There is nothing like hitting the links on a nice hot, sunny day for a round with the guys or gals. But to fully enjoy your time out on the golf course, you need to take good care of your feet. Wearing the right socks will not only keep you focused on the game, instead of your aching feet, but will help you to enjoy it enough to maybe play another nine holes. Let’s take a good look at the main factors to consider when choosing socks for a game of golf.
Consideration 1 –Padding
If you examine a pair of sport socks, the first thing you might notice is the heavy layer of padding along the bottom of the sock. That padding helps keep your feet from becoming painful if you choose to walk all eighteen holes rather than rent a cart. This extra boost provides the comfort that will keep you in good condition for another game tomorrow.
Consideration 2 –Support
A tighter weave will provide your foot with more support. This is an important factor if you intend to spend the entire afternoon on the golf course. Look for socks with a tight weave and elastic along the arch. These two elements raise the comfort factor and makes the socks wearable rather than merely bearable.
Consideration 3 –Material
Not all athletic sports socks are made the same. Manufacturers in different parts of the world use different materials. If your goal is to keep your tender tootsies happy while you play some golf, you may need to do some investigating when shopping for socks.
Here is a quick look at some materials frequently found in sport socks and what they do.
Acrylic
Socks with acrylic are a good choice for cooler days because they wick away moisture and are warm. You may want to wear a pair with this textile for chilly morning matches.
Cotton
Don’t bother with cotton socks on the golf course. Not only will they absorb sweat and become a stinky mess, but cotton socks also tend to lose their shape faster than most other materials listed here.
Nylon
Although they absorb more than their share of water, nylon socks are far more durable than cotton and worth considering for those not-so-hot days on the course. Nylon is often paired with acrylic to create a long-lasting sock.
Olefin
This product is marketed under multiple names. It is designed to wick away moisture but, quite honestly, the inclusion of olefin makes for a costly pair of socks. If you don’t mind spending the extra money, they will definitely do the job of keeping your feet comfortable, though.
Polyester
If you are interested in keeping your feet dry, but don’t want to pay a high price to achieve that goal, polyester is your best bet. It’s far less costly than olefin and does virtually the same job.
Wool
You may not at first believe it, but wool socks are probably your best choice of material for golf socks. The thickness provides comfort and wicking ability. A blend that includes Merino wool – which is soft, holds its shape and stays cool rates high with golfers.
Consideration #4 -Pattern
Only you will know the material, padding and general structure of your socks. However, your golfing buddies will almost certainly notice whether your socks are plain or patterned. Which is appropriate? Hm. According to No Cold Feet, the classic golfing pattern is the argyle sock. You can choose a neutral color for power business games, or you could go all out with something bold when you are with your best buddies. You just need to decide whether you are making a statement or want to blend with surroundings. Of course, a plain sock or one with some texture could also be appropriate. Think about your company and let that be your guide.
Should you play golf with compression socks?
Generally speaking, the answer to this is ‘no’. Compression socks are not meant for sporting activities because they are designed to increase blood flow and improve muscle vibration. Neither of these benefits brought by compression socks is required to play golf. However, there are some circumstances when you might want to try out compression socks on the links.
Here’s why.
Increased blood flow is good if your sporting activity happens to be a 10km road race. You don’t have to be faster on the golf course. Although, if you are walking instead of using a golf cart, leg muscle fatigue could be an issue and increased blood flow might help ease that problem. The increased muscle vibration that comes from compression socks is intended more for runners who strike the ground with the feet. Golfing is nothing like that at all, so it doesn’t need to be among your considerations when choosing golf socks.
There are a few other times compression garments may still be effective as part of your golf game. Leg compression sleeves can give you more support around your calves. Generally, though, padded, golf-appropriate socks should be your garment of choice while golfing as opposed to a long compression sock. Of course, the choice is entirely up to you and if they work, by all means, go for them.
Consider Your Needs
As stated above, athletic sporting socks are made differently from regular crew socks. If you lead an active lifestyle, you will want to have access to socks that not only keep pace with your activities but are also comfortable to wear so you can enjoy whatever sporting activity you choose. Playing basketball is a lot different from a round of golf but your feet still get a workout. Having the right footgear is equally important in both situations.
In Conclusion
You might look at socks as a decorative clothing accessory and that would be fine. However, in today’s world, socks are far more than that. Just look at the different materials from which they can be made and the various properties of those materials. Socks so much more than foot coverings designed to keep your feet warm when you play outside. With the correct pair of socks on your feet, you will be able to play more and enjoy that time more thoroughly.
With comfort design, moisture-wicking materials, support, and padding, you could quite easily wear the same pair of socks for a week while still remaining comfortable. Mind you, we don’t recommend without your socks making a few trips to the laundry room. The more durable and comfortable your socks are, the more likely you will wear them longer and in good foot health. This is of especial importance if you lead an active lifestyle that includes many extracurricular activities where your feet can take a beating. Treat your feet to good socks, and you will comfortably keep going through your activities.