Headcover
A headcover is a padded sleeve that fits over the head of a golf club to protect it from damage in the bag. They are most common on drivers and putters, with covers for fairway woods and hybrids also widely used.
What is a headcover?
A headcover is a soft, fitted cover that slips over the top of a golf club to protect the clubhead from scratches and dents while it sits in the bag. The outer shell is usually made from leather, synthetic PU leather, knit fabric, or neoprene, with a soft lining inside to keep the club’s finish intact. Some headcovers extend down the shaft as well, which protects graphite shafts from rubbing against other clubs.
Most headcovers fit one specific kind of club. A driver cover will not fit a putter, and a putter cover will not fit a driver. The shape, depth, and closure system are matched to the clubhead the cover is built for.
The term is sometimes written as two words (“head cover”) and sometimes as one (“headcover”). Both spellings refer to the same accessory, and golfers, brands, and pro shops use them interchangeably.
Why golfers use headcovers
The main reason is physical protection. Modern drivers have thin titanium and carbon fiber crowns that chip and scratch easily, and a single dent on the topline can be a visual distraction every time the golfer stands over the ball. According to Devereux Golf, the soft lining inside a headcover absorbs impacts from clubs jostling around in the bag during cart rides or when the bag is moved around. Putter faces also benefit, since even small dings on the face can affect how the ball rolls.
Noise is another factor. Uncovered clubs clatter against each other on every step of a walking round, and many golfers find this annoying for themselves and their playing partners. Headcovers silence the rattling.
Resale value matters too. As Skins Golf points out, golf clubs are expensive, and a clean, undamaged set holds its trade-in value far better than a dinged-up one. For players who upgrade often, headcovers are a small investment in protecting a much larger one.
Types of headcovers
Most golfers will encounter four main categories of headcovers, each shaped for a specific kind of club.
Driver headcovers
Driver headcovers are the biggest in any set. Drivers themselves have the largest clubhead in the bag, up to a 460cc legal maximum set by the USGA and R&A. They are also where most golfers show some personality. Tiger Woods has used a plush tiger named “Frank” on his driver for years, a gift from his mother.
Fairway wood and hybrid headcovers
Fairway wood and hybrid headcovers are slightly smaller and shaped to match the lower-profile heads of those clubs. Many include a numbered dial or tag (3, 5, 7, H3, H4, X) so the golfer can identify the right club without pulling every cover off.
Putter covers
Putter covers come in two main shapes. Blade putter covers are slim sleeves designed for traditional, narrow putter heads. Mallet putter covers are larger and contoured to fit the wider, geometric heads found on most modern putters. Both types usually close with either a magnetic clasp or a velcro strip.
Iron covers
Iron covers exist as well, but they are far less common and remain divisive among golfers. The “Headcovers vs. iron covers” section below explains why.
| Type | Fits | Common shape | Closure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Driver | Driver | Tall barrel | Slip-on, elastic neck |
| Fairway wood | 3-, 5-, 7-, 9-wood | Smaller barrel | Elastic, often with numbered tag |
| Hybrid | Hybrid clubs | Two-piece sock | Elastic with numbered tag |
| Blade putter | Traditional thin putter | Slim sleeve | Magnetic or velcro |
| Mallet putter | Wide modern putter | Contoured shell | Magnetic or velcro |
| Iron | Individual irons | Form-fitting sleeve | Slip-on or zip |
Common headcover materials
Headcovers come in several common materials. The right choice depends mostly on how durable the golfer wants the cover to be and how it should look on the bag.
- Leather and synthetic (PU) leather: The premium option. Durable, weather-resistant, and built to last for years. Synthetic PU leather costs less than full-grain leather and looks similar.
- Knit: Pom-pom-topped wool or yarn covers, traditionally found on classic golf bags. Soft and well-padded, but they soak up rain easily.
- Plush fabric: Used almost entirely for novelty designs (animals, characters, mascots). Cushioned and fun, but bulkier and less durable over time.
- Neoprene: A flexible material used in wetsuits. Stretchy, water-resistant, and snug-fitting, which makes it common for hybrid and iron covers with windowed displays.
Headcovers vs. iron covers
Headcover sets typically include the driver and putter, plus any fairway woods and hybrids in the bag. Irons are usually left bare, and the reasons are partly practical and partly cultural.
The practical concern is moisture. As Devereux Golf explains, irons are made of metal that can rust if water gets trapped underneath a cover. A wet iron stored inside a snug cover after a rainy round is a setup for corrosion, especially on forged or chrome-finish heads. This is the most often-cited reason against iron covers.
The cultural side is messier. In many golf circles, iron headcovers carry a reputation as a beginner marker. Covering irons is seen as overprotective, even faintly embarrassing. Golf Monthly’s coverage of the debate calls this view more about etiquette and tradition than logic, and not everyone agrees. PGA Tour winner Aaron Rai, who took the 2024 Wyndham Championship, uses iron covers on every club in his set.
Whether to cover irons is largely a personal preference. Players with expensive forged irons who store their bag carefully and dry their clubs after wet rounds may benefit from covers. Players with cast irons who don’t mind a few honest scratches usually skip them.
A brief history of the headcover
The headcover dates to the early 1900s. As David Alexander Golf documents, golfers used to protect their clubs with old wool socks pulled over the head, which is the basic shape that modern covers still follow today. The protection mattered because clubs at the time were made of wood (mostly persimmon) and were genuinely fragile.
Headcovers stayed niche for decades. Sam Snead carried them through his 1954 Masters playoff against Ben Hogan, and Gary Player had them in his bag when he won the 1961 Masters as the first overseas champion. Jack Nicklaus popularised handcrafted wool headcovers in the 1970s, made by a knitter named Jan Craig whose family-run business still produces them today.
The shift toward universal use came with the move to metal woods in the 1990s. Callaway’s Big Bertha and similar oversized drivers had larger, more delicate clubheads, and manufacturers began including stock headcovers with new clubs as standard. By the early 2000s, every new driver shipped with a cover, and Tiger Woods’ plush tiger headcover became one of the most recognisable items in the sport.
Related Golf Terms
- Driver — The longest club in the bag, used primarily for tee shots on long holes.
- Hazard — Any bunker or water feature designated as a penalty area on the course.
- Fairway wood — A wood club designed for shots from the fairway (3-wood, 5-wood, 7-wood).
- Handicap index — A portable number that represents a golfer’s demonstrated ability.
- Handicap system — A system that allows golfers of different abilities to compete fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t most golfers put headcovers on irons?
There are two reasons. The first is rust: trapping moisture under a snug cover can corrode metal iron heads, especially after a wet round. The second is cultural, and some golfers consider iron covers unnecessary or fussy, though that perception is fading among pros who care about preserving forged blades.
Do golf clubs come with headcovers?
Drivers, woods, hybrids, and putters almost always ship with a stock headcover from the manufacturer. Irons usually do not.
What is the difference between a blade and a mallet putter cover?
Shape and size. A blade cover is a slim sleeve built for traditional thin putter heads, while a mallet cover is larger and contoured to fit the wider geometric heads found on most modern putters. The closure is usually the same on both: magnetic or velcro.
Are headcovers required by the rules of golf?
No. The Rules of Golf published by the USGA and R&A do not address headcovers, which are treated as a regular accessory rather than a piece of regulated equipment. Players can use any kind of cover they want, or none at all.
Can a headcover be washed?
Yes, but it depends on the material. Knit and fabric covers can often be hand-washed or machine-washed on gentle. Leather and PU leather covers should only be wiped with a damp cloth, since soaking can crack the material over time.
Sources
- David Alexander Golf. “One Hundred Years in Head-Covers.” Accessed May 2026.
- Skins Golf. “The Evolution of Golf Headcovers.”
- Devereux Golf. “Do I Need a Headcover for My Golf Clubs?”
- Golf Monthly. “Why Don’t More Golfers Use Iron Headcovers? It Makes No Sense To Me.” By Jonny Leighfield.
- Royal Ashburn Golf Club. “4 Reasons to Use Golf Club Head Covers.”
- CaddieHQ. “What Are Golf Club Covers Called?” By Spencer Lanoue.
- Cayce Golf. “Different Types of Golf Head Covers.”
