About Improve your long game

Program update 

After more than a decade supporting sun safety in golf clubs across NSW, Improve your long game is evolving as Cancer Council NSW moves towards a broader approach to supporting sun safety across sport. As the current three-year partnership agreement comes to an end in 2026, Improve your long game will transition to SunSmart Sports and Recreation in 2027. This change reflects a broader approach to supporting sun safety across sport and recreation.  

While the program is changing, our commitment to sun safety in golf remains strong. We will continue working with golf clubs and industry partners to promote sun protection and help reduce skin cancer risk among golfers, staff, volunteers and visitors.

What is changing?
From 2027: 

• Improve your long game memberships and renewals will no longer be available.  

• Program-specific sunscreen supply and sunscreen stand maintenance will cease.  

• Improve your long game branded communications will transition to SunSmart Sports and Recreation communications. 

• Golf clubs will continue to have access to Cancer Council NSW sun protection information, resources and guidance through SunSmart Sports and Recreation.  

• Clubs will also have access to discounted sun protection products.

Participating in sports like golf provides a range of health and wellbeing benefits, but long periods of time spent on the course with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation increases their chances of developing skin cancer.

The importance of reducing skin cancer risk in golfers

Golfers in Australia are 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with skin cancer than the rest of the population, with men generally having poorer sun protection habits than women. Golfers are at higher risk of developing skin cancer due to factors such as:

• long periods spent outside in peak UV times
• limited shaded areas on golf courses
• surfaces such as sand and water reflecting UV radiation
• less emphasis on sun protection, compared to cricketers with their zinc, wrap-around sunnies and broad-brim hats.

Fortunately, skin cancer is easily preventable! When you protect your skin (think Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek and Slide) you reduce your exposure to UV and skin cancer risk. The good news is, it’s never too late to start.

Sun protection is needed whenever UV is 3 or above. In NSW, the UV is high enough to damage your skin for most days of the year, so it is important sun protection is made part of every golfer’s daily routine, for every round of golf.

Looking ahead

Cancer Council NSW remains committed to supporting sun safety in sport and recreation. 

Through SunSmart Sports and Recreation, Cancer Council NSW will support sporting organisations to embed sun safety into their culture, leadership, policies and everyday practices. This broader approach will help create environments where sun protection is easy, accessible and supported across community sport and recreation settings.  

We sincerely thank every golf club that has participated in Improve your long game and helped make sun protection part of club life. The leadership and commitment shown by clubs across NSW has played an important role in reducing skin cancer risk and promoting healthier sporting environments. 

The Longest Day Fundraising Campaign is not changing. The Longest Day will continue as usual and remains a much-valued campaign for golf clubs and their members to support people affected by cancer. 

For ongoing sun protection resources and guidance, visit our SunSmart Sports and Recreation resources page.