What Is the Best Sunscreen For Golfers?
Protecting Your Skin on the Course: Choosing the Right Sunscreen for Optimal Performance
With a round of golf lasting up to 4 or 5 hours, golfers are exposed to the sun for a prolonged period. To ensure skin protection on the course, wearing sunscreen is a must. Not only does sunscreen protect you from sunburn but did you know that sunburn can actually impact your performance? Learn more about how sunscreen can affect your athletic performance.
Choosing the right sunscreen can be a challenge. Here are some tips to help you select the best sunscreen for your next game in the sun.
The best sunscreen for golfers would be one that is:
- Water-resistant
- Has a high SPF (30 or higher)
- Provides broad-spectrum protection (protects against both UVA and UVB rays)
WATER-RESISTANT SUNSCREEN
Wearing water-resistant sunscreen is important because it helps to protect the skin from the sun’s harmful rays even when the skin is exposed to water or sweat. Water-resistant sunscreens are specifcally formulated to resist washing or sweating off, which means they continue to provide protection even when the skin is wet.
When you are playing golf, you tend to sweat, and if you are not wearing water-resistant sunscreen, it can easily wash off, leaving your skin unprotected from the sun’s harmful rays. Water-resistant sunscreens will help ensure that you are protected throughout your round of golf. Our recommendation for water-resistant sunscreen for golfers is our WearSPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen.
SPF-30 OR HIGHER
It is recommended that golfers wear sunscreen an SPF rating of 30 or higher because it provides a high level of protection against the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Sunscreen works by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering the sun’s rays to protect the skin from sun damage. The SPF (sun protection factor) number indicates how well a sunscreen will protect the skin from UVB rays, which are the primary cause of sunburn and skin cancer.
An SPF 30 sunscreen will block about 97% of the sun’s UVB rays providing about 50% more protection than an SPF 15 sunscreen.
Wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is especially important for golfers because they spend a lot of time outdoors, often in direct sunlight. Sun exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, and golfers are at a higher risk because of their frequent exposure to the sun. Our recommendation for a high SPF for golfers is our WearSPF 50 Sunscreen Spray.
BROAD SPECTRUM
Broad-spectrum sunscreen is important because it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are responsible for aging, while UVB rays are responsible for sunburn. Both types of rays are linked to skin cancer.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect your skin from both types of ultraviolet rays. Sunscreens that only protect against UVB rays will not provide full protection against all the harmful effects of the sun. UVA rays can also penetrate clouds so it is important to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen even on overcast days.
Golfers, in particular, are at a higher risk of sun exposure and thus, it is important to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect their skin from both UVA and UVB rays. In addition to using sunscreen, it’s also important to wear protective clothing and limit time in the sun, especially during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All of our WearSPF sunscreens provide broad-spectrum protection.
BONUS TIP
While it’s most important to find a sunscreen that works well for your skin and your specifc needs, as a golfer it is a bonus when you can apply it in a way that minimizes the greasy residue on your hands. Here are a few suggestions.
- Use a sunscreen stick instead of a lotion. Sunscreen sticks are easy to apply and less likely to leave a greasy residue on your hands and golf clubs. Try our WearSPF 50 Sunscreen Sport Stick which is hands free and easily fts in your golf bag,
- Sunscreen spray is a convenient and easy way to apply sunscreen without having to touch it. Be sure to apply evenly as sprays are vulnerable to miss some areas. Try our WearSPF 50 Sunscreen Spray for your next round.