Keeping warm without compromising your game or style is a challenge faced by any golfer playing in colder conditions. The warmest garments and accessories used to be bulky and restrictive as well but this is no longer the case because lighter, more insulated materials are used these days, shown by the development of golf snoods.
Along with beanies, thick socks, and base layers, a golf snood is an essential piece of winter clothing. Unlike scarfs, snoods stay snug and secure around your neck and crucially don't come loose during your swing.
We've even started to see snoods and neck warmer on Tour when the world's best players are required to play in cooler climates. Aesthetics count too and many brands have sought to make snoods fashionable as well, with varying designs and prints. As such, the Golf Monthly team has tested some of the best golf snoods below, but if you need more gear to deal with the cold, also check out our guide on the best golf windbreaker and some of the best lightweight golf jackets for bad weather as well.
Best Golf Snoods - Best Golf Neck Warmers
+ Plenty warmth
+ Simple styling
- Is quite a long snood
The Titleist Performance snood features a cozy fleece lining that ensures a snug fit while keeping you war. We tested it on a cold autumn day, and it never felt restrictive during my round.
We were big fans of the simple, minimalistic design which makes it easy to pair with a variety of outfits. This snood is undoubtedly one of the best we've tested and it's definitely a solid investment for the winter season.
+ Provides excellent thermal insulation
+ Very durable and easy to care for
- Can snag in beard hair
As you’d expect from Galvin Green, this neck warmer is crafted with exceptional attention to detail. It’s a highly breathable snood—efficiently wicking moisture away from the body while maintaining warmth, lightness, and comfort.
It’s easy to care for too, holding its shape well after washing. We were also fans of its understated design, featuring only a single, subtle Galvin Green logo on the front, giving it a clean, minimalist look.
+ Delivers typical UA insulation
+ Has a water-repellent finish
- Only one color option
A solid neck accessory you can rely on for those colder days, the Under Armour Storm Gaiter incorporates the same cutting-edge technology found in the brand’s waterproofs and mid-layers,. Its ColdGear Reactor lining adapts to your activity level, delivering optimal warmth and breathability when you need it most.
The Armour Fleece construction adds another layer of warmth and protection, while the water-repellent finish is a welcome feature, especially for those chilly winter rounds. Finally the simplicity of the design allows it to be used just about anywhere cold as well.
+ Tiger Woods approved
+ Loads of colors and designs
- Some may prefer a more substantial model for the cold
The very snood favored by none other than Tiger Woods! The 15-time Major winner often sports the blacked-out American flag design, as seen above. Clarke Bowman, SA’s brand manager, expressed his excitement: “We’ve had some football and basketball players wear our products before, but Tiger Woods is by far the biggest name. It was a ‘holy cow’ moment—‘Oh my God, Tiger Woods is wearing our face shield!’
These shields are great for keeping your skin cool under the hot sun while offering protection against bugs and dust. They’re also a go-to for construction workers and landscapers on the job—a very versatile snood.
+ Made using recycled content
+ Simple style and warm performance
- Quite a long snood
If you've not yet used a snood or are snood-curious, you're missing out on a great way to keep the cold at bay on the links. This Adidas Neck Snood is a fantastic option for passionate golfers braving the frosty weather.
Designed to feel soft and warm with a generous amount of stretch, it’s easy to pull on or take off. The classic Adidas logo on the neckline adds a touch of simple, timeless style.
What makes this snood even better is its eco-friendly design, made from recycled materials as part of Adidas' initiative to reduce plastic waste. Like many of the best adidas golf shirts, it’s a step toward more sustainable apparel.
How we test golf snoods
When it comes to testing golf snoods, our comprehensive methodology revolves around, as you would expect, playing a lot of golf. We feel putting golf products to the test on the golf course, on the range and in practice, is the best way to find out how usable and well-designed some snoods are.
On that note, we feel it is particularly important to use all golf snoods in different conditions, whether that be rain, wind, hot or cold, to give a clear idea on the protection on offer.
We also looked to use the snoods away from the course as well to see how versatile they were. Importantly, every member of the Golf Monthly team is a regular golfer, so we put snoods to the test over a number of rounds. The final point we should mention is no manufacturer can buy a good review. This is because our testing team tells it how it is and we seek to be as insightful and honest as possible.
How to choose a golf snood
Golf snoods come in all shapes, sizes and materials. For that reason there are many different things to consider when purchasing your next golf snood. To help you make the best choice for you, we've set out several key considerations you need to make in order to get the right golf snood for your needs.
Comfort
A snood should fit well, providing warmth without being too tight or loose.
We'd recommend opting for a model designed for your profile that model that also provides good deal of stretch too.
Breathability
Since snoods often cover your mouth and nose, choose one that allows easy breathing through the fabric. Naturally, some fabrics are easy to breathe through
than others so it's definitely worth trying and considering some different options before you purchases a new snood.
Protection
A quality snood will keep you warm in the cold, cool in the heat, and offer protection from insects and moisture. Some snoods will even offer UV and dust protection too if you're playing in hot, windy conditions.
Design
Snoods are a great way of mixing things up whether it be with a patterned design, or maybe you want to show your team support in the NBA, NFL College and so on. That being said you can also get designs that are more neutral if needed. Whatever kind of style you want, there will be a gaiter for you.
Value
Consider your budget and look for deals. Some brands offer multi-packs or discounts like SA Company at the top of this page.
If you're also in the market for a complete winter wardrobe refresh, then why not take a look at our guides on the best golf base layers, best golf tops and best golf sweaters for more cold weather apparel options.
FAQs
What is a snood?
A snood is often called a neck warmer or gaiter and it is designed to be worn around the neck to protect the wearer from the cold, wind or even the sun. They can be used for a variety of sports and activities and often have cool and unique designs and prints on them.
Can you wear snoods or neck warmers for golf?
Absolutely! Snoods are an excellent way to stay warm and comfortable on the course. While a scarf can be a little hard to manage during your swing, and can often fall off, a snood will stay in place and will not fall or move when you swing through the ball.
Can you wear a snood on your head?
Why not. You can wear a snood on your head too if you fold it in the correct manner but it won't offer the same level of warmth as a classic golf beanie might.
How should my golf snood be designed?
A snood should be easy to pull up and down over your face. You don't want them to be lose, otherwise you will be spending the majority of your round pulling them up. A snood is designed to protect your neck, so there should be a notable amount of adjustability provided.
For more golf apparel buying advice, check out our guides on the best golf rain jackets, or best golf polo shirts.
