Getting out on the green this summer? Protect as you putt with our guide to the best sunscreens for golfers.
Should golfers wear sunscreen?
Yes, all golfers need to apply sunscreen regularly. Whether you’re playing a quick 9 holes or the full 18, you’ll be exposing your skin to UV rays for hours at a time. If you do not apply sun protection (and re-apply it regularly), sunburn could soon spoil your swing.
Why is this important? Well, sunburn isn't just about discomfort. It also increases your risk of skin cancer. In the UK alone, melanoma skin cancer diagnoses reach around 16,000[i] annually. Golfers, especially regular players and those working in the industry, face an even higher risk due to extended sun exposure on reflective surfaces like the course itself.
"Slip, Slap, Swing" - Be sun smart
The Melanoma Fund is so concerned about golfer’s skin cancer risk that they champion a ‘slip, slap, swing’ campaign[ii]. This encourages golfers, caddies and greenkeepers to lower their chances of skin cancer by getting SPF savvy and wearing sunscreen every time they play.
What’s the best sunscreen for golfers?
When exposed to the elements, the last thing that you want is a golf sunscreen that’s below par. In this section, we’ll look at the best sunscreens for sports and make it easy for you to choose your ideal golf sunscreen.
If you’re heading out on the green, you’ll want sunscreen that has staying power. For this, we recommend our mineral SPFs for sport.
Ideal for golfers to use on the face and body, these use Zinc Oxide sun filters that reflect to protect in an instant. Because they are mineral, they tend to have more staying power, perfect for playing 18 holes at lengthy golf tournaments.
Made with 100% mineral protection and packed with natural and organic ingredients to nourish your skin, our SPF30 sunscreens are great for golfers of all ages.
Going on a golfing holiday? Portugal and Spain are popular golfing destinations, but boy can they get hot. Pack plenty of high-factor sunscreen and re-apply regularly in case it slips off with your sweat.
If so you might want to choose our Scent Free SPF30 Sun Cream – it comes in a larger 200ml size and is great for golfers with sensitive skin or who might be prone to prickly heat.
Scent Free Sun Cream SPF30 200ml
Protect sensitive skin naturally with our best-selling SPF30 sun cream
€35,95
Best sunscreens with insect repellent for golf
If your golf club is lucky enough to have a lake, you’ll know that mosquitoes love to linger by there. Most active in the evening, these pesky insects can put you off your swing with their ever-so-itchy bites.
Fortunately, we’ve made the perfect sunscreen for golf holiday destinations where you might encounter biting insects!
To help protect your skin from biting insects while you play, we created a dual-action sun cream with natural insect repellent.
SPF15 Sun Cream with Natural Insect Repellent 100ml
Protect, soothe and repel with organic sun cream with insect repellent
€33,95
The perfect way to protect your skin during an early evening game of golf, this SPF15 for golf is enriched with Citrepel®75, a natural insect repellent that’s proven to protect against mosquitoes, midges, ticks and more for up to 4 hours, and that’s with just one application.
We also use Citrepel®75 in our Moisturising After Sun with Natural Insect Repellent. Cooling, soothing and hydrating, it’s the perfect way to calm your skin after a day on the green and has the added bonus of protecting against biting insects that may linger around the late evening lights of the clubhouse.
Moisturising After Sun with Insect Repellent 100ml
Soothe, hydrate and protect with this organic after sun with insect repellent
€19,95
5 tips for staying sun safe on the golf course
Get into the swing of staying sun safe with our tips for protecting against sun damage when on the golf course.
- Apply SPF to any areas of exposed skin and reapply this every few hours
- Wear a golf visor to shield your face and help you avoid squinting in bright light
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and the skin around them from UV damage
- Invest in UV clothing to help further shield your skin
- Schedule your game early or late in the day and seek shade in the clubhouse during peak sunlight hours (11am to 3pm).
We hope that you have found this guide to golf sunscreen helpful. For more help choosing the best sunscreen for you, why not take our SPF quiz?
Our UK customer care team are also experts on SPF and will be happy to help you find a sunscreen for golf that best suits your needs. They can be contacted on 01403 740350 or, if you prefer to chat on social, you can drop us a note at @GreenPeopleUK.
[ii] https://www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/slip-slap-swing/
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