Playing it Safe – Under the Sun

10 Sun Savvy Tips for Golfers:
• Limit or avoid exposure to the sun between 10am and 4pm, when the sun's ultraviolet rays are at their strongest. Instead, try to play early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
• Sunscreens are a must. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (against UV-A and UV-B) with an SPF of 15 or higher. Apply 30 minutes before going outdoors - even on a cloudy or cool day.
• Cover all exposed areas of your face, head and body, including your ears, nose, and shoulders, back of the hands and your arms and legs. Apply liberally and evenly. To cover your entire body, a golf ball-sized amount of sunscreen (one ounce or two tablespoons) is recommended.
• Re-apply a coat of sunscreen every nine holes (every two hours). If you sweat a lot or towel often, a more frequent application may be required.
• Don't forget your lips - cover them with sun protective lip balm or sunscreen.
• Seek shade whenever possible and cover yourself with a golf umbrella between holes.
• Wear a broad-brimmed hat (preferably with a backflap) rather than a baseball cap to help protect your face, ears and neck.
• Wear sun protective clothing (tightly woven, dark colours) such as long pants and long-sleeved shirts as often as possible.
• Protect your eyes with UV-protective sunglasses.
• Never seek a tan and do not burn. A tan is the skin's response to the sun's damaging UV rays - there is no such thing as a healthy tan.