screen test
Generally speaking, wearing any sunscreen is better than none at all. But many products come with ingredients that are bad for you, says the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit health-research organisation. Look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide on your sunscreen’s list of active ingredients. If it lists anything other than those two things, don’t say we didn’t warn you.
spray away
Good news for golfers: for years, physical blockers titanium dioxide and zinc oxide could be found only in lotion form. But several companies now offer these effective and highly recommended screens in sprays, making it more convenient for golfers to cover skin and reapply often. One caveat: do not inhale while applying. These products might contain nanoparticles that are thought to cause lung cancer if breathed in large doses.
rock that neon
All clothing offers some protection from ultraviolet rays. However, some do a better job than others. Vibrant colours offer a higher ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF, than dull ones, for example. And a new shirt off the rack isn’t as effective as it will be after it has been washed a few times, because shrinkage closes up the holes in the fabric. Also, wearing synthetic fabrics, like polyester, generally offers more protection than natural fabrics such as cotton.
righty slighty
Most right-handers wear a golf glove on their left hand, so they often forget to take care of the back of the exposed right hand. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen there. While you’re at it, don’t forget your ears.
dawn/dusk patrol
The best time to avoid ultraviolet-radiation exposure is early or late in the day. From 10am to 4pm, golfers receive up to five times the amount of UV radiation in an hour needed to cause sunburn.
uva
Ultraviolet A rays are often the real culprit for health problems related to too much sun exposure. Unfortunately, many sunscreens sold focus on stopping UVB rays, despite claiming to block both. UVA rays penetrate deeper into your skin and are responsible for developing the deadly cancer melanoma. They also contribute to developing free radicals that cause skin damage and suppress your immune system. The most effective ingredient in a sunscreen to block UVA rays is zinc oxide.
pucker up
Even dedicated sunscreen users often forget that the lips are very susceptible to sun damage, especially the lower lip, which is 12 times more likely to be affected. Wearing lip balm with adequate SPF (15 or higher) is important.
And unlike sunscreen, these balms should be reapplied more often and more generously than you might expect. Reapplying every three holes is a good idea. Their protection doesn’t last nearly as long as sunscreen.
spf 50+
Any company marketing sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor above 50 is misleading you. Sunscreens need to be reapplied too often for an SPF above 45 to be necessary. It’s overkill. There’s also a good chance the product claim isn’t true and the SPF is a lot lower than what it states on the packaging. SPF 30 screens 97 percent of the sun’s harmful rays and will provide good protection provided it’s reapplied at least every two hours. For golfers, that means lubing up again at the turn.
#getnaked
The Melanoma Research Foundation has a campaign to have adults 50 and older perform routine self-examinations for skin damage that could lead to cancer or other sun-related issues. Who better than you to give a thorough look? And is there a better hashtag? Just don’t do it on the course.
A Sight For Sore Eyes
Protection and style are important for eyewear, but visual acuity on the course is an undervalued component in athletic lenses.
Oakley’s Prizm technology filters colours to provide better distance perception, grass-texture differentiation and more precise reads on the green. The Prizm Golf lens is available in an assortment of Oakley frames. The EVZero Path is one of Oakley’s lightest frames, featuring a rimless design for an unobstructed view. Bubba Watson has been wearing the Flak 2.0 design. For a less-performance-looking frame, the Crossrange XL model is trending.
Under Armour’s eyewear line is expanding to offer technical features in a variety of styles and with remarkable comfort. The lineup is modestly priced in performance and all-purpose looks. You’ll see a handful of caddies on tour wearing the UA Octane this year. This model is designed to fit under a cap, and the screwless hinges add additional comfort. The UA Getaway is a modern addition to the eyewear collection with gray, green, blue or infrared lens options. A sweat-proof, removable brow blade allows for activity with comfort and style.
SLIP, SLOP, SLAP!
Playing golf without sunscreen is like playing a round without golf shoes. You can get away with it every now and then, but it’s a lot smarter (and safer) if you’re wearing some. Unfortunately, many products that block the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays include ingredients you’d rather not have your body absorb. So how do you protect your skin and avoid any side effects? The products listed here are the safest on the market, won’t make your hands too
oily to hold onto a golf club, and won’t burn your eyes over a must-make putt.
Cancer Council’s Sport Sunscreen Range SPF50+ start from $10.95 and is ideal for golfers and watersports, being high water (and sweat) resistant. With SPF50+ protection, broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection and four hours water resistant, it’s the perfect coverage for a round of golf – and even better, it’s Australian made!
