The Best Golf Sunglasses for 2017

Do you wear sunglasses when you play golf? We think you should. In addition to protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays, sunglasses can provide protection from the wind (no more dry eyes), while enhancing the features of the golf course. Our goal for this buyers guide is to point you to a product that will not only protect your eyes, but will also improve the overall on-course experience and maybe even your game.

We searched for the ultimate pair of golf sunglasses.

High fashion isn't on our radar, our top picks are real golf equipment; gear you put on before you hit your first shot and don't take off until the last putt falls and it's time to shake hands.

We're Here to Help

We know the process of buying anything in today's time has become stressful and time-consuming. We feel the best reviews are those that help you make the right choices and help you get the most out of your time and money. This way you can buy with confidence and eliminate a lot of the guesswork. We are here to help show you how a product will perform before you buy.

The Top 3

Oakley EVZERO Path (PRIZM Golf)

Best Golf Sunglasses

Price	$170.00
Clarity & Contrast	2nd
Glare	t-9th
Coverage	2nd
Phobicity	T-1st
Durability	T-14th
SCORE	90.65

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1

What We Liked

The Oakley EVZERO Path stands out as unlike anything else in the test. While the PRIZM Golf’s bold rose (nearly purple) tint is aggressive by any comparative standard, the result is a bright, high contrast lens that gives added dimension to the golf course.

Pros

• Outstanding clarity and contrast
• Enhances details on the putting surface
• Lightweight, frameless design provides outstanding coverage without sacrificing much durability
• Exceptionally hydro and oleophobic

Cons

• Aggressive PRIZM tint described as overcooked by some testers
• Loses some contrast in dark/wooded areas.

Bollé Bolt (V3 Golf)

Best Coverage

Price	$170.00
Clarity & Contrast	10th
Glare	1st
Coverage	1st
Phobicity	T-8th
Durability	t-2nd
SCORE	90.16

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#2

What We Liked

The Bollé Bolt impressed our testers with its Best In Class coverage and its near absolute resistance to glare. The photochromic V3 golf lens warms colors slightly without making the course look unnatural. Good contrast and clarity coupled with well-above average durability are why it’s one of our favorites.

Pros

• Best in Class Coverage creates a nearly invisible lens
• Adaptive photochromic lens that skews slightly bright
• Lightweight, flexible, and durable frame

Cons

• The bottom edge of the lens will sit on or near the cheekbone for some, which may cause discomfort
• Clarity and Contrast, particularly downrange, are a notch below the best lenses in the category

Rudy Project Rydon (Golf 100)

Price	$250.00
Clarity & Contrast	4th
Glare	t-24th
Coverage	4th
Phobicity	T-24th
Durability	t-2nd
SCORE	87.66

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#3

What We Liked

While Rudy Project is a brand that may not be familiar to most golfers, we came away from this test plenty impressed. The Rydon’s Golf 100 lens lets in plenty of light without crossing the line to too bright, while its neutral tint preserves the natural colors of the golf course. While it’s an assessment not easily quantified, the Rydon makes everything look better.

Pros

• Outstanding clarity from tee to green
• Included secondary Racing Red lenses provides an excellent brighter, high-contrast alternative for golf
• Excellent peripheral coverage and great durability
• Switching between included lenses is an absolute breeze

Cons

• Among the most expensive
• Slightly below average glare resistance and oleophobicity

In addition to our Top 3 (above) and our full ranking chart (below), for the first time ever in one of our Buyer's Guides, we're making our notes available to you so you learn a bit more about every product in this test and why it finished where it did. To read the notes for every pair of sunglasses tested, see our FULL TEST REPORT.

Full Results

2017 Sunglasses Rankings

Brand	Lens	Contrast & Clarity	Glare	Coverage	Phobicity	Durability	SCORE
Oakley EVZERO Path	PRIZM Golf	1st	9th	2nd	1st	14th	80.69
Bolle Bolt	V3 Golf	7th	1st	1st	8th	2nd	80.19
Rudy Rydon	Golf 100	4th	24th	4th	24th	2nd	73.31
Rudy Agon	ImpactX Golf	3rd	24th	5th	24th	22nd	71.88
Electric Fade	OHM+ Rose	2nd	29th	19th	1st	19th	69.09
adidas Whipstart	Red Mirror	9th	5th	20th	8th	7th	66.84
Serengeti Ponza	Rootbeer Brown	5th	9th	10th	1st	28th	66.41
Bolle Breaker	V3 Golf	7th	9th	15th	8th	11th	66.22
Sundog Clutch	TRUE BLUE Polarized	11th	5th	20th	14th	4th	64.53
Nike Premier 8	Gunmetal Flash	6th	26th	7th	14th	31st	63.00
Smith Overdrive	Polarized Gray	19th	3rd	3rd	8th	28th	62.69
Maui Jim Kapuna	Maui Rose	17th	2nd	28th	1st	22nd	62.00
Nike Golf X2	Max Golf	15th	3rd	20th	14th	19th	61.28
Smith Arena Max	ChromaPop Sun Green	24th	9th	9th	8th	6th	61.18
Sundog Stack	Grey Blue Mirror	16th	5th	10th	14th	26th	60.56
Maui Jim Frigate	Maui HT	12th	9th	28th	1st	22nd	59.25
REKS Wrap Around	LUMOLUX Brown	25th	9th	7th	30th	1st	58.47
adidas Kumacross 2.0	Matte Black Polarized	27th	9th	10th	8th	14th	58.31
NYX Falcon	Arctic Blue	19th	9th	10th	14th	14th	58.31
Tifosi Seek FC	GT (Golf/Tennis)	13th	9th	20th	26th	14th	58.31
Sundog Prime EXT	Aurora	18th	9th	10th	14th	28th	58.19
Tifosi Tyrant 2.0	Brown Fototec	27th	9th	5th	26th	11th	57.78
Callaway Merlin	P2X	27th	9th	16th	14th	9th	57.00
REKS Sling Blade	LUMOLUX Brown	25th	5th	20th	30th	4th	55.66
UA Octane	Gameday Multi	19th	9th	16th	14th	26th	55.16
Tifosi Crit	GT (Golf/Tennis)	13th	27th	31st	26th	9th	54.75
Electric Knoxville S	OHM Gray	31st	9th	26th	1st	19th	54.66
NYX Pro Z-17	Arctic Blue	19th	27th	20th	14th	11th	54.53
Callaway Raptor	Green Gray Mirror	27th	9th	16th	14th	22nd	54.43
Maho Uluwatu	Polarized Amber	9th	31st	28th	26th	7th	53.72
Maui Jim Red Sands	Blue Hawaii	19th	29th	26th	1st	14th	52.94

About This Test

 

• How We Tested
• What to Consider
• Scoring Metrics
• Final Grades

To determine the best golf sunglasses, we tested both on the course and in the lab.

On course, our testers wore the glasses over several rounds of golf, judging each for contrast and clarity (near, far, and on the green), coverage, glare & reflections, as well as light transmission in both bright and shady areas.

In the lab, each model was put through a series of durability tests designed to simulate the wear and tear a pair of glasses might experience on the golf course. Tests involved twisting and bending frames, controlled drops into bunkers, and other scenarios intended to mimic the type of unpleasantries that befall sunglasses at the hands of golfers.

To test hydrophobicity, lenses were sprayed with water. We observed how well water beaded and ran off, and then judged how easily the remaining water was removed from the lens. To test oleophobicity, the test was repeated using sunscreen as our oily substance.

Several of the brands we tested offer so-called golf tints, but do you really need Golf Sunglasses?

The short answer is probably not. We found plenty of good options that weren’t specifically engineered for golf. That said, it may not be a coincidence that our top overall performers were developed for the golf course.

Here are some other things for you to consider...

Playing vs. Walking

Do you wear sunglasses while you swing, or do you only wear them while walking (or driving) from point A to point B? If you don’t wear shades while you swing, you can still benefit from options that offer enhanced downrange clarity – especially in the transition from fairway to green. If you’re not swinging with your glasses on, glare/reflection reduction and coverage aren’t nearly as important.

Polarized vs. Photochromic vs. Normal

We tested three different types of lenses: polarized, photochromic, and what I suppose we can call normal or regular lenses.

Polarized lenses are most often associated with fishing, skiing, and other sports where significantly reducing glare is a necessity. Polarized lenses have special layers that filter horizontal light waves, reducing glare from snow, water, bright sand, and other reflective surfaces. They can make objects appear sharper, but some users report issues with depth perception and eye strain. If you use your phone during your round, be aware that polarized lenses can also distort the screen, making it difficult to read.

Photochromic lenses, most commonly associated with the Transitions brand, vary the amount of light transmitted through the lens as conditions change. Photochromic lenses are particularly beneficial if you play in changing conditions, spend lots of time moving from the fairway to beyond the tree line, or if you prefer to keep your glasses on later into the day. Be aware that some photochromic lenses can be slow to adapt which can result in brief periods of time where the lens is either too light or too dark.

Note that some of the lenses tested are both Polarized and Photochromic.

Normal lenses have no additional features beyond whatever tint the manufacturer has chosen to offer.

Light Transmission (VLT%)

While the experts we consulted agree that VLT (Visible Light Transmission) percentages aren't exactly precise, they do give us a starting point from which to compare the relative brightness (or darkness) of a given lens. Despite some of the marketing claims, there's no irrefutable science that suggests brighter is better or darker is better, but we think there's logic to fitting your lenses to your environment. If you consistently play in sunny, open conditions where ambient light is in no short supply (Arizona springs to mind), you should consider a low VLT (darker) lens. If you play tree-lined courses, under a mix of sunny and shady skies, or spend your round moving in an out of the shadows, then a higher VLT (brighter) or photochromic lens may prove more suitable for your needs.

Function vs. Style

For some, perhaps many, sunglasses are as much about fashion as they are sensible eye protection. If you don’t’ plan to swing with glasses on, you can get away with being a bit more fashion-forward. If you keep your glasses on for the duration of the round, function becomes significantly more important. The best wrap or sport styles provide better peripheral coverage and don’t enter into the field of view at any point before or during the swing. They also prevent disruptive light from entering or reflecting from the rear or periphery of the lens.

Neutral vs. High Contrast Tints

Green and Gray tints block light and reduce glare, while largely preserving the true colors of the golf course.

Copper and Brown options offer a bit more contrast without introducing a significant color cast.

Red and Rose tints offer higher contrast and, at times, aggressive color enhancements. We found that these tints often provide better separation between foreground and background objects, an effect some testers described as HDR-like. Lenses featuring red and rose tints received the best scores on the putting green. While not all love the rendering of color, if you’re looking to make the golf course pop, consider a lens from this space.

Testing for this guide was divided into two basic categories: on-course and in the lab. Maximum scores were reserved for a single Best in Class product in each category.

On-Course – 75%

Contrast & Clarity (45 points) – For our most important metric, we considered the overall experience of wearing the glasses. Does the lens enhance the colors and contours of the golf course? Does it show the separation between the fairway and the green? Do the glasses make reading putts easier? Our top performers excel at balancing light while revealing the nuances of the golf course, while mediocre performers simply reduce the amount of light hitting the eyes.

Glare (15 points) – How susceptible is the combination of lens and frame to glare? Does light enter from the rear and side and cause hot spots that interfere with vision? While some designs did more harm than good in some situations, the best glasses we tested minimized the interference from direct and reflected light.

Coverage (15 points) – How well do the frame and lens cover the viewing area? Does the lens provide sufficient coverage or does it cause distractions? While some designs leave the frame or portions of the lens in view, the top performers in the category are nearly invisible.

Transmission (+/- 2 points) - Additional points were also added or subtracted to/from the On-Course category based on our tester’s judgment of the amount of light transmitted by the lens.

Lab – 25%

Oleo and Hydrophobicity (10 points) – All of the lenses in this test offer hydro and oleophobic coatings which are, as the description suggests, designed to repel water and oil. While we found similar performance across the majority of the models tested, our top performers did a better job of repelling the elements and were a bit easier to clean.

Lens & Frame Durability (15 points) – You shouldn't expect any lens is going to remain unscathed after being dropped on concrete or asphalt, but given the price of some of the models tested, the lenses and frames should be able to hold up to a reasonable amount of wear and tear on the golf course. During our analysis, we scratched every lens in the test and broke or bent several frames. While poor performers suffered catastrophic failure, our top performers suffered only minimal damage to the lenses and/or frame.

*Although we note Fit where relevant, Style and Fit were not graded for this guide. Nearly all of the lenses tested are available in a variety of frames and, by extension, sizes.

Final grades were awarded based on total scores. Best Overall is our highest overall scoring pair of sunglasses, and awards are given to the top three sunglasses. Also, more specific Best in Class recognitions are awarded to sunglasses ranked best for certain criteria (e.g. Best Polarized, Best Photochromic).

We also give an "Editor's Choice" and a "Best Buy" award to those products that provide value products that compete with the bigger names on performance.

To read additional details for each and every product tested, see our Full Test Report.

Golf Sunglasses Feature Comparison

Model	Price	Polarized	Photochromic	Warranty	Extra Lenses	RX-Able
adidas Kumacross 2.0	$139.00	YES	NO	2 Years	NO	YES
adidas Whipstart	$139.00	NO	NO	2 Years	NO	YES
Bolle Bolt	$169.00	NO	YES	2 Years	NO	YES
Bolle Breaker	$109.99	NO	YES	2 Years	NO	YES
Electric Knoxville S	$120.00	NO	NO	Lifetime	NO	NO
Electric Fade	$160.00	NO	NO	Lifetime	NO	NO
Maui Jim Red Sands	$229.00	YES	NO	2 Years	NO	YES
Maui Jim Kapuna	$299.99	YES	NO	2 Years	NO	YES
Nike Golf X2	$186.00	NO	NO	2 Years	NO	YES
Nike Premier 8	$136.00	NO	NO	2 Years	NO	YES
NYX Pro Z17	$79.00	NO	NO	1 Year*	NO	YES (Insert)
NYX Falcon	$89.00	NO	NO	1 Year*	NO	YES
Oakley EVZERO Path	$170.00	NO	NO	2 Years	NO	YES
REKS Wrap Around	$50.00	YES	NO	2 Years	NO	NO
REKS Sling Blade	$50.00	YES	NO	2 Years	NO	NO
Rudy Project Rydon	$249.99	NO	YES	2 Years	YES	YES
Rudy Project Agon	$274.99	NO	YES	2 Years	NO	YES
Serengeti Ponza	$169.99	YES	YES	2 Years	NO	YES
Smith Pivlock Arena Max	$189.00	NO	NO	Lifetime	YES	YES (Insert)
Smith Pivlock Overdrive	$249.00	YES	NO	Lifetime	YES	YES
Sundog Prime EXT	$69.99	NO	NO	Lifetime	NO	NO
Sundog Stack	$69.99	NO	NO	Lifetime	NO	NO
Sundog Clutch Polarized	$149.99	YES	NO	Lifetime	NO	NO
Tifosi Seek FC	$49.95	NO	NO	Lifetime	NO	NO
Tifosi Crit	$69.95	NO	NO	Lifetime	YES	NO
Tifosi Tyrant 2.0	$79.95	NO	YES	Lifetime	NO	NO
UA Octane	$99.99	NO	NO	Lifetime	NO	YES
Maho Uluwatu	$95.00	YES	NO	Lifetime	NO	YES
Callaway Merlin	$92.00	YES	NO	1 Year	NO	NO
Callaway Raptor	$89.00	YES	NO	1 Year	NO	NO
Maui Jim Frigate	$329.00	YES	NO	2 Years	NO	YES

* NYX lists its warranty as 1-year, however, they tell us that they frequently extend to two years.
While several companies offer a lifetime warranty, be advised that there is very often a fee associated with a warranty claim, and not all brands honor the spirit of the warranty.