In the world of golf, there are some key tools that’ll help in lowering your prescription handicap. Golf sunglasses are one of those tools. But not just any ordinary pair of sunglasses that you happen to have in your center console will qualify as the best. There are essentials to what makes for the best and we're here to explain exactly what to look for. You'll soon be on your way to owning the best golf sunglasses out there. We also have a list of the Best Golf Sunglasses of 2020 if you want to see this year's top pick.

Golf Sunglasses Buyer's Guide

1. What to Look for in Golf Sunglasses
1.1. Frame Technology
1.2. Lens Technology
2. The Best Golf Sunglasses
2.1. Oakley
2.2. Nike
2.3. Rudy Project
3. Golf Sunglasses & Prescription Golf Sunglasses at SportRx!


Eyeglass Tyler from SportRx goes over everything you need to know about buying golf sunglasses online, prescription or not, in our video. We talk about frame and lens technology to look out for as well as some of our personal favorite golf frames. Watch it below and read along to learn more!


What to Look For in Golf Sunglasses

When shopping for golf sunglasses, the top two things to keep an eye out for are the frame tech and lens tech. Making sure you get the best of both worlds will help your golf game reach its peak.

Frame Technology

Grip

Grip is a must-have for any golf sunglasses. This helps to keep the frames optically aligned throughout your game. Most sports frames feature rubberized grip on the temples and nose pads, which will keep the frames more secure and prevent them from moving around on your swing.

Lightweight Frame

Since you want your shades to be comfortable even through a long game, be sure to look out for sunglasses made of nylon or other lightweight and durable materials such as TR-90 or Grilamid. Oakley O-Matter is another great option if you're looking to buy Oakleys.

Tyler also suggests avoiding metal frames since they're not as durable and can distract you from your game.

Straight Temples

Straight temples are great for golf sunglasses because they work well with a hat and stay in place rather than having to constantly adjust them.

Fit

Last but definitely not least, you’re going to want to find golf sunglasses that provide the most comfort to you on and maybe even off the greens. An element that will be sure to add to the level of comfort are rubberized nose bridges and temples that we discussed before. Adjustable nose pads are also great, and straight and slim temples make your sunglasses fit easier underneath a hat. As long as you have these components, the sunglasses will stay in place better, and maintain a comfortable fit all day on the course.


Lens Technology

Coverage

The best golf sunglasses will have a full wrap, which offers the best coverage and blocks sunlight from all directions. Your eyes will remain protected throughout 18 holes of play. With a wraparound frame comes enhanced peripheral vision, another plus when you’re out on the course.

The other thing to talk about with coverage is the height of the lenses. Taller lenses offer more coverage and allow you to be looking through the lens even when you’re looking down at the ball. And if need be, the taller the lens means the greater the ability for progressive golf sunglasses.

If you're playing with full-rim sunglasses, be sure the lens is tall enough so that the lower frame doesn't block your line of sight to the ball. These types of sunglasses often have a flatter frame, so they're a great high Rx option. Just make sure they also have a shield on the sides to block light!

Impact-Resistant Material

Our suggestion for lens material is polycarbonate or Trivex. Though there's not as much of a risk of taking a golf ball to the face like with other sports, you should still consider a lens that can take a hit.

Tyler's pro tip is to avoid glass lenses. They tend to be more expensive and much heavier, so in addition to the extra cost, these sunglasses won't be as comfortable over a long period of time.

Contrast-Enhancing Tint

A key factor in finding good golf sunglasses is finding a pair with contrast-enhancing lenses such as rose copper or brown. Amber is also a good option for those who want a lighter color for cloudier weather. These lenses will provide the contrast needed to enhance depth perception, allowing you to read the greens with optimal clarity.

Many sunglass brands have their own proprietary golf lens technology, such as Oakley's PRIZM Golf. It's designed to bring out the colors present on a golf course and let you see the ball better against both the grass and the sky. You can even get it in prescription!

Mirror Coating

If you live in a sunny area, you'll want a darker base tint and possibly a mirror coating to help protect your eyes from the sun. Mirror lenses serve the dual purpose of reflecting excess light away from the lens and looking cool. Note that a mirror coating and the lens tint are oftentimes different colors. This means the sunglasses appear one color from the outside, but looking through the lens you will see a different color.

Polarized Lenses

Polarized sunglasses are great for cutting out glare that is caused by sunlight bouncing off reflective surfaces. However, there are downsides to having polarized lenses for golf. Many golfers will notice their depth perception is thrown off. Most golf sunglasses are not polarized; nevertheless, some golfers prefer them.

Our sports opticians generally do not recommend polarized lenses for golf, as there’s usually not much reflective glare on the golf course. So unless you are staring at the sand trap or the water hazard for extended periods of time (hopefully you aren’t!), there shouldn’t be a lot of glare distracting your vision. Combined with the lack of depth perception, you're not getting much benefit from polarized lenses. But at the end of the day, it comes down to what you feel most comfortable with on the golf course.

Bifocal/Progressive Lenses

When it comes to prescription golf sunglasses, whether or not to buy bifocal or progressive lenses is one of the most common questions we get. And the answer is: It depends.

Some golfers find it difficult to wear bifocal or progressives on the golf course because the reading area of the lens gets in their way when they look down at the ball. This causes the ground to look closer than it actually is and can throw off performance. For these golfers, we recommend going with a single vision lens. By doing so, they may not be able to read their scorecard as easily; however, this trade-off is much better than compromising performance.

On the other hand, some golfers wear their everyday bifocal or progressive eyeglasses on the golf course and they find no issue with it. For these golfers, we usually recommend replicating what they're already used to. If bifocal or progressive lenses are a must-have for you, we set the reading area lower so that it's as out of the way as possible in your natural golf stance.


The Best Golf Sunglasses

Here are some brands we think encompass the key features every good pair of golf sunglasses needs.

Oakley

targetline prizm golf

Oakley Targetline in Carbon with PRIZM Golf Lenses

Shop Oakley Targetline

The Oakley Targetline is great for someone seeking a more casual look on the golf course. This frame is very Rx-friendly thanks to a flatter lens. Because most people prefer to wear a hat while golfing, the Targetline was designed with a subtle downward slope on the edges of the frame brow make this compatible with a curved-brim hat. The temple arms are also thin enough to fit under a hat. The Unobtanium saddle nose bridge and textured temples help secure the frames on your face. You can check out our Best Oakley Golf Sunglasses of 2020 to see more Oakley picks great for golf.

Nike

Chances are, when you think of sports you think of Nike. But their shoes aren't the only thing to boast about—Nike sunglasses such as the Cross Trainer are perfect for golf thanks to a lightweight frame build and ventilated nose bridge. Not only can you adjust the fit to any type of face, but your sunglasses will also stay clear and fog-free as you send that ball flying.

Rudy Project

Though Rudy Project is primarily a cycling brand, their sunglasses are great for golfing too. Bestselling shades like the Rydon include all the features you need for golf. Semi-rimless lens designs, thin and helmet-compatible temples, prescription-friendly frames, and vented lenses are just a few of the great things about Rudy Project sunglasses.


Golf Sunglasses and Prescription Golf Sunglasses at SportRx!

We can turn all these amazing golf sunglasses into optically perfect prescription golf sunglasses. Remember the three C’s—coverage, contrast, comfort.

Need prescription golf sunglasses? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tooltips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, Contact Us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your prescription golf sunglasses.

Ditch risky online shopping with the See Better Guarantee. Try your sunglasses for 45 days. If you’re not satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get your pair of prescription golf sunglasses at SportRx today!

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