Iron Covers

[Paul Hedrick 558]

There seems to be some very strong feelings about iron covers within the online golf community,  from those that use them to the nearly vitriol reponses to those that are against them. I golf with a group of approximately 8 guys; a few use iron covers, most do not. Those that do not do not insult those that do.  For myself I used them in transport. When I arrive at the course, I remove them and leave them in the car, putting them back one before putting the bag back in the car.

[russtopherb 9,754]

Some folks think that iron head scars from bag chatter are a sign of well used clubs, and in the end, they're meant to be tools, not things of beauty. Of course, someone who dropped $1000+ on forged irons may differ and want to keep them looking as pristine as possible, for as long as possible. 

I notice you have the Launcher HBs, which have the black painted cavities. I've read about folks who have those types of clubs putting on covers because the larger size heads + painted backs leads to scratching and chipping in the bag. 

In the end, I mean - you do what you want with your stuff. I've never said boo to anyone about their headcovers, or lack thereof. A lot of folks have covers on their woods, hybrids, and putters, so why not irons too? 

Bottom line for me, if golfers aren't taking up extra time with their headcovers, regardless of which club they're on, it shouldn't be a big deal. If someone's holding up a group, that's different, but if you're putting them on or taking them off as you walk to/from your bag, live and let live.

[RickyBobby_PR 10,144]

To each their own but those using them to keep the value of a product that diminishes in value daily makes no sense to me.

I have only used them for air travel to keep the inspectors from getting to nosy on what’s in the bag 

[fixyurdivot 18,193]

The ZX5's are my first set of forged irons and not made from PING's Indestructotanium. I'm picky about keeping virtually everything I own in peak shape and condition.  Like whether one opts to wear a visor, flat bill, or Kirk Triplett sun hat, it's a personal choice that has absolutely no adverse affect on others.  Wear them proudly if that's your choice .

[berkeleybob 279]

When I first started golf, I had a set of Mizuno MX-23s (forged irons). I used to walk a rather hilly course without a pushcart and the bag chatter was what it was. One day, I noticed some neoprene iron covers, so I bought them. I tried them out on the course and quickly found that while it did cut down on the chatter, I wasn’t about to take them off and on for every shot.

I also realized that I didn’t use every club for every hole, so a process evolved to where I’d take off a head cover for an iron I needed for the first time that game, stick it in my bag’s large pocket and move on. That meant that sometimes I’d go through 9 holes without uncovering my 6 or 8 iron, or my gap or sand wedge. It seemed effective enough to keep chatter down to a minimum without slowing down gameplay.

Then I noticed that it was difficult to see the number tags since my clubs are LH, so on a whim I bought some LH headcovers. And like the OP, I’ve found that they’re great protection for air travel—TSA always opens my golf bag.

 

And then …

I watched YouTube golfer Peter Finch make a comment and eye-roll about iron head covers, and I discovered that I had entered the cul de sac of scorn and ridicule. Personally, I don’t get it. I see iron covers for sale all the time in golf stores, and I’ve never seen anyone abuse their gameplay time with them. I have a limited experience, but I’ve never heard anyone complain about someone with head covers on the course.

Frankly, no one has ever said anything to my face while on the driving range or on the course. I only hear about it on the internet. 

To sum up: I love ‘em. Don’t know why it puts some people off. Then again, some people think it’s fine to play golf and drive a cart while three sheets to the wind or share their favorite music with others while on the course, so … 

 

 

[NiftyNiblick 1,996]

I never cared about superficial wear markings on my clubs so I didn't worry about ANY head covers on some sets, much less iron covers.

My mancave is decorated with a collection of my golf bags going back to 1959. 

Nothing looks pristine, believe me.

But then again, if I were fussy about abrasions, or if I were inclined to sell my old equipment instead of collect it,

I'd let people scoff all they want if I wanted to use iron covers.

 

[silver & black 6,460]

I you want to use 'em... use 'em. I have no use for them. I don't use my driver cover either, other than for transport and sitting in the garage. Golf clubs are tools... meant to be used.  Scrapes and scuffs are part of the usage process.  I suppose my attitude towards that is because of my trade as a Cabinet Maker... tools are used for making money, not for show.

Edited August 15, 2021 by silver & black

[berkeleybob 279]

The notion that clubs are tools—I get that. And I like to keep my chisels sharp and maintained. The handles might show wear, but the business end is always in good working order, and well, looks good. On the other hand, I couldn’t care less what my hammer looks like. 

So are irons chisels or hammers? I suppose a little of both.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m “proud” of the nicks and wear on my irons, just like I’m happy whenever my shoes lose that newly-bought look. But clubmakers sell clubs like cars, and to me, it’s perfectly understandable if someone wants to keep that new-club look for as long as possible. It’s not like anybody would troll a guy for keeping his Corvette or BMW looking pristine, inside and out. Nor does anyone say, “I’m proud of the dents and sunburned paint job on my ‘66 Mustang.”

[silver & black 6,460]

14 hours ago, berkeleybob said:

The notion that clubs are tools—I get that. And I like to keep my chisels sharp and maintained. The handles might show wear, but the business end is always in good working order, and well, looks good. One the other hand, I couldn’t care less what my hammer looks like. 

So are irons chisels or hammers? I suppose a little of both.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m “proud” of the nicks and wear on my irons, just like I’m happy whenever my shoes lose that newly-bought look. But clubmakers sell clubs like cars, and to me, it’s perfectly understandable if someone wants to keep that new-club look for as long as possible. It’s not like anybody would troll a guy for keeping his Corvette or BMW looking pristine, inside and out. Nor does anyone say, “I’m proud of the dents and sunburned paint job on my ‘66 Mustang.”

I can't disagree with any of that. I have Lie-Nielsen planes that are works of art. They are/were so pretty I hated to use them...lol. But the real beauty in them is how they work... which is incredibly well. I feel the same way about golf clubs... use them and take proper care of them... they will take care of you for a long time. 

 

[tony@CIC 22,742]

17 hours ago, berkeleybob said:

When I first started golf, I had a set of Mizuno MX-23s (forged irons). I used to walk a rather hilly course without a pushcart and the bag chatter was what it was. One day, I noticed some neoprene iron covers, so I bought them. I tried them out on the course and quickly found that while it did cut down on the chatter, I wasn’t about to take them off and on for every shot.

I also realized that I didn’t use every club for every hole, so a process evolved to where I’d take of a head cover for an iron I needed for the first time that game, stick it in my bag’s large pocket and move on. That meant that sometimes I’d go through 9 holes without uncovering my 6 or 8 iron, or my gap or sand wedge. It seemed effective enough to keep chatter down to a minimum without slowing down gameplay.

Then I noticed that it was difficult to see the number tags since my clubs are LH, so on a whim I bought some LH headcovers. And like the OP, I’ve found that they’re great protection for air travel—TSA always opens my golf bag.

 

And then …

I watched YouTube golfer Peter Finch make a comment and eye-roll about iron head covers, and I discovered that I had entered the cul de sac of scorn and ridicule. Personally, I don’t get it. I see iron covers for sale all the time in golf stores, and I’ve never seen anyone abuse their gameplay time with them. I have a limited experience, but I’ve never heard anyone complain about someone with head covers on the course.

Frankly, no one has ever said anything to my face while on the driving range or on the course. I only hear about it on the internet. 

To sum up: I love ‘em. Don’t know why it puts some people off. Then again, some people think it’s fine to play golf and drive a cart while three sheets to the wind or share their favorite music with others while on the course, so … 

 

 

I use them as well and couldn't care less about what others think. My only frustration is that like with other golfing equipment, lefty covers are very limited - like the ones @fixyurdivothas. I'd even pay extra for those if they were available in LH version.  

[Shankdog 58]

If iron covers are good enough for Bubba Watson, they are good enough for me… 

[chisag 19,860]

On 8/14/2021 at 1:04 PM, silver & black said:

I you want to use 'em... use 'em. I have no use for them. I don't use my driver cover either, other than for transport and sitting in the garage. Golf clubs are tools... meant to be used.  Scrapes and scuffs are part of the usage process. 

 

... While you may not care about nicks and scratches on your driver head, irons banging against the shaft can cause it to break and it happens aaaaaalllll the time. If you have a stock shaft and don't care, proceed without a driver prophylactic    but if you have a nice shaft (now you get it) it might be a good idea to keep a head cover on your driver and fairway woods. 

[silver & black 6,460]

4 hours ago, chisag said:

 

... While you may not care about nicks and scratches on your driver head, irons banging against the shaft can cause it to break and it happens aaaaaalllll the time. If you have a stock shaft and don't care, proceed without a driver prophylactic    but if you have a nice shaft (now you get it) it might be a good idea to keep a head cover on your driver and fairway woods. 

I know that's true. I just hate fumbling with head covers. I have started putting them back on after teeing off for that reason. I still hate them...lol. 

Edited August 17, 2021 by silver & black

[Shankster 33,161]

This topic is like politics, religion, and the vaccine.  
 

Some people like red, some blue, some green… some none.  
 

Some people worship one way, some other, some not at all.

Some people got a shot, some didn’t.

At the end of the day, it does not matter it is a choice you get to make.  Why do we continue to talk about it?

Either use the iron covers or don’t.  
 

Tired topic since 1997.

[russtopherb 9,754]

The responses in topics like these make me want to go buy iron covers and use them while I'm wearing a white belt over the age of 30/35/whatever arbitrary number some bozo came up with.

[StrokerAce 11,773]

the laughable thing is people cover their "woods" - driver, fw, hybrid and, sometimes putter, but when it comes to irons that's taboo.

GTFOH - I would absolutely love to hear a story of the guy who showed up with covers on, was ridiculed, and proceeded to kick everyone's ass.

It's like White Men Can't Jump but for golf.

 

[Nolan220 2,042]

23 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

the laughable thing is people cover their "woods" - driver, fw, hybrid and, sometimes putter, but when it comes to irons that's taboo.

GTFOH - I would absolutely love to hear a story of the guy who showed up with covers on, was ridiculed, and proceeded to kick everyone's ass.

It's like White Men Can't Jump but for golf.

 

This happen but no one ridiculed the guy because well I dont really care what another person does with their golf clubs .. do whatever makes you happy life's to short to worry about someone else's clubs....got paired with an older gentleman (older then me, i'm 37) He was prob 50-60s ... really nice had on iron covers .. guy was dead straight on every shot and also out drove some one the younger guys too on holes .. anyway he most likely shot low 80s .. I can't remember but pretty sure he mostly putting for Bird on every hole .. maybe one to two he was just off the green... also he irons looked great while doing it 

[StrokerAce 11,773]

2 minutes ago, Nolan220 said:

This happen but no one ridiculed the guy because well I dont really care what another person does with their golf clubs .. do whatever makes you happy life's to short to worry about someone else's clubs....got paired with an older gentleman (older then me, i'm 37) He was prob 50-60s ... really nice had on iron covers .. guy was dead straight on every shot and also out drove some one the younger guys too on holes .. anyway he most likely shot low 80s .. I can't remember but pretty sure he mostly putting for Bird on every hole .. maybe one to two he was just off the green... also he irons looked great while doing it 

watch out for those older guys....they can sneak up on you in a hurry.

[russtopherb 9,754]

2 minutes ago, StrokerAce said:

watch out for those older guys....they can sneak up on you in a hurry.

Especially the ones with a bag full of higher lofted woods and hybrids... they hit the ball arrow straight. 

[Nolan220 2,042]

1 minute ago, StrokerAce said:

watch out for those older guys....they can sneak up on you in a hurry.

haha the best he would kind of shoot you a look with a little smirk like yeah thats right I am kicking everyone's ass haha