Thinking about what sunblock pros use is a smart move because their office is a sun-drenched golf course for five to six hours a day, multiple days a week. It’s not just about avoiding a burn, it's a critical part of their professional equipment. This guide will cover why pros take sun safety so seriously, what types and brands they lean on, and how you can adopt their sun-smart strategies to protect your own skin on the course.
As a golf coach, I consider a solid sun protection plan as fundamental as your grip or posture. It directly impacts your health and your performance. A single 18-hole round can mean over five hours of direct and reflected UV radiation exposure. That adds up over a lifetime, dramatically increasing the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. The PGA TOUR itself has run campaigns with the Skin Cancer Foundation for this very reason, with several prominent players like Adam Scott and Rory Sabbatini having had cancerous or pre-cancerous spots removed.
Beyond the long-term health risks, there's an immediate impact on your game. A sunburn isn't just uncomfortable, it causes inflammation, fatigue, and dehydration. It drains your energy and makes it harder to focus over that tricky 4-foot putt on the 17th green. A pro cannot afford to lose focus or energy due to a preventable issue like sunburn. They treat their skin like any other asset that needs protecting to play their best. This isn't vanity, it's professional readiness.
While sponsor deals can influence what you see in a pro's bag, they won't use a product that doesn't work. When you see pros applying sunscreen, they're typically reaching for formulas that are high-SPF, non-greasy, and extremely sweat-resistant. They need a sunscreen that won't run into their eyes during a critical shot or leave their hands feeling slippery on the GÇ£lub.
Here are some of the types of sunscreens and specific brands popular among dedicated golfers and pros:
You’ll notice a trend here: pros don’t just grab any bottle off the shelf. They choose high_performance, sport_oriented formulas that are built to withstand the rigors of an athletic endeavor.
Whether you choose one of the brands above or another, the label tells you everything you need to know. Understanding these terms will allow you to pick a Tour_level product for your own bag.
The active ingredients determine how a sunscreen works. There's no single "best" one, it's about personal preference.
Many pros prefer mineral_based sticks for their face and a lightweight chemical lotion for their arms and legs.
SPF measures protection against UVB rays, the primary cause of sunburn. Coaches and dermatologists recommend a minimum of SPF 30 for golf. On long summer days, SPF 50 provides an extra margin of safety. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. The jump to higher SPFs offers diminishing returns, and no sunscreen blocks 100%. The most important thing is not the absolute number but applying it properly and reapplying it often.
This is non-negotiable. "Broad-Spectrum" means the product protects you from both UVB (burning) rays and UVA (aging) rays. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin, causing premature wrinkles and playing a major role in skin cancer development. A sunscreen without broad-spectrum protection is only doing half the job.
For golf, this is paramount. A regular lotion will slide right off as soon as you start to perspire. The FDA allows labels to claim "water resistant" for either 40 minutes or 80 minutes. For a round of golf, always choose one that says water resistant (80 minutes). This means the sunscreen maintains its SPF level after 80 minutes of swimming or sweating. However, it does not mean you only need to apply it every 80 minutes - it still needs to be reapplied at least every two hours.
Pros often carry more than one type of sunscreen in their bag for different uses.
Having the best sunscreen doesn’t matter if you apply it incorrectly. Follow these steps to get the "pro-level" protection you need for every round.
Sunscreen is your main line of defense, but a truly professional approach involves a multi-layered system.
Ultimately, a golfer's sunscreen is just one of their most valuable pieces of equipment. Treat it like one.
Pro golfers use high-performance, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and 80-minute sweat resistance because their health and livelihood depend on it. Adopting the same mindset by choosing the right products and, most importantly, applying and reapplying them diligently is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your game.
Just like having a reliable sun protection plan frees you up to focus on your score, our goal with Caddie AI is to remove the guesswork from your on-course strategy. When you aren't sure of the right club or the best play for a tricky hole, you can get instant, expert advice right in your pocket. This allows you to stand over every shot with confidence, knowing you've made a smart, simple decision so you can focus on making a great swing.
Thinking about hosting a golf tournament fundraiser is the first swing, executing it successfully is what gets the ball in the hole. This guide will walk you through the entire process, step-by-step, from laying the initial groundwork months in advance to watching your happy golfers tee off. We’ll cover everything from securing sponsors and setting your budget to planning the on-course fun that makes an event unforgettable.
A golf handicap does more than just give you bragging rights (or a reason to demand strokes from your friends) - it’s the game’s great equalizer and the single best way to track your improvement. This guide breaks down what a handicap is, how the supportive math behind a handicap index a is, and exactly how you can get one for yourself. We’ll look at everything from Course Rating to Adjusted Gross Score, helping you feel confident both on the course and in the clubhouse.
The compression of a Pinnacle Rush golf ball is one of its most defining features, engineered specifically to help a huge swath of golfers get more distance and enjoyment from their game. We'll break down exactly what its low compression means, who it's for, and how you can use that knowledge to shoot lower scores.
Figuring out which spikes go into your new (or old) pair of Puma golf shoes can feel like a puzzle, but it’s much simpler than you think. The key isn't the brand of the shoe, but the type of receptacle system they use. This guide will walk you through exactly how to identify your Puma's spike system, choose the perfect replacements for your game, and change them out like a pro.
The Golf Genius app is one of the best tools for managing and participating in competitive golf events, but figuring it out for the first time can feel like reading a new set of greens. This guide cuts through the confusion and shows you exactly how to use the app as a player. We’ll cover everything from logging into your tournament and entering scores to checking the live leaderboard so you can enjoy the competition without any tech headaches.
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