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Best Golf Sunglasses in 2024 – Top Reviews and Buyer’s Guide
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Inside every golfer’s bag should be a pair of sunglasses. They won’t make you a better player overnight, but they will make it less strenuous to see in sunny weather and can make the sporting experience more enjoyable. Today we’ll go into the nitty-gritty and talk about which shades are at the top, as well as a guide to show you the ropes when it comes to their design and features. We’ve got a review for every budget imaginable, so take a look below!
The best overall golf sunglasses you can buy are Bollé’s Bolt model, which has all the necessities you would need in a pair of high-quality shades. The lenses are made of a durable plastic called Trivex, while the frame is nylon. On the sides, there are some narrow openings to wick moisture and increase airflow, which is excellent for sweat management. It’s a shame there aren’t more color options, and we should also note that only certain variations offer polarization in their lenses. Either way, this is still one of the best overall golf sunglasses on the market.
Pros
Polarized
Hard case included
Durable and shatterproof
Maximizes airflow
Cons
Limited color options
2. Torege Interchangeable Active Sunglasses – Best Value
These are hands down the best golf sunglasses for the money. The fact is that most companies are not offering interchangeable lenses in their package, while Torege’s can be swapped out seamlessly for every situation. There are three lenses: polarized, night-vision, and revo. The revo lens has options for different colors if you enjoy certain tones or visual effects.
The frame is made of durable, bendable plastic and the temple rests have a few vents for airflow. Also, the lenses have a gap in the middle for a wider field of view. At such a low price, you seriously can’t beat these shades.
If you’re looking for a high-end, premium product, Oakley is a no-brainer with its quality and authenticity. The design of the EVZero Path is sleek, modern, and frameless, making the lenses look like an edge-to-edge TV screen. You have a full field of view, which is what makes this pair so great. Although you only get one lens, Oakley provides separately sold items that you can swap out to get the look you want. However, the polarized version of this is only available in one color.
Another excellent pair of golf glasses are the Maivnz High Definition Golf Ball Finder Sports Glasses. These supposedly increase your ability to see white balls that are hard to see in broad daylight. The lenses have a yellowish tint to them, and this is a super handy feature when you find yourself losing the ball often.
On the other hand, this is really the only great thing about this product. There isn’t any polarization layer, nor are there holes for venting condensation. Still, they are at an affordable price and could be good as a secondary pair for when you want to see what’s on the fairway.
As the second Oakley spot on our list, their Radar EV model is a similar item to the EVZero Path, but with a less futuristic design. These ones have a top frame but still look spectacular. It really comes down to the price though, which we think is too high for a single pair. They have a wrap-around design and curvy contouring that is great for fitting snugly, but it lacks vents in the temple area.
If you find that the average pair of sunglasses isn’t cutting it in terms of the fit and keeps slipping off your nose, then these might be worth a try. The “Asia Fit” style is made for those who have shallower nose bridges, and they work like a charm. With a rectangular or even polygon-shaped lens, it creates a wide viewing angle. The materials are high quality, and Oakley backs their products so you don’t need to fret about them being easily damaged. Unfortunately, there are no selections that offer polarization and there are no venting holes on the sides.
Another Oakley pick is the Half Jacket 2.0 XL. The standout feature of this unit is that it has a patented high-definition optics lens for impeccable clarity and viewing sharpness. Yet, it lacks some good ventilation, and only one of the color variants offers polarized lenses. However, they still have the craftsmanship and durability that Oakley ensures, so the product itself will hold up. They are a bit expensive, so you’ll have to put down a decent chunk of change for these.
Callaway’s sunglasses were meant to be lightweight and have a snug fit. They work very well in those regards, and the Sungear Kit comes with a hard case and microfiber cloth for maintenance. The price is very good for its performance, but there aren’t many standout features. There is a polarization effect in the lenses, which is always welcome.
Near the bottom of the list is the SSP Chewuch, a simplistic and barebones pair of sunglasses that do the job. They don’t look like the coolest thing on the market, but they are polarized and are at a price that can’t get much lower. This would be a perfect backup or secondary pair to go with your high-performing ones in case they break, you lose them, or forget them. Otherwise, our best value choice will be a better product for around the same cost.
As they aren’t exactly golf sunglasses, this pair of sunglasses from Torege could be a decent option if you’re in a pinch and need something that can be used both on the course or out and about. The design is more casual compared to the normal golf shades, but these still have polarized lenses and are good quality for the cost. They would be best suited as an extra to compliment your better gear.
Pros
Cheap
Polarized
Cons
Style is less contoured
The fit can be less than ideal
No venting
Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Golf Sunglasses
Below are the essential attributes that prove the quality and performance of a good set of shades. Some of these factors may be more or less important depending on the weather, your vision, and your style of play.
Polarization
The biggest reason so many outdoor retailers put polarization in their eyewear is that it prevents intense eye strain from constant use in sunny weather. Not only that, but the glare and reflections of water or bright skies can impair your performance when on the green. You need to be able to see as clearly as possible to ensure your strokes are accurate.
Do keep in mind that polarized lenses affect everything you view, including screens or electronic devices. Sometimes, it might look a bit wonky if you look down at your phone or through a rangefinder, so we recommend that you take them off temporarily for this.
Materials
Sunglasses are primarily made of plastic, metal, or nylon frames, with plastic or glass lenses. With golfing, you’ll actually want to go with the plastic or nylon frames and plastic lenses because they are lightweight and don’t shatter. Of course, metal is a bit more expensive, looks sleek, and can last longer, but it will be uncomfortable and heavy if you wear them for sports.
In regard to plastic, quality depends on what kind of plastic is used. The cheap stuff will snap with minimal effort, whereas the higher-quality stuff will be flexible and hold up against abrasions.
Image Credit: Piqsels
Fitting
Physical activities require a tighter fit for most accessories. With golf, it’s no different, and you need something that will be snug against your face to avoid having them fly off your head while you’re halfway through a swing. Not only is it embarrassing, but it also ruins your shot!
Take a few measurements to determine your temple length and eye width, then compare that to the descriptions of what you see in our reviews to gauge the fit. Any good pair of sunglasses will also have an adjustable nose pad to make things more comfortable.
Field of View
Being able to see everything around you is a non-negotiable in sports. You need the awareness to make correct decisions and improve your hand-eye coordination. If the nosepiece is protruding quite a bit, that’s a big no-no. It’ll prevent you from seeing an entire area of land that you would otherwise see without them. Some brands are even making “rimless” or “frameless” designs to cut out the excess materials and make it easier to see.
Protection
Always try to get the glasses that have anti-scratch or anti-fog layers to maximize their lifespan and reduce perspiration when moisture is inevitable. Almost all outdoor lenses will have UV coatings, which defend you against harsh sunlight.
In addition to these, you’ll also be relieved if you have a hard case for storage when not in use. You don’t want your expensive gear floating around in a bag where they can ding and bang into other objects and scratch easily.
Replaceability
Sometimes, life happens. You can’t always protect your eyewear from the elements, and accidents are normal. If you do end up dropping them or they become damaged, it’s worth taking a look at the manufacturer’s website or the place you bought them to see if the lenses are interchangeable.
You may be able to upgrade to higher-quality lenses, customize colors, and so on. It’s a much cheaper way to fix your glasses than purchasing a brand-new pair, so it’ll save you time and money.
Conclusion
The favorites among our reviews were the Bollé Bolt, Torege interchangeable sunglasses, and Oakley EVZero Path. The Bolt is the best overall with great air circulation, polarization, and protective gear to keep it at the top. Torege’s is value-packed with swappable lenses for any situation, all at a price that most of us already have sitting in our bank accounts. If you want something top-tier, Oakley has one of the best reputations in the optics industry and their EVZero Path is ahead of the curve with its fashion and performance.
Robert’s obsession with all things optical started early in life, when his optician father would bring home prototypes for Robert to play with. Nowadays, Robert is dedicated to helping others find the right optics for their needs. His hobbies include astronomy, astrophysics, and model building. Originally from Newark, NJ, he resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the nighttime skies are filled with glittering stars.
