May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month: Tips on How to Limit Your Exposure to the Harmful UV Rays of the Sun During a Round of Golf!

Like most golf

ers, I love playing golf on a beautiful sunny day when there isn’t a cloud in the sky. But like all golfers, we are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer because of our prolonged exposure to th e sun - 4 1/2 hours is a long time to be out there. That is why you must cover it up, before you tee it up!

In my quest to learn more about sun protection on the golf course, I found Sun SafeTee Program. Their mission is to teach sun protection strategies to the golf community and to provide them with opportunities for the early detection of skin cancer. Back in March, they announced a partnership with the The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) and The National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) to increase collegiate players and coaches awareness of the dangers of skin cancer and educate them on how to properly protect themselves in the sun.

Here are Sun SafeTee's tips for limiting your exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun during around of golf. In Australia,"Slip! Slop! Slap! And Slide!" is a catch phrase that reminds people of the 4 key methods they can use to protect themselves from UV radiation.

1. ‘Slip’ on Proper Golf Clothing - try to cover up as much of the skin as possible. Different types of women's golf clothes provide different levels of protection. For example: tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven golf clothing; long-sleeved golf shirts and long golf pants cover most of your skin and are probably the most protective; darker colors generally provide more protection than lighter colors. A good rule of thumb, if you can see light through a fabric then the sun’s UV rays can get through it too. Be aware that covering up doesn't block out all UV rays. A typical cotton T-shirt usually provides less protection than sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15! So just because you have a shirt on doesn’t mean you are protected.
   
   
2. ‘Slop’ on Sunscreen - Sunscreen is the first defense in preventing the sun’s UV rays from reaching the skin. However no sunscreen provides complete and total protection. But by selecting an appropriate sunscreen you can minimize the effects of UV rays on your skin. Since sunscreens don’t stay on...a great best-practice from Sun SafeTee is... Don’t Burn…Reapply at the turn!
 Love it and will always remember to do so for now on!
   
   
3. ‘Slap’ on a Golf Hat - the best golf hats to wear have a 2- to 3-inch brim all around because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, forehead, nose and scalp. Many of us wear a baseball cap when we play, but remember they only protect the front and top of the head but not the back of the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop. Straw hats are not recommended unless they are tightly woven. If you are going to wear one of these hats, it is important to make sure you cover your ears and neck with adequate sunscreen.
   
   
4. ‘Slide’ on Sunglasses - Long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes can increase your chances of developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. Sunglasses do not have to be expensive, but they should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Check the label to be sure they do. If there is no label, assume the sunglasses don't provide any protection. UV rays reach the ground even on cloudy days. Remember, UV rays reflect of water and the sand increasing the amount of UV radiation you receive.- so if you can’t stay out of the water hazards or bunkers...another good reason to protect those eyes!
   
   
5. Seek Shade - although this is not in the Australian "catch phrase", it is an important tip that shouldn't be overlooked. Not only will hanging in the shade help protect your skin, but also it helps to keep your body cool. If at all possible avoid pro
   
   longed exposure to the sun during the hours of 10 am and 4pm. This is the period of highest UV intensity. Golf umbrellas are not just for rainy days, they can provide shade out on the golf course. Some umbrella manufacturers build UV protection into the fabric of their products in anticipation of them being used for sun protection.
   
   Seen here, Michelle Wie of the United States shelters from the sun under a tree on the 6th hole green during the second round of the Evian Masters on July 27, 2006 in Evian, France. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
   
   Golf4Her now carries the Iconic Del Sol Sunsleeves in black and white. This must-have item is made of ultra-lightweight microfiber jersey for comfort and protection on those hot, sunny golf days! Unlike sun lotion that wash, sweat or rub off, these sleeves give you UPF 50+ UV protection, the highest possible rating. Plus, moisture management to wick away perspiration and keep you comfortable in the heat. Makes a great gift for your next outing!
   
   For more information about Sun SafeTees visit their website at http://www.sunsafetees.org. Visit The Skin Cancer Foundation at http://www.skincancer.org/
   

So, please remember to 'Cover it Up' before you 'Tee It Up'!!