Question: Caddies often ask me if they can stow one of my headcovers during the round to make life easier. It’s usually driver or putter. What’s more important to keep protected?
Answer: This request from caddies comes up more than you might think. With one less thing to juggle, your caddie can focus on helping you with accurate yardages, timely advice and pace of play. Honestly, it’s a reasonable ask.
So the real question becomes: Which clubs really need full-round protection? In most cases, as you rightly point out, it comes down to the driver or the putter.
Let’s start with the driver. Modern drivers are not only expensive; they’re science projects wrapped in carbon fiber and with finely tuned adjustable features. Crowns can scuff. Soles can pick up wear. It’s a tool, not a jewel, but you still want to keep it in perfect working condition.
That matters because confidence with the driver starts with how it looks when you set it behind the ball. A ding or scratch you could’ve prevented? That’s a mental leak you don’t need.
Then there’s the putter. The milled faces on high-end putters can get banged up if they rattle around against irons and wedges. Soft carbon steel will no doubt pick up some wear, and not everyone wants to see that on, say, a Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS gamer. If you’re using a putter that’s special or valuable, keeping it protected under a cover is likely a non-negotiable.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DR8Zr0uDNiy/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
From a wear-and-tear standpoint, the putter cover wins the protection battle in most instances, unless you’re Padraig Harrington. A naked putter clanking around in the bag is a recipe for regret. There’s a practical angle, too: Your caddie is really asking which club you remove and replace most often. That’s usually the putter.
With one less cover to keep tabs on during the round, your caddie gets a smoother day, the putter stays pristine, and your driver, well, it’ll survive just fine.
This article was originally published on golfdigest.com
