A Guide To The Best Sunglasses For Golf
You NEED the right sunglasses if you want to play golf. I’m not just talking about style points here either. Think about it, you’re depending on your eyes to make the right swing, so it only makes sense to arm yourself with the best sunglasses for playing the sport.
The sunglasses you wear to the beach or in your car aren’t always the best option for eyewear on the green. Glare from the sun may not be much of a problem if you are golfing in the UK, but if you are planning a golf holiday, ensuring you’ve got the perfect sunglasses should be on the top of your to-do list. So, while you may not have thought too far into which glasses are best for your golfing game, here is an entire guide to the best sunglasses for golf so that you can have your best game, keep your eyes protected and beat the competition!
The Problems On The Green
Having the right pair of sunglasses for golfing is important for many reasons. Some of them include:
- Eye Health: You’re outside, in the sun, all day when you’re playing golf. So, you’ll want to protect your peepers just as you would on any other outdoors occasion. Too much sun in your eyes, over and over again, just isn’t good for your health.
- Standard Vision: Despite your golf game, you might have a lower standard of vision than most people. Do you need to wear glasses on a daily basis just to read or see while driving? This matters and will affect which sunglasses you need.
- Sunlight: The sun is strong; it’s a good thing usually, but can significantly impair your ability to line up a shot or see the hole on the green. You’ll need sunglasses purely to block the sun so that you can see what you’re doing while playing the game.
- Glimmer on The Green: Sunlight can skew reality and change what you are seeing on the green. A glimmer of white on the path to the hole can stop you from making the perfect shot. This, can be corrected with the proper sunglasses.
The Importance Of Tint
While blocking the sun in general is extremely important for golfers, the tint in the sunglasses makes a big difference. When it comes to golfers, not all tint is created equal! Contrast is vital for golfers to play their best, so, these tints work the best for golfers:
- Rose Copper: Sunglasses with a rose copper tint are perfect for the putting green as they remove yellow and red tones from the color green. This will allow you to read the grains and breaks of the green better while also seeing the contours of the course more clearly.
- Brown: Contrast is important for golfers and lens with a brown or amber tint will work the best for this. These colors will heighten contrast, making them useful for reading the green when you are on the fairways. They will even help your distance vision by improving the grass contrast as well as the sky so that you can see the ball clearly as it travels through the air. They are also handy because they don’t skew your natural vision.
- Gray and Green: These lenses are not ideal for golfing. However, they can be beneficial for people who have light sensitive eyes, especially if it is really bright outside. They also have little color distortion which is beneficial for contrast.
What About Prescription?
If you need prescription eyeglasses in daily life, you’ll need them on the green. This is a no brainer. Don’t just settle for your prescription sunglasses during your games. Instead, find the right pair of golfing sunglasses and then take them to be altered with your prescription.
The Cut Matters
Yet another thing to keep in mind when finding the perfect sunglasses for golfing is the cut. Usual sunglasses are cut in a way that reduces distortion as the wearer looks ahead straight. This means that there will be little distortion in the lens center and more distortion around the edges.
While this might be good for doing daily activities, it isn’t ideal for golfers because we look down when we hit the ball. The distortion around the edges could cause the ball to look like it’s in motion during the swing. So, by getting lenses specifically cut for golfers, the distortion will be in all the right places that make it easier to hit the ball correctly.
Make Sure The Fit Is Right
Even if you find the perfect tint and cut, there is no use in wearing golf glasses if they don’t fit correctly. Golfing takes a whole lot of focus and the last thing you want to worry about is your sunglasses drifting down the bridge of your nose every time you go to take a swing. Sure, you’ll want to get a pair that look good and flatter your face, but in reality, this pair might not be the best for your game.
First off, make sure that the lenses are not too big or too small for your face. It is also important for them to sit on the bridge of your nose without sliding down or pinching it too tightly. A good rule of thumb is to look for the ‘Three Point Fit,’ which means that the sunglasses touch the wearer’s face in only three places. These places include the bridge of the nose and behind each temple.
Features That The Top Sunglasses Have
The top sunglasses for golfers have certain features that you should pay attention to when shopping.
- Clarity: Golf sunglasses should be enhancing the green of the golf course. And, they should never obstruct your vision.
- Durability: The more you play golf, the more you will be transporting your sunglasses around in your golf bag. The ones you choose should be durable enough to withstand the wear and tear that comes with this sort of handling.
- Comfort: Find a fit that is comfortable or else you won’t be able to focus on your game. Large or chunky sunglasses are unlikely to be as comfortable as you need them to be.
- Ultraviolet Protection: All in all, sunglasses are meant to protect from the sun. By playing golf, you are committing to being outside, so make sure that your sunglasses are properly blocking the sun’s rays.
The Best Sunglasses For Golf Suggestions
So, now that you are well versed in what makes some sunglasses better than others for golf, here are some suggestions of pairs that might just do the trick.
Oakley Men’s Flak 2.0 XL
Set in a plastic frame, this line has a few different polarized, multi-chromatic lenses to choose from. The clarity is exceptionally sharp as each lens has been optimized with Iconic High Definition Optics that Oakley provides. It makes it easy to gauge distances and provides the ultimate in polarization.
The Tifosi Crit
This pair comes with three interchangeable lenses so that you can change the tint depending on the need. The gray lenses help on sunny days while the purple lenses will help point out breaks in the green. The green lens option will reduce glare and sharpen the contrast.
Oakley Batwolf
These are a signature style of the Oakley brand. They are best suited for people with medium to large faces as the frame is wide. The lens is continuous and works well in bright conditions. They have interchangeable icons though, in case you are bored with how they look and want to change them up.
The Tifosi Jet Wrap
They are single lens glasses with the strongest type of lens on the market, the polycarbonate. While they are strong, these shades are actually quite light and provide complete UV protection. And, you can get them in a whole variety of colors.
Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL
Having a problem with sweating and then your sunglasses slipping off? These glasses have Unobtanium ear-socks to provide the best grip to avoid this. Optics are clear as well as the peripheral view due to the XYZ optics that are quite unique to Oakley. It will help your view of the course become more clear and also allow you to swap out the lenses if you feel the need.
Kaenon Hard Kore
The lenses in this pair are SR-91, polarized, and come in copper, gray, and yellow tints. With the collection of lens tints, players will be able to enhance color contrast, see details of the terrain, and avoid any kind of glare.
Under Armour Igniter 2.0
These semi-rimless sunglasses have the Armour Sight lens technology that is quite unique to the brand. This pair will be best if you care about comfort as they are designed with an airflow technology and adjustable nose pad. And, they are great for wear and tear as the lens has a multifunction coating that helps reduce the case of smudging and scratching.
The Stone Crushers By Maui Jim
These glasses are said to have a great balance of function and style. They come with polycarbonate lenses as well as three different colors to choose from. There is also a Polarized Plus 2 lens that protects from glare and drastically enhances color.
Tifosi Tyrant 2.0
These sleek sunglasses are perfect for golfers who care about looks as well as function. They come with polycarbonate lenses which add to their unique design. Regardless of your style, you will have plenty to choose from as they come in a variety of lens colors and frame styles.
Oakley Flak Jacket XLJ
This pair is infused with nylon so it remains light while also being sturdy and flexible. They are entirely UV protected as they are made from Plutonite. And, they are made to be impact resistant so you won’t have to worry about them breaking every time they are dropped or fall. Because the bottom of the lenses doesn’t have a frame, you will have a clear view when you are looking down to take a swing. While they aren’t polarized, they are still made to increase contrast in a variety of situations.
JiMarti JM01
These are one of the lightest pairs of golf sunglasses on the market. In fact, they only weigh .60 of an ounce. The TR-90 frame is what helps them achieve their lightweight but also makes them tough and flexible. And, you can expect them to adjust with perfection to your head as they are made with memory frame. There are a whole range of lens tints available, all of which are protected from UV 100%. The lens are made from polycarbonate with a mirror finish for style points.
Callaway Sungear Peregrine
The peregrine lens works to let more sunlight into the eyes while fully protecting from UVA rays. They don’t impair depth perception and work to help players increase their ability to quickly read the green. The fit is always comfortable due to the adjustable nose pads and while the glasses are sturdy, they are also quite light, weighing less than one ounce.
Nike Golf X2 Pro E
Nike teamed up with professionals to create a new technology that focuses on comfort during play. The frame is made up of nylon and comes equipped with a nose bridge that is ventilated. The frames at the temples are thinner so that a hat can be worn, and it is adjustable so you can keep yourself comfortable no matter what. The lenses here are made with Nike Max Optics technology that uses a distinct and somewhat unique tint that makes it easier to see the ball. Buyers can find the lenses in a red, navy, or gray tint. These lenses work to make the white color more visible while defining the green and the elevation of the area more precisely. And, the cut of the lenses was specifically made in order to maximize the view at any angle.
If you can’t decide which sunglasses you want, have a look at these social media pages to see what other keen golfers are wearing. Take a moment to think about the problems that a good pair of golf sunglasses can eliminate. Have any of these issues been preventing you from having your best game? Evaluate where you are falling short on the green and compare that to the benefits that these sunglasses can offer you. Perhaps your new shades can change up your whole golfing career.
Once you’ve got your perfect sunglasses, book a golfing trip somewhere sunny so you can show them off!
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