The Slip! Slap! Swing! sun protection campaign for golf has returned in 2020 with the aim of getting 500 UK golf clubs ‘Sun Protection Accredited’ this year.

Rates of melanoma – the most dangerous form of skin cancer – have more than doubled in the UK in the last 30 years and the charity behind the campaign, the Melanoma Fund, has set their mission to transform sun protection in golf to tackle the rapid rise in cases.

Golfers are a vulnerable group, not just due to the average age of participants – as instances in 25-49 year olds have also risen 70%, but also because of the nature of the sport. A typical round can lead to prolonged sun exposure on courses which often feature minimal UV protection outdoors.

England Golf is supporting the Slip! Slap! Swing! campaign by recommending clubs improve their sun habits and knowledge by becoming Sun Protection Accredited.

For more information on the campaign, to sign-up, or to hear stories from other golfers who have been affected by skin cancer, head to the Melanoma Fund’s website for golf.

• Whilst bar and food service in clubhouses can be open, locker/changing rooms should remain closed from 4th July, except for access to toilets and wash-hand basins
• Table service should be provided, where possible
• Details of all those entering the clubhouse should be stored for 21 days to enable ‘track and trace’. Storage will also need to be GDPR compliant.

• Reference to ‘two metre distancing’ is to be replaced with ‘appropriate social distancing’ to make the framework fit changes to guidance
• Section 5 has been updated to reflect CONGU guidance and avoid confusion
• Open-top bins are now permitted on courses, provided that they can be sanitised effectively.