Technology in today’s sunglasses puts the focus on clarity, comfort and performance while you’re on the course.
There’s almost as much technology in sunglasses these days as there is in the golf clubs you’re holding. Seriously. Take a look.
Hidden spring hinges, moisture-absorbing rubber, adjustable silicone nose pads, maximized viewing angles and lens materials for optimum clarity are just a few of the selling points with shades these days, with Bolle, Serengeti, Costa Del Mar and Oakley among manufacturers standing out in performance and style.
“Our most important advancements tend to be in the area of new materials,” said Barbara Rodriguez, an eyewear marketing manager at Bolle/Serengeti. “For lenses, this means lighter, thinner borosilicate glass and Trivex, both of which provide superior performance across a broad range of circumstances.”
Whether a golfer has a preference for plastic lenses that are lightweight and impact- and scratch-resistant, or glass lenses that have the greatest clarity and are scratch resistant, a key component remains glare reduction.
“For many, if not most sunglass buyers, polarization is extremely important. There is simply no other technology better at neutralizing the negative effects of glare,” Rodriguez said. “And while it does add cost, consumers definitely recognize the value of opting for polarized sunglasses.”
Technology aside (for a moment), style will always be a consideration in the decision-making process for consumers, both in frames and lens colors.
“Aviators remain extremely popular across a broad range of demographics,” Rodriguez said. “While seemingly always in vogue, traditional rectangular frames are even stronger than usual at the moment.”
Regarding colors, she added: “Whether a matter of personal preference, regional variations or matching performance characteristics to certain activities, sunglass buyers are choosing their lens colors more carefully than ever before.”
Declan Lonergan, the product category manager of eyewear for Oakley, touts his company’s new sunglasses because of a mixture of hues.
“The industry is moving toward more story telling through color and contrast, with brown and rose tints what is generally offered on the market,” he said. “Oakley Prizm Daily lenses achieve all of the above without having to look through a very brown or rose lens. We have engineered Oakley lenses to have a very light mix of gray and rose, but with all the benefits of powerful contrast and color as you look through the lens.”
Oakley, which has Bubba Watson among its professional clients, is among the companies keeping an eye on what golfers at all levels want when it comes to visual clarity and focus on the course.
“We fully understand how the eye and brain work together and why it’s critical that what you see looking through the lens is what matters,” Lonergan said. “Grass color, health of the grass, depth perception, grain direction while putting on the green; all help the golfer make critical decisions. Prizm Golf lenses do all the work for you.”
