Summer golf is upon us and it’s time to pack up your rain clothes! With so much gear in this great game of golf, one thing you don’t want to forget is a great pair of golf sunglasses.
The right pair of golf sunglasses can help you play better, protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, and upgrade your outfit. But unlike your normal selection of sunglasses, there is a bit more to consider when finding the right ones for your round.
The best sunglasses for golf need to have a combination of functionality, durability, and also minimize glare. The last thing you want is an expensive pair of glasses that you can’t swing the club with. Or a pair that is cheap and won’t survive if they fall out of the golf cart after one too many.
Our Picks for Best Golf Sunglasses
- Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses – Best All Around Golf Sunglasses
- Duduma Polarized Sport Sunglasses – Best Budget Golf Sunglasses
- Smith Optics Choice Sunglasses – Best Premium Golf Sunglasses
We’ve researched the best golf sunglasses and give you a thorough breakdown below. If you have a birthday or want a cool Father’s Day gift, this is a great article to pass along.
How to Pick the Best Golf Sunglasses
As I mentioned, when it comes to picking the right golf sunglasses it’s not as simple as choosing based on budget and looks. You need to make sure that your new pair of shades have the right tint and won’t get in the way of your golf swing.
Here are the three biggest things to consider when choosing your next pair of sunglasses:
Choosing the Right Tint
While we won’t get into too many specifics of all the types of tint, understand that each one has a purpose for your sunglasses. Each shade of lenses is slightly different than the others.
For example, red and yellow lenses improve depth perception and help with contrast. This makes them especially good if you live somewhere with a lot of gray skies and overcast days.
On the other hand, amber and gray lenses tend to increase the sharpness and contrast on the bright and sunny days. Green lenses tend to heighten contrast while preserving color balance. This should help with identifying different pattern colors on the green.
Ideally, you want to find a pair of golf sunglasses that you can keep on most of the round and will help you read greens.
Making Sure They’re “Golf Fit”
One of the biggest problems with normal sunglasses is that they leave a little bit of room below the frame and the golf ball. This is very distracting if you’re standing over the shot and see the ball through your lens but also normal vision as well.
Ideally, you want to find a pair of shades made for golf that really hug your face. While they don’t need to be huge and massive like David Duval used to wear, you get the point.
Traditional sunglasses are more about style and less about functionality. Try to find a pair that wraps around your head and covers your entire eyesight.
Durability & Warranty
The last thing you want to check for in a pair of golf sunglasses is the durability and warranty that comes with them. Double check online reviews to ensure they are sturdy, dependable, and won’t fall apart on you mid-round.
If you’re buying a more expensive pair, we recommend checking on the warranty as well. You want to find a pair that is going to withstand being in your golf bag or cart. Plus, look for ones with a protective case and not just a thin bag.
Read our full post about playing golf with sunglasses.
Best Golf Sunglasses
Now that you know what features to evaluate the sunglasses for, here are our picks for the best golf sunglasses.
1. Nike Golf X2 Pro E Sunglasses
When it comes to quality products, Nike is still one of the best names in the sporting world. The Nike Golf X2 Pro E sunglasses are some of the best sunglasses on the market. They are pretty affordable and have several color choices making them an easy pick for the everyday golfer.
2. Under Armour Igniter Polarized Multiflection Sunglasses
In the last five years or so, Under Armour has made quite a splash in the golf world. Other than just awesome apparel, they also make great sunglasses as well.
The Under Armour Igniter Polarized Multiflection sunglasses are priced decently and look amazing. Under Armour proves that all of their gear looks great both on and off the golf course.
3. RIVBOS Polarized Sports Sunglasses
Looking for the best golf sunglasses but on a tight budget? The RIVBOS polarized sports sunglasses might be your solution.
While they aren’t tailored specifically for golf, they are very dependable and made with athletes in mind. If you’re a runner, fisher or biker, these can work with any of your outdoor excursions.
With positive reviews all over the interent, these are one of the best pairs of golf sunglasses for the money.
4. Oakley Men’s Flak Jacket XLJ Sunglasses
Oakley has specialized in making quality sunglasses for decades. They are a trusted leader in the optical world and have plenty of pairs made specifically for golf.
The Oakley Men’s Flak Jacket XLJ sunglasses are great for both on and off the course. Oakley uses a “O Matter’ design that is stress-resistant frame that can withstand extreme environments. They are very light, durable, and made with a high-quality plastic.
5. Duduma Polarized Sport Sunglasses
The Duduma polarized sports sunglasses are similar to the RIVBOS and offer even more lens selections. Both are very easy on the budget so it really comes down to which one you like the most stylewise.
These are the #1 rated Sunglasses on the internet when it comes to sporting sunglasses. They’re great for golf, baseball, fishing, and cycling.
6. Smith Optics Choice Sunglasses
If you’ve got a bigger budget and want some high-quality shades, the Smith Optics Choice sunglasses are probably the pair for you. While they are great golf sunglasses, they’re also great for everyday wear.
7. Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 Sunglasses
Oakley has a wide range of sunglasses and the Half Jacket 2.0 differs from the Flak Jacket XLJ. They’re a smaller design and only come in two colors. But the all black is a sleek look that is great for everyday use and pairs well with any golfing outfit.
FAQs for Golf Sunglasses
Still got questions about finding the right pair of sunglasses for your next round of golf?
We got answers…
Which color lens is best for golf?
It really depends on your own vision needs. Ideally, you want to find a pair of sunglasses that reduces glare, protects your eyes, and helps bring out the contours of the greens.
Do professional golfers wear sunglasses?
Some do but overall a small percentage actually play the entire round wearing them. A lot of professional golfers will flip them upside down on the back of their hat while hitting and only wear when walking.
Are polarized lenses good for golf?
Generally speaking, yes, polarized lenses are good for your golf game. They help you see more clearly and farther so you don’t need to squint to see the flagstick.
One downside to polarized lens is that don’t change color based on the lighting conditions. So if the lighting changes during the round (i.e. cloud cover), they aren’t as helpful as they won’t adjust accordingly.
Wrapping Up
Finding the right pair or sunglasses is only part of a solid golf sun protection routine. There’s no shortage of golf sunglasses on the market today. It comes down to how much time you’re spending on the course, your budget, and overall quality.
We generally recommend finding a pair that can be used for both golf and everyday use unless you’re playing frequently. If you’re playing more than once a week, it’s worth considering making the investment in your golf game.
Hopefully, you can find one of these golf sunglasses so you can start protecting your eyes and playing better golf than ever. Next on your list, go find a good pair of golf shoes.