Best Golf Sunglasses 2024
Whether you're looking for maximum on-course performance or something more casual to wear off the course too, our guide has you covered
Best Golf Sunglasses: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Editor's Choice pick
3. Top Oakley model
4. Best value
5. Best lightweight
6. Best for green-reading
7. Best for contrast
8. Best premium model
9. Best color/lens choice
10. Best aviators
11. How we test
12. How to choose
13. FAQs
A pair of sunglasses is one of the best golf accessories to get especially when playing golf during the summer months and when the sun is low as it rises and sets. Manufacturers have made big strides in recent times in terms of lens technology and frame design, whether you are looking for something sporty and colorful or maybe a more traditional type of shades, there is something for everyone. From Oakley to Maui Jim, we have narrowed things down with hopefully something for every budget. The best sunglasses should fit you well, look great and, most importantly, give you a comfortable visual experience.
We've thoroughly tested plenty of classic styles and colors, and there's plenty of different frame and lens color options for you to fully customize your glasses to your personal taste. Now before we get to the models, we should say that UV stands for ultra-violet radiation, and it is split into three groups, A, B, and C, each of which can be harmful in different ways. The best models below help protect from all three. Also for other ways to protect yourself from the sun we recommend taking a look at our guides on the best sunscreen for golf, best golf hats, best golf caps and best golf polo shirts which are made from fabrics to guard against harmful rays.
The Quick List
Editor's Choice pick
For a modest price, with the three lenses you essentially get three pairs in one. Plus the styling is such that you could where them off the golf course.
Top Oakley model
Oakley Portal X are one of the best pairs on the market. Stylish, comfortable and durable, they fit well and provide that all important off-course versatility.
Best value
Sunglasses can cost a lot but we liked the value on offer with these Tifosi sunglasses. Lightweight, durable, comfortable and come in several colors.
Best lightweight
A quality pair of sunglasses from a trusted brand. The versatility and subtlety of the simple, lightweight, sporty look will appeal to many golfers.
Best green-reading
The Mercenary glasses with Prizm and Prizm Dark lenses help players see changes in grass texture by improving the contrast between shades of green.
Best for contrast
Everything you need from a pair of golf sunglasses. The lenses enhance your view of the course while protecting your eyes and they are a great fit.
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Best premium model
This sophisticated pair from Vincero is aimed at golfers that don't take themselves too seriously and want to look good on and off the fairways.
Best color/lens choice
One of Oakley’s most popular models, the Flak 2.0 features High Definition Optics that provides superior optical clarity and razor-sharp vision at every angle.
Best aviators
The Maui Jim Cliff House model are classic aviator sunglasses that come with polarized lenses that offer bright, clear views everywhere you look.
Best Golf Sunglasses
Why you can trust Golf Monthly
Editor's Choice pick
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
The biggest compliment we could pay the Veloce is that you genuinely don’t notice you’re wearing them. They weigh just 28g and feature an adjustable nose piece, which helps create a comfortable and secure fit. The matte black Grilamid TR-90 frames we tested felt sturdy and well made plus there’s just enough give in them to ensure they will fit a variety of face sizes.
The lenses are made of a shatterproof polycarbonate and scratch resistance, besides the Smoke lenses that come as standard there are clear and All conditions red lenses. While the Smoke lenses were good all purpose lenses, we really liked the All Conditions Red lenses for golf. The shade of brown they are seemed to enhance the contrast we could see on the greens. Additionally, given the name of these, it is worth adding that they’re easy to interchange by just pop[ing them out using the technique highlighted in the instructions provided. Thankfully, the Veloce comes with a firm zippered carry case which stores the frame and the other lenses available.
- Read our full Tifosi Veloce Interchangeable Sunglasses Review
Top Oakley model
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Oakley's Portal X model is one of the best golf sunglasses on the market because it is perfect for use not just out on the golf course but also away from it too. Importantly we felt the design lends itself to being worn all day because comfort is one of the key characteristics. After testing we found these to be stylish, comfortable and the Prizm Dark Golf lenses undoubtedly enhance the contrast on bright days, which is especially helpful on greens with subtle slopes.
The tacky material used for the nose pads ensures a comfortable but secure fit while the special Unobtanium material on the inside of the earsocks has a similar feel and increases in grip when wet. This ensures that when you sweat, a common occurrence when playing on hot sunny days, they stay firmly in position when you swing.
- Read our full Oakley Portal X Sunglasses Review
Best value
Tifosi Swick Sunglasses
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
‘Call it sweet. Call it sick. It’s Swick.’ These come in a collection of colors and come from a company that specializes in sporting sunglasses and they are lightweight, durable and comfortable.
And we think they’re very cool and are a unisex design so handy for when your other half wants to borrow them. Sunglasses can be pretty pricey but these are a very affordable option. Importantly there are lots of different styles, colors and designs to choose from as well so these will suit just about anyone.
Best lightweight
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This pair are simple and sporty. The more subtle looks compared to some other Oakley offerings will likely be preferable to the many golfers who favor a more traditional aesthetic style.
When we got our hands on a pair we noticed they are extremely light, the fit is very comfortable, and you will quickly forget you’re wearing them. We liked the lenses fitted to them because they were effective against harsh sunlight, whilst also ensuring a sense of depth and perspective. As such we felt they were particularly easy to read greens in, especially because the contrast of certain colors got enhanced. Whilst there are cheaper models on this list, getting a pair of Oakleys for just over $100 is hard to beat, especially because you get the overall quality, fit, robustness and effective lenses that you would expect from such a high quality brand.
- Read our full Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL Sunglasses Review
Best for green-reading
Oakley Mercenary Sunglasses
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Mercenary blends fashion with cutting-edge technology designed to assist the golfer. It’s a lightweight, minimalist design with a larger lens for wider field of view. Although the Mercenary is available in various frame and lens combination, we found the best lenses for the course to be the Prizm and Prizm Dark Golf.
Prizm technology fine tunes vision for specific sports and environments. Prizm Golf and Prizm Dark Golf help players see changes in grass texture by improving the contrast between various shades of green. That really helps you pick out the contours and see the lines on the putting surface. So realistically then they could help you hole more putts and if that doesn't warrant inclusion in this best golf sunglasses list, I don't know what will.
Best for contrast
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Next up we have the Oakley Radar EV Path glasses which really step outside the box when talking about sunglasses for the golf course. The frame design combined with the bright lenses give a futuristic kind of style which many will like (but we admit may divide opinion). Don't worry though, there are 22 lens and color options so plenty of choice out there.
The PRIZM lenses live up to the promise of enhancing color, contrast and detail, which is essential for golf, particularly on and around the greens. The slightly larger size of the lenses gives good peripheral visions and they also reduce glare and keep your eyes safe from harmful UV rays. In short, on the golf course these give excellent performance and yet because of the futuristic look, the versatility is perhaps limited. That being said, the look is different and pretty cool!
- Read our full Oakley Radar EV Path Sunglasses review
Best premium model
Vincero The Villa Sunglasses
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
This sophisticated pair is aimed at golfers that don't take themselves too seriously and want to look good on the fairways. The Vincero Villa performs to a degree to thanks to its polarized, scratch resistant lenses. They come with a whopping five year warranty and the included hard case should help you keep them in tact for longer than most - two details we really like.
The attention to detail is obvious, with the Italian Mazzucchelli Acetate frame and Vincero's trademark Italian Marble Inlay, you'll turn heads whether you're wearing these on or off the course. The fit is snug and narrow, which enhances the look and ensures they stay in place while you swing. In all honesty, we probably wear them off the course more than on it, they work with pretty much any outfit by the way, but for the social golfer these are the perfect pair of golf sunglasses that also don't break the bank.
Best color/lens choice
Oakley Flak 2.0 Sunglasses
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
One of Oakley’s most popular models, the Flak 2.0 features High Definition Optics that provides superior optical clarity and razor-sharp vision at every angle. Oakley’s Prizm lens technology also fine-tunes vision that comes into its own when you’re on the course and reading greens, for example.
The matte black frame, which looks great, pairs well with a black iridium lens which prevents direct glare and heat. Speaking of the frame it is constructed with Oakley's O Matter material accompanied by Unobtanium ear socks and nose grips for no slip grip. To put it simply, the sport-friendly Flak 2.0 sunglasses are technologically terrific and we think they look great.
Best aviators
Maui Jim Cliff House Aviator Sunglasses
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
Based in Maui, Hawaii, the company began selling sunglasses on the beach nearly forty years ago, and has grown its collection from seven styles to over 125. Because of Maui Jim’s colorful beginnings, the company prides itself on enhancing the world’s true vivid colors in detail – great for us golfers who frequently find ourselves staring out over lush green fairways.
The Cliff House model - which gets its name from a stunning location on the Big Island - are classic sunglasses that come with polarized lenses that offer bright, clear views everywhere you look. Its PolarizedPlus2 lenses eliminate 99.9% of glare, while reducing light from above and below, allowing your eyes to relax as well.
Specifications table
Model | Protection | Frame/lens colors | Material |
Tifosi Veloce Sunglasses | 100% UVA/UVB protected | 8 | Highly durable TR-90 frame |
Oakley Portal X Sunglasses | 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protected | 13 | Highly durable nylon-based material |
Tifosi Swick Sunglasses | 100% UVA/UVB protected | 5 | Durable Grilamid TR-90 frame |
Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL Sunglasses | 100% UVA, UVB, and UVC protected | 6 | O Matter frame |
Oakley Mercenary Sunglasses | Only UV protected | 12 | Sports performance frame with O-Matter material |
Oakley Radar EV Path Sunglasses | Only UV protected | 22 | O Matter frame, Unobtainium |
Vincero The Villa Sunglasses | 100% UVA/UVB protected | 7 | Italian Mazzucchelli Acetate |
Oakley Flak 2.0 Sunglasses | Only UV protected | 20+ | O Matter frame |
Maui Jim Cliff House Aviator Sunglasses | Only UV protected | 4 | MauiPure |
How we test golf sunglasses
With every golf product Golf Monthly tests, not just sunglasses, we are committed to giving key insight into how products actually perform out on the golf course as well as off it too. With sunglasses that means seeing how they help whilst playing, but also how versatile they are to be used in other areas of life too. We should also mention that no manufacturer can pay for a good review, instead we tell it how we see it.
How to choose golf sunglasses
There are several factors to be wary of when looking at buying new golf sunglasses and below are the ones we consider to be the most important.
Clarity/tint
There are obviously several types of lens and tints that can be beneficial to different people and their eyes. Many brands have their own proprietary lens technology, such as the PRIZM by Oakley. These designs are created to bring out the colors of the golf course and help players see the ball better against grass and sky.
From a tint perspective, have a think about which color you would prefer because they do different things. For example;
Rose Copper
Sunglasses with a rose copper tint are perfect for the putting green as they remove yellow and red tones from the color green. Therefore this can help players read breaks and how the grains sit on the green. Contours are also seen more clearly.
Brown/amber
Contrast is important for golfers and lens with a brown or amber tint will work the best for this. These will even help your distance vision by improving the grass contrast as well as the sky so that you can see the ball clearly as it travels through the air. They also work very well in cloudy weather and in low light.
Gray and Green
Usually these may not be that ideal golf golf but they may help those who have light sensitive eyes.
Lens Quality
Linking with the above point, the quality of the lenses themselves is important too because good ones will give better clarity of vision on the fairways and greens. They should also help with the below factor too...
Strength/durability
Golf sunglasses have to be able to deal with some wear and tear that can occasionally come from the game. Transporting them around in the golf bag, dropping them, and other things can occur so be sure to go for a design that is durable and strong when needed.
Of course given the varying styles of golf sunglasses now, some will be stronger than others and some designs will be made from stronger materials so this is something to be wary of. The good thing is no longer are strong designs massive and chunky, as the growth in technology has allowed super-lightweight models to be sturdy too. We definitely recommend models that are scratch, impact and possibly water resistant too.
Comfort
If you are going to have sunglasses on all day they have to be comfortable. The materials used have to feel soft and yet also grippy especially on those areas around the nose and ears. Let's face it, you won't keep them on if they are uncomfortable so it is worth trying some models on before you buy.
Style
As we mentioned above, there are lots of different styles of golf sunglasses now. From classic designs to aviators, to retro models and sporty glasses, there is a design for everyone. Additionally many of them are incredibly versatile too so if you want a pair to use off the golf course, have a think about a style that can work anywhere.
Budget
Some models cost more than others so people should also think about price. Some cheaper models will do the job nicely but then there are also premium models for those who want to spend a little more.
FAQs
Which lenses are best for golf?
A high-quality, strong, durable lens is best for golf and when it comes to the best color we recommend reading a bit further on.
Which professional golfers wear golf sunglasses?
A lot of professional golfers wear sunglasses out on the golf course these days, chief among which is Henrik Stenson who actually has his own sunglasses company. Some other Tour professionals that do so are Adam Scott, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Garrick Higgo.
How do I clean golf sunglasses?
Most models these days come with a handy little cloth that we recommend using to clean the lenses every so often. Importantly, when you do so, hold the sunglasses by the frame and wipe the lenses so they are clear.
Which color lens is best for golf?
We have found there are a couple of good colors for golf when it comes to lenses. As far as putting on the green goes we recommend Rose Copper as they help players read breaks and how the grains sit on the green. When the ball is in the air then brown/amber tints are better because they improve grass contrast as well as the sky. This makes the ball easier to see when it is in the air.
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A golfer for most of his life, Sam is a Senior Staff Writer for Golf Monthly.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for.
Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel.
He also oversees all Tour player content as well so if you need to know what clubs Tiger or Rory has in play, Sam is the person to ask.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a handicap of five.
Sam's What's In The Bag:
Driver: Titleist TS3 (9 degrees)
Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees)
Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5
Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond
Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Infinity NEXT%/Cuater The Ringer
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