Aaron Rai
Background: England’s Aaron Rai won the PGA Championship at Aronimink, and with it, he endeared himself to fans for his inspiring, steady play, his humble demeanor, and most especially for his quirky little practices that have carried over from his junior golf days. Specifically, his habit of wearing golf gloves on both hands and also having protective covers on his irons. Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey, a former Tour winner who’s now on the Champions circuit, was also known for the former, but I doubt if any Tour pro in recent memory has ever used iron covers. Rai’s iron covers reflect his appreciation for the sacrifices his family made when his father purchased Aaron’s first set of clubs and he began using them. At the PGA, he explained why he still uses them now:
“Although on the PGA Tour, we get given equipment, and we get given everything that we need, it’s more out of principle. The value of not losing perspective of what I have and where I am.”
How can you not love that!
His story got me thinking about what other practices by everyday golfers are never or rarely seen on the PGA Tour? Here’s my list:
Plastic protective tubes: Similar to covers for irons and metal woods, tubes are the ultimate protection for shafts. I saw them in my junior golf days. In my experience, Type A personalities and organizing-loving engineers and techies love tubes. But nowadays, many golf bags already have tube-like slots that do the same thing. Either way, you’d never see Tour pros or their caddies use them.
Magnetic ball markers on a hat clip: Although someone on the PGA Tour wouldn’t be caught dead using one, I’ve seen them on the LPGA Tour. My guess is that many women favor hat clip markers over a simple coin being pulled in and out of their pockets because most of the time they don’t have pockets anyway. I will admit a hat clip with a marker is easy to find and keeps pockets clean.
A wrist score counter: This handy device is helpful for novice and junior golfers who have trouble keeping track of their strokes. After every shot, you just tap the device, and a number appears. Keep clicking, and the numbers increase. When a hole is complete, just look at the clicker to see the score for that hole. If only Charles Knuckle had used a counter when he shot 95 in the first round of the ’56 Masters. According to Golf Magazine, that’s a record.
Half-finger golf glove: Imagine the sensation Rai could generate if he started using half-finger gloves on both hands? Again, when I was growing up, I remember all sorts of golfers using them. I can’t recall whether or not pros used them, but I bet they did. One advantage with them is that a heckled pro, like Rory at the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, could give an unmistakable “finger” to his tormentors.
Colored tees: Not mentioned in the introduction is how Rai uses colored plastic tees, again unique among Tour players. The kind Rai uses features a “step” so he can always set it at his preferred height. When Rai gets older and is on the Champions Tour, expect him to use the “martini glass” variety. They’re useful for shaky hands under pressure. See next.
“Water” ball: The ‘one ball rule’ is always in effect at Tour stops, meaning players must use the same type of ball for the entire round. However, that doesn’t preclude someone using a “water” ball (of the same type) when facing a yawning pond guarding a par-three. Many recreational players like to preserve their new Titleists.
Golf ball retriever: When you get two dozen new balls every week, a Tour players doesn’t need a ball retriever. But some enterprising company is conspiring right now to approach Rai and to pay him to place a ball retriever in his bag. (All balls retrieved will be donated to The First Tee!)
There are probably more quirky practices favored by some ‘everyday’ golfers that will never be seen among elite professionals, but I tested your patience enough.
Hats off to Aaron Rai not only for his amazing PGA victory but also for his refreshing, singular way of playing the game.
Rai image courtesy of the PGA of America
