A round of golf means four or five hours outdoors, often in strong sun and with plenty of glare from water, sand and pale fairways. Protecting your eyes is important for your health and comfort, and the right sunglasses can also help you see the course better: tracking the ball against a bright sky, picking out contours on the green and judging distances. But not all sunglasses are good for golf. Some lens types make it harder to read greens, and a frame that slips or pinches will annoy you all round.
Why wear sunglasses on the golf course?
- Eye health. Long exposure to ultraviolet light is linked to eye conditions such as cataracts and damage to the surface of the eye. Sunglasses also protect the delicate skin around the eyes.
- Less glare and squinting. Reducing glare cuts eye strain and fatigue over a long round.
- Better contrast. The right tint makes the ball easier to follow against the sky and helps you read the shape of the ground.
- Protection. Wraparound frames help keep out wind, dust, sand and insects.
Sun protection should be part of every golfer's routine, along with sunscreen and a hat. Read what to wear on the golf course.
UV protection
The most important feature of any sunglasses is ultraviolet protection. Look for lenses labelled 100% UV protection or UV400, which block both UVA and UVB. A dark lens without UV protection can be worse than no sunglasses, because your pupils open wider behind the dark lens and let in more UV light.
Lens tints for golf
| Tint | Effect | Best conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Brown, amber or copper | Boosts contrast, makes greens and contours stand out | Most conditions, sunny to partly cloudy |
| Rose or red | Strong contrast and depth perception, brightens the view | Variable or lower light |
| Grey or neutral | True colour, reduces brightness evenly | Very bright sun, links courses with lots of glare |
| Green | Good contrast with natural colours | Bright to moderate light |
| Yellow or light orange | Brightens and adds contrast in dull light | Overcast or early morning |
| Clear or very light | Protection without darkening | Dull days, wind protection |
Many golf-specific lenses are tuned to enhance the greens and browns of the course while keeping a natural view, so you can see contours and the ball against the sky.
Lens darkness
Lenses are often graded by how much light they let through. Very dark lenses suit bright summer sun and coastal courses; mid-tints are the best all-round choice for golf, because you often move between bright fairways and shaded areas. Very dark lenses can make it harder to see in the shade of trees or late in the day.
Polarised or not?
Polarised lenses reduce glare from flat, reflective surfaces like water and wet grass. That is great for driving, fishing and watching water hazards, but some golfers find that polarisation also removes the subtle sheen that helps them read the grain and slope of a green, or that it changes their depth perception. Others find no problem at all.
- If you play mostly in bright, glary conditions and want maximum comfort, polarised lenses can work well.
- If you rely on fine detail when reading greens, try non-polarised golf lenses, or take your sunglasses off to putt.
Try both before you buy if you can. Read how to read greens.
Photochromic lenses
Photochromic lenses darken in bright light and lighten in dull light. They are well suited to golf, where you may start a round in morning shade, play through midday sun and finish in the evening. They take a little time to adjust, and some react less in cold weather or behind a car windscreen.
Interchangeable lenses
Some sports frames let you swap lenses for different conditions: a dark lens for bright sun, a contrast lens for normal days and a light lens for overcast weather. They are a good choice if you play in very different climates. Read playing golf in bad weather.
Frames and fit
- Light weight. You will wear them for hours; heavy frames slip and cause pressure points.
- Secure fit. Grippy nose pads and temple tips stop the frame slipping when you look down at the ball or sweat.
- Field of view. At address you look down and to the side; make sure the frame does not block your view of the ball or cut across your line of sight.
- Coverage. A wraparound shape protects from sun, wind and dust from the sides.
- Impact resistance. Polycarbonate and similar lenses resist impacts and are lighter than glass.
- Ventilation. Vents or a frame that sits slightly off the face reduce fogging.
Prescription options
If you wear glasses, you have several choices:
- Prescription sports sunglasses with your prescription in a golf tint.
- Photochromic prescription lenses that work on and off the course.
- Clip-ons or inserts for some sports frames.
- Contact lenses with non-prescription golf sunglasses.
Talk to an optician about your needs. Many golfers who use reading glasses or varifocals find the reading zone at the bottom of the lens distorts the ball at address; single-vision distance lenses, or a lens with a small reading zone, often work better on the course.
Looking after your sunglasses
- Use a hard case in your golf bag.
- Clean with a microfibre cloth, not your shirt, and rinse off sand and salt water.
- Avoid leaving them in a hot car, which can damage lenses and coatings.
- Do not hang them on your cap at the top of your swing. Use a cord or put them in a pocket of the bag.
Who else benefits?
- Golfers who play near water, on links courses or in the desert, where glare is intense.
- Older golfers, whose eyes may be more sensitive to glare; read golf for seniors.
- Juniors. Children's eyes are especially sensitive to UV; read junior golf equipment guide.
Frequently asked questions
What colour lens is best for golf?
Brown, amber, copper and rose tints are popular because they boost contrast on grass. Grey suits very bright sun. Many golfers like photochromic lenses that adapt to the light.
Are polarised sunglasses bad for golf?
Not bad, but some golfers find they make it harder to read greens. If that happens, choose non-polarised lenses or take them off to putt.
Do sunglasses help you see the ball better?
Contrast-enhancing tints can make the ball easier to follow against the sky and help you see the contours of the ground, especially in bright light.
Should I wear sunglasses when putting?
It is personal preference. Some golfers putt better with them, others remove them for a clearer view of the green's surface.
Are expensive golf sunglasses worth it?
You do not need the most expensive pair, but make sure they offer full UV protection, good optical quality and a comfortable, secure fit.
The bottom line
Good golf sunglasses protect your eyes, reduce fatigue and can help you see the course better. Choose full UV protection, a contrast-enhancing or photochromic lens, and a light, secure frame that does not block your view at address, and decide whether polarisation suits your green reading. Add a hat and sunscreen, and you are ready for a long day in the sun. For more kit that belongs in your bag, read essential golf accessories.