Florida summers bring two guarantees: plenty of sunshine and plenty of golf. We all know how important it is to protect our skin from the sun’s rays, and sunscreen is one of the best defenses we have. But here’s something many golfers don’t realize, when sunscreen touches grass, it can cause serious damage.
Certain chemicals in sunscreen can burn and kill turfgrass. Even a small amount can leave unsightly yellow patches that take weeks (or longer) to recover. This is especially problematic near putting greens and tee boxes, where a single careless application can leave a mark that hundreds of golfers will see.
Why the Grass Gets Hurt
Grass Needs Sunlight for Photosynthesis: Similar to how sunscreen blocks UV light from penetrating your skin, it also blocks, or reflects, the sunlight that grass needs to convert into energy. Without sufficient light, grass can no longer photosynthesize and essentially “starves.”
Chemical & Solvent Damage from Aerosols: Many aerosol sunscreens and bug sprays contain solvents, propellants, or other chemicals that can damage the delicate tissues of grass, especially on fine turf like putting greens and tees.
But, the Fix is Easy…
- Apply sunscreen in the parking lot, on the cart path, or on any paved area before heading to the first tee.
- If you need to reapply mid-round, step onto a cart path or away from grass before doing so.
- Wipe excess sunscreen off your hands before handling clubs, balls, or flags.
A little extra awareness goes a long way toward keeping courses in the best possible shape. Protect yourself from the sun and protect our Florida greens from sunscreen scorch!
