Review: Improve your golf and protect your eyes with the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL with Prizm Golf lenses

Technology doesn’t have to mean mechanical hardware/computerised devices; it can also mean advancements in other areas of life.  The technological advancement I am looking at here is Oakley’s relatively new Prizm lenses for sunglasses.

It’s been a while since I played golf but after taking up the game again at the start of the year after a 17-year absence, I am once again obsessed.  Unfortunately, in that 17-year absence, my body has gotten older and my eyes in particular have deteriorated significantly.

Now I need not only eye protection, but also something that helps me see the ball against various backgrounds.  A round of golf means that you are normally on a course for over four hours — that’s a long time to spend in the sun without any protection for your eyes.

I’ve never been able to wear sunglasses while playing because all the polarised lenses available, no matter how good the pair of sunnies were, made it hard to tell variations in lies and the slope of greens, and perceived distances seemed off.  They made my golf worse.  That is where the new Oakley Prizm lenses come in.

Prizm is Oakley’s proprietary colour‑tuning lens technology, developed using hyperspectral imaging to analyse light wavelengths across real‑world environments. All PRIZM lenses are made of Plutonite, Oakley’s proprietary lens material. This manufacturing method means lenses will hardly fade over time and the UV protection cannot be scratched off because it is infused in the lens.

Oakley Prizm uses hyperspectral data to tune light wavelengths at molecular level. Blended into Plutonite® lens material (not surface coating), it boosts environment‑specific contrast and detail while blocking 100% UVA/UVB, paired with Iridium coating for glare control.

Prizm Golf Lenses

Prizm Golf lenses aren’t polarised, and they’re designed for golf.

The new Prizm lenses enhance colour and contrast, and while they are used in a lot of Oakley’s sports glasses, they are ideal for golf.  The improved colour and contrast of Prizm Golf lenses help you see your ball more clearly against various backgrounds, including the sky and grass (fairway and rough).  The contrast also helps you judge distances and the slope of greens more accurately.

Oakley Prizm lenses come in two types: Prizm Golf and Prizm Dark Golf.  The versions I saw both had a Rose/Amber tint, which apparently helps to view the ball best.  I did my research before buying and chose the standard Prizm Golf lenses for the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses I purchased.  

Why Prizm Golf?  I thought they would be better in all conditions, not just super bright conditions, more of an all-rounder.  I want to wear them for all rounds to help me see the ball against all backgrounds, all the time.  

The Dark Prizm Golf lenses allow only 22% light transmission, compared to 30% for the standard Prizm lenses. Not a massive difference, but if I feel I need darker, I can buy replacement Prizm Dark Golf lenses.

In my real-world testing, I found I could see the ball much better in flight and the transition from the sky background to the trees/grass.  As such, I could not only see my ball better and locate it more easily but also that of my playing partners – just as important in good golf etiquette.

The ball stands out easily against all backgrounds.  More importantly, from a playing perspective, the sunnies helped me to see slopes in the greens and judge the distances better, something I found near impossible with polarised sunnies.  

Oakley Flak 2.0 XL

The Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses are the sportier look that Oakley makes, so are likely something you want to use for that sport only – you won’t be wearing them out on the town in Monaco or Paris, that’s for sure.  The XL denotes the lens coverage size, as they are also available in an XXL and a standard size.   I found the XL the best fit for my face – and according to the fine folks at Drummond Golf, they are the most popular.

The Flak 2.0 XL frame is made from lightweight O Matter, with rubber ear socks and nose pads for extra grip without sacrificing comfort.  The box includes a spare set of nose pads by the way, which is nice, although I cannot see me losing any but you never know- it’s early days at this stage.  The nose pads AND the ear socks are replaceable if you wish to customise them yourself.

The sunglasses fit comfortably around my face and I actually barely even noticed they were on.  There was no slipping of them, no matter how hard I swung out of my boots, and they were a comfortable fit, even after wearing them for over four hours.

The Flak 2.0 XL sit fairly close to my face, although there are a good few millimetres of clearance from the cheekbones to the lenses just in case.  Big heads should try all the variants before buying to ensure the best fit.

The box includes not just the sunglasses and a spare set of nose pads but also a great hard case and a cleaning cloth/sock for the sunnies.  They are well protected when in both the sock and the hard case.

Final thoughts

After using them for a couple of rounds, I cannot imagine NOT using them for any round of golf.  I’ve even used them at the range with good effect to see where my ball went.  I may end up purchasing Prizm Dark Golf lenses for brighter, sunny summer days, since the lenses in the Flak 2.0 XL sunglasses are replaceable.  

The Oakley Flak 2.0 XL with Prizm Golf lenses are not cheap but they are ideal for the avid golfer.  They not only help to improve your performance but also fit well and protect your eyes from damaging UV rays.

The RRP for the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL with Prizm Golf lenses is AU$300, but all golf stores will price match, and most will price match online stores too.  Keep that in mind when you do your research and before you buy.  I managed to get mine significantly cheaper thanks to this and the kind folks at Drummond Golf Mitcham.

If you’re serious about your golf, grab a pair of Oakley Flak 2.0 XL with Prizm Golf lenses.  Perfect for Father’s Day or an early Christmas present.