The Golf Industry’s Blind Spot: The Inexcusable Silence
As the calendar flips and we step into a new year filled with resolutions and fresh starts, I find myself reflecting not just on my journey in golf but on the battle I fought off the course, a battle with skin cancer. This journey has transformed my perspective and, quite frankly, my purpose. Today, I’m using my voice not only to shape swings but to shape habits that save lives.
For decades, I’ve lived under the sun, literally. From dazzling fairways to celebrity-packed charity events, my career has unfolded on some of the most beautiful golf courses around the world. But the sun, ever-present and seemingly harmless, was silently etching a dangerous story into my skin. I didn’t see it coming. Like many in the golf industry, I believed sunscreen was optional, hats were fashion statements, and shade was for amateurs waiting to tee off.
I was wrong.
My diagnosis of skin cancer was a wake-up call that cut through the glamour and excitement of my profession. It forced me to confront my own invincibility complex, the belief that ‘it won’t happen to me.’ It also highlighted a troubling reality, the golf industry, despite its focus on precision and preparation, has long overlooked one critical aspect of the game, sun safety.
Skin cancer stands as the most common cancer worldwide, with more new cases each year than all other cancers combined. Golfers are especially vulnerable due to prolonged hours spent outdoors. Studies reveal that golfers have a 2.4 times higher risk of skin cancer compared to the general population, with one in four diagnosed. Despite these alarming statistics, it is a proven fact that the golf industry continues to prioritize aesthetics over player safety, choosing to maintain an image of untarnished leisure rather than confront one of the most preventable forms of cancer.
The year 2025, is my year to change that. Drawing from my personal battle with skin cancer, one that has left me with scars, both physical and emotional, I refuse to let others suffer the way that I have. I am determined to advocate for change, even if it means challenging longstanding traditions and facing potential ostracization from industry leaders. The same industry leaders that are reluctant to promote sun safety, fearing that highlighting the risks of skin cancer might tarnish the sport’s image. However, this fear of bad publicity and hearing that, “quite frankly, it doesn’t sell our sport,” is not only short-sighted, it’s irresponsible.
The golf industry needs to shed this fear of bad publicity and embrace the role of educator. Incorporating sun safety into the culture of golf does not diminish the sport’s elegance, it rather enhances it. Promoting sun safety within the golf industry sends a powerful message, that the golf industry values its players’ health and longevity as much as it values its traditions. These measures do not detract from the game, they enrich it by fostering a culture of care, responsibility, and wellness.
As a skin cancer survivor, I am making it my mission to be the loudest voice in the golf industry when it comes to sun safety. My story is not unique, but it is a reminder that prevention is far easier than treatment. Sun exposure is a quiet and cumulative threat, one that requires proactive education, not reactive protocols.
So whether you’re a professional golfer, a weekend warrior, or someone who simply loves the outdoors, protecting your skin is a resolution worth keeping.
“Learn from my Pain! Learn from my Scars!”
This new year, let’s drive more than just golf balls. Let’s drive awareness, accountability, and action. Together, we can make 2025 not just a year of better golf but a year of better health, and that’s a legacy worth leaving behind.
“Fore! Your Skin Matters.”
Wishing you all a safe, healthy, and sun-smart New Year!
