Prioritise your skin health with Pledge2Check initiative

The Melanoma Fund has recently launched Pledge2Check, encouraging golfers and greenkeepers to make monthly skin checks a vital part of their health routine.

The Melanoma Fund has unveiled its new Pledge2Check initiative within their Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign, encouraging and supporting golfers and greenkeepers to take care of their skin health through monthly skin checks.

Early detection is vital for skin cancer, as it can often be visible but easily overlooked. With NHS wait times increasing and GP appointments becoming harder to secure, it’s essential for everyone—especially golfers and greenkeepers, who are 2.4 times more likely to develop melanoma—to regularly check their skin.

In the UK, melanoma affects over 20,000 individuals each year, leading to 2,500 preventable deaths. Alarmingly, only 29% of people currently perform monthly skin checks. Pledge2Check is committed to changing this statistic by providing simple guidance over six months to help make skin checks a lasting habit.

“Golfers are known for their focus and precision, and that same mindset should apply to their health. Regular skin checks are just as important as keeping an eye on blood pressure, cholesterol, or weight. It’s about building a habit—and we’re here to help make that happen,” says Michelle Baker, CEO of the Melanoma Fund.

As part of the Pledge2Check sign up, you are registering for monthly reminders with guidance on how and when to perform skin checks. You can log these checks to ensure you are on track and will even be rewarded with a Solex wellness goodie bag to help continue a healthy and sun protected lifestyle.

We encourage all PGA members to not only sign up for Pledge2Check but also to share this crucial message with their clubs, clients, and social media networks to raise awareness about skin cancer and promote healthier habits. The Pledge2Check toolkit below contains all the resources you need to spread the word effectively.

For more information and to sign up for Pledge2Check, click here.

To download the Pledge2Check toolkit, click here.

Registration closes on Tuesday 24th November 2024.