The life of a caddie on the PGA TOUR is anything but glamorous. In addition to playing the role of a part-time psychologist, land surveyor and meteorologist for their players, caddies lug a bag that weighs upwards of 50 pounds for 6 days a week and 30 weeks a year.
While caddies are responsible for carrying players’ most valuable gear, caddies’ most valuable assets are their feet and legs. One blister, one pinch or one rub on a heel, arch or toe is the difference between a beautiful stroll in the park or a good walk spoiled. For this reason, socks are more than a fashion statement or an accessory to a caddie. They are an integral piece of equipment.
See Also: Kentwool Socks: Your Feet Will Thank You
Now, thanks to a sponsorship agreement between the Association of Professional Tour Caddies (APTC) and premium performance sock brand Kentwool, caddies will have the ability to put their best feet forward at PGA TOUR events. As part of the deal, Kentwool is providing its popular Men’s Tour Profile and Men’s Tour Standard socks for Professional Tour caddies to wear each week.
Embed from Getty Images“Our members make their living on their feet – so foot care is critical. Our guys don’t think of socks as just a fashion item – they need real gear that performs and keeps them going. We chose Kentwool because they deliver the best possible sock available,” said James Edmonson, APTC president
Kentwool’s Tour Series socks combine superfine Merino wool with WINDspun technology. While wearing wool socks in hot and humid conditions may seem like a bad idea, Merino is actually nature’s performance fabric. It wicks moisture, regulates body temperature and is highly breathable. It is also soft, hypoallergenic and extremely durable.
Embed from Getty ImagesI had a chance to talk with Kenny Harms, Kevin Na’s caddie, at the PGA Merchandise Show and he gave me some insight into why he switched to Kentwool socks.
“I started wearing Kentwool socks at the Frys.com Open in Napa last fall and put them on for the first time for the pro-am round. I was a little reluctant to try them because they were heavier than the compression socks I typically wore, but at the end of the round my feet felt really good,” said Harms. “The following two weeks we went to Las Vegas, another hot climate, and Malaysia, where it is hot and humid. Every day we finished and my feet felt amazing.”
“Our first APTC sponsor is Kentwool and we couldn’t be more blessed to have them because the main things for us are socks and shoes,” continued Harms. “I was sold on Kentwool socks the first day I wore them, and every caddie who has worn them, had the same experience. This partnership is going to be a great fit for both of us.”
Although the partnership between Kentwool and the APTC officially kicked off at the Sony Open in January, the socks were most evident at last week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open as many caddies donned a limited edition “Green Monster” colorway, complete with Waste Management’s logo. These socks were also available for spectators to purchase, with 10% of the sales going to Charley Hoffman Charities for Children. Look for a special red/white/blue APTC colorway to be available soon along with several cause-related initiatives tied to marquee events and their designated charities throughout the season.
To help raise the profile of professional caddies, Kentwool will roll out several new programs tied to the APTC sponsorship, including a “Caddie Corner” on its website. “Caddie Corner” will serve as a resource for caddie insights, stories and a unique perspective on the lives of TOUR players. Furthermore, consumers will be given an opportunity to ask caddies questions and they will respond within 24 hours.
In addition to the more than 100 caddies that are slipping on Kentwool socks on a weekly basis, PGA TOUR players like Ryan Moore, Ryan Palmer and Kevin Kisner rely on the brand’s socks during competition.