What are the best sunglasses for golf?
“If the wind’s not blowing and the rain’s not falling, it’s not golf.” So say the Scottish, as they’ve said going on six hundred years.
American golfers are not as hardy as their Scottish brethren. After all, an ideal golfing day in the United States involves a gentle breeze, an occasional puffy white cloud and lots and lots of sunshine.
Why Wear Sunglasses
Even on cloudy days most of those destructive UV rays are sneaking through. In fact, sunrays are even more radioactive when clouds are prevalent.
For a golfer, quality sunglasses do much more than help stave off cataracts, premature wrinkling of the skin around the eyes and other ailments due to sun damage. Sunglasses help mitigate the effects of pollen and tree mold that can trigger allergic reactions such as itchy, watery eyes that make it extremely difficult to execute a golf shot. Among the other hazards on a golf course, they can also keep flying sand and bits of dirt from entering your eyes after excavating a good shot.
Bobby Jones once said, “Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course, the space between your ears.” The implication is obvious – a good golf game begins with a clear mind. Constant squinting in the sunshine tightens facial muscles and increases tension, a golfer’s gravest enemy. Waiting just around the next dogleg is a headache certain to ruin a round.
Photochromic and Polarized
Sunglass technology has come a long way over the years. What used to be comprised of simple lenses has exploded into millions of variations. The two most important styles of sunglasses that you should remember are “polarized” and “photochromic.”
Polarized sunglasses feature special filters designed to block the sun’s toughest rays and reduce glare. On the other hand, photochromic sunglasses sport technology allows the lens to change depending on course conditions. Not only will they work in bright sunshine, but also the lens will actually lighten darkening skies.
Like most golf equipment, the price of sunglasses varies depending on the brand and quality. However, unlike most other golf equipment, style plays a major role in selecting the best golf sunglasses. The first thing you will notice when shopping for sunglasses for golf is that the traditional golf titans have not extended their product lines to eyewear. So, let’s have a look at the players in the sunglasses realm.
Eyewear Brands to Consider
- Oakley
– Some of the best-polarized sunglasses for golf come from Oakley. The company is a pioneer in creating protective eyewear for action sports and has accumulated more than 600 patents since its launch in 1975. The company name, incidentally, comes from the founder’s dog. Oakley’s HD polarized sunglasses can beat back the harsh rays of the sun while still delivering crystal clear clarity.
- Callaway
– This brand is well known in the golf game for high quality drivers, clubs and gear used by pro and amateur golfers alike. The precision and excellence that people have come to expect is carried over to its sunglasses. These sunglasses are very durable, adjustable, and comfortable and will protect your eyes all day, so check out the eyewear available in our collection of Callaway golf accessories.
While these are only a few names in the sunglasses game, you can also check out several other options on our golf sunglasses page. Regardless of what you choose, keep those eyes healthy and safe as you go for par.
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