Are you obsessing over your driver cover? It is the large flashy one at the very top of the bag, right at eye level. But somewhere around mid-bag, your 3-wood and 5-wood are rattling around without protection, taking scratches whenever your golf cart hits a bump. Sounds familiar? It’s time to give your fairway woods the love they deserve.
What Is a Fairway Wood Headcover?
A fairway head cover is simply a protective sleeve that fits over the head of fairway woods and sits comfortably around them as they reside in your bag. They can be made of synthetic materials, leather, wool, and faux fur, and run the gamut from understated and elegant to outrageous and wacky. The folks at Pins & Aces have really taken this concept to new levels with eye-catching wood cover designs featuring everything from NASA space walk graphics and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to casino and boxing glove designs. The idea is this: there is no reason headcovers have to be dull and boring.
Why Bother Using Them?
This is a question that every golfer should ask, and the answer is pretty simple: your clubs are expensive, and they can be damaged without protection.
Preventing Scratches and Dings
Fairway woods are large, rounded club heads with painted or coated finishes. Every time they bang together in a bag, which is constantly happening when you walk, ride, or even when you are putting them in a car, that finish can get little nicks and scratches. Head covers are a barrier to all this chaos that is going on in your bag.
Protecting the Face
The face of a fairway wood is a precise engineering feat. A lot of work and money go into designing that face to get the most out of a golf ball in terms of speed and angle. When you hit a club against another club in a bag, you are causing dents that you may not even notice, but they can certainly impact performance.
Protection Against the Elements
If you play in wet conditions or live in an area with extreme temperature variations, moisture and UV radiation can damage finishes and adhesives over time. A wood cover provides a basic level of protection against the elements at virtually no cost compared to replacing a club.
Resale Value
You may want to upgrade your set in the future or sell the clubs. A set of fairway clubs in good condition is worth significantly more than one in bad condition. Head covers represent virtually free insurance protection for a multi-hundred-dollar investment.
Which Clubs Actually Need a Cover?
The basic rule is this: If there is a wood or hybrid in your golf bag that you don’t pull out every single shot, it needs to be protected. Therefore:
- The 3-wood is a must. It’s likely to be the second most used wood in your bag and probably the most expensive fairway wood in there.
- The 5-wood is next in line. If you have one in your bag, it needs to be protected.
- The 7-wood is gaining popularity, and for good reason: it is replacing the long iron for many players. If it’s in your bag, it needs protection.
- Hybrids tend to be forgotten but suffer the same damage. There are hybrid-specific covers available that tend to be slightly smaller than fairway wood covers. Most manufacturers offer hybrid covers that look like or complement their FW covers.
In short, anything with a hollow metal head that is not an iron needs protection.
How to Choose the Right Fairway Cover
Picking a fairway cover is not rocket science, but there are a few things to think about.
First of all, fit is probably the most important aspect. A fairway cover that is too loose will not stay in place throughout your round of golf, and one that is too tight can be a real nuisance to try to get back in place in a hurry. Most headcovers are made to fit standard 3-woods and 5-woods, but you should always check to make sure.
The material is also something to think about. Leather and wool covers are of high quality and will last a long time. They look great, too. Synthetic fairway covers are also a great option. They are less expensive, water-resistant, and easy to clean. Faux fur novelty fairway covers are fun, but you should look for a reputable brand to make sure they are durable.
Club number tags. While not a big deal, it is a nice-to-have feature. Covers with numbered tags (3, 5, 7) eliminate the ten seconds trying to figure out which club is which.
Style, because why not? Golf is supposed to be fun. While a cover featuring a panda, a Yellowstone landscape, or a sugar skull may not be for everyone, if it puts a smile on your face every time you need to use your 3-wood, then it’s a great reason to own one. Pins & Aces has built a brand around wood head covers with a sense of style and personality, and they’re not wrong.
Bottom Line
Golf wood head covers are one of those small investments that golfers often forgo until they realize they should’ve invested in one in the first place. They protect expensive clubs, maintain club performance, and make your golf bag look nicer. Go classic, go crazy – just get a fairway wood head cover.
