Why a round of golf is hard on sunscreen
The round outlasts the sunscreen
Cancer Council advises reapplying sunscreen every two hours, and straight after sweating or towel-drying. A round takes four to five hours, often through the middle of the day. That means at least one, and usually two, top-ups during play. Be honest: how often do you stop on the seventh tee to re-cream your arms while your playing partners wait?
Most of us use too little
Cancer Council says the average adult needs about 35 mL of sunscreen to cover the whole body, which is roughly seven teaspoons. That includes at least one teaspoon for each arm. Most of us use a lot less than that, especially on the forearms.
Sweat, towels and grips
Sweat carries sunscreen away. So does wiping your arms with a towel between shots. And many golfers go easy on their forearms on purpose, because sunscreen ends up on their hands and then on the grip.
Your forearms are out all day
A hat covers your head. A polo covers your shoulders and chest. Your forearms are out in the open on every shot, every hole, every week.
It adds up over a season
One sunburnt round is uncomfortable. The bigger issue is the total. A four-hour round once a week is more than 200 hours of outdoor time a year, before you count a midweek nine or a practice session.
Cancer Council notes that Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world, and that UV can be high even on cool or cloudy days. ARPANSA says ongoing exposure to the sun's UV harms the skin, the eyes and the immune system. That is why good habits matter more than any single day's effort.
What a sleeve does differently
A sleeve covers your arm with fabric instead of a cream. You put it on before the first tee, and it does not need reapplying at the turn. It does not run into your eyes and it does not touch the grip.
UPF is a rating for how much of the sun's UV gets through a fabric. UPF 50+ blocks 98%+ of UV. The IceRays fabric was tested by ARPANSA in 2015 (black sample) and rated UPF 50+. You can read the 2015 test details (PDF, opens in a new tab), including what the test does and does not cover.
A sleeve is not magic. Cancer Council notes that fabric gives less protection when it is stretched or wet, and ARPANSA notes that worn, faded fabric can lose some protection over time. So choose a comfortable fit, do not haul the fabric tight, and replace sleeves that are worn thin. If you want to know more, read do arm sleeves protect from sun? and UPF vs SPF explained.
"Won't sleeves make me hotter?"
It is the first question most golfers ask, and it is a fair one. A thick cotton layer would trap heat. A thin, light sleeve is a different thing. On a warm day, sweat drying off the fabric can give a pleasant cool feel, especially with a breeze down the fairway.
How it feels depends on the day and on you. A sleeve does not lower the temperature, and feeling comfortable is not a reason to push on in heat that is making you unwell. Our page on whether cooling sleeves work gives the honest detail, and golf in the heat over 60 covers hot-day habits.
Will a sleeve affect my swing?
A sleeve that fits well should not. There is no fabric across your shoulders, which is where a long-sleeved shirt pulls at the top of the backswing. Try yours on the practice tee first. Our guide do sleeves affect your swing? has a five-minute check.
A sun-safety checklist for senior golfers
Print this, or keep it on your phone. It works for any golfer, but we wrote it with players in their sixties, seventies and eighties in mind.
The night before
- Check the forecast UV Index for your area. The free SunSmart app shows the times of day when sun protection is needed.
- Pack a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, water and your sleeves.
- Put a clean pair of sleeves in the bag, away from tees and spikes.
Before you leave home
- Put your sleeves on. It is easier sitting down at home than standing in the car park.
- Apply sunscreen to your face, ears, neck and the backs of your hands, about 20 minutes before you head out, as Cancer Council advises.
- If you take regular medicines, ask your pharmacist whether any of them make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Some do.
The drive to the course
- Your window arm gets sun on the drive. In Australia that is your right arm; in the US, your left.
- Cancer Council notes that side windows can let some UV through, depending on the glass and any tint. Sleeves on before you leave covers the drive too.
On the first tee
- Check the upper band of each sleeve is tucked under your shirt sleeve, with no gap.
- Check the cuff sits neatly at the wrist and clear of your glove.
- Hat on. A brim of at least 7.5 cm is what Cancer Council suggests.
During the round
- Use shade while you wait on the tee or for the group ahead.
- Sip water regularly, not only when you feel thirsty.
- Cancer Council says peak UV is usually between 10 am and 4 pm. If you can book an early tee time in summer, you will play through less of it.
At the turn
- Top up sunscreen on your face, ears, neck and hands. Your sleeves do not need it.
- Check your sleeves have not slipped, and that nothing is pinching.
- If you feel unwell in the heat, stop, cool down and get help. Do not play on to finish the card.
After the round
- Take your sleeves out of the bag so they can dry, and wash them as the care label says.
- Have a look at your skin. Did anything get pink? That shows you where the gaps in your routine are.
Once a year, or sooner
- Get to know your skin, and ask your GP about a skin check. See your doctor about any new spot, or one that changes in size, shape or colour.
The kit, in one place
- Arms: UPF 50+ sleeves, on before the first tee.
- Head, face and neck: a broad-brimmed hat, plus sunscreen on the skin you cannot cover.
- Hands: sunscreen, or hand covers for the hand without a glove.
- Eyes: sunglasses that meet the Australian standard.
Notice what has changed. Sunscreen now goes on the small areas you cannot cover, instead of being asked to protect both arms for five hours. That is a job it can do well.
Where to next
Read choosing golf sun sleeves for what to look for, or go to our golf sun sleeves page. When you are ready, the four-pack works out at AUD 30 a pair in Australia, a saving of AUD 31.80 on four single pairs. One size fits all adults. Keep them in good order with our guide to caring for sun sleeves.
Questions and answers
Why do my arms burn even with sunscreen on?
Usually because the round outlasts the sunscreen. Cancer Council advises reapplying every two hours and after sweating, and most people apply less than the recommended teaspoon per arm. Sweat and towels wipe it away too.
Do I still need sunscreen if I wear sleeves?
Yes, on the skin the sleeves do not cover: your face, ears, neck and hands. Clothing, sunscreen, a hat, shade and sunglasses work best together.
When should I put my sleeves on?
Before you leave home. That covers your window arm on the drive and saves wrestling with them in the car park.
Can I wear sleeves in the wet?
You can, but Cancer Council notes that fabric gives less protection when wet. Carry a dry spare pair if rain or heavy sweating is likely.
How long do sleeves last?
It depends on wear and care. Follow the care label, check for thin spots, snags and fading, and replace sleeves that are worn.