... Personally, I don't see how anyone can play golf without sunglasses. But I always have, and thankfully I still have 20-15 vision. Originally, I took off my glasses to read putts, but that changed with the advent of golf specific sunglasses. I remember seeing David Duval in those space age Oakley's that I swore I would never be caught dead in. But just like colored shafts, technology marches on and I'd be 'blind' to ignore the advantages of wrap around, vented lenses that not only protect my eyes from the sun and wind, but actually improve my game. Best of Show sunglasses was a little more difficult to judge than other categories, because I was indoors and had no way to test them under real golf conditions. But again, for me at least, one company stood out.

... I started my golf specific sunglasses journey with a pair of Oakley M Frame Heater Slate Iridium lenses because I had always used a gray lens in my sunglasses. It was an expensive experiment as they worked great for everyday use, but they did me no favors on greens. One of my students had a pair of Gold Iridium lenses and I loved those. However, Oakley lenses are anything but durable. And at $70 for replacement lenses and $140 for a new pair, they are insanely expensive. I just can't 'wrap around' the fact that that little piece of plastic used for the frame cost $70 when it must cost around $1 to produce. Clearly we are paying a ton of money for advertising and the Cool Factor. So I began looking around for something less expensive and was surprised by the options. Once, Oakley was the only game in town, but I found plenty of players in the sunglass game. I ended up with a nice pair of SunDog Impact Sunglasses. They are light, have nice straight temple tips and worked well. Yet I kept finding myself taking them off when putting, or when lighting conditions changed toward evening, or on a partly cloudy day with sun comin out then hiding again.

... I went to several Sunglass booths at the show a few times, but found myself liking one the best. The Tifosi Envy wins my Best of Show... Sunglasses. I particularly loved the Fototec lenses that change shade when the light changes. The EC (Extreme Contrast) Lens, in theory, should be perfect for almost any golf conditions. This is from the website with some of the marketing removed "The Tifosi Optics™ EC™ (Extreme Contrast™) lens is designed for golfers seeking an edge in distinguishing terrain details. The EC lens blocks 100 percent of UVA/UVB rays while increasing light contrast by filtering the blue light spectrum that is responsible for optical blurring and decreased contrast in bright light conditions. This lens is ideal for spotting the subtle breaks of a putting green." This is one of my main concerns and hopefully, I won't have to remove these sunglasses when putting. I am a twilight golfer, and LOVE to be on the course when the sun goes down. Not only is it beautiful, the winds usually die down and there is a unique calm to the end of the day. BUT, the light changes pretty drastically from the first hole to the last. The V.T.T. (Variable Tint Technology) changes the lens for a pretty wide spectrum, so I am very excited about the possibilities. When playin a seaside course, or a course with a ton of water, it is very easy to fatigue your eyes. Tifosi also makes some polarized lenses in Smoke, Brown and Open Water Green. I'm gonna try the Brown lenses and see if they turn shiny squint producing water into a serene lake or river.

.... If you're more interested in single tint lenses, instead of a lens that changes color, Tifosi also offers the more traditional Golf Interchangeable Lenses. After viewing the Fototec lenses, I politely listened to the description, but I had already found my sunglasses. So for those of you that prefer an array of lenses offered in the Golf package, the description is as follows:
Lens Colors: Set of 3-GT/EC/AC Red Lens
GT™ (GOLF/TENNIS) 23.2% light transmission -enhances your ability to pick up a ball in flight
EC™ (EXTREME CONTRAST) 36.2% light transmission - ideal for spotting subtle breaks of a putting green
AC RED™ (ALL-CONDITIONED RED) 27% light transmission -offer enhanced view in cloudy/foggy weather

... No sunglasses fit every head. Quite often I get a headache from wearing them during a grueling 5 hr weekend round when 3 should suffice, particularly with the M frames. Tifosi addresses this with a bendable temple and nose piece. You simply bend it to fit your head. I loved that feature! The Grilamid Frames, a fancy name for an advanced nylon material, bends like crazy without a hint of breakage. The lenses are just as tough and are almost indestructable. This all sounds great, yet one of the problems I always experience with sunglasses is scratched lenses. I will have to use these awhile before I can tell if the Tifosi's are superior in that regard. BUT if you do scratch your lenses, you can replace them for a $10 fee!!! If I had any doubts about my Best of Show selection, this is the feature that put any trepidation to rest. There is also a lot of technical info I could go into, but I would just be re-writing what Tifosi wrote on their website, so I recommend you go there and read it.

... And finally, the sunglasses you pick must look good to you. Tifosi has quite a selection, especially for golf. And I found three that appeal to me in the Envy, Strada and the Q3. Tifosi could probably charge close to Oakley prices, as in my opinion they are not only their equal, they are better. Yet, this just keeps gettin better. Tifosi's Fototec Lenses AND Interchangeable Golf Lenses sell for $50-$60. I paid more than that for my replacement Oakley lenses! All Tifosi Sunglasses include a case & microfiber cleaning bag. I am planning a trip to North Carolina and hope to put Tifosi Sunglasses thru a rigorous on course test. I'll post a review and let ya know how they fared in the real world.

http://www.tifosioptics.com/products.html

The Tifosi's look real nice. I love my Oakley M-Frames. It I didn't already have sunglasses, I probably go with Tifosi, but whatever.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm a sunglass ho as well as a club ho so I'll get a Tifosi by the end of the week and report back.

I like Rudy Project.

Maui Jims was the coolest for me with the girls in the Hula skirts.

Thanks once again for a great review! I have two pairs of Tifosi glasses already with interchangable lenses, but regardless of the lenses I choose find myself taking them off for putts. However, the ones I have are for running/cycling so perhaps the golf-specific versions are better. I will say that they are well made and the lenses are nice. I did have to replace the dark lens in one pair which I believe cost about $20 shipped. Since I already have three pairs of sunglasses I can't see buying another pair this year, but then again, I am becoming quite the ho....

I second the Maui Jims, quality sunglasses for sure, although they are a bit pricey.

I picked up the Tifosi golf specific interchangables late last year. They work terrific out on the course. I would love to get my hands on the EC interchangable lens for the frames I have. I'll have to go to one of the local dealers to see if they can get it for me.

On a side note, I appreciate all your reviews Chisag! Keep up the good work!

Keep tabs.

I like to wear these when I'm not thinking




When I am thinking, I like the Oakley hijinx.

I can't believe that tosser made it to news in America

I don't wear sunglasses at golf, but if i did it would probably be M-Frames or something similar

One of the main reasons I don't wear sunglasses while playing is poor depth perception due to a distorted lense (things look closer than they are). How are the Tifosi's in that regard?

Sorry, I should've included the Rudy Project website in my post above.

http://www.rudyproject.com/products/index....=1&unicode=

The Tifosi stuff is really nice for the money. I still believe that Oakley has a better lens when clarity and distortion are compared. But for most people $80+ is out of their price range for sunglasses and Tifosi has offered the best i've seen for that price. Being a sunglass ho, I have owned 2 pairs. One with fototec lenses and one with the EC lens. The glasses offer good optics and a great fit for the price. i noticed a slight bit of magnification compared to my oakley lenses, but nothing to major. I would recomend these to anyone who wants a great golf glass at a reasonable price. i gave both away to friends because they couldn't knock my flak/radar combination off my face.

I've been an Oakley guy since Frogskin's, no reason to change things now.

They make great products. Good enough for the military=good enough for me.

I have been wearing NYX sunglasses for a few years now. I have 2 pair and each comes with 3 lenses of varying darkness. One set hasn the dark gray, lighter grey and yellow (great for early morning fog) lenses. and the other has 3 amber lenses.

Each set comes with a case , 2 extra nose pieces and a microfiber pouch.

At $59.99 (and you can find them cheaper if you look around) they are a bargain Replacement frames $25 lens $17

I just ordered a pair of the Tifosi Envy off of rockbottomgolf. Interested to see how they perform. I usually go with Oakley but I'm unbelievably good at losing sunglasses so I wanted to go with something cheaper this time. So for 29.99 I thought this was worth a shot.

That is a great price. What lenses come with the setup from Rockbottom? Do the lenses fit flush with the cheek, or is there a gap? Oakley half jackets are the only lenses I have been able to play golf with because there is no break between the lens and the cheek when I address the ball.

It is not completely clear at rockbottom which lenses come with the set, but I found the same sunglasses on another site that lists the all-conditioned red, golf/tennis, and extreme contrast lenses as the lenses. So I think those are the lenses that come with it, but I'm not 100% sure. So I will have to wait and see when it gets here to know for sure.

My glasses:

Oakley Flak Jack XLJ Polarized Black/ Black Iridium.

Love 'em.

Surprised noody has mentioned PeakVision. I've got 3 pair of them and REALLY like them......

SCHEYDEN!!!

Oakley Half Jacket XLJ variety of lenses. May give the radar a shot this year.

I dont like to wear them, but I have to. Just had one eye surgery to repair damage, dont plan on having another.

20 years playing golf with Ray-Bans. No need for anything else.

i like those hijinx

Only cool people wear those

Haha, just make sure you hit the pin and not your friends!

I use Bolle kicker glasses, many pros around where i live swear by them.
Won't be changing anythime soon.

My sunglasses finally came in and sadly they do not sit flush with the cheek. I can't really comment other than that though because it has been snowing here in ithaca and not much need for sunglasses right now.

i wear maui jims

Good ol Bruce Irons... I think he rides for Electric Visual now.

Oakley M-Frames for me. Used to use Bolles but M-Frames are much better.

Without Question, HaberVision is the best I have used. No issues with depth perception.

The Haber Rose lens provides the perfect combination of shading from the sun while maintaining excellent visual clarity against the hues of the golf course. They are the first pair of glasses that I can play through the entire round without having to put them on the hat before the full swing. Absolutely no issues with depth perception on the full shots or reading break on the putting surface. Additionally, they are the perfect size to fit nicely underneath the bill of a hat. Having previously used metal frames from other manufacturers in years past, it was refreshing to play with the weightless feeling of the Corsica frames. Again, just a remarkable product that is priced well below their value. This will certainly be my lens/frame combo for the 2008 season which is just around the corner.

Never heard of Haber Vision. Other info?

I love the Tifosis that I have right now but am always looking.

www.habervision.com

Old school all the way............... Clubmasters. Their name says it all.

What about the lens selection that comes with the frames?

It came with the golf/tennis lens and the extreme contrast lens.

Prescription sunglasses ?
Anyone?

Wow surprised there's no love for MJ's

Maui jims were made for golfers before we even knew it

starting with polarization methods allowing colors to stay true, custom lens color choice, prescription options, and a poly something coating to resist scratching on the lenses.....oh they are feel like feathers on your face and no tan lines

I thought that polarized sunglasses are not recommend for golfing?

I used polarized lenses all the time in my perscription glasses- no problem with reading the greens or judging distance.

What perscription options are out there for golf? I'd like a new pair but these supposedly "cool" glasses give no love to us eyeglass wearers. By the way, $80 glasses expensive? HA! My sunglasses cost over $400! I'd kill to pay only $80 for a pair of glasses!

Anyone try Transitions lenses? Hey- they're a PGA sponsor now... I like supporting sponsors.

Peakvision is an A+

Costa del Mar is great if you need a prescription.

Tifosi paid $62

http://www.tifosioptics.com/interchangeable/slip.html

I just tried these out this weekend.

Overcast to a sunny day they are fantastic.

Made the hues POP in color and the color green really jumped up in clarity.

Made reading the green a lot easier and did not darken the rest of the vision.

No bind on the ears and slipped over the hat fine.

I would replace them again if I lost them.

My new Callaways, called the Collection Series C430. Nice and light.

Click to view attachment

I really like the looks of the Dolomite's. Really nice looking, I will go check these out locally and i may pick some of these up!

i like the Spy Diablo's as well, but they are really tough to find with the photo chromatic lenses.

I have a pair of prescription Oakleys that I wear golfing. They also have the auto-tinting lenses that darken or lighten as it gets brighter or darker outside.
You only got one set of eyes....take care of them.

im really surprised theres not more love for costas. not golf specific, but some of the best polarized lenses out there in my opinion.

If I am wearing sunglasses for golf (which I am usually not...and I still have 20/16 vision)...I chose the Kaenons...they are awesome....same style Davis Love wears....