How Important are Head Covers?

[Bacondivs]

I just bought a new driver recently, and I've been playing a lot so I haven't been using the head cover. I really don't like head covers on any of my clubs. Especially on the course, I find them to be very annoying, I don't know where to put them, they just get in the way. So what is the point of head covers in the first place, just to prevent the clubs from clinking together? Is there any real danger to not using head covers? Should I be worried that the clinking could damage the performance of the clubs?

[No Mulligans]

I doubt there is much to worry about for the steel shafts.  Graphite shafts though, I've seen some wear and tear on them.  Not sure it would effect performance though.

[jamo]

You run the risk of a thick, steel iron smacking the thin crown of a driver or fairway wood, particularly if the bag falls or you slam an iron back in. Just normal clinking while you walk shouldn't pose much of a problem.

[Valleygolfer]

It's for aesthetics and value. Some people people don't like to look at a beat up club. If you plan to trade or sell your old equipment, it gets a better price. Otherwise do whatever you feel like, I have not seen it affect performance.

[Bacondivs]

Yeah I am not planning to sell them any time soon. :) Most of my clubs are so old that they are worth nothing, and the newer ones I love so much that I wouldn't want to get rid of them. Also, I put the clubs in the bag the "recommended way" with wedges / putter in front, then irons, then woods and driver in the top most part so the only way the heads of a driver and iron would collide is if I am belligerent drunk-guy wild when putting my club back.

[Shindig]

They're also important because they look cool. I have my alma mater mascot on my driver and the school where I teach on my utility metal.

[Club Rat]

I dislike hearing the driver and fairway woods banging against each other.

.

Sounds like Sanford and Son going down the fairway...........

Plus, the paint will chip on the clubs.

Club Rat

[inthehole]

If you don't mind your painted crown clubs to look like they got hit with a load of birdshot, I guess you don't need head covers...

Its bizarre to me, but some people actually like the beat up look.   Not using head covers and the aftermath reminds me of a whole genre of electric guitars called "relics" ... this guitar is brand new, Fender Custom Shop, and retails for over $3000 --->

[Valleygolfer]

If you don't mind your painted crown clubs to look like they got hit with a load of birdshot, I guess you don't need head covers... Its bizarre to me, but some people actually like the beat up look.   Not using head covers and the aftermath reminds me of a whole genre of electric guitars called "relics" ... this guitar is brand new, Fender Custom Shop, and retails for over $3000 ---> [URL=http://thesandtrap.com/content/type/61/id/125857/] [/URL]

How do you tell the difference between new and used?

[inthehole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inthehole

If you don't mind your painted crown clubs to look like they got hit with a load of birdshot, I guess you don't need head covers...

Its bizarre to me, but some people actually like the beat up look.   Not using head covers and the aftermath reminds me of a whole genre of electric guitars called "relics" ... this guitar is brand new, Fender Custom Shop, and retails for over $3000 --->

How do you tell the difference between new and used?

You can't tell - thats the point.   Those high dollar relic'd guitars are painstakingly created to look like they've had a hard life on a tour bus or beating around the bars for 30 years - they even go so far as to acid etch the hardware to simulate wear and rust (its one thing if you earn those scars on your gear over a career, but to buy it to fake everyone into thinking you earned those battle scars = ultimate poseur) ... I guess I'm getting off track -  my whole point is some people just don't mind beat up gear as long as it works, and others like to keep their gear looking as good as possible, which for hybrids/woods/drivers/putters requires headcovers.

[nevets88]

If you recently bought new clubs, unlabelled headcovers, like hand knits, make them a less inviting target. If you carry, shafts rub harder against edge of bag, and even though it's padded, wears away shaft. Skinny bottom part of headcover protects shaft.

[bogdan101]

How do you tell the difference between new and used?

The new guitar will have the Fender Custom Shop logo on the headstock.

[danL]

I'm a member of the Les Paul and Fender forums, I never thought I'd hear about this "relic"ing nonsense outside of them! LOL Seriously, the guys that buy those guitars are the hedge fund salesmen hanging them over their desk and showing their buddies they're vast knowledge of 2 chord melodies. Real guitarists use, they don't abuse. I imagine the same is true for golfers.

[Valleygolfer]

If you recently bought new clubs, unlabelled headcovers, like hand knits, make them a less inviting target. If you carry, shafts rub harder against edge of bag, and even though it's padded, wears away shaft. Skinny bottom part of headcover protects shaft.

I bought some uneventful snake eyes ones but the irons are uncovered so it won't ward off too much...

[nevets88]

Quote:

Originally Posted by inthehole

If you don't mind your painted crown clubs to look like they got hit with a load of birdshot, I guess you don't need head covers...

Its bizarre to me, but some people actually like the beat up look.   Not using head covers and the aftermath reminds me of a whole genre of electric guitars called "relics" ... this guitar is brand new, Fender Custom Shop, and retails for over $3000 --->

How do you tell the difference between new and used?

They don't seem to have the fret wear that comes from playing it a lot, like the dime sized black spot on a good player's irons.

[MrFlipper]

If you recently bought new clubs, unlabelled headcovers, like hand knits, make them a less inviting target. If you carry, shafts rub harder against edge of bag, and even though it's padded, wears away shaft. Skinny bottom part of headcover protects shaft.

I'm with you but carry it a step further. I have a new driver and 4 wood but the driver head cover is a beat up 12 year old Adams redline headcover, and the 4 wood is a beat up non descript generic headcover with an X on it from the mid 90's.

My regular golfing buddy has new woods and matching new Taylormade headcovers. He asked me why don't I have decent new headcovers, I told him I'll just put my bag here next to his so if any clubs get stolen someone will pick his, not mine. That got a funny look

[wannabe]

My understanding:

Head covers were originally created to protect wooden clubs' finish from the elements, so they served an actual functional need.

When metal woods came on the scene, the practice continued, with much of the real need having been lost.

The added benefits of sound dampening and finish protection due to scuffing are now the primary reason to have them, which is more preference, as has been stated.

And of course, aesthetics and vanity come with the territory.

I use them, and like them.

[danL]

[SPOILER=OT]They don't seem to have the fret wear that comes from playing it a lot, like the dime sized black spot on a good player's irons.[/SPOILER]

Well refrets occur every 5 years or so for an avid player. The best sign would be the lacquer used in the case of Fender, but I digress as this is getting off topic. :)