Despite the fact most golfers preach "growing the game," we are still an extremely judgemental bunch. Who among us hasn't smashed like on an Instagram post poking fun at golfers who use iron covers? If you say you haven't, you either don't have Instagram or you are flat-out lying.
There should be nothing wrong with wanting to keep your expensive equipment in great shape, but for some reason iron covers make you stick out like a sore thumb at the local muni. This is not limited to recreational golfers, either. Aaron Rai, a two-time Euro Tour winner who just claimed his maiden PGA Tour win at the 2024 Wyndham Championship, uses iron covers, a jarring sight for a tour pro.
Rai has been the butt of a few jokes on social media for his crimes against iron etiquette over the years, not to mention the fact he wears two black gloves. After hearing the Englishman's explanation for using the pocket protectors of the golf world, however, we have to say we respect his decision. During an interview with Jason Sobel and Michael Collins on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, Rai told the story and philosophy behind his iron covers, and it dates back to childhood.
"It started from the age of four years old, when my dad used to pay for my equipment," said Rai, who described his family as working class. "He paid for my membership, paid for my entry fees. It wasn't money that we really had, to be honest, but he'd always buy me the best clubs.
"When we used to go out and practice, he used to clean every single groove afterward with a pin and baby oil, and to protect the golf clubs he thought it would be good to put iron covers on them. And I've pretty much had iron covers on all my sets ever since, just to kind of appreciate the value of what I have."
Welp, I bet we all feel pretty bad now. Needless to say, we should all remember this the next time we joke about iron covers. Here's a dude who can get a new set of clubs any time he wants, and he still makes sure to appreciate what he has. It's mpossible to not root for the Englishman now, iron covers and all:
Honestly a solid-looking bag. And if you're going to have iron covers, this is the way to do it. If you have ones that say which club on each cover, well, that's a different story.
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