Should You Wear Your Rolex on the Golf Course?

If you’ve ever questioned whether it’s safe—or sensible—to wear your Rolex while playing golf, you’re not alone. It’s a surprisingly common topic among watch enthusiasts, particularly those who wear their pieces day in, day out.

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Back in 2021, a RolexForums thread titled “Golfing with Rolex watches” opened with a simple question: “Would you guys ever golf with your Rolex? And for those of you that have, what watch specifically was it?”

The replies were mixed—from “Yes, any and all. It’s just a watch,” to “Not in a thousand years.”

To spare you the scroll through pages of conflicting opinions, here’s what actually matters.

What About Shock?

Image Source: David J. Phillip, Associated Press

The main worry when golfing with a mechanical watch is the sudden impact of the swing. When the club strikes the ball—or the turf—the resulting shock travels through your wrist and into the watch. Repeat that swing dozens of times per round, and it’s fair to ask if the movement might eventually suffer.

The short answer? Rolex has engineered around this for decades.

Since the 1930s, Rolex movements have included shock absorption systems designed to protect their most delicate parts: namely the balance wheel and escapement, which regulate timekeeping accuracy. In 2004, Rolex introduced its Paraflex shock absorber, which provides up to 50% more impact resistance than the earlier design. It’s been fitted in most modern Rolex calibres ever since.

In plain terms: if your Rolex was made in the past 15 to 20 years, it’s built to take a hit. Golf swings included.

What About Comfort?

Just because your Rolex can handle a round of golf doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll feel great while doing it.

A full-size stainless steel model—or anything in solid gold—can feel weighty or off-balance mid-swing. Some players find that distracting. Others hardly notice it.

It’s worth pointing out that most professional golfers don’t wear their Rolex on the course. You’ll see the watch reappear when they’re lifting a trophy or speaking with media, but rarely during play. That’s probably not because they’re worried about damage—it’s more likely a matter of comfort and consistency. At that level, even minor variables can throw things off.

Then there are the outliers, like Bubba Watson. He’s known for wearing various Richard Mille watches while competing, including the RM055. That model features a lightweight ceramic or carbon case, a skeletonised titanium movement designed to handle over 500 g’s of force, and a soft rubber strap. It’s built specifically for high-impact sports—hardly a direct comparison to a Rolex on an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet.

Curved End Rubber Straps For Rolex Watches

If comfort is a sticking point for you, the simplest solution is a strap swap. A fitted rubber strap—like the ones from Everest—adds security and reduces weight. It won’t absorb sweat, won’t slide around, and won’t dig into your wrist. It’s a practical upgrade, particularly in warm weather or long rounds.

So, Should You Wear Yours?

If you’re comfortable golfing with your Rolex—and equally fine with the idea that it might bring your next service forward slightly—go ahead. If not, no issue. There’s no definitive answer.

As the RolexForums thread proves, opinion is divided. But one thing is clear: Rolex watches are made to be used. The brand’s long-standing ties to golf—through major tournament sponsorships and player partnerships—make that pretty obvious.

Curved End Rubber Strap for Rolex Submariner

Could playing regularly speed up your watch’s maintenance schedule? Possibly, by a few months. But it’s still a tool watch, built for everyday wear. And if something goes wrong, it’s repairable.

To quote one of the more grounded commenters from that same thread: “Like anything, it may break for any number of reasons. You get it fixed and move on.”

Hard to argue with that.