THIS WINTER WAS brutal in lots of ways. My golf game was a net loss since I didn’t swing a golf club for four months because of a broken foot and well, the frozen tundra that was the NYC/NJ area.
But at the beginning of February I got the chance to head to Phoenix to test out some Oakley golf gear, as well as attend the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open. Amidst the much-needed thaw, I got to try the first Oakleys I’ve ever worn on the course: the RadarLock Path, which feature the brand’s flagship Prizm lens. Not only were they game-changers for the scramble we played, they saved my eyes during the bright days watching the Tour event for seven hours.
What I Like
The editor working on his putting game.
Before I get to the actual lens tech, the RadarLock Path’s fit is pretty stellar in itself. The low bridge fit means they lock in on lots of different face shapes, and I didn’t experience any jostling or movement during my trip. While the arms are that longer, sport style length, they can be a bit cumbersome to get the right interaction with a hat—I preferred to have the arms cover overtop my hat, as that ended up feeling the most comfortable.
Prizm lenses for golf, in short, separate the sea of green you might see on a golf course by increasing the contrast between all those varying shades. That means you can pick up the varying contours, hills, and curves better. While we only played a 9-hole scramble, I did spend some more time at the driving range and on the putting green on the trip. The chipping green had some pretty prominent hills and curves, and the glasses were helping me read them pretty realistically, accentuating any dips that were there. When you’re able to see greens properly, then it’s just about executing so they were a huge help there.
Perched on the infamous sixteenth hole stands with the Oakleys keeping things clear.
The other place the shades excelled for me were in the gallery at TPC Scottsdale. This being Arizona, it was bright. And we spent some long hours in that bright sun. But my eyes never really got fatigued on the days we were at the event all day. They felt protected, alert, and able to track balls easily.
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Watch Out for
They’re Oakleys, and they’re expensive. You do get what you pay for, as I think these are some of the best high-end glasses I’ve worn to golf. Unless you use them for other sports and outdoor activities, or you golf a lot, then it can be a tough price tag to swallow.
For example, we’ve found the Tifosi Rivet to be the best golf sunglasses for most because they perform well, are lightweight, and can be had quite often under $50. In a vacuum are they going to outperform the Oakleys? Of course not, and that’s the reason why you’d spring for the Oakleys.
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Verdict
The editor and his scramble crew.
The years of research and development that have gone into the Prizm lens is undeniable. And it’s why pros like Min Woo Lee (among others) have turned to the lens for years. The RadarLock Path is a great frame to utilize Oakley’s tech, and I am certainly going to be keeping these at the top of the drawer for golf this year. But I can also see myself wearing them for our company softball league, and potentially running (although the longer arms might be an issue for me there).
While $257 is a price that most can’t afford, I can see the justification if you play a ton of golf or just want the best possible tech to give yourself that little bit of an advantage on the course.
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Ryan Brower is the Senior Gear and Commerce Editor at Men’s Health, where he tests the best products in outdoor gear and tech. Baseball, surfing, and camping occupied most of his time growing up.
He also trained in martial arts for 12 years and holds a third degree black belt. He has written about the outdoors for nearly two decades and was previously the Managing Editor, Content Performance at Gear Patrol. He is also a Certified Beer Server and previously covered the craft beer industry. Ryan currently lives on the water in New Jersey with his wife and their dog.
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