In 2018, our founder Jake was diagnosed with malignant melanoma. He was active, outdoorsy, and deeply in love with sport. Suddenly the sun felt like the enemy.
If you've been through a melanoma diagnosis, you know that feeling. The fear isn't dramatic. It's quiet. It's standing at the first tee on a bright summer morning and wondering: am I doing the right thing being out here?
The answer, with the right protection, is yes.
You don't have to give up golf after melanoma. You just have to play it smarter.
The Real Risk Golfers Face in the Sun
Golf is one of the most UV-exposed sports in the world. A standard 18-hole round takes four to five hours, almost always played during peak UV hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Unlike hiking or cycling, golf offers almost no shade. You're in open fairways, on exposed greens, walking a course that was often specifically designed without tree coverage.
Research has found that golfers are 2.4 times more likely to receive a skin cancer diagnosis than non-golfers. For someone who has already faced melanoma, that statistic matters.
But here's the thing: the risk is manageable. Melanoma survivors who return to golf armed with the right knowledge and the right gear can play confidently for decades.
Why Sunscreen Alone Isn't Enough on the Course
Most golfers rely on sunscreen. But sunscreen has a compliance problem.
To maintain its SPF rating, sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours and more frequently when you're sweating. Realistically, how many golfers pull a bottle out on the 10th fairway and reapply? Studies show very few actually do. One survey found that only 36% of golfers reported "always" wearing sunscreen during a round, and proper reapplication is even rarer.
For someone managing life after melanoma, that gap in protection is too large to ignore.
This is where UPF-rated clothing changes the equation. Unlike sunscreen, a UPF 50+ garment doesn't wash off, sweat off, or wear off. It works every moment you're wearing it, on every hole, without a reminder. UPF 50+ means the fabric blocks 98% of UV radiation, the same standard dermatologists recommend for the highest level of sun protection.
What to Look for in a Post-Melanoma Golf Wardrobe
If you're rebuilding your golf kit with sun safety as a priority, here's what actually matters:
Third-party lab tested UPF rating. Not all UPF claims are equal. Look for brands that have had their fabrics independently tested, not just labeled UPF 50+. At Enjoy the Vu, every polo design through third-party lab testing before it carries that rating. That certification is the difference between marketing language and real protection.
Long sleeves. The arms are one of the most sun-damaged areas for golfers. Constantly exposed through the swing, the walk, and the wait. A long-sleeve polo covers the forearm and wrist, which short sleeves leave completely open.
Lightweight, breathable fabric. The biggest reason golfers resist long sleeves in summer is heat. Modern UPF fabrics are nothing like the stiff, heavy layers of even ten years ago. A well-engineered UPF polo is lighter and cooler than most standard golf shirts because the fabric is specifically designed to allow airflow while blocking UV.
Style you'll actually wear. This sounds obvious, but it matters more than people admit. If you dread putting it on, you'll find reasons to grab the old short-sleeve instead. Sun protection only works when you wear it. Choose something you're genuinely excited about.
Jake's Rule on the Course
Jake still plays golf. He plays it in the Okanagan, one of the few true deserts in Canada, where the UV index regularly hits 8 or 9 in summer. He built Enjoy the Vu because he couldn't find UPF golf clothing that he actually wanted to wear. Everything felt either medical, boring, or both.
His rule now: long sleeves every round, hat every round, no exceptions. Not because it's limiting, because it's what lets him keep playing.
If you've faced melanoma and you love this game, that's the mindset shift. Sun protection isn't a concession. It's what makes the next 20 years of rounds possible.