Headwear is a go-to source of innovation in the golf business – a space where golf shops can experiment with new colors, patterns or ornamentation techniques for a relatively small investment. This makes the category a source of excitement and originality, with numerous spring 2026 collections showing some of the most progressive styles and graphics the industry has seen to date.
Many of the top headwear brands featured their latest collections at the recent PGA Buying Summit at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa in Texas, the Home of the PGA of America – enabling attendees to see the spring styles and begin planning for the upcoming season.
Pukka, for example, displayed a variety of options, highlighting larger embroidery logos, perforation techniques and highly functional fabrications.
“We continue to have a forward look on trends and looks that will play a key role in the industry’s future acceptance of style, fit and decoration,” says Ryan Nolz, Pukka’s National Director of Sales for the Golf Division.
“Our customers love the 2026 collection and the new styles and trends we’ve keyed in on. The headwear market is the perfect spot to push style, and Pukka continues to be at the forefront of that dynamic.”
Key takeaways from Pukka’s spring line include:
• Recycled Diamond Lite, a new eco-friendly performance fabric and part of the brand’s effort to provide high-performing gear that also reduces environmental impact.
• New colors in Organic Canvas, a sustainable, durable fabric option that “aligns with today’s growing demand for eco-conscious style.”
• New colors in Wide Wale Corduroy, which has been riding a wave of momentum with the resurgence of retro-inspired fashion.
• StickLeaf Camo, a new photorealistic camo fabric that blends “authentic outdoor heritage and modern lifestyle appeal.”
Hot off the presses for 2026 is Antigua’s new fully customizable golf headwear collection geared to on-course shops, tournaments and other venues. “Whether you're outfitting your team, launching shop-exclusive styles or creating a unique event look, this line delivers performance, style and flexibility,” the company says.
Antigua’s lineup is marked by customization options - from colors and fabrics to trims, closures and custom interior branding; low minimums starting at 36 pieces; “exceptional fit feel” achieved through premium materials, moisture-wicking sweatbands and modern, athletic fits; a full range of authentic golf styles that includes structured and unstructured performance caps, visors and rope hats; and multiple decoration methods – from 3D and flat embroidery to double-layer felt appliqué with high-density print, 3D woven patch and printing under the bill and crown, interior labels and custom taping.
In addition, pickleball is the focus for Shade Headwear, which is trying to capitalize on the sport’s country club popularity with a hat specifically aimed at the pickleball market. Called the Reset, this new style features a two-panel, single center seam crown with gathered corners and sport closure options for a unisex and “completely athletic” fit. The Reset is being introduced in a variety of Shade’s lightweight, moisture wicking and breathable anti-microbial fabric options.
• • • • •
Also gaining steam in the marketplace is Fury Athletix, which specializes in performance headwear designed for “athletes and adventurers who demand high quality, comfort, durability and style.” The Golf Collection includes popular styles like the Tee-It-Up hat, known for its structure, water-resistant fabric and golf-inspired perforations. Also relevant is the Court Collection, made for athletes who need “optimal performance on the court,” and the Lifestyle Collection that combines performance features with everyday style.
The 2026 line also includes Fury’s first thermal hat, the Heater, designed to keep the golfer warm during chilly tournament play, as well as the performance Dad hat, made from the brand’s award-winning, water-resistant performance fabric that’s 88 percent polyester/12 percent spandex.
“The market for higher-end athletic hats should be based on the sport you play,” Fury Athletix CEO/Founder Jeff Medici says. “The needs of a golfer are different than the needs of a baseball player or runner. We make the hat so it can improve specific aspects of performance.”
Ahead also premiered its spring line at the PGA Buying Summit with hats that “express the brand’s continued commitment to innovate, offering standout style, quality materials, great fit and eye-catching designs for men, women and youth,” the company says. On the men’s side for Ahead, look for an expansion of SKUs done in AeroSphere, a tech fabric designed to keep caps cool, dry and comfortable. New to the AeroSphere family are Ponte, launched in seven color combos, including Spruce/Pink, and featuring a stylish rope detail; Prima, which is designed with an extra-large fit for maximum comfort; and Anthem, which makes a bold statement with a clean white base, summer-themed multi-print on the side and back panels, plus rope detail.
Ahead also features the Modern Trend Collection, featuring the Adams in a classic blue; Jackson, with a light denim suede top visor and contrasting tan bill for a modern, refined aesthetic; and Clubhouse, constructed from a wool and flannel blend and available in charcoal, maroon, navy and olive. At the same time, fashion prints remain popular in styles like Brewski, featuring a playful brew micro print and rope detail; Ronan, which showcases an argyle microfiber print front; and Lure, a lightweight linen cap with an all-over fishing lure print.
The industry will also find newness in the Hollis, a structured five-panel cap from Ahead with stretch mesh; Chester, with a heathered lightweight poly fabric; Icon Sun Hat with an adjustable cinch; Major Bucket Hat in a camo print poly fabric; and Scuba Visor, featuring faux perforated sides and a hook-and-loop closure. On the women’s side, look for the Meet the Bloom Cap with an all-over print on a breezy performance fabric; Mirren Cap, sleek, breathable and textured; Nellie Visor, sporty and chic in five new colors with an adjustable printed band; and Spiraluxe Beanie, spun with Ahead’s Luxe-Yarn for a soft, cozy feel.
Meanwhile, the spring offerings from Imperial are marked by a Small Batch Series and expanded Core Line offering. The latest line continues to focus on premium headwear and performance-driven designs, featuring advanced fabric technologies, cooling innovations and adaptive comfort to meet what the company defines as “the needs of today’s active lifestyle on the golf course and off.”
“As players become more mindful of performance and wellness, headwear is no longer just a finishing touch; it’s functional gear,” says Dan Parenti, Imperial’s Senior Vice President of Product Development. “Moisture-wicking, breathability and cooling technologies help keep athletes focused and comfortable from the first tee to the final putt.”
The 2026 Small Batch Collection combines exclusive materials with specialty treatments and modern silhouettes in The Breeze Performance Perf – an evolution of Imperial’s top-selling golf hat, The Breeze – with the addition of perforated side and back panels for enhanced airflow; The Celsius & The Fahrenheit, featuring CoolCore performance poly that can cool up to 30 percent below skin temperature when wet; The Ironclad, marked by a structured profile with subtle gradated perforation and designed for breathability and structure in equal measure; and The Elements, a performance-driven, two-color cap with moisture-wicking properties and gradated perforation.
Add to that 2026 Core Line additions for everyday wear, including The Lab Series in a brushed performance poly with the appearance of cotton; The Honey, a small-fit, low-profile performance cap with all-day comfort and ventilation, offered in six colors; The Wistman, a rugged faux leather style, specially treated with a worn-in effect and detailed with antique brass hardware; and The Geysir, a traditional bucket silhouette made with CoolCore poly and a woven canvas crown.
And , which remains a popular resource in the women’s market, debuts its customizable straw-style hat collection of lightweight, breathable styles with sun protection. The company is also expanding design capabilities with custom applications, while continuing limited-edition colors and patterns throughout the season “to keep things fresh and fun for 2026.”
