Sun Protection is Much More Than Sunscreen

At Sun SafeTee we promote a comprehensive approach to sun protection for golfers.  We feel that the first line of defense is sun protective clothing.  Clothing that has an Ultraviolet Protection Factor Rating (UPF) affords the opportunity to protect your skin actually better than sunscreen!   UPF clothing provides a non-chemical physical barrier to the sun.  UPF rated garments block both UVA and UVB rays.  When compared to sunscreen, they eliminate the concern of when to apply or reapply sunscreen to those areas and won’t wear off with perspiration or when they get wet.  New UPF moisture wicking fabrics can help keep you cooler as well.

Of course sunscreen is an important part of that comprehensive sun protection strategy for areas that you cannot cover with UPF garments.  When choosing a sunscreen, look for one with a SPF of 30+, that protects against UVA and UVB rays (or says Broad Spectrum Coverage) and is water resistant.  Remember sunscreen needs to be applied 20-30 minutes BEFORE you go in the sun and should be reapplied every two hours.  That’s why we say  “Don’t Burn…Reapply at the Turn ©“.

Most golfers wear a traditional golf (baseball style) cap which unfortunately does not offer any protection for your ears and little protection for your face.  It is best to wear a wide brim hat with a 3 inch brim.  Despite what many people think, a wide brim hat will not interfere with your golf swing and offers significantly more protection than a standard hat or visor.

Long term exposure to UV rays can damage not only the area around your eyes but also the surface of the eye as well as internal structures. Wearing wrap around sunglasses that offer 99-100% UV blockage can reduce your risk of sun damage to those areas.

Finally, comprehensive sun protection includes staying hydrated.  This means starting to hydrate before you get to the golf course and continue hydrating during your round.  While playing, take regular sips of water or sports drinks rather than taking a big drink infrequently.  If you wait until you are thirsty to start hydrating, it is too late.

At Sun SafeTee we like to say “Cover Up Before You Tee It Up”.  This means Cover Up with a wide brim hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and UPF rated clothing.  All of those things will give you more sun protection on the golf course and combined with good hydration, might even help you score better!

Visit the website for more information on sun protection for golfers including “How To” videos.

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