Cashmere & Knitwear
Hartwell, Loro Piana, Johnstons of Elgin — heritage sweaters that outlast bags, drivers, and three generations of iron sets.
The cashmere golf sweater is the single longest-lived piece of equipment most serious golfers ever own. A well-made Scottish or Italian cashmere V-neck or quarter-zip, washed correctly (cold water, flat dry, never tumble), will outlast every iron set, driver, and golf bag in the same closet. The market is bimodal: at the top, three makers (Hartwell, Loro Piana, Johnstons of Elgin) define the category; below that tier, quality drops off quickly.
The genuine premium variables are yarn ply, country of origin (Mongolia for the longest-staple fiber, Italy and Scotland for the most refined spinning and knitting), and knit construction (full-fashioned versus cut-and-sew). Almost every heritage label communicates these three openly; brands that obscure them are typically sourcing lower-grade yarn or assembled in lower-cost factories.
Hartwell specifics
American-owned, knit in Italy from Loro Piana yarn, the editor reference for a contemporary American country-club cashmere V-neck and quarter-zip. The brand's color palette is unusually rich (deeper navys, more saturated burgundies, a working green that is genuinely usable on most golf shoulder days). Price runs $350–$650; build is 2-ply and 3-ply depending on the model. Lead time on most colors is 1–2 weeks online.
Loro Piana specifics
Italian heritage cashmere house, the top of the global market on yarn quality and the source for many other premium label's cashmere. Loro Piana's own-brand quarter-zips and V-necks run $1,200–$2,800 and are the longest-wearing cashmere in the category. The brand also makes a baby cashmere line ($2,500–$5,000) that is meaningfully softer; for most golf applications, the standard cashmere is the better value.
Johnstons of Elgin specifics
Scottish heritage knitter founded in 1797, the longest-running mill in the cashmere category. Johnstons makes both its own-brand sweaters ($450–$900) and contract-knits for many other labels (Pringle of Scotland, Hawick Cashmere, others). The Johnstons own-brand V-necks and quarter-zips are slightly more traditionally cut than the Italian-knit alternatives; for golfers who prefer a fuller silhouette in the chest and shoulders, Johnstons is the right choice.
Care that actually matters
Cold-water hand wash in cashmere shampoo (The Laundress Cashmere Shampoo, Forte Forte Cashmere Wash), flat-dry away from direct sun, never tumble dry, never hang on a thin hanger (use a wide cedar hanger or fold for storage). A correctly cared-for cashmere sweater retains shape, softness, and color for 10–15 seasons; an incorrectly cared-for sweater pills and stretches within 2.
About Cashmere & Knitwear
- Is 2-ply or 3-ply better for golf?
- 3-ply is warmer and heavier, the right choice for cold-weather mornings and shoulder season. 2-ply is lighter and more drape-able, the right choice for spring and fall and for layering under a vest. Most editor wardrobes carry both.
- Cashmere or merino for active golf?
- Merino for hot-weather active layering (better moisture management); cashmere for cool-weather standing-around layering (better warmth-to-weight). The two materials solve different problems.
- How do I avoid pilling?
- Pilling comes from friction; rotate sweaters across days, use a cashmere comb after each wear, and never carry a backpack or shoulder strap over a cashmere sweater. The friction at the strap-contact point is the most common cause of premature pilling.