What sets a golf sock apart from an ordinary sock
A golf sock is built to keep your foot dry and stable through four to five hours of walking in a tight golf shoe, and that is where it differs from an ordinary cotton sock. Cotton absorbs moisture and holds on to it, which leaves the foot wet, cold and prone to blisters by the time you have played 18 holes. A sock designed for golf is instead knitted from materials that wick sweat away from the skin, either technical synthetic fibres or merino wool, which draw the moisture outwards so it can evaporate.
Beyond the material it comes down to fit. A round of golf means a long walk, often over hilly terrain and in the wet, and the foot moves a lot inside the shoe. That is why golf socks tend to have extra cushioning under the heel and ball of the foot where the pressure is greatest, and a tighter knit over the ankle that holds the sock in place rather than letting it slide down into the shoe. The result is fewer blisters, drier feet and less fatigue in the foot towards the end of the round. In this collection you will find both merino versions and soft crew models that work throughout the whole season.
Merino wool or technical synthetic
The choice between merino wool and synthetic is mostly about the season and what you prioritise. Merino wool is temperature-regulating, which means it warms you when it is cold and breathes when it is hot, and it also has a natural ability to counteract odour even after several rounds. That makes it a safe choice for Swedish golf, where the same round can start in morning dew and end in afternoon sun. Our 2-pack merino socks - Purple are knitted in merino precisely for that wide temperature range.
Technical synthetic fibres, which are often used in thinner and more close-fitting models, dry faster and sit more snugly against the foot, which some prefer in warmer weather or with lower golf shoes. Our crew socks in 2-pack Crew Socks - Offwhite and 2-pack Crew Socks - Phantom Black give a softer, everyday feel that works both on the course and with the rest of your outfit. If you don't mind having two pairs of each type in your bag, you can easily switch depending on the weather.
How to choose length by shoe and season
The length of the sock is governed both by your golf shoe and by what feels comfortable. For a lower, sneaker-like golf shoe a shorter ankle sock that barely shows above the edge of the shoe works well. For a higher shoe, or when it is cool and wet, a crew length that reaches a bit up the calf is a safer choice, since it protects the ankle from the edge of the shoe and holds a little extra warmth.
A practical rule of thumb: think about where the edge of the shoe ends and choose a sock that goes a bit higher, so that the fabric sits between skin and shoe where chafing would otherwise occur. In summer, thinner models work best to avoid the foot getting too warm, while a slightly thicker merino sock does the most good during spring and autumn rounds. If you need to complement the rest of your outfit, you will find everything else for the course under accessories and trousers & shorts.
The right size and fit in the golf shoe
A golf sock only does its job if it fits correctly. If it is too big it gathers in folds under the foot, and it is exactly those folds that chafe against the skin over the tens of thousands of steps in a round. If it is too small it stretches over the ball of the foot and squeezes the toes. So choose your size according to your actual shoe size and check that the sock lies smoothly without pulling.
What determines the fit in the shoe is above all the knit over the ankle and the arch of the foot. A sock with a tighter, elastic knit there stays in place and doesn't slide down while you walk, which is the whole point when you don't want to have to fiddle with the sock between shots. If the sock feels stable around the ankle and soft under the heel and ball of the foot, you have found the right one. If you want to see the whole range gathered in one place, it is available under accessories.
How to wash golf socks so they last
For the socks to keep their fit and moisture-wicking properties, it pays to wash them correctly. Turn them inside out, wash at 30 to 40 degrees and skip the fabric softener, since fabric softener settles like a film on the fibres and reduces the ability to wick away moisture. Merino wool fares best with a wool wash programme or a gentle wash at low temperature, and wool generally needs washing less often than synthetic because the material counteracts odour on its own.
Dry the socks hanging at room temperature rather than in a tumble dryer. High heat can make the elastane lose its stretch, and it is the stretch that holds the sock up in the shoe. If you look after them this way they hold their shape round after round instead of going slack after half a season.
