Cumulative UVR exposure - the key risk factor for development of primary cutaneous SCC - over a golfing-lifetime is dependent on frequency of play in conditions conducive to high UVR exposure, hence the increased risk for professional golfers who travel to temperate climate golf locations over the world and therefore increase their UVR exposure. The use of sun protection practice seems to be poor, highlighting a key area for possible intervention. Golf is played all over the world, and the level of UVR to which an individual golfer’s skin is exposed during play is dependent on a number of situational and personal variables including location of play (latitude & altitude), season, tee time, duration of play, cloud cover, other weather conditions, facility factors (level of natural shade etc) and protective behavior (clothing choice and use of sunscreen). Golfers (both professional, amateur and caddies) can be exposed to potentially harmful levels of UVR during play and outdoor practice.
