Non-flaccid golf club head cover

Abstract

A non-flaccid hollow golf club head cover includes a head portion that is contoured to fit firmly over a head of a golf club, and a shaft portion that is contiguous to the head portion to enclose a segment of a golf club shaft. The outer surface of the body is established in part by a cushioning foam material, while the inner surface is established by a soft, velvety material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A golf club head cover, comprising: 
 a non-flaccid hollow body including a head portion contoured to fit firmly over a head of a golf club, and a shaft portion contiguous to the head portion to enclose a segment of a golf club shaft, the body including an outer surface at least partially established by a foam material and an inner surface at least partially established by a velvety material.    
     
     
         2 . The cover of    claim 1   , wherein the body is sufficiently non-flaccid to be positioned onto a golf bag club chute periphery without falling into the chute, provided the head portion of the body is radially supported.  
     
     
         3 . The cover of    claim 1   , wherein the shaft portion defines an open bottom end configured to receive a golf club head therethrough, the shaft portion also defining a toe side, a slit being formed from the open bottom end up the toe side.  
     
     
         4 . The cover of    claim 1   , wherein the outer surface is further established by a leather or suede material.  
     
     
         5 . The cover of    claim 4   , wherein the shaft portion defines a toe side and a heel side, the leather or suede material establishing the outer surface on the heel side and the foam material establishing the outer surface on the toe side.  
     
     
         6 . The cover of    claim 5   , wherein a first portion of the foam material is raised relative to a second portion of the foam material.  
     
     
         7 . The cover of    claim 6   , wherein the body defines a length of at least eight inches (8″).  
     
     
         8 . The cover of    claim 7   , wherein the body defines a length of at least ten inches (10″).  
     
     
         9 . The cover of    claim 8   , wherein the body defines a length of at least eleven inches (11″).  
     
     
         10 . A golf club holding and protecting system, comprising: 
 a golf club holder defining at least one chute bounded by a periphery; and    a golf club head cover including a resilient body defining a head portion such that the head cover can be removed from a golf club and positioned over the periphery with only the head portion being radially supported and with the head cover remaining on the periphery without falling into the chute.    
     
     
         11 . The system of    claim 10   , wherein the head portion is contoured to fit firmly over a head of a golf club, and the head cover includes a shaft portion contiguous to the head a portion to enclose a segment of a golf club shaft, the body including an outer surface at least partially established by a foam material and an inner surface at least partially established by a velvety material.  
     
     
         12 . The system of    claim 11   , wherein the shaft portion defines an open bottom end configured to receive a golf club head therethrough, the shaft portion also defining a toe side, a slit being formed from the open bottom end up the toe side.  
     
     
         13 . The system of    claim 11   , wherein the outer surface is further established by a leather or suede material.  
     
     
         14 . The system of    claim 13   , wherein the shaft portion defines a toe side and a heel side, the leather or suede material establishing the outer surface on the heel side and the foam material establishing the outer surface on the toe side.  
     
     
         15 . The system of    claim 14   , wherein a first portion of the foam material is raised relative to a second portion of the foam material.  
     
     
         16 . The system of    claim 15   , wherein the body defines a length of at least ten inches (10″).  
     
     
         17 . A golf club cover, comprising: 
 a resilient head portion configured to fit snugly over the head of a golf club, the head portion having a cushiony outer surface and a soft inner surface; and    a shaft portion joining the head portion, the shaft portion having at least a resilient outer surface.    
     
     
         18 . The cover of    claim 17   , wherein the shaft portion has a velvety inside surface.