The Ashworth Waterproof Rain Jacket brings a touch of color lacking in many other waterproofs whose designers seemingly feel the need to match dull, dismal, dark, rainy days with clothing of a similar hue.
To begin with, there is a cheerfulness about the three different designs this jacket comes in. All three offerings co-ordinate with the Ashworth Waterproof Rain Pant, which features in one colour - navy.
Importantly, the rain jacket fulfils its main function, that of keeping the rain out. Moreover, wearing it on a warm but wet day, I did not sweat up inside it, which is a trait that the majority of the best golf rain jackets have.
In testing, I found that even the items inside the two zipped pockets on either flank remained dry even after a real drenching. What's more, the pockets are deep enough to hold a scorecard or course planner comfortably.
It is also easy to swing in, aided by the stretch fabric, something that you also find on the best golf mid layers. It's worth noting that I can fall in between sizes and, in the large size, I found the sleeves were too short – I could swing okay in it, but only by pushing the sleeves up. This meant that I had to trade up to a XL, which was more ample around the midriff than I needed.
Fortunately, the jacket has two Velcro side adjustment tabs to make the garment snug around the midriff, and two drawstring cords at the bottom of the jacket to tighten it around the waist. The cuffs are elasticated and also have a Velcro tab over these to adjust the fit further.
Finally, the jacket can be easily folded or scrunched up inside a golf bag and, although it calls itself a jacket, it is essentially a waterproof top layer. It is a lightweight golf jacket and does not offer the thermal properties you may expect from an item calling itself a jacket.
All in all, though, this does everything you can wish from a waterproof top.
