Alright, let’s talk about this long hair thing while trying to play golf. It sounds simple, but man, it turned into a whole process for me.
Getting Started with Longer Hair on the Course
So, I decided to grow my hair out. No big reason, just felt like it. Didn’t really think about golf at first. Then came the first windy day out on the links. What a mess. Hair whipping across my face during the backswing, sticking to my sweaty forehead when I tried to line up a putt. It was genuinely annoying, maybe even cost me a few strokes. I knew right away I had to figure something out or get a haircut.
Trying Different Stuff Out
First thing I tried was just a regular baseball cap. Standard golfer gear, right? Well, with longer hair, it just kinda pushed the hair down awkwardly. If it was really long, it would bunch up at the back or stick out the sides. Didn’t really solve the ‘hair in the face’ problem, especially from the sides or when looking down.
Next up, visors. Thought maybe less material on top would be better. It kinda was, let the head breathe a bit more. But the wind issue? Still there. Hair would fly up over the top or still whip around from the sides. Plus, the sun still beat down on the top of my head.
Then I started experimenting with ways to actually tie the hair back. This is where it got complicated:
- Simple ponytail: Okay, this worked better. Got the hair out of my face for the most part. But, wearing a cap over a ponytail can be weird. Sometimes the ponytail is too high for the cap, sometimes too low and feels uncomfortable on the neck. And if it’s windy, the ponytail itself can still whip around a bit.
- Man bun / Top knot: Look, I tried it. Pulled all the hair up high. This actually kept it out of the way the best. But, getting a hat or visor over it? Forget about it. Just doesn’t sit right. Plus, honestly, felt a bit silly out there.
- Headbands: Bought a few of those athletic headbands. The wider fabric ones. These were pretty good at keeping the front part out of my eyes. But the hair at the back was still loose. So, headband plus ponytail? Now we’re getting somewhere, but it’s starting to feel like a lot of gear.
- Hair ties under the hat: This became my go-to for a while. Low ponytail or braid, then put the hat on. It mostly worked. Had to make sure the tie wasn’t too bulky. Sometimes the hat would still push down on the tie and get uncomfortable after a few hours.
What I Settled On (For Now)
After all that messing around, here’s what I landed on. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best compromise for me.
My current setup: I usually go with a lower ponytail, tied pretty securely. Then, I wear a specific type of cap – one of those with a higher profile or a larger opening in the back, sometimes called a ‘ponytail cap’. It gives the ponytail room without messing up how the hat sits. If it’s not too windy or hot, sometimes I just use a strong hair tie and skip the hat, maybe wear sunglasses.
Sweat is still a bit of a thing. Longer hair just feels hotter. I make sure to bring an extra towel. Sometimes I’ll readjust the ponytail halfway through the round if it starts feeling loose or annoying.
The bottom line is: Playing golf with long hair is totally doable, but you gotta be prepared to experiment. What works for one person might not work for another, depends on your hair type, how long it is, and what gear you like. It took me a good few rounds, trying different hats and ties, to find something that didn’t drive me crazy. You just gotta try stuff until it works for you.
