Sun protection in golf

17/07/2023

PGA Members and golfers need to be mindful around sun protection. Too much sun and heat exposure can lead to sunburn, dehydration, exhaustion and heat stroke – all of which will have a negative impact on performance and more importantly, long-term impact on health, such as skin cancer.

If you’re looking looking for marginal gains or ways to improve your game, an understanding and provision of sun and heat protection is vital.

The PGA has teamed up with the Melanoma Fund, the charity behind the Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign, to provide PGA Members and golfers with some useful guidelines to educate, protect and optimise the health and wellbeing of all.

Understanding the risk

Although you can feel the sun’s heat, it is UV rays that are responsible for sun damage and these cannot be seen or felt. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause:

Sunburn
Premature skin ageing
Eye damage
Weakened immune system
Skin cancer, including melanoma

Clothing

This should be the first line of defence when it comes to sun protection. Consider what is practical for your round or coaching environment. Ideally include:

Cap
T-shirt that covers shoulders
Sunglasses
Longer shorts or trousers

Tightly woven fabrics afford the best protection, but virtually all summer-weight clothing provides more than adequate protection.

Shade

Shade is a great way to protect yourself from the sun, however when it comes to golf, it is in short supply. Take breaks and spectate in shaded areas where possible. Make use of gazebos, clubhouses and if you’re playing or teaching on the fairway, or have no other option, make use of a sports umbrella.

Sunscreen

We recommend a minimum of SPF30 sunscreen, in a non-greasy formulation that offers broad spectrum protection against UVA and UVB rays. Apply generously (we all use too little) to all exposed areas, ideally 20 minutes before you start your activity. This allows the product to set, making it more stable and less likely to sweat off or run into eyes.

Re-apply at least twice during the day (even a ‘once-a-day’ product) and more often if you sweat profusely. Re-application is important as you may miss bits, which means you are effectively protecting skin with a second ‘coat’.

UV Index

Instead of guessing the risks, check the UV index which can be found on the weather app on most mobile phones. If it is three or higher, sun protection measures are required.

Heat protection

Avoid being out in direct sunlight when during the hottest periods of the day (around noon). Try to begin morning sessions early and afternoon sessions later. If you have no option, start early and ensure shade breaks, and be mindful of your water consumption. You could set a timer on your mobile or smart watch to get into a habit of drinking regularly.

Listen to your body and when it's hot and be aware of the threat of heat exhaustion. This is caused by water and electrolyte loss. It’s not a life-threatening condition, but it can be a precursor to heat stroke, which is far more serious.

Signs of heat stroke include a very high body temperature (about 40C or above), a strong pulse, rapid breathing and muscle cramps. Very heavy sweating that suddenly stops is also a major warning sign. If you recognise any of these symptoms in yourself or others, ensure you flag this with another person immediately.

Inspiring others

PGA Members are in a position to not only educate others on sun protection, but also inspire others with your actions. All too often golfers are lured into the belief that a tan is ‘healthy’ which is isn’t. With more awareness around how tanning can cause early ageing and skin cancer, the tide is turning and it is up to you to champion that change in golf.

What you can do

Get your golf club Sun Protection Accredited to the Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign. It is FREE, easy to implement and provides a toolkit of resources to help you raise awareness of sun protection both in print and digitally. Accredited clubs also receive a discount on sunscreen dispensers, helping keep both members and staff protected.