Planning a safe golf staycation?
If you’re now spending your summer in the UK, remember that sun protection should still be a part of your daily routine, and especially on the golf course, which contains highly UV reflective surfaces. If you’ve been touched by skin cancer, you’ll understand, however many golfers still underestimate the risks, and play Russian roulette with their health.
To tackle this issue, the Melanoma Fund launched Slip! Slap! Swing! sun protection campaign for golf. This free resource is supported by every major golf organisation and team of golf industry experts. It is designed to support golf clubs, helping them educate their members and staff on the facts, improving habits and routines, at the right time and place.
Sun Protection Accreditation
This year, the charity announced its free ‘Sun Protection Accreditation’ scheme and is aiming to get over 200 clubs signed up. With over 90 golf clubs already onboard, including Stoke Park, The Grove, Royal Dornoch and Lancaster Golf Club, the community and impact is certainly growing.
Why?
Rates of melanoma have more than doubled in the UK in the last 30 years, with incidence in women having doubled and for men nearly tripled. It is one of our fastest rising cancers and with global cases at nearly half a million, this represents an increase of 62% on 2018 figures.
Want to help?
Protect your future health and that of your fellow golfers by getting your club ‘Sun Protection Accredited’ to the Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign. This can be done in the following three ways:
1. Speak to the club management team directly and ask them to get involved.
2. Visit the campaign website and nominate your club on the ‘nominate a club’ page.
3. Volunteer to become a Sun Pro Ambassador at your club and help facilitate involvement.
It is free , quick and easy to achieve and once accredited, clubs will be listed on the campaign website, provided with a free sunscreen pack and will supported by the charity with ongoing publicity. With lots of summer sun forecast, now is the perfect time to take action. Visit http://www.melanoma-fund.co.uk/golf
Industry endorsement
Says ex Ryder Cup winner and Slip! Slap! Swing! ambassador Paul Day; “Golf clubs are perfectly positioned to raise awareness of sun protection, and I urge them to sign up and get involved. They can remind players and staff about covering up just before they hit the fairway, and help encourage good habits, that will eventually, hopefully stick.”
Says Ladies European Tour pro golfer, Annabel Dimmock; “I love playing in summer, it’s what golf is all about, unfortunately, too many hit the fairway without hats or sunscreen. A tan is still seen by many as a ‘trophy’, signifying how long they spend on the golf course. Sure, it does appear to give the appearance of health and vitality, however, it is a sign that your skin is damaged. If you continue, you’re setting yourself up for early ageing and the dreaded skin cancer.”
Says Golf South magazine; “your golf club like many others should sign up to this excellent initiative now to protect your club members and guests accordingly”.
