Daphne’s Headcovers
One of my favorite things as a young golfer was going to a standalone, non-big box, golf shop and slowly working my way through inspecting all of the different wares on the shelves and racks. It would be even better if you were actually there with the purpose of getting a new club, new shoes, or some clothes. But no matter what, there was always one rack that drew my attention. It was full of colorful headcovers of all types of different characters and animals. At one point, these racks became heavily populated by a familiar bright orange tiger that was in hot demand. On every one of these trips I tried my hardest to get my parents to let me acquire one of these fun characters created by Daphne’s Headcovers for my golf bag. This routine would be repeated for years.
There were so many fun Daphne’s options from your favorite animal to classic novelty headcovers as seen in the bags of your favorite pros. Of course, none may have been more popular at this point in time than Tiger Woods’ signature “Frank the tiger”. Fast forward and Daphne’s Headcovers is still going strong making some of the most fun headcovers in the game.
The Story
The origin story of Daphne’s Headcovers is both fun and inspiring. Jane Spicer was in high school and like many new drivers, looking to get her first car. Jane’s mother and namesake of the company, Daphne, suggested she work to earn the money herself to buy that first car. With a ’73 Volkswagen Bug in her sights, Jane and her mom had been making and selling puppets at arts and crafts shows on the weekends. A customer made the suggestion to use their design and sewing skills to make their puppets into golf headcovers. Deciding to take action on that suggestion, Jane and Daphne hand cut and sewed animal headcovers and soon received their first order from the Arizona Biltmore golf shop. This momentum led to finally getting that car, but that was just the start.
As the popularity of Jane’s headcovers increased, so did the orders. Golfers all over the US were adding the fun novelty Daphne’s characters to their bags. On one fateful day, a woman happened to walk into a golf store and bought a very specific orange tiger headcover for her son. After embroidering the Thai words “Rak jak Mea” (“Love from Mom”), this woman’s son put the cover in his bag and would proceed to win a lot of golf tournaments with it. Then he won one called “The Masters” in 1997. While this set off Tigermania, it also elevated the Daphne’s Headcovers brand to a whole new level. The Tiger Woods “Frank” cover became the most popular headcover in golf, famously highlighted in Nike commercials and their apparel, and changed the course of a small golf business forever.
Daphne Headcover Design & Quality
You don’t survive 40 years as any business without evolving and delivering a quality product. I think that’s especially fair to say when it comes to golf headcovers. Daphne’s Headcovers has an extensive catalog of headcovers featuring different themes, animals, and characters. From my experience, there’s often a headcover you didn’t know you needed until you see it. This was exactly what happened when my Daphne’s box arrived and I cracked it open. Did I think I needed a taco headcover? Nope, but I do now! The pink dragon you’ll see in the pictures immediately went into my bag. Not only does it look good and make quickly finding my bag a breeze, but it has started more conversations out of the blue this season than I’ve ever experienced on the golf course.
All of the materials used are of the highest quality and the craftsmanship is second to none. In my opinion, when you pick up any Daphne’s cover, it’s clearly of a higher standard than many competitors making similar headcovers. The difference is immediately noticeable to the eye as well as the touch. Oh, and the price point is beyond reasonable too, especially when you consider that every cover comes with a 100% lifetime guarantee. The brand holds their product to the highest standards, and in my opinion, it absolutely shows.
Final Thoughts – Daphne’s Headcovers
Daphne Kronstorfer retired in 1994 and would pass away about a year later. To say the legacy she influenced, and Jane Spicer has continued in Daphne’s Headcovers is something to be proud of is an understatement. Each headcover features Daphne’s signature not just in tribute to Jane’s mother, but as a commitment to the values that Daphne instilled in the company. Jane’s mother set extremely high standards and that influence lives on in the company today.
To this day, the display of Daphne’s Headcovers still catches my attention at any golf store. While my kids aren’t big golfers, the bright colors and fun characters give them the same excitement and natural desire to bring one home with them just like when I was a kid. Having been in their same shoes years ago, I know how it feels all too well. So yes, Jane, I promise to break the cycle and say “yes” when the kids ask for a Daphne’s Headcover at a golf shop.
