7 December, 2021

What Are The Different Parts Of A Golf Umbrella

If you aren’t used to all the different terminology we use for umbrellas, we thought it would be handy to list them for you. That way, you’ll know what suppliers are talking about when they list different features of an umbrella.

Canopy: The canopy is the material that covers the umbrella. Most umbrellas are made up of 8 panels which can be either screen-printed, digitally printed or have a full-colour transfer adhered to them. The majority of umbrellas use a pongee material from polyester with an underside of acrylic and a top finish of scotch-guard to make them waterproof. Pongee is used to withstand most weather conditions, plus it is easy to fold and dries quickly. The material itself is stitched to each panel, so if you want an all-over print, the factory can do this before it stitches the material to the frame.

Ribs: These are among the most important factors in an umbrella as they give it structure. When you open your umbrella, you will see the ribs when looking up. The best type of ribs is fibreglass. There is a misconception that steel is best, however, steel is not flexible, and in high wind conditions, it bends but can’t go back to its original shape. Fibreglass ribs bend with the wind but then come back to their shape. The ribs are attached to the shaft through a top-notch fitting and stretchers are then put on the shaft with a runner that allows the umbrella to open or close.

Shaft: Another important part of any golf umbrella is the shaft. This is the central pole that runs up through the umbrella. It can be made of many different materials, and unlike the ribs where steel is frowned upon, there is no issue if the shaft is made of metal. In fact, there is an extensive range of materials used nowadays including wood, fibreglass, steel or aluminium, to keep it more lightweight. The big advantage of fibreglass is it won’t absorb water and corrode over time, unlike steel or aluminium. You also have options of a fixed shaft – one set length - or telescopic shafts, which are normally associated with compact umbrellas, so they can fold down to a smaller size.

Tips: Where the ribs meet the edge of the umbrella, they extend slightly out. These are the tips. The finish can vary, but usually they are covered with either plastic or wooden caps. These are pushed on and then either sewn or glued to the ends. The main reason for this is safety in case the edge of your umbrella comes into contact with someone, they won't be “stabbed” by the ends.

Ferrule: This is the outer top tip section of the umbrella. Usually, it is just left flat, but some will add an extension piece to enhance the look of the umbrella. Very common in more upmarket styles and wooden umbrellas.

Handle: Fairly self-explanatory; the handle is what you use to hold the umbrella. There are many options for the handle section. They can be straight or have a crook handle. The material used is usually some soft rubber or EVA foam material to ensure a good grip, however, some wooden umbrellas also add a wooden handle. These look nice but can become hard to grip when wet. You also will find a button on the handles of the umbrellas that have an auto-opening or closing function.

Runner: This is the piece that moves up and down along the shaft and pushes the ribs out to open the umbrella or pulls them in to close the umbrella.

Tie Wrap: This piece of fabric wraps around the umbrella to keep it closed when not in use. They are usually made from the same material and colour of the umbrella. A nice way to finish these off is to have them printed or woven with a logo. It adds a nice touch of class.

Umbrella Sleeve: Just like the tie wrap, this is normally also made from the same Pongee material as the golf umbrella. They are designed to slip over the umbrella when it is closed to help protect the umbrella when not in use and make it easier to carry around.

So, there you have it. Hopefully, this helps you with the understanding of the different parts of a golf umbrella. If you need help choosing the right umbrella for your promotion, contact us by email or phone, and one of our expert consultants will be happy to assist.

The Umbrellas Only Team