Why Socks Are Put On Golf Clubs

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When you are walking around the golf course, you will notice that people have put socks on their golf clubs. At first, this can be a very unusual sight. But why do you put socks on golf clubs?

Socks can be used as golf covers. These are intended to stop the clubs from banging together in the bag when you are transporting them. This protects the clubs from damage. Because of this, it’s recommended that you put a cover on; hybrids, putting, and wooden clubs.

Something as simple as a sock can protect your clubs from damage. Keep reading to learn more about how to care for your clubs.

Importance of Golf Club Covers

Socks and other covers are designed to protect the heads of the golf clubs from damage. But are these really necessary? What could happen if you choose to leave your golf club uncovered?

To understand why this is so important, you just need to look at what happens to the clubs when you are transporting them. They will inevitably bump and jostle against each other. When this is happening, it can end up damaging the clubs. This is accentuated by their different heights. For example, iron heads could hit against granite shafts.

At first, you might not notice any damage. But, the longer they jostle for, the greater the chances that they will be damaged. In some cases, the head or shaft of the club might get dented or bent. This can have a big impact on your accuracy. As a result, you will often need to replace the clubs, which can be a very expensive process.

Adding a cover is a simple way of stopping this. It will protect the head of the club, stopping it from bumping against other clubs. Plus, they will stop your clubs from making a jangling noise as you walk.  

Clubs That Need a Cover

Not every club will need to have a cover. Generally, it’s recommended that you use them for;

  • Fairway metals
  • Hybrids
  • Putters
  • Wooden clubs

Because of how strong the iron clubs are, they often won’t require a cover. However, you will be able to find a few companies that sell covers to suit irons. While not strictly needed, some golfers will use them as an extra level of protection.

Choosing Your Golf Club Cover

Some golf clubs will come with covers. But most of the time, you will need to buy them separately. If you want to try golf club covers, there are dozens of options on the market. Because of this, choosing the right one can often be a challenge. To make this choice easier, there are a few things that you should be looking for.

The most important thing to look for is their durability. You need to find something that will be able to offer protection to your clubs. How good they will be at this task will often depend on what materials that it has been made from. Often, leather will be a popular choice. Though you will be able to find some strong synthetic materials.

The next thing that you should look for is the design. After all, you want to look good on the course. The good news is that there are dozens of choices to pick from. Some will have the basic company logo. Others will have an American flag or intricate design.

Lastly, it’s important to consider the price. You shouldn’t have to pay a fortune to get a high-quality golf club cover. You should be able to pick up a good one for around $15. Most top-of-the-range ones will be around $50.

How Many Golf Club Covers Do You Need?

Once you have found some covers that you like, it’s time to decide how many you will need to order. The easiest way of doing this is by counting the number of clubs you have in your bag. You can decide whether or not you want to get one for the irons.

It should be noted that, when competing in tournaments, the rules allow you to have a maximum of 14 clubs. In this case, you would need to purchase up to 14 club covers.

Taking Care of Your Head Covers

Once you have your head covers, you must be taking care of them. This will ensure that they will last for a long time. This will offer maximum protection for your clubs. Here are a few tips to keep in mind;

  • It’s best to hand wash them. Usually, you will just need to put in some warm, soapy water to remove any mud. Avoid washing a leather cover. Instead, use a damp cloth.
  • Leather golf covers shouldn’t wet. If it does rain on the course, use newspaper to absorb the water when you get home. You don’t want to put them away when they are wet. If you do, it can cause rust to form on the irons.
  • If you are using a leather cover, you will need to use a conditioner. This will keep it soft and supple.
  • If you have odors, you will need to spray a mixture of vodka and water onto the leather. Then lay the cover flat and leave it to dry.

Other Ways to Care For Your Golf Clubs

While a head cover is a good way of protecting your guitar, it isn’t the only way to take care of them. First, it’s important to make sure that you aren’t putting them away wet. This will ensure that they don’t end up getting rusty. You can use a towel to dry them off before you put them away. Check that you are cleaning the grips, as these can often get debris on them.

During the game, you’ll need to use a towel to clean off the head of the club. This will ensure that there isn’t any debris attached to it. Sometimes, you might need to use a soft-bristled brush when you are doing this. It’s a great way to remove the dirt that has become stuck in the divots. Double-check that the clubs are clean before you put them away.

You’ll also need to be careful about the way that you are storing your clubs. You should make sure that you aren’t putting them in a hot environment. This can sometimes cause the metal to start to melt. When this happens, there isn’t much that can be done to fix the damage.

Lastly, it’s important to make sure that you are inspecting the clubs regularly. There are a few areas that you should pay closer attention to. First, you’ll want to inspect the shaft. Usually, there shouldn’t be too much damage here. At worst, you’ll see a couple of divots. This is normal and won’t impact your game. But if it is bent, you will need to take action.

The next area to inspect is the grip. As you’re doing this, look for worn areas. This can make them feel slick. If you feel this, it’s a good indication that you should consider replacing the grip. This is a normal part of the club’s life-cycle. Because of this, it won’t be too hard to find a suitable replacement. If you enjoy DIY you might be able to replace the grip yourself. If not, a golf store will be able to help you.

Final Thoughts

There are a few reasons why you might want to put golf covers on your clubs. They can offer protection from the elements and stop them from jostling each other in the bag. At their most basic, you can protect your clubs using a sock. But getting a professional cover won’t be too expensive and it can be a great way of expressing your personality.