Join us and support our sun protection campaign for golf
We are supported by every major golf organisation in the UK and Ireland. By becoming ‘Sun Protection Accredited’, you will join our community of golf clubs, raising awareness to members and staff, helping keep skin cancer detected early, and OFF the fairway.
Why those in golf are at risk
Melanoma is the UK’s 5th most common cancer, with incidence in women doubling, and in men trebling, in the last thirty years. Those who play or work in golf are recognised to be at high risk due to three main factors:
When
A round can lead to prolonged sun exposure when UV levels are at their strongest, typically between 11.00am-3.00pm, from March to October.
Where
Courses provide little shade, and highly UV reflective surfaces.
How
Players tend to avoid reapplying sunscreen due to lapsed habits, and to avoid a ‘greasy grip’, as a result of sunscreen application.
The good news is that melanoma, and all other forms of skin cancer are mainly preventable, simply by using sun protection. By becoming Sun Protection Accredited, golf clubs can ensure that their customers and staff are aware of the facts, helping create new healthy habits that will keep everyone playing, and working, in this great sport for longer.
Sun Protection Accreditation
Golf Clubs
Over 300 golf clubs signed up in 2020 which is fantastic news. Our aim is to now reach 600 in 2021. Involvement is FREE and easy, and by pledging 5 simple actions, you can improve your duty of care, protecting the health and wellbeing of both members and staff in minutes, by using our easy to access, downloadable resources.
Tournaments
New for 2021 is our golf tournament Sun Protection Accreditation scheme, aimed at organisers, players, and spectators. Every major golf organisation has agreed to get their fixtures signed up, so you’re planning an event, why not join them? By signing up you’ll join a community in golf, helping create change and save lives.
300+
Accredited Golf Clubs
Get Skin Savvy
We promote awareness all year round. In spring/summer we urge everyone get ‘sun savvy’ and remember sun protection, and in autumn/winter we focus on getting ‘skin savvy’, educating on a regular skin checking routine.
"Following my experiences, I am keen to ensure that fellow golfers – as well as others working outdoors – are aware of ways to avoid heightening the risk of skin cancer."
Jamie Cundy
"If you notice a changing mole or are worried about a new lesion, take professional advice, immediately. I also recommend upping your game when it comes to sun protection - why wait until you get a cancer diagnosis to start looking after your skin?"
Kenton Wright
"The work that Michelle and the team are doing at the Melanoma Fund is crucial in raising awareness of a threat that all golfers and greenkeepers expose themselves to, and on a regular basis."
Craig Cotterill
"Skin cancer is preventable and all it takes is a shift in behaviour to have healthier skin and a better chance of staying out there playing golf for longer."
Joe Cardy
"All we need to do is change our perspective on sun protection and look at the facts – namely that skin cancer is an epidemic, with incidence rising faster than all other cancers put together. I hope that if enough club’s get behind this campaign, golfers will be urged to re-think their habits."
Annabel Dimmock
"The more that can be done to raise awareness of the dangers of UV exposure the safer everyone will be. If golf is a sport for life then we need to look after ourselves while playing and protect against all the elements, not just put a brolly up when it is raining."
Richard Payne
"The Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign is great and I am so happy to be involved. I hope that many golf clubs sign up to be Sun Protection Accredited its free, easy to do and benefits everyone, including caddies!"
Rebecca Riddell
"Golf clubs are perfectly positioned to raise awareness of sun protection, and I urge them to sign up and get involved with this campaign, which really can help address the issue of skin cancer."
Paul Way
"All three main skin cancers are on the increase with rates rising faster than ever, so I am delighted to help support the Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign."
Dr Tony Buckland
"I am especially keen to ensure that young golfers take the advice offered by this campaign. The sun is a hazard on the golf course, and if habits can be created when young they will stick, just like brushing teeth."
Andrew Murray
"As a golfer, sports massage therapist and former coach, I meet so many people in this sport who underestimate the sun and neglect to protect their skin, which is a big mistake. The role of ambassador will provide me with a fine excuse to remind people to cover up."
Holly Calvert
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