A sheath for protecting an athletic equipment shaft is formed from a heat shrink material. The sheath is contemplated as capable of having a directional shrink in the transverse direction greater than 50% allowing the sheath to pass over additional components on the shaft, such as a golf club grip, while still being able to constrict down to effectively compress and secure to the shaft. The sleeve is formed from a material that allows for the inspection of the underlying shaft and allows for a printed indicia on an interior surface, wherein the printed indicia is also protected, to be visible through the sleeve. A longitudinal perforation is also contemplated in an example to aid in the removal of the sleeve without damaging the underlying shaft.

A sheath for protecting an athletic equipment shaft is formed from a heat shrink material. The sheath is contemplated as capable of having a directional shrink in the transverse direction greater than 50% allowing the sheath to pass over additional components on the shaft, such as a golf club grip, while still being able to constrict down to effectively compress and secure to the shaft. The sleeve is formed from a material that allows for the inspection of the underlying shaft and allows for a printed indicia on an interior surface, wherein the printed indicia is also protected, to be visible through the sleeve. A longitudinal perforation is also contemplated in an example to aid in the removal of the sleeve without damaging the underlying shaft.

A golf club protector that may be magnetically attached to a golf club iron to provide a protective, covering layer over at least the face of the iron. The golf club protector is formed from body having an inner layer, an outer later, and an intermediate layer positioned between the inner and outer layers. A series of magnets are positioned in the intermediate layer. The body has an outer perimeter corresponding to the shape of a golf club iron and is dimensioned to be positioned in covering relation to a face of the golf club iron.