Best Winter Golf Jackets

Peter Millar Merge Elite Hybrid Jacket

RRP £215

I am not normally a fan of jackets when playing golf as I have struggled to find one that doesn’t seem to interfere with my swing. It is probably more to do with my swing than any garments so could this jacket change my mind?

First up, it looks quality, feels lightweight and is extremely comfortable on. I like the simplicity of two decent pockets on the front with no gimmicky pockets scattered elsewhere. The fabric down the arms is stretchy but comfortable so I quickly got over the concerns of anything interfering with the swing. 

Though lightweight, it kept me warm and being wind and water-resistant it is a great choice as a winter jacket. I would have been happy zipping it all the way up and still feeling comfortable swinging a golf club. 

I am not a big fan of massive logos plastered all over the place, so the subtle logos here suit me perfectly. I would be more than happy to wear this on and off the golf course.  

The only decision that really needs to be made is whether you feel the price is worth the undoubted quality of the item.  

PROS

• Comfortable stretch
• Versatile
• Lightweight

CONS

• Expensive

Sizes: S-XXL
Colour: Navy, White/Starboard Blue, Billiard/Navy, Port Blue, British Grey, Jewel Blue, Balsam, Lakeside 

Callaway Chevron Welded Quilted Jacket

RRP £120

This is one of the numerous jackets in Callaway’s Autumn Winter apparel range and definitely the thickest jacket I have tested.

The full-zip jacket is quilted and insulated and has provided an exceptional amount of warmth, which will be perfect for the winter months.

There are adjustable cuffs and a toggle hem to adjust the waist, which is really helpful to dial in the fit.

The sleeves are knitted, and the front of the jacket features two zippered pockets which are deep enough for you to walk around with your hands comfortably inside.

The Swing Tech design is featured for improved movement; however, I would say you still feel some restrictions due to the sheer size and thickness of the jacket.

The sleeves are of a good length, but the body of the jacket could do with being longer, as it starts to ride up the torso mid-swing.

This is a really well-priced jacket option compared to similar products on the market, but you need to weigh up the balance of warmth to movement.

PROS

• Insulated and warm
• Water-resistant
• Reasonably priced

CONS

• Rides up during swing

Sizes: S-XL
Colour: Black / Navy

Original Penguin Golf Insulated Mixed Media 80’s Jacket

RRP £139

This is a good-looking addition to the Original Penguin AW23 collection.

The OPG moisture management system to keep you dry in rainy conditions, along with a water-repellent coating to provide extra protection from the elements. I like the fact this isn’t a full blown waterproof but still offers some protection from lighter rain.

The front, back and sleeves all have extra padding and insulation to keep your body warm and dry, while the side and inside arm panels are jersey knit for comfort and warmth.

The jacket’s waistband is elasticated to provide some stretch if required, while the wrist cuffs are adjustable, thanks to a Velcro strap.

The three-colour design is stylish, while the inner lining has Pete the Penguin silhouettes throughout, which is a nice touch.

Due to its thickness, the Original Penguin Golf Insulated Mixed Media 80’s Jacket is slightly restrictive when trying to swing a club, but the warmth and waterproofing make up for that. 

PROS

• Insulated
• Comfortable
• Stylish

CONS

• Thick so it restricts a full swing slightly

Sizes: S-2XL
Colours: White, Grey, Lime / Black, Grey, White / Blue, Navy, Gold

G/Fore Performer Jacket

RRP £225

This is an amazing jacket. Playing through the winter is generally not fun due to cold winds and the occasional shower. Combine that with wearing a bulky, uncool jacket that is impossible to swing in, and you can start to see why some golfers put their clubs away until spring.

This jacket can change that. It’s lightweight, has a 4-way stretch back and shoulders for easy swing mobility and a poly-insulated front that means you don’t feel the wind even when it’s howling.

The pockets are great, and it has an Aquaguard 2-way front zip, so you don’t get wet when there’s a light rain shower.

It’s such a versatile jacket that I’ve been quite happy wearing straight from an evening’s nine holes out for a drink afterwards, as it’s also just an excellent, fashionable jacket which helps justify the higher price point.

I would highly recommend this jacket to anyone!

PROS

• Stylish
• Warm
• Wind and water resistant
• Great on the course or in the bar

CONS

• No cons

Sizes: S-XXL 
Colour: Onyx / Twilight

Ping Vernon Jacket 

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RRP £95

Out of the box, my first impression of the Ping Vernon Jacket was that it was quite thick, though there need not have been any concern as the jacket is still incredibly lightweight.  

A bugbear of mine is when golf outer layers do not actually provide the warmth required, resulting in the need to wear multiple layers. This is not an issue for the Ping Vernon as the quilted front provides excellent insulation and warmth, negating the need for multiple layers. In addition to this, the stretch fleece material used for the arms, back, and hem allows for complete freedom of movement in the golf swing.  

While not advertised as waterproof, it does have a water-resistant finish, which holds up well in light rain, and a nice additional feature is the two front zip pockets, which are both lined. 

The classic colour options and style of the jacket make it eminently wearable off the course as much as on it, which is becoming a notable feature of Ping clothing. 

PROS

• Good value
• Well insulated
• Lightweight

CONS

• Length of jacket

Sizes: S-3XL  
Colour: Asphalt/Black, Classic Blue/Black, Navy, Fig/Black

FootJoy ThermoSeries Hybrid Jacket

RRP £134.99

This jacket, part of the FootJoy ThermoSeries range, was introduced last year. This year sees some updated colourways, one of which is the rather striking seaglass/navy that I put to the test. Features include a hybrid full-zip construction, open hand pockets, a single chest zipper pocket and a useful adjustable collar. The fabric provides moisture-wicking and thermal properties 

It comes in a ‘regular fit’ which really makes it useful as a third layer, over a baselayer/polo and a midlayer. Where it doesn’t work so well is if you need to put on a waterproof, because the jacket is a bit bulky to layer over (or stow away). 

On the course, it’s comfortable and warm to wear, and easy to swing in. The adjustable collar helps to keep the wind out. I would have preferred a drawcord closure at the hem, but that’s a minor point. 

It is a little on the pricey side and perhaps lacks the flexibility of a gilet/vest but if you like wearing a jacket then this certainly looks the part and keeps you warm. 

PROS

• Striking appearance
• Comfortable
• Adjustable collar

CONS

• Bulky to stow away

Sizes: S-2XL 
Colours: Seaglass/navy, Charcoal/grey & Navy/Slate

 Oscar Jacobson Hackney Jacket Lunar

RRP £129.99

The Oscar Jacobson Hackney jacket was a joy to wear. It is extremely stylish, versatile and a great addition to the wardrobe.

It is designed so it can be worn all year around which offers great value for any golfer.

The lightly padded top half of the jacket is water repellent, and the full zip is water repellent, making it a great option for any light showers. The material is also wind-resistant which gives you even more protection against the cold winter weather.

When wearing this during my round, I had excellent mobility for my full golf swing, the thinner material on the arms had a slim fit but didn’t restrict movement, and the whole feel of the product was extremely comfortable for the entire round.  

Overall I really like this product, a sure staple for any golf trip where I am unsure of the weather ahead. It looks great both on and off the golf course, and I can’t think of any downside! 

PROS

• Clean design  
• Wearable on and off the golf course
• Comfortable and warm  

CONS

• None

Sizes: S-XXXL
Colour: Navy / Black / Lunar Grey 

Puma Frost Quilted Jacket

RRP £140

Straight away, the Puma Frost Quilted Jacket was very comfortable on. I really like the quilted front, which adds a lot of warmth. You can also feel this when you place your hands in the pockets.

It is lightly padded and not too tight on your body, which is a beneficial feature when taking your swing.

The zipped pockets are a beneficial feature to help you keep tees and markers stowed away safely.

Out on the course, this jacket allows you to feel free in between shots and mid-swing as well. The sleeves are lighter, which definitely feels like you have maximum freedom of movement and aren’t restricted at all.

The technology used in this product is designed to protect against wind and also is water resistant helping to keep you dry in lighter rain conditions.

It has a full zip closure at the front, which may not look as smart as a quarter zip design, but this still allows you that degree of adjustability if it feels too tight. 

PROS

• Lightweight jacket despite quilted front
• Smart colour scheme
• Light sleeves allow maximum freedom of movement

CONS

• Full front zip might not suit every golfer 

Sizes: S-2XL
Colour: Black/Slate Grey & Navy Blazer/Slate Grey

 Stuburt Miller Padded Jacket

RRP £69.99

Stuburt is recognised for offering good value golf equipment but perhaps doesn’t have the reputation for the quality of some of its competitor brands. However, this season, there are a number of new products which are rather eye-catching.

This is constructed from 100% polyester and is described as offering optimum thermal properties with moisture transfer technology to avoid overheating. Features include ribbed cuffs and hem, which gives a tailored look. There is a waterproof full-length front zipper in contrasting colour, and two waterproof zippered front pockets, which were a good size. There is also a heat-sealed design to the upper chest and back, which offers visual interest. 

I’m usually a medium in midlayers and jackets. However, the medium size in the Miller was on the small side, and the sleeves were a bit short. So, I would advise you to go up a size if in any doubt. Because of the close fit, I was only able to put the Miller over a single layer, and it was easy enough to swing in. With correct sizing, I think this would work well as a third layer, should conditions dictate. It isn’t waterproof (apart from the front zipper!) but it’s easy enough to put a waterproof on top.  

I think it looks very smart on the course. It compressed down well should you need to take it off and stow it away in your bag.  

As with the rest of Stuburt’s kit, it represents excellent value for money. 

PROS

• Comfortable
• Stows away well
• Great value

CONS

• Sizing comes up small

Sizes: S-XXL. XXXL in black
Colours: Black, French navy, Slate grey

Under Armour Storm Revo Jacket 

RRP £95

Powered by an innovative insulation technology that is 33% lighter and 74% warmer, the Under Armour Storm Revo Jacket offers a simplistic, yet great styling for a winter golf jacket. 

The 8-fin cross-section fibre creates great warmth which is thanks to the durable stretch-woven outer fabric and soft fleece lining. All this without adding too much weight, which can often happen with a bigger winter jacket where you feel the inability to swing. 

Practically, the Storm Revo Jaket fits great to size and is comfortable, offering a great range of movement while out on the course and one of the features I mainly like is the ribbed sleeve cuffs prevent the sleeves from rolling down and interfering with your glove. Two zipped hand pockets and one zipped chest pocket come in handy if you’re trying to shield items from the elements. 

All of this while using Under Armour’s Storm Technology to repel water in those light showers. Overall, a great jacket to have this winter and one I’m certainly looking forward to wrapping up in out on the course.

PROS

• Great fit & comfortable
• Offers good warmth
• Sleeve cuffs stop jacket from rolling down to hand 

CONS

• None

Sizes: S-3XL
Colour: Downpour Grey/White 

Callaway Stormfleece Pro Lite ½ Zip Jacket

RRP £120

The Callaway Golf Stormfleece Pro Lite ½ Zip Jacket comes in the category of a lightweight jacket to be used in wet weather, and it has its plus points. Firstly, it looks great. The grey, black and lime combination, which has been used across much of the Callaway Golf AW23 collection, is very stylish, especially with the lime accents on the zips and logos.  

This is a great lightweight option to help keep the elements out. It is particularly good at keeping out the wind. In the coldest of conditions, this will be needed to use in a layering system, but this is the perfect thickness to allow for this.  

Although this isn’t fully waterproof, the jacket is water-repellent, and it is a good option when the rain starts. However, it is not the right sort of garment to be wearing if you are going to be playing golf in driving, persistent rain.

PROS

• Lightweight
• Stylish
• Water repellent

CONS

• Not waterproof

Sizes: S-3XL
Colour: Grey, Black, Lime / Navy, Brown, White

Callaway Golf Mixed Media Insulated Thermal Jacket 

RRP £135

The Callaway Golf Mixed Media Insulated Thermal Jacket is up against a lot of competition in the outerwear section of the AW23 collection, including within Callaway’s products for this season.

Like other products in their range, Primaloft and Swing Tech are both used in making this jacket. Primaloft thermal insulation is made from recycled materials, making the jacket eco-friendly and warm.

Swing Tech construction is supposed to allow a free range of motion and for you to be able to swing your swing. With this garment, that is true. Despite being such a thick piece of clothing, you are still able to fully swing which is perfect for golf in colder conditions.

The Mixed Media Insulated Jacket also comes with adjustable hem and cuffs to make sure it fits your body shape, and has textured side panels for added comfort.

At £135, it is quite expensive, though, even compared to similar products in Callaway’s range for AW23. 

PROS

• Insulated and warm
• Comfortable
• Doesn’t restrict swing

CONS

• Expensive

Sizes: S-2XL
Colour: Black & Blue / Navy & Turquoise

FootJoy Men’s HydroKnit Full Zip Jacket 

RRP £134.99

The HydroKnit jacket is part of the FootJoy Hydroseries range, and this model is badged as offering fully waterproof, breathable protection for golfers in cool, windy and rainy conditions.   

In terms of waterproofness, it sits below the HydroTour and HydroLite , but it still offers a perfectly reasonable rating of 15,000 which means it will keep you dry in most conditions. It has sealed seams, DWR coating, two useful zippered side pockets and really comfortable elasticated cuffs. There is also a rarely seen feature in golf gear, namely a zippered inner chest pocket. I would have liked to see a drawcord closure at the neck and hem so you can really keep out the elements if the going gets tough but that’s a minor point. 

I’m 74kg and 173 cm tall. The medium size fitted nicely, and I could use the Hydroknit as a third layer. It looks good, is a pleasure to swing in due to the lightweight stretch fabric, and should you need to take it off, it stows away nice and compactly.  

So, this is a jacket for all but the most challenging conditions. It comes in a decent range of colours, has a 3-year waterproof warranty and offers good value. 

PROS

• Lightweight construction
• Stretchy & comfortable
• Good range of colours

CONS

• Lacks drawcord closure at neck and hem 

Sizes: S-2XL
Colour: Navy, Black, Red, Black/grey, Navy/denim

Oscar Jacobson Highbank Jacket  

RRP £99.99

I am a huge fan of the Oscar Jacobson Highbank jacket. A full zip hybrid jacket that can be used all year around. The detailing around the design of the Highbank is really impressive, subtle branding of OJ on the front and a really cool design on the inside of the jacket.

The true knit sleeves are a great addition, makes it very easy to slip on and off before and after the round and very comfortable to wear throughout the day.

The pockets are easy access on the side but don’t have zips which would be my only qualm.

Playing golf in it was no issue, all of the Oscar Jacobson apparel being released was excellent to play in. Perfect mobility for all types of swing and really comfortable.  

Overall, one of my favourite additions for the Autumn/Winter golf ahead, lightweight enough to have multiple layers as an excellent design.  

PROS

• Stylish
• Comfortable
• Can be used in in multiple conditions

CONS

• No zip pockets

Sizes: S-3XL
Colour: Navy, Black

Stromberg Weather Tech Waterproof Golf Jacket

RRP £79.99

The Stromberg Men’s Weather Tech waterproof jacket was a joy to wear. I tested the dark blue version which I really like the look of. A really clean aesthetic with some tidily placed Stromberg branding that sits parallel to the zip.

Usefully, the jacket comes equipped with two front pockets which have zips so you can easily store your valuables.

Playing in the jacket was really easy, no restriction on my swing and was incredibly lightweight.

It was really easy to slide on and off in time for the start and end of an unexpected shower and due to the lightweight and flexibility it helped when packing the jacket away into my bag. It rolls up really easily and fits into your medium size pocket of your bag with no issues.  

Overall I really like Stromberg’s latest tech waterproof, looks really smart, pacticial for all year around and a good price point for golf apparel.  

PROS

• Smart
• Good pocket space
• Great price point

CONS

• Fitting is slightly on the large side

Sizes: S-5XL
Colours: Peacock / Tapshoe/ Castlerock

Castore Flyweight Jacket 

RRP £165

The Castore flyweight jacket is a smart simple design. Lightweight, built with four-way stretch material and water resistant trims. An ideal addition for your winter golf wardrobe.  

It was a joy to wear around the course, extremely comfortable and the mobility was excellent. There is adjustable cuffs on the sleeve that have multiple velcro options to dictate the tightness around your wrist.

The comfort of the jacket was also thanks to the mesh ventilation installed at the back of the jacket, a really nice addition to help you keep on top of your temperature.   

Not that I have any intention on playing in the harsher of conditions any time soon, but if I did I probably wouldn’t reach for the flyweight jacket. It is suggested in the name already, but I’d opt for something heavier and more water resistant for those who venture into the braver golf weather.  

PROS

• Smart  
• Lightweight  
• Great mobility  

CONS

• Quite expensive

Sizes: S-XL
Colour: Navy

Galvin Green Lucien Windproof and water repellent jacket

RRP £219

The knack, when trying to find winter golf wear, is often to find something that looks as good on the course as it performs. Galvin Green have come up trumps with the Lucien jacket. 

Stylish, as well as impressive when swinging, the Lucien fit well on my medium frame – didn’t ride up or pull down – and the elasticated cuffs and hem are both huge plusses. There is nothing worse than having to pull a garment over the wrists because the fabric hangs down too far.  

In the depths of winter, I think you’ll require some careful layering. While this jacket deals with wind and a shower admirably, you’re going to need a bit more when the temperature drops – despite the promises of thermal insulation in the cold.  

Again, as with all Galvin Green products, the balance is a long-term guarantee of quality over the initial outlay. £219 is firmly at the premium end of the market. 

But if you want a product that looks stylish and will help rather than hinder your performance, this could be a perfect autumn and early spring piece of clothing.  

PROS

• Well-fitted
• Stylish
• Great in a shower  

CONS

• You might require another layer

Sizes: S-2XL
Colour: Black/Sharkskin/Cool Grey – Navy/White/Cool Grey – Blue/White/Cool Grey