Yes. A driver headcover is one of the safest golf gifts you can buy, because it fits almost any golfer's driver without you needing to know their club, size or ability. It gets used every round and sits at the top of the bag where they'll see it. The main things to check are that they carry a full-size driver and what style they already like.
Buying for a golfer is hard if you don't play. Most golf kit depends on things you can't easily find out, such as their swing, their handicap or the shaft in their driver. A headcover sidesteps nearly all of that. This guide explains why, and how to choose one they'll actually use.
Why does a headcover make a good golf gift?
A headcover makes a good gift because it's personal, practical and almost impossible to get wrong on fit.
Most golf gifts have a catch. Clubs need fitting. Balls depend on the player. Gloves come in sizes and hands differ. Gadgets often end up in a drawer after a few rounds.
A driver headcover has none of those problems. It doesn't change how they play, so it can't be the wrong spec. It's used on every round they play, not saved for a special occasion. And because it sits at the top of the bag, it's one of the few things a golfer sees every time they reach for a club.
It's also something many golfers won't buy for themselves. The headcover that came with their driver does the job, so upgrading it rarely makes the list. That makes it a good gift: something they'd enjoy but wouldn't get round to choosing.
Will a headcover fit their driver?
Almost certainly, if they use a full-size driver. A headcover built for 460cc fits any legal full-size driver, whatever the brand.
The Rules of Golf cap driver heads at 460cc, and manufacturers build their full-size drivers at or near that limit. So a 460cc headcover fits a TaylorMade, a Callaway, a Ping or a Titleist driver equally well. You don't need to know which one they use.
The exception is a mini driver, which is much smaller and would sit loosely inside. If you can, take a quiet look in their bag. A mini driver is clearly smaller than a normal driver. Our driver headcover sizing guide explains the details if you want to be sure.
What should you check before buying?
Check three things if you can: what's on their driver now, what their bag looks like, and what kind of things they wear.
What's on their driver now. If it still has the manufacturer's stock headcover, a new one will be a clear upgrade. If they already have a headcover they're attached to, a driver headcover may not be the right gift, or a fairway or hybrid headcover could be.
Their bag. You don't need to match it exactly, but a headcover that clashes badly with the bag is less likely to be used. Neutral colours, natural textures and classic patterns go with most bags.
Their taste. Think about how they dress for golf. Someone in plain, classic clothes will probably prefer a classic pattern or a simple texture over a novelty design. Someone with a louder style might want something more eye-catching.
If you can't check any of this, choose something understated. A tartan, a houndstooth or a plain texture is far easier to live with than a cartoon character.
Should you buy one headcover or a matching set?
Start with a single driver headcover unless you know exactly which clubs they carry.
A matching set looks smart, but it relies on details you may not know. Golfers carry different combinations of fairway woods and hybrids, and some carry none at all. A set of three can easily leave one headcover with no club to go on, or miss a club they do carry.
The driver is the one club almost every golfer has, and it's the one most worth protecting. It's the largest, most expensive club in the bag, with a painted crown that marks easily. Our guide to whether driver headcovers actually protect your club explains why.
A single headcover also leaves room for next time. If they like it, the fairway and hybrid headcovers make an easy follow-up gift.
Novelty or classic: which kind of headcover should you choose?
Choose classic unless you know they love novelty. Classic headcovers stay on the bag for years, and novelty ones often come off after a season.
Novelty headcovers, such as animals, cartoon characters and joke designs, are fun to open and make a good photo. Some golfers love them. But a joke wears thin with every round, and a GolfWRX thread titled "Is anyone else sick of this style of vintage headcovers" shows how quickly a look can go from fresh to tired.
A classic headcover works the other way. It doesn't get a big reaction on the day, but it still looks right next season, and the season after. If you're buying something you want them to keep, that's the better bet.
Quality matters more than the design. A headcover that goes slack, fades or starts falling off within a few months is a poor gift whatever it looks like. Look for a dense woven fabric or a deep pile, and a soft lining that won't mark the club.
What makes a golf gift stay with someone?
The gifts golfers remember are the ones someone clearly thought about, and that they go on using.
The best golf gift I've ever been given was my first set of clubs, handed down to me by a family member. They weren't new, and they weren't the latest model. But someone had thought about getting me into the game, and I used them every time I played. That's what made them stick.
A headcover works on a smaller scale in the same way. It isn't a big gesture, but it's on the bag every time they play, and it's a reminder of who gave it to them.
How long does delivery take?
Our orders ship within 2 to 3 business days, and UK delivery is free, using Evri Next Day tracked delivery. Where next-day delivery isn't available for an address, the next fastest option is used, also free.
If you're buying for a birthday or for Christmas, allow a few days either side. If it turns out they use a mini driver or already have a headcover they love, unused items can be returned within 30 days of receipt, and we cover the return postage.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know what driver they use?
No. A headcover built for 460cc fits any legal full-size driver from any brand. The only thing to rule out is a mini driver, which is noticeably smaller.
Is a headcover a good gift for a beginner?
Yes, as long as they have a driver. A new golfer's driver often comes with a plain stock headcover, if it has one at all, so a good headcover is a clear upgrade.
What's a good golf gift under £50?
A driver headcover is one of the most useful golf gifts at that price, because it fits almost any golfer and gets used every round. Our driver headcovers are £49.95.
Choosing a headcover for a golfer
If you know their style, choose to suit it. If you don't, pick something classic and well made, and let it earn its place at the top of the bag.
Our three driver headcovers are all barrel-shaped, lined in microfiber velvet and built for drivers up to 460cc, at £49.95 each. The Heritage is a tartan woven through the fabric, and a safe choice for most golfers. The Bothy, in sherpa fleece, is the one for someone who likes a texture you don't see in many bags.
If they're a golfer who's always leaving things behind, our guide to how to stop losing your headcover might come in handy too. And if you're wondering whether to cover their irons as well, read are iron headcovers worth it.