Why PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai wears two gloves and uses iron covers
Aaron Rai, the winner of the PGA Championship, shared why he wears two gloves and puts covers on his irons when playing golf.
On Sunday evening, Rai made history by winning his first major championship at the 108th PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania. The 31-year-old beat tough competitors like Jon Rahm and Matti Schmid to take home the Wanamaker Trophy. He also became the first Englishman to win the PGA Championship since 1918.
Fans noticed not only Rai’s great play but also his unusual outfit during the tournament. Unlike most golfers who wear just one glove on their non-dominant hand, Rai wears two.
This isn’t just for style, though. Rai said he’s been wearing two gloves since he was a kid. “It started when I was 8 years old,” he said. “A guy who made gloves sent me a pair, and I got used to wearing them. One time my dad forgot to pack both gloves, and I only had one. I couldn’t grip the club well and played badly. So, I always stick with two gloves now.”
Rai also explained that the gloves he wears aren’t the usual leather ones most players use. Instead, he wears all-weather gloves to keep his hands warm and improve his grip, especially when playing in cold UK winters. “My dad and I would play no matter the weather, but my hands got cold fast. So he found someone nearby who made these special gloves. They weren’t originally golf gloves, but they work great for me,” Rai said.
Rai grew up in Wolverhampton and credits his dad for supporting him both emotionally and financially in his golf journey. One important lesson he learned from his dad was to value everything he owns, even as a top golfer.
That’s why Rai always keeps iron covers on his clubs to protect them. “I started using iron covers when I was about 4 years old. My dad paid for all my gear and memberships, even though we didn’t have a lot of money. He bought me great clubs, like a set of Titleist 690 MBs when I was 7 or 8, which cost around 800-1,000 pounds! I really treasured those clubs,” Rai shared.
“When we practiced, he’d clean every groove carefully. He thought iron covers would help protect them, so I’ve used covers on all my clubs since then to show that I appreciate what I have. It all began with that first set my dad gave me.”