Like most golfers in the UK I always check the weather forecast the night before I play, and living in the North West means I frequently have to take a golf umbrella with me.
However, when playing on links courses such as Royal Lytham & St Annes a brolly is probably the last thing you will want to carry as one hole is normally all it takes to destroy it. Whilst many golf umbrellas are said to be ‘wind proof’ which prevents it being turned inside out you could end up doing an impression of Mary Poppins if you’re strong enough to hang on to it.
When playing a links course or when it’s very wet and windy lighten the load and ditch the brolly. My advice would be to just wear a good set of waterproofs and include some rain gloves to ensure you don’t lose your grip.