Golf and glasses......

[PhilTheFragger]

I’m very short sighted and have been wearing varifocals for years

The only problem I have is head position, if I’m looking at the ball through the middle of the lens, then my chin is on my chest and the shoulders can’t rotate properly.

So I look at the ball through the very bottom of the lens which raises the chin and stops the shoulder / chin issue?

 

[SteveJay]

Bifocal contact lenses won't suit everyone. I have enquired and been told that I can't wear them due to astigmatism.

 

[patricks148]

I've been short sighted for some time, and now that has faded so the Opt advised Verfocals. hated it looked strange and could not focus on the ball, so just use normal for playing golf. only downside is i have to keep lifting them up to see the scorecard

 

[rosecott]

I wear varifocals all the time, except for golf. With the varifocals on, the ball goes blurry when I address it. I found it really off-putting so now I've got a pair of prescription sunglasses and normal glasses set to my distance prescription.

I can see the ball ok, but I now I can't see the card clearly. Can just about get by with taking them off when I mark the card but in a few years time it's going to be more awkward.

The glasses steaming up, or getting cover in drizzle is a real pain. I thought about contacts but I hate the thought of fiddling with my eyes.[/QUOTE]

I can tell you that the thought of fiddling with your eyes is infinitely worse than the actuality. It takes very little time to overcome the natural apprehension, but, honestly, it's no big deal.

 

[Beedee]

I can tell you that the thought of fiddling with your eyes is infinitely worse than the actuality. It takes very little time to overcome the natural apprehension, but, honestly, it's no big deal.

During the summer I always think I'll be fine with my glasses, but then come the autumn I'm always steamed up by the 2nd hole. Might have a chat with my optician.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I wear varifocals all the time, except for golf. With the varifocals on, the ball goes blurry when I address it. I found it really off-putting so now I've got a pair of prescription sunglasses and normal glasses set to my distance prescription.

I can see the ball ok, but I now I can't see the card clearly. Can just about get by with taking them off when I mark the card but in a few years time it's going to be more awkward.

The glasses steaming up, or getting cover in drizzle is a real pain. I thought about contacts but I hate the thought of fiddling with my eyes.

Once you get used to it it's no bother at all. Putting them in you don't actually touch the eye; taking them out you do have to get a bit more 'in there' poking - but just don't use a sharp stick

 

[Dicklaus]

Glasses are a very individual issue depending of course on just how short or long sighted you are.
Contact lenses are best of course but don't suit everyone, including me.
The issue is being able to clearly see the ball, a few feet away, at address then being able to follow it in the air up to 200 yards or more.
Another issue is changes in light, colour & contrast.
Bi-focals can work but are usually not a good solution.
Vari-focals can be more successful.
After some years of trying, I eventually found an optician who specialises in sports vision. He also happened to be a golfer.
The result was a very expensive, but effective, pair of glasses.
The process was complex but worth it. The lenses have a kind of zonal focus with a special coating for contrast in various lighting conditions & a fast reaction for bright to dim conditions.
So, my tip is, find a specialist optician but be prepared for a big bill!!
Fortunately, from year to year, my eyes don't vary much. Just as well as replacing my lenses every year would be pricey.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I thought about contacts but I hate the thought of fiddling with my eyes.

You aren't alone and it is the main thing that has always put me off. The biggest issue I had in the hot weather was my head getting hot and the glasses slipping as I get sweaty especially as I have to wear a cap these days to protect the bald head. A tip I stumbled across that works well for me in the hot is to wet the cap before you go out and put it on cold and still slightly wet as it helps cool the head down and so I don't sweat as much and the glasses don't slip down as often. Repeat after nine holes

 

[Bigfoot]

Contacts for me. I first used them for cricket as I suddenly felt I needed glasses to pick up the ball when fielding in the deep. The bonus was being able to play golf in sunglasses and protecting my eyes from the sun.

 

[golfbluecustard]

Thanks for the advice fellas much appreciated

GBC

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Optician tells me today that as I have astigmatism I won’t be able to try out varifocal contacts - drat...

 

[clubchamp98]

During the summer I always think I'll be fine with my glasses, but then come the autumn I'm always steamed up by the 2nd hole. Might have a chat with my optician.

You need an anti fog coating on your lenses.

 

[clubchamp98]

I’m very short sighted and have been wearing varifocals for years

The only problem I have is head position, if I’m looking at the ball through the middle of the lens, then my chin is on my chest and the shoulders can’t rotate properly.

So I look at the ball through the very bottom of the lens which raises the chin and stops the shoulder / chin issue?

I am surprised nobody has tried the opposite to the Dennis Taylor glasses.
He was looking over his glasses so had a pair made with taller lenses so he could see better.
In golf you need the opposite so you are not looking underneath your lenses.
This would stop you dropping your chin.
Might not be the best look, but counting the money will cheer you up!

 

[Beedee]

You need an anti fog coating on your lenses.

Last winter I tried treating my glasses with the spray you can get for swimming goggles. Don't know if it works tho as a few days later I went and had a heart attack so didn't play again until quite recently.

 

[clubchamp98]

Last winter I tried treating my glasses with the spray you can get for swimming goggles. Don't know if it works tho as a few days later I went and had a heart attack so didn't play again until quite recently.

A mate of mine has an online glasses and glazing business I can ask him for some advice or send you his contact details if you want to ask him yourself.
He sells a lot on eBay.
The framemanandy. You can message him there.
He sells some quality stuff.

 

[Smiffy]

I tried several types of glasses for golf when I needed them
What did not work well was bi or vari focal, very small or or even medium frames.
What I settled for was aviator style with thin metal frames. There is no part of the frame that interferes with the vision when looking down at the ball and because the glasses are large there is a very good area of 'true ' focus within the lens.

I found exactly the same thing with smaller, or narrower lenses.
I explained the problem to the optician and ended up getting a deeper pair for golf.
Not "Dennis Taylor" deep but you get the drift.

 

[clubchamp98]

A mate of mine has an online glasses and glazing business I can ask him for some advice or send you his contact details if you want to ask him yourself.
He sells a lot on eBay.
The framemanandy. You can message him there.
He sells some quality stuff.

Had a word with him and he said there’s no specific coating for fogging.
He did say glasses should not fog up outdoors and it might be a fit / ventilation issue .
It’s usually associated with athletes glasses can fog with excess heat coming from your body when you sweat.
Noticed mine fogging when shopping in a mask recently.

 

[IanM]

Long time glasses wearer who switched to contact lenses for golf for two reasons...

1) Rain
2) Use of non prescription sun glasses

Playing golf in the rain wearing glasses is awful

 

[clubchamp98]

Long time glasses wearer who switched to contact lenses for golf for two reasons...

1) Rain
2) Use of non prescription sun glasses

Playing golf in the rain wearing glasses is awful

I had laser surgery for this exact reason.

 

[Mandofred]

If I get to the point of needing to wear glasses...I'm planning on laser surgery. I've worn glasses at times in the past, especially playing tennis. My eyes got a bit worse and needed reading glasses for a couple of years and they got better. Starting to go again I think....63 now.