Sport

Top 5 Sunglasses For Golfing

When precision sport is in play, sunglasses specifically made for that activity can make a huge difference. As golf is a game with the objective to strike a ball into a series of holes on a course, wearing appropriate eyewear with added lens technology to enhance performance is imperative to optimising your game. Keep reading as we discuss whether you should wear polarised sunglasses when golfing and what coloured lenses are best, as well as our recommendations on the best sunglasses for playing golf.

Published on: March 5, 2024

Man wearing Oakley sunglasses and a white shirt playing golf

What Are The Best Sunglasses For Golf?

When precision sport is in play, sunglasses specifically made for that activity can make a huge difference. As golf is a game with the objective to strike a ball into a series of holes on a course, wearing appropriate eyewear with added lens technology to enhance performance is imperative to optimising your game. Sunglasses for golf are generally in the form of wraparound style and shield shapes for protection and comfort, however, you can find more casual styles with advanced lens technology that will aid in both recreational and competitive games.

Golf sunglasses can be different from your regular pair of sunnies for a number of reasons. While most sunglasses should offer a basic level of UV protection that meets Australiana and New Zealand standards, choosing to wear a pair of sunglasses made with golf in mind as opposed to your everyday eyewear can make a huge difference. Golf specific sunglasses are specifically designed to lower distortion of your view through the bottom half of the lenses, their wraparound shape also protects your peripheral vision through larger lenses that wrap around the face.

Fortunately, sports eyewear has come a long way in recent years. What was once limited to daggy shades has now transformed into a market for golf-specific sunglasses that are both functional and stylish. We've seen a huge number of sports performance sunglasses that are consciously designed to not compromise on style and are a huge hit with both recreational and competitive golfers. With so many sunglasses on the market, choosing the right pair of sunglasses for golf can be overwhelming. When choosing the right pair for you, you must consider factors like fit, coverage and grip as well as the lens colour and the quality of the sunglasses. After all, you need a durable pair that will survive being dropped or falling out of the golf cart.

Keep reading as we discuss whether you should wear polarised sunglasses when golfing and what coloured lenses are best, as well as our recommendations on the best sunglasses for playing golf.

Are Polarised Sunglasses Better For Golf?

To wear polarised sunglasses while playing golf is a discussion always up for debate, some players swear by them, while other golfers prefer to go without. Whether or not you should purchase polarised sunglasses for golf really comes down to your environment, the type of weather you play in, skill level and personal preference.

Polarised lenses' purpose is to cut out horizontal glare that bounces off of reflective surfaces like water, metal and snow. This will keep your eyes comfortable while playing, polarised lenses are also favoured among those who a very light-sensitive as they block more reflective light than regular sunglasses do which is crucial on bright, sunny days. Polarised lenses are recommended for most sports, for this reason, however, some prefer to skip polarisation as it can affect depth of perception and change the way you track the ball. Due to polarisation's anti-glare property, these lenses can dull the shine that comes off of the green which some golfers use to figure out the lay of the green. If you're a serious golfer, polarised lenses may not be for you, however, you can always take them off while you read the green.

If you play in more overcast conditions, you might prefer non-polarised eyewear. However, if you frequently play close to water or sand and in very bright, sunny conditions, polarised sunglasses will provide all-day comfort while giving your eyes the best protection.

What Colour Sunglasses Are Best For Golf?

With golf, each lens colour provides its own advantages to your game depending on your environment. As golf is mostly played on a green golf course, you want to choose a lens that heightens colour and contrast like a brown or bronze lens. Brown lenses enhance the colour of the grass for when you are reading the green, and heighten the colour of the blue sky so you can track the ball much more easily. This coloured lens has no major alteration of true colour and is also a fantastic lens in both bright and overcast conditions.

Rose or red lenses are also a popular choice among golfers as the coloured lens allows your eyes to extract red and yellow tones from within the colour green, meaning you can see the contours and grains of the course with more ease. While rose tints are great for tracking and detail, they provide a more altered perception of colour through a warmer, rosy hue.

Lens colours to avoid are greens and grey coloured lenses. As the golf course is green, grey and green lenses won't provide any colour contrast and won't heighten any detail within the course. While these lens colours are excellent for bright, sunny conditions, if you want to utilise lens technology to optimise your game, you are better off opting for a warmer or bronze lens colour.

So...What Are The Best Sunglasses For Playing Golf?

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL

The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses have been a core Oakley style for years, this semi-rimless pair is recommended for all sports due to its lightweight and durability. The XL refers to the height in the lens, being an extra-large version of the popular Oakley Flak style, it offers excellent coverage which is something you want to look out for when buying golf sunglasses, or sports eyewear of any sort. The semi-rimless frame allows for an unobstructed field of view from the frame, while assisting in easier ventilation. This Flak 2.0 XL style comes in a Prizm Dark Golf lens, one of Oakley's signature lenses designed specifically for golf. The Prizm Dark Golf lens has a rose-coloured base and allows you to track your ball and read the greens easier.

Oakley - Flak 2.0 XL

Revo Harness

The Revo Harness is a versatile frame with a subtle wrap-around design, ensuring a snug fit around the face and effectively shielding from side light exposure. True to its name, these sunglasses stand as an excellent option for enjoying a round of golf, staying put all day long whilst remaining comfortable and lightweight. The lenses feature a red/brown base coupled with a silver flash mirror coating, demonstrating remarkable proficiency in distinguishing between colours down to the most intricate levels so you can see every contour of the course. The lens design, matched with the stylish wraparound shape, makes Harness an optimal choice for diverse activities while maintaining visual clarity.

Revo - Harness

Under Armour UA Recon

The Under Armour UA Recon sunglasses are a sporty frame, crafted with flexible and durable TR90 acetate for a comfortable fit that can withstand all types of sporting activities from golf to running. The brown polarised lenses will not only provide high UV protection for those sunny days on the green, but will enhance the blue of the sky and the green of the course, making tracking the ball much easier. The wraparound frame will ensure optimal coverage for a seamless game of golf, fitted with temple tip holes for lanyards so your glasses don't soar across the green with your ball!

Under Armour - UA Recon

Maui Jim Ho'okipa

With a barely-there weight and exceptional comfort, the Maui Jim Ho'okipa sunglasses is an all-rounder when it comes to both sport and leisure. One of Maui Jim's most popular styles, the Ho'okipa is a rimless frame with a rubber nose pad and temples that provide a secure grip, the Ho'okipa suits a huge variety of face shapes and can be worn easily on and off the green. The Ho'okipa with a Maui Rose lens is a great tint to track the ball while being able to easily identify changes and details on the course. All Maui Jim sunglasses have polarised lenses, offering excellent UV protection and a glare-free view with exceptional colour and contrast.

Maui Jim - Ho'okipa

Oakley Holbrook

The Oakley Holbrook sunglasses are a great choice for when you're on the golf course and away from it. Not only is the Holbrook a great and popular shape for men with a laidback, cool appeal, but the frame is crafted from a lightweight O MATTER® material, making all-day comfort a key characteristic. Fitted with Oakley's signature Prizm Dark Golf lenses, the rose coloured base allows you to track your ball and the course contours easier, whilst also remaining a great lens for every-day medium light conditions.

Oakley - Holbrook