Specialised Prescription Sunglasses for Golf

[markTHEblake]

I am looking to invest in a serious pair of glasses, am sick of having only one pair i can use for golf and they are so black i cant see when it rains :roll:, and so far have had some interesting finds.

The one problem with finding decent glasses for golf is that any frames with wrap around shape result in lens that are outrageously expensive.

But the wrap around is important to me due to the high risk of sun damage blindness like Macular Degeneration (a major cause of aged blindness and no cure).

Lens Colours is important for Golfers. Lots of info out there but in breif,

Brown/Amber is the best. It improves depth perception and highlights contours.

Yellow is best for low light, dusk, cloudy days.

Grey is the best for darkening and retaining colour contrast, however it flattens out surfaces so it makes it harder to read greens and judge distances.

Some great sites for Golf Specific sunglasses info (using prescriptions) and pricing. The brands that are taking my fancy are, Adidas, Bolle, Rudy Project and NYX, with the latter seeming to be offering the best range of changeble lenses for the price. Circa USD230

http://www.sporteyes.com/golf.htm
http://www.athleticoptics.com/default.asp?action=GetMfgs&SportID=12
http://www.nyxgolf.com/index.html
http://www.apairofshades.com/ba/asp/ProductID.100627/ab/sunglasses/sgresults.asp?manufacturer=NYX+Golf&refer=1&sideform=1&imageField.x=78&imageField.y=7

One more thing, it seems that AU retail pricing on these specialised glasses are typically double the USA RRP. I rang one mob to price some Rudy Projects and it was $400 for the frame, $115 for the prescription insert, $120 for the prescription lens, then started talking about something at $88 per lens was when i told her not to worry about it. Sporteyes do the same thing online for around USD320

[Grunt]

I gave up looking MTB and just got transition lenses put in my Oakleys. Are not too bad. I can relate to the grey shade making reading greens tough.

[goughy]

Spoke to my mate. If it's a + script then it's generally ok, but if it's a - script then it's more trouble.

Adidas apparently does a lot of this stuff. From what he was saying I am getting a bit lost in you description of the costs. Obviously you can just get prescription wrap around sunnies. But it's the insert thing that's got me. From what he said you can get some models of sunnies which are just normal, then you can add an insert to them with your script in it. But they are kind of like a monocle in that you don't get any prescription lens in the wrap around section.

So for those I'd be guessing you just need the sunnies and the insert to suit with your script.

[markTHEblake]

Grunt, those frames are too wrapped and are a risk of ending up with distorted vision. I had that as a major problem with my current sunglasses, and I am still not confident i can trust my eyes. Missing 20ft putts by 3 feet was not funny.

I can now see a benefit in getting a Frame that has the RX insert as well as interchangeable sunglass lens. It will be a high initial cost but much cheaper to update in years to come.

[goughy]

My bolle's came with 3 lens colours; grey, polarised sandstone (brown/amber) and a lighter yellowish colour called eagle vision.

[markTHEblake]

Spoke to my mate. If it's a + script then it's generally ok, but if it's a - script then it's more trouble.

I think a + lens is reading glasses. dont really need it for golf



But it's the insert thing that's got me.


here is an example of one.

http://www.nyxgolf.com/images/PrescriptionInsert.jpg

It fits in behind the normal sunglass lens by clamping onto the nose fitting.

You can see it behind the normal lens

http://www.sporteyes.com/rppergolf.jpg

When Oakley first bought these out years ago they were ridciulously heavy, now they are very light, and fit almost flush to the tinted lens, the wearer will not notice they are there.

apologise to your mate for bagging the AU RRP - obviously not his fault considiering that the likes of Rudy Project force fixed pricing.


and a lighter yellowish colour called eagle vision.

http://www.sporteyes.com/bollecolors.htm Eagle Vision is Bolle's specialised golf tint, its basicaly the Brown/Amber that i mentioned before. The advantage of this colour is it eliminates the blue light (thought you could tell your mate that and he will be impressed)

[goughy]

The impression I got from my mate was that the lens doesn't have a nose thingy, and it just snaps in place behind the sunglass lens. You have to have a specific lens to fit specific glasses.

[senecio]

What about contacts? Don't like them?

Gives you many cheaper options of glasses and means that vision distortion at the edges is a non-issue.

For some of the prices you have quoted, it would even make laser surgery a realistic option (in the long run).

[Grunt]

I have used the contact option a few times, just have to make sure I remember when the hayfever season is on, to either take meds or avoid the contacts.

[markTHEblake]

What about contacts? Don't like them?

No, and my prescription is too weak (-1.00) to warrant stuffing around with contacts all the time, nor laser surgery. I know Tiger did it but he was legally blind!


The impression I got from my mate was that the lens doesn't have a nose thingy,

the Inserts are made by the same mob who makes the frames, so its like an Apple Mac, you dont have to worry about how it works, it just does. http://www.nyxsportsglasses.com/rx.php

[Rusty]

gees all this sounds involved. i've just got my Rayban raps (2nd pair) with brown lenses for script of
R -2.25 -1.00 115 (sphere cylinder axis)
L -1.75 -1.75 65

raps were just within limits for normally manufactured lenses. about $400 all up.

[Courty]

Blakey, one of my mates has prescription lenses in his Oakleys. I'm playing golf with him tomorrow, so I'll find out more if you want.

[TS]

Hi Mark

I have sunglasses by Bolle, Rudy Project, Oakley and NYX and a few others.

In order of best to worst. The best is Bolle, Oakley Rudy Project, and the worst is NYX.

I find light brown to be the best colour for me. You will need to experiment what work best for you.

I used a light yellow lens when it is cloudy and windy. Yellow is useless in a bright day as everything become too bright.

TS

[markTHEblake]

i've just got my Rayban raps

do you see your model here? http://www.apairofshades.com/ba/asp/Manufacturer.Ray+Ban/refer.47356/ab/sunglasses/sgresults.htm



I'm playing golf with him tomorrow, so I'll find out more if you want.

do that, get the model name


In order of best to worst. The best is Bolle, Oakley Rudy Project, and the worst is NYX.

can you tell me why? I am considering NYX then Bolle in that order.

what you said about the colours pretty much confirms all the advice I have read about golf tint.

[goughy]

I'm on my second pair of bolle's. Both have had polarised sandstone as the main lens which I have really liked. Current pair have interchangeable lens and came with one of the eagle vision 2 lens, I think the lighter one. I used them once but found that I just don't play in low light conditions enough to use them. In bright light they just didn't do enough. And I seem to like the polarised lens more.

So basically I mirror what TS said above!

[TS]

Mark.

I find the Bolle more comfortable and has less distortion, I don't quite like the lens shape of my NYX.

Most lens with curve will induce prism. The Bolle seem to have less than the others.

TS

[markTHEblake]

And I seem to like the polarised lens more.

Polarised lens will make your eyes happier, but its not the best option for golf, is it flattens contours, see the paragraph on lens colour here http://www.sporteyes.com/golf.htm

TS, Some of these brands have the glasses sit so close to your eyes that eyelashes will touch the lenses. Rudy project say they set the nosepiece in a way to push the lens out a bit, but without losing the closeness at the sides.

Did you experience this issue with any of the brands you tried.

[TS]

Polarised lens will make your eyes happier, but its not the best option for golf, is it flattens contours, see the paragraph on lens colour here http://www.sporteyes.com/golf.htm

TS, Some of these brands have the glasses sit so close to your eyes that eyelashes will touch the lenses. Rudy project say they set the nosepiece in a way to push the lens out a bit, but without losing the closeness at the sides.

Did you experience this issue with any of the brands you tried.

I have a pair of Maui Jim which has Polarise Lens, I don't like playing golf with it.

I don't have any problem with the lens too close to my eyeballs.

[Courty]

do that, get the model name

I asked him about the frames. They were Oakley something-or-other. He doesn't have them anymore as the frame cracked, but that particular model has been discontinued, so he's got some Raybans now instead. He says the Raybans are great sunnies for everything but golf.

[markTHEblake]

goughy, i might be buying something from this site (http://www.apairofshades.com/sunglasses/sgdetails.asp?ProductID=102284), and they sell the extra lenses quite cheap. If you like i can include the "Eagle Vision 2 Dark" lens with my order, you can see the difference between them and your lens here (http://www.sporteyes.com/bollecolors.htm).

If this is not your model, hunt around the site (http://www.apairofshades.com)to see if your model is availeble

[Chris32]

Interesting thread

I had been using a set of perscription sunnies that where polarized for about 3 years, then went to contacts for golf.

Big differance with vision, so I have stuck with contacts for golf/sport and keep the goggles for work etc.

I have just changed perscription and got some new sunnies. The lenses are a dark grey, and they are about twice as hard to find balls in the rough now. This time of year too, with all the bark falling of the tree's, its almost impossible to see a ball in the rough with my sunnies on.

So I'll see how you guys go and might grab some sunnies just for golf.
I'll keep wearing the contacts though, I am really happy with the vision I get out fo them

[goughy]

goughy, i might be buying something from this site (http://www.apairofshades.com/sunglasses/sgdetails.asp?ProductID=102284), and they sell the extra lenses quite cheap. If you like i can include the "Eagle Vision 2 Dark" lens with my order, you can see the difference between them and your lens here (http://www.sporteyes.com/bollecolors.htm).

If this is not your model, hunt around the site (http://www.apairofshades.com)to see if your model is availeble

Mine are the bolle mongrel. They used to be advertised as golfing sunnies, and when I got mine they came with 3 sets of lenses.

Now they just seem to have the polarised sandstone, tns gun, the tennis blue and a lemon for bike riding or something.

The ear socks are missing off of mine, so I'm thinking of getting another pair on us ebay for about 46us delievered and have the spare.

[markTHEblake]

I ended up getting these Bolle Vigilantes http://www.apairofshades.com/images/products/sunglasses/small/bolvigilante.jpg from http://www.apairofshades.com/ba/asp/ProductID.103549/ab/sunglasses/sgdetails.htm and it about $200 shipped with 4 lenses plus prescription i figure that is a bloody good price :-)

Then lens i got were, Eagle Vision Lite, Eagle Vision Dark, TNS, and Yellow.

I have used them twice now, and the prescription is fine, I cannot fault it at all. As any of you glasses wearers know, a new pair of glasses can make things bend and alter your depth perceptions.

I used the Eagle Vision Lite lens for Golf on Saturday, even though the darker one would have been more suitable on the day as it was mostly sunny. Its the first time I have ever used a brown lens, and I was surprised by how much more bright and clear and green everything is without feeling like the sun was too much for the eyes. I guess that its a fallacy that on brighter days darker tint is more comfortable, when its really UV that you need to block (and clear glasses can do that too).

The brown tint is supposed to make you see the green contours better, most certainly everything 'jumps' out at you, as opposed to the dark grey glasses i had before.

I also got a yellow lens for low light/dusk/night use. I dunno how it works but these lens also make everything brighter. When i played night golf in the wind and the rain the other night it certainly helped see and find golf balls.

The only thing i dont like is that looking out i can see the too much frames around the lens, both the glass frame and the prescription insert, especially the top and the nose bridge, so its kinda distracting Maybe its just something i need to get used to, and it is also noticebly heavier as well.

Howver they look like I am wearing a huge pair of welding goggles. But i figure I only bought these for golf, not for going dancing.

In summary, if you are not using a brown coloured lens tint for golf - you are definitely missing out on a lot!

[amanda]

mtb - what strength is your prescription?

I tried getting Rudy Project golf ones - but my script was too strong for the curvature of the glasses (-3.00 in the left)

[markTHEblake]

i am -1.00

i considered the Rudy Projects, but they were around $400 AU.

i thought -3.00 would be fine (but not more) in any case with the RX adaptor there is no limit on the prescription.

I coulda gone with the standard prescription lenses but i also wanted flexibility with colour changing, and its overall cheaper.

[amanda]

mtb - that's interesting! I'll have to look into the website you mentioned.

never purchased glasses over the net before - though I don't think I'll be able to get a health fund rebate on it!

[markTHEblake]

you can if you buy from an Australian seller with a Provider number. But you will pay more than double the price on Bolle, Rudy's etc

There is a few site to look at, on my earlier posts in this thread.

[Rusty]

do you see your model here? http://www.apairofshades.com/ba/asp/Manufacturer.Ray+Ban/refer.47356/ab/sunglasses/sgresults.htm


ah, apologies Blakey. i was just reviewing this thread and the other one about sunnies, for tint colour, as i'm getting a new script (& therefore new glasses and sunnies) and i noticed i hadn't answered this. not that it's any use now, but my Ray Ban model # is RB3149, which looks fairly similar to the RB3190.

against my initial thoughts of sticking with the light-mid brown that i've been using, i ordered the neutral gray G-15 lens based on the optoms recommendation and literature. but after re-reading this stuff, i'm going to ring first thing tomorrow to change that back, and stick with a mid brown.

[markTHEblake]

Good-O - everyone that has a look through my glasses, all they can do is say "WOW"

especially the lighter brown, as opposed to the darker one. I only use the darker one when there is no clouds at all.

Its funny that your optometrist recommends grey, So have a few of mine, however the data available online all contradict that.

[aussieashley]

Bumping an old one here.
I'm thinking brown/amber lenses are still best for golf?
Are most of you using polarised or non-polarised glasses?

Is pretty much any optometrist fine to go to? And you just get an eye test and ask them for your script, and order online for the cheapest deal (are they happy to just give you your script, without getting glasses from them?)

Thanks,
Ashley.

[GSP]

I used a eye clarity franchise and ordered through Oakley what I wanted. They cut the prescription into a lens. I had the vr28 lens used and it's great for golf.

Use your extras cover and it's quite cheap for oakley a and a prescription

[Captain Nemo]

Bumping an old one here.
I'm thinking brown/amber lenses are still best for golf?
Are most of you using polarised or non-polarised glasses?

Is pretty much any optometrist fine to go to? And you just get an eye test and ask them for your script, and order online for the cheapest deal (are they happy to just give you your script, without getting glasses from them?)

Thanks,
Ashley.

I had Oakley M Frames, done with prscription a while back in that amber/brown lens (cant remember the exact colour/code)
They cost a bomb at the time, but i had problems with the lens cracking arouind where the px inserts sit.
I since dithched them and got Rudy's Photochromatic green as i know the guy in Sydney who imports them...
You can get them done in PX as well (which i havnt done)
http://www.erudy.com.au/shop/home.php?cat=856

[ZENNON]

Are most of you using polarised or non-polarised glasses?
I have polarised Oakleys - definitely think going polarised is worth it


And you just get an eye test and ask them for your script, and order online for the cheapest deal (are they happy to just give you your script, without getting glasses from them?)

Yupp. Wouldn't say happy as such, but I think by law they have to give it to you if you ask

[markTHEblake]

Polarised is shit for golf. Do some googling or maybe even read this thread.

[aussieashley]

Is the "apairofshades" website still going?
I'm having trouble finding them.

[markTHEblake]

Now that you mention it, no. These days I just buy from Zenni, cost about $70 Inc anti reflection, and hydrophobic

[aussieashley]

Mark, are you still using the Bolle's with eagle vision lenses for golf?

[markTHEblake]

No, they are kinda old, and scruffy and the rubber bits falling apart. I am still tempted to buy them again though but I am also shying aware from RX Inserts overall. They fog up too easily, which is more of a concern to us northerners.

[ZENNON]

Polarised is shit for golf. Do some googling or maybe even read this thread.

Polarised lens will make your eyes happier, but its not the best option for golf, is it flattens contours, see the paragraph on lens colour here http://www.sporteyes.com/golf.htm

TS, Some of these brands have the glasses sit so close to your eyes that eyelashes will touch the lenses. Rudy project say they set the nosepiece in a way to push the lens out a bit, but without losing the closeness at the sides.

Did you experience this issue with any of the brands you tried.

Oh that's interesting - sorry didn't realise
(maybe that's why I can see so many balls in the water, but suck at actually playing)

[rick3003]

Try vision direct - u can get a pair of bolle prescriptions for around $140 shipped

[aussieashley]

Bumping this one again, as I am still struggling here. So I don't wear glasses for reading or driving but I'm struggling to see my ball at golf (and it's not because I'm hitting it a long way :lol: ). I've tried a yellow ball, but that didn't make much difference.
I've now accumulated a pair of clear prescription glasses, a pair of polarised prescription sunglasses with grey lenses, a pair of non-polarised prescription sunglasses with an amber lenses and a non-prescription pair of photochromic green rudy projects. But I still can't see my ball properly.
Everything seems fine at the optometrist and I've had my macula checked. I'm not colour blind. I can see the writing chart and everything clearly when I'm at the optometrist, but at golf I can see probably 200m if that.

How many of you can actually see where your drives finish?
On a 180m par 3, can you clearly see your ball on the green from the tee?

Any recommendations on a good optometrist on the Gold Coast or maybe Brisbane?

[backintheswing]

You have a mild case of short sightedness. I wear contacts for golf, and still wear my oakleys. The dialies are about $50 for 30 pairs of contacts. Go to spec savers. They are very easy to deal with.

[davidw88]

I can't see my ball land usually, I see the direction but never usually see it when it hits the ground.

[aussieashley]

You have a mild case of short sightedness. I wear contacts for golf, and still wear my oakleys. The dialies are about $50 for 30 pairs of contacts. Go to spec savers. They are very easy to deal with.

Spec savers is where I got my glasses from. But I haven't found any great improvement in actually seeing my ball from the glasses.
Would contacts be better because they are actually on your eye?

[backintheswing]

I notice a big difference when wearing the contacts. They seem better as they don't fog up or get scratched or have the wrong light conditions etc.

How long ago did you get tested?

[Coldtopper]

Found clearlycontacs.com.au great once sorted.

[aussieashley]

The most recent test was maybe 6mths ago. But I got tested at the same place about 12mths before that & they said my eyesight had barely changed. But even when I first got them they weren't great. It wasn't like I went from not seeing my ball to suddenly seeing it the whole distance.

It's worse for me going into the sun, or if I hit from the sun into shadows. I can definitely see a bit better with the sun behind me (I think that makes it easier for me to see the ball in the air).

[markTHEblake]

I have 20/15 vision with glasses on, I can see the ball finish no problem. My scrip is very low, only -1.25 but that is irrelevant really, everyone should be 20/20 after correction. I have had some problems over the last few years, scrip rarely changed but things were not right. Things like taking too long to focus, or the longer looking at something the harder it was too see. The eye checks confirm no change but eventually made slight adjustments and my sight is awesome again. Something like from 0.75 x 0.75 change to 1.25 x 0.50 So that is an increase of 0.50 bug decrease by 0.25. ( I forget what the second number means)

What I do know is the yellow ball with brown lenses is not too good, the brightness is killed by the lens.

For me I can't use contacts playing golf. Takes too long to refocus and it's harder to find the ball in the air.

I don't know what else I can tell you. Except that you should be able to see your ball clearly even 200m away. If not, the glasses are not right, take them back.

FWIW I go to Eyebright in Nerang Mall. He owner David is a golfer who also wears glasses. I can't tell you if he is good, I just been going there for more than 10 years.

[markTHEblake]

Would contacts be better because they are actually on your eye? you cannot get the best vision with contacts. Glasses have more parameters to make more precise fitting.

[aussieashley]

Thanks markTHEblake, that's useful info. I may even give Eyebright Nerang a go. It's not too far from me.

[Scifisicko]

Im in the same boat as you AA, although I need glasses to drive at night, particularly to read street signs. I am short sighted and have an astygmatism in one eye (i think that means the eye is square rather than round). In perfect conditions i can see most of the flight without glasses, as soon as it gets a little hazy or grey I barely see it off the bat and definitely cannot see it land. I got blue prescription lenses (sun glasses) from spec savers and they worked OK (until i sat on them) but I didn't like playing in them on overcast days or for early starts. I also got normal glasses but I found they put the ball in a slightly different spot (closer to me) than the sunglasses and I never played in them because I couldnt even chip the ball without making a compensatory stroke to avoid hitting ground first. I got grey transition lenses in the next pair from spec savers and these have been absolutely perfect. I can see the ball land, and can often follow a ball that no one else in the group saw. They dont have any other coatings on them.

[markTHEblake]

Grey is crap for golf, green reading, depth perception are impaired. Amber/brown is the best for that and also enhances vision in low light.

Seeing the ball is all about the right scrip, not the tint.

However if using a coloured ball, tints matter. Eg green tint is magnificent with the yellow/green balls

I am going to visit sportrx.com in San Diego next month. They have developed a special Lens for golf. The designer is a lens nut.

[Shane788]

I can't see my ball land past about 160m and I'm struggling to focus on the ball at address now, I'm booked into spec savers in a couple weeks. Hopefully they have some decent glasses for golf.

[Scifisicko]

I just read the whole thread, going to ring SS and order some light Amber/Browns.

[dowdsy]

SS also do a transition brown lens that would be very good for golf, the most important thing is they all will cut out 99.9% uv the brown/amber or a green lens is perfect for golf.