5 Best Sunglasses For Golfing (And how to pick the perfect one!)

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Since golf is predominantly a summer game, many people struggle with glare from the sun when playing. Nowadays, we have some of the best sunglasses from various brands that could make life easier for golfers.

It is important as a golfer that you understand which are the best sunglasses for golfing on the market today.

The Oakley Holbrook Polarized Square Sunglasses are some of the best you can buy on the market today, and these sunglasses often have a unique and elegant style. They will last a few years with exceptional protection from UV rays and durable base material. Oakley is one of the leading brands when it comes to eyewear in the world.

However, this is not the only pair of sunglasses on the market today. Numerous other options and brands offer similar value for your money.

To help you get the best value for your money, we have identified some of the top sunglasses for golfing on the market today. Our mini buyer’s guide will show you how we picked them.

Should You Wear Sunglasses When Playing Golf?

Wearing sunglasses is often a debatable topic. For the most part, I suggest wearing sunglasses for certain shots and in certain situations. Not only does it make it easier to see the golf ball and reduces the glare from the sun, but it could also protect your eyes. Nowadays, most top brands have UV protection in their sunglasses, and they offer great value.

However, some studies suggest that putting can be hard when using sunglasses. Unfortunately, it can affect the player’s depth perception, making it hard to judge the greens and the different slopes.

Ultimately, it will come down to your personal choice. If you feel comfortable playing with sunglasses, you should do so.

Best Sunglasses For Golfing On The Market Today

If you are one of the many players that believe sunglasses do serve you well, you might be wondering which optics you should choose. Through some personal testing and playing a few games, I could recommend a few sunglasses that some of my friends and I have used.

These sunglasses are readily available, and while some are expensive, others are great for budget players:

1- Best Sunglasses For Golfing: Oakley Portal X Sunglasses

The Oakley Portal X Sunglasses are part of the newest iteration of Oakley sunglasses, and the first glance, will give you some resemblance to aviator sunglasses.

It features a full-frame design, made from durable nylon, and will stay still around your head and ear while you are swinging the golf club. 

The Oakley Portal X sunglasses feature 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protection from the harmful sun rays we all have to deal with each day.

The only downside is the darkness of the lenses, which might feel too dark when the sun is not bright enough. We should also mention that they are available in 13 different colors to match your style.

Pros	Cons
– Doesn’t fall off when swinging – Offers great clarity – Full UV protection – Available in 13 colors	– Might feel too dark when the sun is not bright enough

2- Best Playable Golf Sunglasses: Henrik Stenson Torque 3.0 Sunglasses 

Most of us golf fans have heard of Henrik Stenson, who is one of the top players on the PGA Tour. The Henrik Stenson Torque 3.0 Sunglasses are made from TR-90 Polymer and features a smoke-with-flash bronze mirror design.

These glasses are made to enhance the visibility on the green without reducing depth perception. With a comfortable and snug fit, you can feel like Henrik himself while playing with these sunglasses.

With optimal contrast and full UV protection, the Henrik Stenson Torque 3.0 Sunglasses will optimize visibility in the sun and reduce glare. The only downside is the price, which might make them slightly too expensive for some beginners.

Pros	Cons
– Reputable sunglasses – Enhances green details – Snug fit – UV protection	– Expensive

3- Best Lightweight Sunglasses For Golf: Bolle Bolt Photo V3 Oleo AF Sunglasses

The Bolle Bolt Photo V3 Oleo AF Sunglasses probably has one of the longest names for such a small accessory.

However, it is backed up by a solid plastic frame and polarized lenses, which offers the perfect contrast in the sunlight. The anti-slip nosepiece will ensure they remain steady whilst you are swinging. 

On the inside of the Bolle Bolt Photo V3 Oleo AF Sunglasses, they have an anti-fog coating, which proves to keep the glasses functional throughout the day without the constant need to clean them.

Since plastic is the main component of the outer frame, this is the biggest weakness. These sunglasses might lack some sturdiness compared to others.

Pros	Cons
– Lightweight design – Polarized lenses – Anti-slip nosepiece – Reputable brand	– Lacks some durability

4- Best High Tech Sunglasses: Oakley Mercenary Sunglasses

One of the recurring themes you will find is that Oakley is one of the world leaders in optical technology. One of their staple options is the Oakley Mercenary Sunglasses, which aims to bring the latest tech to the golf course.

The O-matter material is enhanced for sports performance, and you can find them with polarized lenses. There are numerous iterations of the Mercenary sunglasses, and we have noted the Prizm version to be the best for golf.

The Prizm and Dark Prizm Golf editions offer the ideal combination of protection and visibility and only have a 17% light transmission. The only downside is that you will need the polarized version for UV protection.

Pros	Cons
– Reasonable price – Available in numerous iterations – Flexible and durable materials – Only 17% of light transmission	– Only polarized versions have UV protection (more expensive)

5- Best Budget Sunglasses: Tifosi Intense Sunglasses

Unfortunately, most people reading this article are up-and-coming players, which means most of your budget is dedicated to things like clubs.

If you still want a good set of sunglasses, the Tifosi Intense Sunglasses will be optimal due to the Grilamid TR-90 construction, which offers optimal durability.

Much like the others sunglasses on the list, you have access to full UV protection, and the bending of the glasses will keep them from falling off.

Tifosi Intense Sunglasses are much cheaper than some of the other options we listed. The only noticeable downside is that these glasses are not as effective for putting and could reduce depth perception on the green.

Pros	Cons
– Inexpensive – Good durability and versatility – Full UV protection	– Reduces depth perception whilst putting

What You Need To Look For When Buying Golf Sunglasses

Now that you have seen the top 5 options we recommend, the question of how we went about selecting them could often pop up.

Aside from experience, we deem a few additional features important for goof golfing sunglasses. Here are some of the most ideal features you want in good golf sunglasses:

1- Durability

One of the important features to consider is how durable the sunglasses ought to be. You want to look for good materials like either plastic or nylon to ensure the glasses are durable.

TR-90 polymer is one of the most used materials, which offers a combination of durability and flexibility to the user.

2- UV Protection

One of the sunglasses’ main principles is offering you optimal UV protection. With the sun being radioactive, the UV rays could be damaging to your eyes.

It is important to look for UV protection, which often includes protection from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.

3- Fit And Ventilation

Aside from all the features, the sunglasses should feel comfortable when you wear them. Ideally, you want to comfortably swing your golf club without having to worry about your glasses falling off.

Having optimal ventilation would ensure air could easily pass through the glasses, preventing fogging and sweat.

4- Contrast 

As a golfer, wearing sunglasses serves a purpose. When playing your pall into the sun or open sky, you could easily lose track of the golf ball.

However, the contrast provided within these sunglasses would ensure you have optimal visuals on the golf ball. This would make seeing the ball much easier than losing track.

5- Brand Reputability

While there are numerous brands online for sunglasses, you want to stick with some of the reliable brands.

For instance, Oakley is undoubtedly one of the leading brands for optic technology. Yes, they might be slightly more expensive than your average cheap sunglasses, but they will offer you years of value and incredible features.

Wrapping Up

Each pair of sunglasses are designed for a specific market. When looking for dedicated golf sunglasses, you want to ensure you include most of the above-mentioned features.

These sunglasses are proven on the golf course, and they are worn by some of the best players. However, we would love to see some of your favorite options in the comment section.