A soaked golf head cover is more than just a minor annoyance, it's a recipe for mold, mildew, and a funky smell that can permeate your entire golf bag. Letting them fester while damp also degrades the material, whether it's premium leather or that nostalgic knit putter cover. This guide will walk you through the proper, safe methods for drying every type of head cover in your arsenal, ensuring they stay fresh, functional, and looking great for years to come.
Before we get into the "how," let's quickly touch on the "why." Consistently putting away wet head covers is one of the fastest ways to ruin your gear. Here's what you're up against:
Trying to dry a head cover that's caked in mud or grass stains is counterproductive. You'll just be baking the grime in. If your cover is dirty from a tough day on the course, a quick cleaning is your first and most effective step. The method depends entirely on the material.
Leather demands a gentle approach. Think of it like caring for a nice pair of shoes.
These are like a favorite sweater, they can lose their shape easily if handled incorrectly.
These materials are durable and can usually handle a bit more of a direct cleaning approach.
Once your head covers are clean (or if they were just damp from rain or morning dew), this is the definitive process to get them perfectly dry without causing any damage.
This sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people just leave their bag in the garage to "air out." As soon as you get home from a damp round, take every single head cover off your clubs. Give each one a good, firm shake to dislodge any loose debris or surface water.
For a head cover that's seriously saturated, you need to remove the bulk of the water first. Don't wring it out! Wringing and twisting will stretch stitches, damage appliques, and ruin the shape of knit covers.
Instead, lay a dry, clean towel flat. Place the head cover on one half of the towel, then fold the other half over it. Press down firmly to blot the moisture out. For sock-style knit covers, you can even roll it up inside the towel like a sleeping bag and apply gentle, even pressure.
This is the most important part of the drying process. Air is your best friend.
To speed things up significantly, introduce a little airflow. Place an oscillating floor fan or a small tabletop fan a few feet away from your hanging head covers. Let it run on a low to medium setting. The constant, gentle breeze will wick moisture away much faster than still air alone, and it's a lot safer than using heat.
Sometimes, what you don't do is as important as what you do. Avoid these common mistakes at all costs:
Got caught in an absolute downpour? Or just want your covers to last forever? Here are a couple of extra pointers.
If your head covers feel like they weigh five pounds after a rainy round, the towel-blot method might not feel like enough. In this case, loosely stuff the inside of each head cover with crumpled-up newspaper or paper towels. The paper is extremely absorbent and will pull moisture out from the inside. Just check it after an hour or two and replace the damp paper with fresh, dry paper until it's only slightly damp, then proceed with the air-drying method.
A little-known tip is to use a waterproofing spray suitable for the material. For fabric or knit covers, a product like Scotchgard can help water bead up and roll off rather than soak in. For leather covers, using a high-quality leather water repellent can work wonders. This simple, proactive step, done once or twice a season, can make drying a non-issue on most days.
Properly drying your head covers is a simple but effective habit that preserves their lifespan, protects your clubs, and keeps your entire golf setup looking and smelling fresh. By following a straightforward process of timely removal, optional cleaning, gentle blotting, and patient air-drying, you ensure your gear remains in top condition for every round.
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