***If you’re looking for the most recent reviews for 2023 gear, we will be updating this page in the summer after we’ve had a chance to review them!
If you’re in a hurry and just want to find the Best Golf Sunglasses in 2022, then we recommend the Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL.
When participating in sports, we’re out there giving it our all. A lot of us will tell you that we’re mostly competing against ourselves and although we want to win, as long as we did our best is what matters most. Giving our best effort requires using the right resources and for golfers, this includes not only having great clubs but also having the best golf sunglasses. Even if we’re just playing for enjoyment, wearing a great pair of sunglasses not only makes us look good but it helps us see better and reduces overall health risks.
In this article, we’re going to be reviewing the following sunglasses:
- Oakley Flak 2.0 XL
- Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL
- Oakley Holbrook
- Under Armour Propel Tuned
- Under Armour Octane
- Under Armour Assist
The Benefits Of Wearing Sunglasses When Golfing
Better Performance
Many beginner golfers don’t realize how important it is to wear the right shades while playing. If you have been playing for a while, then I’m sure you had those times when you’re trying to gauge the distance to the hole and the sun is blinding you so much, you can barely see the flag stick. If the sun isn’t impeding your view, how about when the wind is exasperating, and blowing particles in your eyes that causes you to blink so much you can barely focus on your aim. Or, even worse, both are obstructing your sight!
In any case, your performance can be reduced drastically and your handicap may suffer. However, wearing the best sunglasses for golf will block both the sun and the wind from hindering your shots, while also protecting you from dangerous radiation-emitting sun rays as well.
Wearing sunglasses will also help improve clarity as they relieve the stress caused by squinting and tightening up to try to see past the distracting obstacles in your way. You will be more relaxed once this tension is removed, with better focus and aim allowing you to be more productive and enjoy the game more.
Reduced Health Risks
Since your eyelids and the skin around your eyes are both very delicate, thin, and much more sensitive than the skin on your body, they require the extra protection of sunglasses to shield them from the harmful ultraviolet sun rays, the wind blowing all kinds of potentially dangerous particles in your eyes, and more when spending time outdoors.
There are many harmful conditions involving your eyes that you face while outdoors, including:
Cancer
Though extremely rare, intraocular melanoma (eye cancer) can develop on eyelids the same way it would on the skin. Nearly 10 percent of skin cancers are found around the eye area, which an alarming number of reports suggest, may be due to heavy exposure of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays that carry radiation.
Pterygium and Pinguecula
These two eye conditions involve non-cancerous growths forming on the whites of your eyes known as the conjunctiva (the clear covering), which can severely affect your vision. They are caused by wind, dust particles, and long-term exposure to UV light from the sun.
Keratitis
Also known as corneal sunburn, keratitis is literally eyeball sunburn that is extremely painful. While this condition often only occurs from tanning booths, it can also transpire from too much exposure to the sun, like spending a day outside playing golf with a UV ray index rating of a level 10. Fortunately — like a sunburn — this condition will heal on its own with time.
Cataracts
Cataracts can also develop from excessive UV exposure and is globally the most common cause of treatable blindness. The only way to get rid of cataracts is by surgically removing them and the longer you wait, the worst they can get.
What to Look For When Choosing the Best Golf Sunglasses
Lens Quality & Color
Golf sunglasses may come with different colored interchangeable lenses that can be changed to fit your needs.
- Brown lenses are for high glare conditions
- Grey lenses are for general golfing conditions
- Clear lenses are used when you need protection from wind and dirt only
- Yellow lenses are also known as nylon lenses that are used for clarity to brighten the appearance around you while golfing in partly cloudy conditions or low lit areas.
Comfort and Secure Fit
Ensure the frame of your sunglasses is not too loose so your glasses will not move or fall off while making your swing. In contrast, you also wouldn’t want them to be too tight-fitting where they will squeeze your head while wearing them. Also, non-slip nose pads, prevent your sunglasses from slipping down your nose when lowering your head to look at the ball and you should look for comfortable nose pads as well that provide extra comfort.
Frame
Your golf sunglasses should have an unbreakable and comfortable frame that perfectly fits your face so you won’t have to adjust them continuously. Sunglasses that are a good fit, will also prevent distracting sun rays from seeping in through the top or sides as well as stop wind from blowing into your eyes. Another important feature is lightweight golf sunglasses that are not too heavy on your face.
Glare Reduction: Polarized Vs Non-Polarized
There are also polarized and non-polarized types of lens for golf sunglasses. Polarized lenses have a laminated filter that will only permit vertically focused light to pass through, where non-polarized lenses are basically only tinted to block light and do not have a filter that will remove glare. In a nutshell, polarized reduces glare from shiny objects like water or cars.
Style
Many different, high-quality styles of sunglasses are available to choose from and they even come in different colors too. Another option available is half-frames that only cover half the lenses from the top and whole frames that go around the whole lens. While half-frames may look more appealing, they may not provide as much protection as whole frames do since they lack the bottom frame that reaches your face.
The Best Golf Sunglasses Reviewed
Oakley Flak 2.0 XL
These Oakley Flak sunglasses have a standard stress-resistant O-Matter frame size to keep your glasses on your head and off the ground.
They also offer enhanced coverage of high-definition optic lenses that will not only protect your eyes from the sun and the wind, but will also optimize your peripheral vision as well. In addition, they offer a soft temple detailing that allows a better grip as you sweat more for improved stability.
Pros
- Made in the US.
- Lens and frames made of high quality plastic so that they are lightweight and durable.
- 100% UV coating.
- Lens material is lightweight Oakley’s Plutonite that provides superior comfort and protection filtering against ultraviolet radiation and impact.
- PRIZM lens technology was designed to enhance contrast, color, and detail.
- High Definition Optics (HDO) offers razor-sharp vision at any angle.
- Includes case and micro bag to keep the sunglasses protected and clean.
Cons
- Style may come across as “futuristic” or too sporty for some.
- Cost is on the higher end of sunglasses on this list.
Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL
The Oakley Half Jacket 2.0XL features Oakley’s High Definition Optics (HDO) on their polarized plutonite lens.
The Half Jacket provides 100% UV protection along with great style and superior comfort. The semi rimless architecture of the Half Jacket only enhances the style, comfort, and wearability of this great product.
Pros
- Easily exchangeable lenses.
- HD polarized lenses provide great clarity and protection from the sun.
- Lightweight O matter frame.
- Pure Plutonite lenses offer the best in lightweight and sturdy lens technology.
- 100% UV protection.
- Combining classic style with enhanced features make them some of the best looking sunglasses in Oakley’s arsenal.
- The comfort, fit, and features make it perfect for a day on the course.
- A great price for Oakley quality.
Cons
- The nose pad is not as comfortable to some as other sunglasses.
- The lenses are smaller than average.
- The semi-rimless style is not for everyone.
Oakley Holbrook
The Oakley Holbrook is a throwback style with completely updated technology.
These frames would look just as good in a movie from the 1960s as they do on the face of today’s golfer. The polycarbonate frames are ultra lightweight and just as durable while the HDO and PRIZM technology make them crystal clear. While these are not traditional golfing sunglasses, they are very comfortable and provide top-notch features.
Pros
- Available in PRIZM lenses which provide the contrast and color clarity you want out on the course.
- The frames are durable, O matter frames made of polycarbonate material which means they are both lightweight and will last forever.
- HDO technology provides extremely clear vision no matter where you are.
- Some of the most stylish sunglasses out there and they are some of Oakley’s best sellers.
- Both polarized and iridium options available.
Cons
- Less sporty and more traditional style.
- They rest more on your nose than your ears.
Under Armour Propel Tuned
The UnderArmour Propel Tuned were made for golfers with the optical needs of a golfer in mind.
They provide “contrast enhancement” that allows you to track the ball easier and read the course more clearly. UnderArmour has developed sports specific lenses for 5 sports with golf being one of them. The focus is on seeing the ball and the course better while still providing protection from the sun and comfort.
Pros
- The contrast enhancement allows you to track your ball off of the club better, read small undulations in the green more easily, and see the course better.
- Their ArmourSight lens technology provides enhanced vision.
- Coating on the lens is scratch and smudge resistant.
- They look like the classic golfer’s sunglasses and they look great off of the course as well.
- Polarized and 100% UV protection.
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other glasses.
- No adjustable items which means if you do not like the specs of the product, you cannot change it.
- The lenses are a little small.
Under Armour Octane
Under Armour continues to make waves in any sporting goods market they enter.
It seems like each year they improve the looks and functionality of their sunglasses and this addition of the Octane is no different. The heightened contrast and sporty looks of these sunglasses have quickly made them one of the more popular choices for golfers.
Pros
- The lenses are sized well even for those with larger features.
- Good price for the quality.
- Heightened contrast to track your ball, read greens, and in general see the course better than ever before.
- They look great.
- The wrap-around style coupled with the semi-rimless construction give them a sporty look that is perfect for the golf course.
- Flexible temples give you the freedom to wear them on the bill of your hat for your short game without stretching the frames.
Cons
- The tint is slightly darker than what many people prefer.
- They fit differently with almost all of the weight resting on the nose and some golfers will not like this.
Under Armour Assist
The less sporty and more trendy wayfarer design of the Under Armour Assist sets them apart from the other products on this list.
If you want a traditional looking pair of “golfing” sunglasses, these may not be the design for you. But they are great on the course because they sit well on your face without moving, provide increased contrast, and protect your eyes from the sun. They just do it with a little more style than some of the other sunglasses on this list.
Pros
- Look great on and off of the course.
- 100% UV protection.
- Polarized option to protect your eyes.
- They are lightweight, durable, and sit well on your face without sliding.
- Screwless hinges that lock into place for a tight fit while still allowing you to rest your sunglasses on your hat while you putt.
- Great price.
- Medium to large fit allow it to sit well on almost any facial type.
Cons
- They do not look like golfing sunglasses.
- Not as many visual features as some of the other glasses.
Our Choice
Our choice for the best golf sunglasses are the Oakley Half Jacket 2.0 XL. At a great price with high end features, these glasses look and perform well on and off of the course.
The ability to easily change lenses means that they will last a really long time. The size of these sunglasses make them look good no matter how big or small your head and face are. Oakley is still a great name in high-end sunglasses and the Half Jacket 2.0 XL continues that line of greatness.
