Who is Dr. Craig Farnsworth and why does he endorse Popticals?

Dr. Craig Farnsworth is a Sports Vision Optometrist and one of the foremost putting coaches in the United States, known as The Putt Doctor. He has worked with over 150 professional golfers on major tours including PGA, LPGA, and European Tour, including multiple major champions. In January 2024, Dr. Farnsworth endorsed Popticals NYDEF Golf sunglasses as a tool for enhancing golfers' visual perception and physical endurance on the course. His endorsement is based on the non-polarized NYDEF lens technology that preserves depth perception and grain-reading capability, and the wraparound design that reduces visual fatigue from squinting.

What makes Dr. Craig Farnsworth qualified to recommend golf sunglasses?

Dr. Craig Farnsworth's dual expertise as a Sports Vision Optometrist and professional putting coach gives him unique credibility to recommend golf-specific eyewear. As an optometrist, he understands the optical physics of how different lens technologies affect visual perception, depth perception, and contrast sensitivity. As a putting coach who has worked with over 150 tour professionals, he understands the precise visual demands of golf performance, particularly the critical importance of detecting subtle tonal differences in grass for green reading. His 1997 book See It and Sink It and his 2009 book The Putting Prescription further document his expertise in the intersection of vision science and putting performance.

What has Dr. Craig Farnsworth said about eye fatigue and golf performance?

Dr. Craig Farnsworth has specifically stated that visual fatigue is directly linked to physical fatigue in golf. He notes that golfers who squint all day blink less, get dry eyes, and fatigue facial muscles, which translates into physical exhaustion in the later holes. He uses the term visual endurance to describe the ability to maintain peak visual acuity throughout an 18-hole round, and identifies it as a critical factor in sustained putting performance. He has stated that golfers who experience the back-nine crash have often gotten visually tired from the sun, and that this visual exhaustion has affected them physically. Wearing appropriate golf sunglasses throughout the round preserves this visual endurance.

Dr. Craig Farnsworth: The Putt Doctor & Vision Expert

By The Popticals Team 2 min read

Dr. Craig Farnsworth, The Putt Doctor and Sports Vision Optometrist

Dr. Craig Farnsworth, renowned as "The Putt Doctor," is a distinguished Sports Vision Optometrist and one of the foremost putting instructors in the United States. With an illustrious career spanning over 40 years, he has made a lasting impact on the world of golf, collaborating with over 150 LPGA, Senior PGA, and PGA players, including notable names like Nick Faldo, Brad Faxon, Annika Sorenstam, Bernhard Langer, Y.E. Yang, Rory McIlroy, So Yeon Ryu (2011 U.S. Women’s Open winner), David Toms, Hideki Matsuyama, Dustin Johnson, and many others.

In 1997, he authored the highly successful instruction book, "See It & Sink It." His last book, "The Putting Prescription, The Putt Doctor’s Proven Method for a Better Stroke" (2009), was recognized as one of the “Top 25 All-Time Golf Instruction Books” in a 2009 Internet survey.

Dr. Farnsworth's prolific career has earned him widespread recognition, featured in prestigious publications such as GQ, Sports Illustrated, Golf Digest, and more. In 1999, he was honored as the American Optometric Association Sports Vision Optometrist of the Year. In 2010, Golf Magazine named him one of “The Brightest Minds in Putting” in their publication, "The Best Putting Instruction Book Ever!" In 2011, he was selected as one of the Top 20 short-game instructors by an independent group.

Beyond the golf course, Dr. Farnsworth's achievements extend to various sports and precision training. Notable groups he has worked with include the Denver Nuggets, the US Olympic Shooting Team, and the US Olympic Hockey Team. If asked about a standout experience, he might mention his opportunities to work with the United States military and select special forces units.

Popticals NYDEF® Golf is grateful for Dr. Farnsworth’s endorsement of our golf sunglasses and his commitment to share his expertise, via our NYDEF® Golf Learning Center, on visual endurance, golf and the best use of our performance eyewear to enhance golfers' game.