Did You Know Your Sunglasses Can Expire?

Most golfers keep a pair of sunglasses in the bag and never think about them again. They ride in the trunk all summer, get tossed on the dash of the cart and get wiped on whatever shirt is handy. After a few seasons they still look fine. The question is whether they still block UV.

Sunglasses don't come with an expiration date, but the UV protection in a lot of lenses does wear down. Years of sun break down UV-blocking films and coatings, and scratches wear through them. Heat speeds all of it up, and a trunk in July or a cart dashboard at two in the afternoon gets hotter than most people think. Harsh cleaners don't help either.

Golfers get more sun than most. Four or five hours at a time, a lot of it looking up at a bright sky, several times a week in the summer. UV damage to the eyes builds up over the years and doesn't reverse, so a lens that has quietly stopped blocking UV is worth catching.

The dollar bill test

You can get a rough answer at home with a UV flashlight and a dollar bill. U.S. bills have security features that glow under UV light. Shine the light on the bill and you'll see them. Then hold your sunglasses between the light and the bill. If the glow disappears or fades a lot, your lenses are still blocking most UV. If it looks about the same, it's time for a new pair.

It's a quick check, not a lab test. An optometrist or optical shop with a UV meter can give you an exact reading.

How long ours last

Our lenses have UV protection built into the lens material, not just a coating on the surface, so they hold their protection longer. If you play a lot, we still suggest replacing performance sunglasses every two to three years.

If you're due, the GX5 is where most golfers start. The GX6 is the GX5 in aluminum-magnesium with a taller lens, and the SL9 gives you more coverage. Every one blocks 100% of UVA and UVB and has our Dual-Zone lens. You can also see all our golf sunglasses.

Every pair ships free in the US within a day, and you have 30 days to send them back if they don't work for you.