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The Danger Every Golfer Faces On The Course (It’s Not What You Think)
Every golfer, even the great ones, must overcome weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Despite donning the illustrious green jacket at Augusta in 2015, Jordan Spieth lacked driving distance. Phil Mickelson had problems with accuracy off the tee. Lefty may have an incredible short game, but at times, his percentage finding the short grass is no statistically better than a coin toss. Even the four-time champ, Rory McIlroy, isn’t perfect. He has struggled on short putts, and even in his best years, his strokes-gained-putting percentage placed him just the 80th-best putter on tour.
As for us amateurs, there are always sand traps, water hazards, torrential downpours, lightning, and, for Southeast golfers, the occasional alligator.
However, every single golfer, pro and amateur alike, faces two threats that, at best, is a major annoyance, and, at worst, significantly impacts health.
Meet Every Golfer’s Enemy: Bromodosis and Trichophyton rubrum
What golfer hasn’t finished a round of 18 and then shoots the breeze at the clubhouse over beers? So far, so good. But, one golf buddy in the group inevitably ruins the exhilaration after finishing a round by showing up with a serious case of bromodosis—the scientific term for stinky feet. Bromodosis typically occurs due to a build-up of sweat that causes pathogenic microorganisms to grow on the feet. If left unchecked, bromodosis can lead to an ideal breeding ground for the fungal pathogen, Trichophyton rubrum. This is the “fungus among us” most associated with athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.
If left untreated or improperly managed, fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, can become chronic, making them difficult to cure. In extreme cases, these infections may spread to other parts of the body, potentially affecting internal organs.
Even if you don’t suffer from athlete’s foot or toenail fungus, sweaty feet and stinky socks are a problem on the links that nearly all of us can relate to. Besides worrying about slices and hooks, most golfers face a combination of bacteria and sweat within their socks, creating an environment conducive to the growth of harmful pathogens. Sweaty socks are a breeding ground for bacteria. Whether it’s grappling with a severe bout of stinky feet or athlete’s foot, bacteria and fungus won’t cut you any slack—there are no mulligans for funky foot odor.
The Inconvenient Truth About Your Feet When Golfing
It’s an unusual feat if you can go a round of 18 without having sweaty feet. That’s because feet, on average, have about 250,000 sweat glands. That’s more sweat glands than your armpit. In fact, your feet can sweat up to half a pint a day.
Regular socks, so-called “golf socks” included, can possess more bacteria than a dirty toilet. It gets even worse if you are walking miles on the links. In one research study, among the bacteria found on socks were E.coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen commonly found in the fecal droppings of cockroaches.
All of this is to say that as avid golfers and podiatric researchers, our editorial team was determined to find a solution to overcome bromodosis and Trichophyton rubrum.
The Solution To Hot, Sweaty, Stinky Feet On The Links
Whether you’re riding in a cart or hoofing it, sweaty—if not stinky—feet are all but guaranteed if you’re playing 18. Our editorial team meticulously researched the golf sock market, so you don’t have to. In identifying the best golf sock, we established three main criteria:
Temperature Regulation: The sock must contain material that allows heat and vapor to escape, ensuring your feet stay at an optimal temperature to prevent sweating.
Moisture Wicking: High-performance moisture-wicking yarn that moves sweat away from the epidermis to the sock’s surface to keep feet dry.
Antimicrobial Properties: Bacteria and fungus cannot colonize en masse on the socks. The best golf socks possess antimicrobial technology in the yarn to fight microorganisms. This keeps socks clean and odor-free.
However, even if we found this unicorn of a golf sock, it would also need to fit perfectly. So, we added three more criteria for the perfect odor- and sweat-neutralizing golf socks:
Enhanced Arch Compression: Probably not something you think about when slipping your socks on, but it’s important because it prevents bunching up, blisters, foot fatigue, and plantar fascia stress, and provides an overall better fit.
Contoured Fit & Seamless Toe: Improves comfort while reducing toe friction and chafing.
Deep Heel Pocket: Allows heel to set deeper in the sock to prevent bunching & wrinkles. (No having to take off your shoes on the 12th hole and putting your socks back on.)
Whether you’re playing Augusta in August, Pebble Beach in December, or a municipal golf course at any time of year, these are the prerequisites of the perfect golf sock. Perhaps we were shooting for the moon in finding a golf sock with all these characteristics. But a moon shot was easier for our research team than hitting out of a sand trap.
After spending as much time researching golf socks as it takes for someone with a 10 handicap to shoot 36 holes, we finally found the perfect golf sock. Not only did it possess every criterion we were dreaming about, but it’s also stylish. The brand is called Purra Performance and offers athletic socks for both men and women. The socks have a sweat management system that first controls foot temperature and moisture. The third element is a proprietary antimicrobial technology. We hope one day to be privy to the inner workers of the patent. But for now, we’ll settle for free pairs to try out—and a discount for our readers.
The bottom line is that golfers walk many miles on the course. A precision fit and blister-free, dry feet are a high priority for serious golfers, even if a successful round doesn’t yield dividends in the form of a steep paycheck. The good news is that having temperature-regulated, breathable, well-ventilated socks that prevent overheating or soggy, sweaty, stinky feet is finally a reality.
Purra Performance isn’t the only antimicrobial golf sock on the market. But to our knowledge, no other more effective sweat- and germ-fighting sock is on the market. Most Antimicrobials are not embedded in the material; they are only on the sock surface, so they wash off easily, losing their effectiveness within 10 washes. Additionally, some antimicrobial socks use potentially harmful synthetic chemicals. With Purra Performance socks, the safe and effective antimicrobial technology comes with a lifetime guarantee.
We will never go back to wearing regular golf socks. From now on, we’re going antimicrobial only. Purra Performance may not add 50 yards to your drive, but it will help stop sweaty and stinky feet for good.
Our editorial team has formed a solid relationship with the developers of Purra Performance socks. (“Will work for golf socks!”). For a limited time only, they are offering our readers a Buy Three (Packs), Get One (Pack) Free!
References:
Sabadin CS, Benvegnú SA, da Fontoura MM, Saggin LM, Tomimori J, Fischman O. Onychomycosis and tinea pedis in athletes from the State of Rio Grande Do Sul (Brazil): a cross-sectional study. Mycopathologia. 2011 Mar;171(3):183-9.
West AM, Tarrier J, Hodder S, Havenith G. Sweat distribution and perceived wetness across the human foot: the effect of shoes and exercise intensity. Ergonomics. 2019 Nov;62(11):1450-1461.
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