Promotional golf umbrellas - mixing sports with your marketing goals

In the sea of classic promotional items, there is one item stands out. The golf umbrella. At first glance, a golf umbrella comes off as a fairly random way to market a brand. It's a niche tool that has a very specific purpose. Not to mention that mixing advertisements with leisurely activities goes against the old adage of 'don't mix business with pleasure.'

This isn't always true. In fact, you can develop an incredible business relationship during a leisurely activity, when everyone's relaxed and having fun. Therefore why not use a game of golf to generate conversation about your business and services — while also subtly advertising it as well.

A promotional golf umbrella can help you do this. It’s the trusty shield you turn to on the golf course to protect your game from finicky British weather. Moreover, it’s an excellent conversation starter that can get your business partners or customers interested in your brand. And if you choose custom golf umbrellas, you can bet that conversation won’t stop for a long time.

What Is a golf umbrella?

If you’re not a regular golfer then you might be wondering what even is a golf umbrella? Is there a difference between it and a regular classic variety? The answer is yes. As the name suggests, golf umbrellas are specially designed to protect golfers from the sun and rain. However, non-golfers use them as well in case they need added protection.

Since their primary purpose is to protect the golfer basket, they’re much larger than the standard umbrella. On average they can measure between 150-165cm. This additional size makes them somewhat heavy and hard to carry around. To avoid this issue, many manufacturers make their golf umbrellas using fibreglass drums. Not only is this material more lightweight than things like wood and metal, but it’s highly light-resistant too. Therefore, golfers can enjoy extra protection during an unexpected storm.

Another key feature of the golf umbrella is its ergonomic handle. As opposed to the traditional hooked umbrella handle, an ergonomic handle allows the hand to grip it in a natural position. This ensures that the golfer can comfortably hold the umbrella without worrying about it affecting their swing.

Furthermore, golf umbrellas come in a variety of types, depending on their structure:

• The two-fold and three-fold, straight umbrella
• A golf umbrella with a single and a double layer canopy
  
• Round and square-shaped golf umbrellas
  
• Umbrellas with a manual or automatic opening mechanism
  
• Fabrics include pongee, nylon or polyester
  
• A wide variety of handle options including wood, rubber and plastic
• Standard steel frames or storm proof fibreglass 

Who uses printed golf umbrellas

On average, custom branded sports umbrellas are most popular amongst enthusiastic golfers. However, they’re great gifts for anyone who loves outdoor sports, or just needs a big umbrella. Since they’re much sturdier than regular umbrellas, they offer greater protection against wind and rain. This guarantees that if you buy a golf umbrella, you’ll be enjoying protection with style for many years to come.

Using golf umbrellas as promotional products

As mentioned, golf umbrellas come off as a very niche promotional tool. They seemingly don’t have a marketing reach beyond the golf course. Moreover, only dedicated golfers would appreciate getting these umbrellas as gifts. This couldn’t be farther from the truth.

In fact, it might surprise you to know that golf umbrellas are one of the most common promotional items out there. Quite a few organisations use them to spread their brand name. They often print their company logo, address and website on the canopy. Because the umbrella is so large, when the canopy is open, their business name is visible for everyone on the golf course to see.

Moreover, golf umbrellas are very common gifts for company employees or customers alike. Many brands choose to give them alongside other golfing items like golf pitch forks, scorecard holders or branded golf balls. Companies that want to impress their customers will sometimes give additional items like golf shoe bags, golf tees or some high-quality embroidered golf towels. Since all of these items will be branded with the company logo, they’re great additional promotional items.

The reason why these items make for excellent corporate gifts is because people perceive them as being more valuable. Golfing has an air of prestige and exclusivity that is associated with the higher class. Moreover, golfing equipment can be very expensive with some, good-quality sets going for thousands of pounds. Therefore, if you decide to gift golf umbrellas to your customers, they will surely view your brand as more prestigious.

As an added bonus, you’ll also likely attract larger investors, since golfing is a favourite pastime of wealthy business owners.

Corporate branded golfing umbrellas aren’t just for golfing

While these umbrellas are essential on the golf course, you can also use them for other purposes as well. Golf umbrellas are higher quality and more durable than the classic umbrella. Meaning that they’re an excellent way to protect product launches, company picnics or other outdoor events from unexpected weather changes.

What’s more, their ergonomic handle gives the umbrella extra stabilisation. This prevents the canopy from turning inside out during a heavy gust of wind. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the umbrella breaking in case of a nasty storm. But these umbrellas aren’t just good for autumn downpours.

The canopy materials are made much thicker than that of a standard umbrella. Meaning that golf umbrellas can protect you from the harsh summer sun as well. Therefore, they make for the perfect gift you can use all year round, no matter the season. It’s precisely this versatility that makes a golf umbrella a good gift for anyone, not just golfers.

Research has shown that customers appreciate practical branded items more than they do flyers or online ads. The more useful an item is, the more likely they’re going to keep it. What’s more, practical corporate promotional products are twice as likely to motivate consumers to do business with a brand. Therefore, if you choose to give your customers golfing umbrellas you'll definitely get some long term exposure.

That’s not even mentioning the impression this will make on them. A customer is much more likely to associate a brand with quality if they hand out useful, long-lasting promotional tools. Knowing that your brand doesn’t skimp on good advertising, the customer is much more likely to trust your company and give you their business.

How to customise your promotional golf umbrellas

After reading all this, you’re probably sold on ordering your own branded golf umbrellas right now. But don’t rush into this just yet! First, you need to choose a good colour scheme and design for your umbrella. Bold colours and prints go a long way in capturing attention. Meanwhile, a well-designed logo can do wonders in communicating the nature of your brand. This is where hiring a professional graphic designer might come in handy.

But, before you deal with the aesthetics, you first have to choose the print method. The printing method is an extremely important factor when it comes to branded items. Not only does it determine how well the design will apply to the umbrella, but also how long it will last. Since you’ll be transferring a design onto a fabric, the Screen-Print method is a good choice. However, if you want your logo to be high definition, then you can always go for the UltraHD Full-Colour Print.

Extensive printing and branding options

We offer a variety of printing options on our range of corporate golf umbrellas. From screen printing through to the very latest in UltraHD full colour print, the options are boundless. Our team of graphic artists are on hand to help you choose the right product and assist you in creating an eye-catching design. We aim to help you increase brand recognition for your company at every event!

Buy your custom printed golf umbrellas today!

We have vast range of golf umbrellas from executive to low cost umbrellas to choose from in many different styles and colours with prices to meet even the tightest of marketing budgets. You may also wish to compliment your order of umbrellas with some branded polo shirts or printed caps, see our full range of clothing. With such a great choice on offer, fast turnarounds and guaranteed low prices, there is little wonder why we are the UK market leaders!

For additional information on our collection of custom umbrellas or outdoor promotional merchandise and to receive a fast quotation, give a member of our experienced team a call on 0800 0148 970 or email us for further details. 

Curated by Gareth Parkin   |   Product Marketing Director

As the founder of GoPromotional, Gareth has developed an enviable reputation as an expert in the promotional products industry with over 25 years experience. As an active member of the BPMA, ASI and Forbes Business Council, he regularly shares his wealth of industry knowledge and perspective in order to drive the branded merchandise sector forwards. With an entrepreneurial mind, Gareth has his finger on the pulse of our UK and international operations. Responsible for marketing and technical operations, he continually motivates the team with his vision, enthusiasm and desire to be the very best.

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