struck by streaks of lightning.
IMP : It should be noted, here, however, that no manufacturer could give you 100% guarantee that you will be protected from a lightning strike. After all, in a really severe storm, there is no guarantee for anyones safety. Precaution is always advisable in such circumstances makes better sense to head for more stable protective cover than let your life depend on a golf umbrella!
The Flip Mechanism: A main headache of using a golf umbrella when gusty winds are blowing around the course is that the canopy tends to flip outwards. The very purpose of the umbrella, namely to protect you from strong winds, is thereby rendered ineffective. For this reason, more and more manufacturers of golf umbrellas are coming up with uniquely designed umbrellas that have a special spring load mechanism. This has a great functional value the golf umbrella, when getting buffeted by a strong gust of wind, will quickly get back its original correct shape.
The Handle: Some golf umbrellas have handles made of acrylic, while others may be plain plastic. Many have handles with a special rubber coating for better grip.
Other equally important features of a golf umbrella are the opening/closing mechanism and the safety button. The latter is located just beneath the canopy at the top end of the shaft. These should be easy to handle and not involve any fancy finger gymnastics! Speaking of the opening/closing button, you can opt for an automatic one or purchase a golf umbrella that can be manually opened and shut.
The Colors of a Golf Umbrella
Naturally, the color of your golf umbrella depends entirely on your choice! Just avoid any garish hues. Many golf players will opt for just one color, generally a navy blue or royal blue shade. Others opt for umbrellas with double colored panels, say white and blue on alternate panels, whiter and red, and so on. Many corporate houses and sponsors select the color based on how good the firms name and logo will be showcased on the umbrella as a promotional medium. Personally, the loveliest one Ive seen is the rainbow colored one. It adds a charming touch of color to the vibrant green of the links and is a great gift to give just about anyone who loves teeing off.
A Special Partner to your Golf Umbrella
A big hit on the golfing scene is not just the large golf umbrella used by players. An equally popular product that is snapped up is the umbrella to protect the golf bag. A smaller version of the golf umbrella, it has a wonderful clamping mechanism that allows it to be hitched directly to the golf bag or cart. Durable and light to handle, it provides adequate cover to your precious golf clubs.
To sum up, whether you are buying a manual inexpensive umbrella for less than $20 or a branded one for over $50, you need one that is sturdy and, more important, provides sufficient cover in all types of weather. Go ahead and add this very useful accessory to your golfing equipment right now!
Other Articles
