3 steps to sun protection for golfers

Spring is here and as the weather warms up and the days get longer it’s the perfect time to hit the golf course with your mates.  But are you protecting yourself from the sun while you’re at it?  Here’s our 3-step guide for sun protection to help you get started!

1. Set up: Tee up better sun protection while on the course

UV radiation from the sun damages unprotected skin when UV levels are 3 or higher which – across NSW – is on most days of the year. Knowing when to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide is the first step to good sun protectionwhen you hit the course!  

Download the SunSmart app to receive daily UV updates. Don’t forget to set the alert to receive a daily reminder and encourage your mates and colleagues to do the same.

Find out if your local club has signed up to our Improve your Long Game program. 

2. Swing back: Know what good sun protection looks like

Everyone has heard the ‘slip, slop, slap, seek, slide’ sun protection mantra. On the golf course this means:

• Slip on sun protective clothing: long trousers, sun sleeves or a long-sleeved top designed for golf won’t overheat or hinder your swing.
• Slop on sunscreen: non-greasy/dry touch sunscreens will protect your grip.
• Slap on a broad-brimmed hat: broad-brimmed hats designed for golf will stay on firmly; the brim will protect your ears, neck and face, which are high risk areas for melanoma.
• Seek out shade: wait to tee off in the shade and seek out shade wherever possible to stay cool and reduce UV exposure.
• Slide on sunglasses: choose wraparound sunglasses and add polarisation to cut down course glare.

3. Follow through: Practise and encourage good sun protection with your mates.

It’s never too late to protect against melanoma. Use your influence with mates who express the view that “the damage is already done”; encouraging them to change their behaviour is one of the most valuable things you can do. Here’s how to get started:

• Be seen to practice good sun protection yourself at the times of day that sun protection is recommended.
• Talk to fellow golfers about the dangers of melanoma and encourage them to protect their skin from the sun when they play. Our Golf Pro’s guide to sun protection provides some hard-core facts to help you get them thinking.

More information

In NSW men over the age of 40 are 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with melanoma and 2.5 times more likely to die from melanoma than women of a similar age. Evidence has also shown men generally have poorer sun protection behaviours than women, in particular, while out playing golf.

It is easy to see why golfers are at risk of developing skin cancer when you consider:

• Long periods spent outside in peak UV times.
• Limited shaded areas on golf courses.
• Many surfaces (grass, sand and water) which reflect ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Find more information on how you can protect your skin from sun damage on our sun protection page.

The Longest Day

The Longest Day is the ultimate golf challenge designed to test your skill, strength, and stamina.

The challenge is to successfully complete four rounds of golf from dawn to dusk and raise funds for Cancer Council’s research, prevention, and support services.

Think you have what it takes? 

Register now for The Longest Day and let’s tee off for a cancer free future.