Why do golfers wear long sleeves while playing in the summer?

When we think of golf outfits for men, polo shirts and bermuda shorts come to mind. For women there are more possiblities to keep cool during the summer months, but since when did golfers start wearing long-sleeved undershirts under their polos?

Sleeves over suntan lotion

It’s a growing sight in the game these days. More and more players are opting to wear long sleeves despite the boiling summer heat in golf tournaments on the PGA and LPGA calendar this summer. It has nothing to do with fashion statements, or trendsetting. It has a much more practical purpose, and that would be protecting players skin from the beating sun.

Think about it. Golfers are often subjected to four to five hour rounds from Thursday to Sunday. That’s not to mention practice rounds before the tournament starts, and range time before their round starts. When you are out in the sun for that long, and that often you have to protect your skin from the sun.

Sun tan lotion might do the trick when you make a trip to the beach or spend the afternoon on the boat, but when your livelihood depends on you being outside for almost half the day, everyday you want as much protection as possible. Not to mention, lathering yourself with suntan lotion is probably not the most conducive for a steady grip of your five iron.

From skin cancer to tan lines

“I try to especially wear them in the summer,” said LPGA vet Lindsey Weaver. “When there’s so much sun exposure like this and it’s so hot, I’ll put on sunscreen three times a day and still get burnt. [Sleeves] honestly don’t feel much different than sleeveless. You’re just sweating and sticky with sunscreen anyway. It feels better and you’re more protected with the sleeves.”

There are more than 80,000 cases of melanoma diagnosed each year according to the Americans Academy of Dermatology, and 20% of Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer. With numbers like that, there is no need to tempt fate for golfers who are constantly feeling the wrath of the hot summer sun.

Aside from the practical reasons, there may be a bit of an aesthetic reason. If you don’t wear sleeves, not only do you risk skin disease you risk a wicked farmers tan. Who can forget the famous picture of Stewart Cink taking off his hat at the end of a round only to reveal the top of his head that was as white as a golf ball while the rest of his face was bronzed from his days under the sun.