Why do all the tour players wear something on their heads?

[JerseyThursday]

Is to make more endorsement dollars with all those extra logos?
Or is the sun brighter than a generation before?

It’s interesting to see footage of the tour during the Nicklaus era. Virtually no one wore any hats or caps. You might see an occasional sun visor but the vast majority had nothing. It defiantly had a classier, cleaner look (other than the Sansabelts).

[Brooklyn]

endorsements. with out a doubt.

[skierbri10]

I think it also has to do with sun protection. I always wear a hat or a visor. I for one don't want skin cancer. Did you see how lathered up Jose Maria Olazabal was last week? He looked like a ghost...

[Terrier]

Is to make more endorsement dollars with all those extra logos?

Not to insult you, but you must've been watching Masters highlights. Wouldn't call it the "Nicklaus era", per se.

Mid 90s it kinda switched. It's become almost NASCAR these days and upon the golf world, my friend.

[The Gill]

endorsements. with out a doubt.

Pretty astute. I'd have to agree. The old school guys didn't wear hats as much. I've only seen old videos of Nicklaus, Palmer, and Miller; but they didn't seem to be wearing hats.

[Terrier]

I think it also has to do with sun protection. I always wear a hat or a visor. I for one don't want skin cancer. Did you see how lathered up Jose Maria Olazabal was last week? He looked like a ghost...

It's money.

Big money. You made the cut and were going to be on TV for Sat/Sun? If you were a nobody that wore no hat? At a major? Back in the 80s? That was big endorsement dollars way back when. "You're going to be on TV tomorrow. Wear our hat and we'll give you $25 grand." Now? LOL Hats have become popular.

[Avid Golfer]

I think it is both endorsements and a rise in skin cancer (especially among golfers). If you look back at the 1996 Masters (which will be shown a few times this week) or any of Faldo's wins he never wore a hat, visor, or sun glasses, but now (when he does play in tournaments...which isn't often enough) he wears a hat and often sun glasses.
There are a few hair gels out there that say they have sun screen in them, so if applied sun screen to your skin and hair gel with sun screen to your head then you could probably make due without a hat or visor.

[Terrier]

I think it is both endorsements and a rise in skin cancer (especially among golfers). If you look back at the 1996 Masters (which will be shown a few times this week) or any of Faldo's wins he never wore a hat, visor, or sun glasses, but now (when he does play in tournaments...which isn't often enough) he wears a hat and often sun glasses.

I respect your insight.

But it's money. Not hair gel, baldness, Grecian formula, or that Bosely Medical Group that does hair plugs and infomercials. Boo and Furyk wear hats. Because they're bald and need a tan Uh huh.

[marpr]

Is to make more endorsement dollars with all those extra logos?

I think it is a combination of: 'Sponsorship Advertising Space' and 'Awareness of the Damage' that sun exposure has on not only the skin but the eyes too.

EG: in the 60-70-80-90's there were more and more smoker's too.

[r7 425]

Its all about the money..People recognize a Staffer by the name on their hat because its the first thing you look at when you talk to a person--their head--so companies got smart and realized that hey--look at that Trevino guy--we could put a top flite logo on his hat because hes famous and from now on everyone that saw his face on tv would associate him the Top flite company

[Shindig]

Endorsements play a part, I'm sure. However, there is increased awareness of eye damage from prolonged exposure. I think there was a study a year or so ago (next time I go through old Golf Digest s, I'll find it) about the frequency of eye damage on tour. In any case, something to keep the sun out of your eyes can't hurt.

It also hides male pattern baldness. As fitness has grown to the tour, the longevity of a tour career has increased. This adds opportunity for one's hair to fall out and for the world to see baldness if a hat isn't worn.

The real question is, why aren't more people wearing the Jim Thorpe hats?

[seattlemudder]

Not all do, I think protection from the sun is the #1 reason.

[Bradenator]

I think it also has to do with sun protection. I always wear a hat or a visor. I for one don't want skin cancer. Did you see how lathered up Jose Maria Olazabal was last week? He looked like a ghost...

Was at the Shell on Sunday, and followed Olazabel from 15 on in. Took us until 16th green to figure out what the heck was wrong with his face! At first it looked like his face was peeling off or something.

The advertising is a huge part, I am sure. I always wear a hat, but instead of getting paid to wear it, I had to pay for the honor of giving Titleist some advertising. Still, as stupid as it sounds, I never play without a Titleist lid on my noggin. As soon as the post round interviews start sounding like NASCAR, then look out. I can just hear it now, while sipping on a sponsor beverage of choice- "Well, the Titleist/Taylor Made/Scotty team put together a real good set today, and those irons ran real good in the heat today...", and so on....

[The Gill]

As soon as the post round interviews start sounding like NASCAR, then look out.

It's funny because the announcers are starting to sound NASCAR-ish. Peddling their sponsor and cutting down others... Faldo is the worst at it.

[geezer]

And they look funny without them(their hats, that is)!

But yeah, I think sponsorships are the main cause.

[Kevin04]

When Sabbatini takes his hat off you can see his face being quite tanned and then part where his hat sat is white, I think Big Phil when he won the masters had a white forehead as well. This happened to me last summer when i was playing and it was quite nice weather, I didn't notice until I went to meet my pals in the bar for a few beers and it was quite dark lit the rooms when 3-4 of your face are brown and a the last frontal part white.

I think the main reason really is both sponsor ship & sun protection, It is quite funny when Furyk takes his hat off, your are expecting him to have hair. Wasn't Tiger balding as well a few years ago? Now his hair seems fine, mmmm ?

[Three Putt]

Thats another reason I like good ole JD, he doesn't wear a hat.....
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whoops, forget he doesn't have any sponsors either.

[Avid Golfer]

Thats another reason I like good ole JD, he doesn't wear a hat.....

Acutally I think Maxfli (Taylormade/Adidas), Winn Grips, and Hooters are still sponsoring him (when his contract comes up for renewal that may change).

http://www.maxfli.com/ http://www.winngrips.com/johndaly/index.html http://ngahooterstour.com/general/news/release_143.html