[PHOTO: David Jensen]
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 on the course. This is not limited to recreational golfers, either. Aaron Rai, a two-time DP World 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 his childhood.
“It started from the age of 4 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 practise, he used to clean every single groove afterwards 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.”
Aaron Rai, who has won multiple times on @EuropeanTour, plays with iron covers. Surprising, right? The PGA TOUR rookie gave Jason and Michael the incredible story on how it all started.@JasonSobelTAN | @ESPNCaddie | @PGATOUR | pic.twitter.com/BGOgXRqFUz
— SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio (@SiriusXMPGATOUR) September 15, 2021
Whelp! 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 impossible to not cheer 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.
