If you’re a golfer and enjoy being outside, there are ticks, mosquitos, and biting insects that want to disrupt your game and may cause major health issues. If you’re not wearing a proven insect repellent, like Ranger Ready Repellents, you’re at risk of getting bitten. With vector borne diseases like Lyme Disease and Zika virus a real possibility, not wearing a bug spray is a risk you don’t want to take.

Wearing an effective bug spray is the best way to prevent bites on the golf course and the best defense against mosquito- and tick-borne diseases. But, there are a few other things to keep in mind before you tee off and while you’re on the course.

1. Know the Course Hazards

Know before you go. You wouldn’t tee off without checking the wind and pin placements. Before you hit the course, know what type of insects you’ll be facing. Lyme disease-carrying ticks are a real hazard, while the biting black flies can eat you alive. Depending on where you play, the sand traps and water hazards aren’t the only things you have to contend with.

2. Choose Picaridin Insect Repellent 

Picaridin 20% is the active ingredient in Ranger Ready Repellent. It’s a great choice for a day on the course because it provides proven mosquito and tick protection for up to 12 hours. It also creates a barrier to keep away biting flies, gnats, chiggers, midges and no-see-ums for up 10 hours. That’s enough protection for 36 holes - and then some. Unlike repellents that contain DEET, Ranger Ready is non-corrosive and won’t damage your gear. We’re looking out for your prized driver.

3. Apply Repellent In the Locker Room

Insect repellents like Ranger Ready are most effective when applied to the skin, so apply before you even leave the locker room. Because Ranger Ready is non-corrosive to clothing and materials, you can spray everything from your gloves to your bag. The more skin you cover, the stronger your protection. Just as you would automatically apply sunscreen on a sunny day, make it part of your routine to apply bug spray before you head outside.

4. Stay Out of the Tall Grass

We’d all like to hit it in the middle of the fairway and avoid the tall grass. Ticks like to quest onto the end of blades of grass and latch onto your legs as you make your way to your ball. Sometimes it’s just not worth the risk and better to avoid areas with high tick intensity and take a drop.

5. Hit the Showers

Before you hit the 19th hole, or jump in the car to head home, it’s a good idea to shower and change clothes. Bring along a plastic bag for your gear to contain ticks. When getting home, immediately put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 20 minutes.

6. Finally, Don't Be That Guy

You know the one. The guy who won’t wear a hat, doesn’t want to put on sunscreen and claims never to get bitten on the course. And if you don’t know that guy, it’s probably you. If you don’t wear bug spray and use personal protective measures, the likelihood that you will be bitten by a tick or mosquito increases. And if you get bit, your risk of contracting a vector-borne disease like Lyme disease, West Nile or worse, increases exponentially. Don’t be that guy. Play every round protected. See you on the course.