Sun protection tips and advice
We have worked with Professor Brian Diffey to create the following relevant and targeted advice and tips, to enable everyone in golf to understand the risks and navigate the fairways safely.
Sunscreen
1
Apply a broad-spectrum SPF30+ product paying special attention to your ears, nose other areas which are especially sensitive, and prone to burning.
2
Using a sunscreen applicator or a keeping a small towel handy, is a good way to avoid a greasy grip whilst playing.
3
Once applied to the skin, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours, or more often if you are prone to excessive sweating or simply working hard!
4
Apply an adequate amount of sunscreen, which is a little more than you think!
5
Perspiration can remove even a ‘once a day’ product, so remember to re-apply it.
6
Hands are highly exposed and vulnerable to the sun, so remember to protect your non-gloved hand.
7
Most sunscreens have a three-year shelf life, but the more the bottle is opened and closed, the more likely contamination can enter the bottle and hasten degradation.
Sun time
1
Sun protection is recommended from March until October, with the early days of spring a prime time for sunburn.
2
UV rays penetrate cloud and haze. The weather can also fluctuate and catch you out, so be sun prepared in the morning.
3
It is easy to plan a 10-minute practice session or task, which then turns into a couple of hours – and sunburn – so get into the habit of applying sunscreen before you start.
4
The sun is strongest between 11am and 3pm so, if possible, look to book a late tee, particularly on clear, sunny days.
Protective clothing
1
Clothing should always be the first line of defence when it comes to sun protection.
2
Always wear a hat! Your forehead, scalp and ears are vulnerable areas, and even more so if you are bald or have thinning hair, so wear something with a legionnaire flap at the back or ideally a wide brim.
3
Wear clothing that protects arms and legs; ideally choose garments with a tight weave as these offer the best protection.
4
When the day heats up, it is a natural impulse to remove clothing, which can mean exposing skin that has not been sun protected, so re-apply sunscreen to these areas.
5
Wear wraparound sunglasses which offer the best all-round protection.
General sun sense
1
Time flies when you are preoccupied, so add a timer on your phone or watch to remind you to reapply sunscreen every few hours, and to seek shade during the hottest part of the day.
2
Drink often and preferably with water as this is the best way to hydrate. Keep a reusable bottle topped up and at hand.
3
Keep a light, damp towel with you to cool off and protect your neck but remember to re-apply sunscreen afterwards.
4
Whilst waiting around for a shot, if possible, seek shade or push up an umbrella, or use the time to reapply sunscreen.
5
The UV Index scale is a great tool to tell you how quickly sunburn can occur. When the UV index hits 3, use sun protection and watch out for surfaces on a golf course such as sand which reflect UV rays, increasing your exposure.
6
A tan may look good at the time, but it is a sign of DNA damage, increases the risk of skin cancer and promotes wrinkles, age spots and crusty patches, which don’t!
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