So why do we have headcovers for woods? Very retarded question, I know.
The sole reason is to protect it from scratches right?

I assume damage done to the head of a wood because of banging with other clubs wouldn't result in performance loss, but it rather is an appearance/cosmetic issue?

I really don't want to put my ping rapture headcover, but I hope it doesn't get damaged to the point where its performance will be effected.

Basically just to protect the finish of the clubs. Doubtful you would actually dent or damage the clubs to make them unplayable by bouncing against each other in the bag; In fact I know plenty of people who don't use headcovers. I just cringe at the sound of metalwoods pinging against each other, personally. Only takes a second to take a headcover on or off!

Agree with the previous poster and will add that many folks like to keep their clubs looking nice to help trade in or resale value.

I don't use the ping rapture headcover as it's one of stupid ones without the shaft protection sock, so I just bought a plain black one that does the job.

why would you want to bang up your woods? or scratch up the shafts on the bag?
and I think you could ding them if you grab an iron and yank it out of the bag and smash it into our driver on the way up.

This is a common misconception. The construction of driver heads now-a-days is with such thin layers of Titanium some with magnesium crowns, while it can take a wack where it's supposed to (the face) the weld points, and other surface areas are fairly delicate. I have seen clubs nicked, minorly dented and even cracked with irons slung down in the bag, or with a bag falling over, etc.

The protection does go beyond just aesthetic scratches.

to protect the head and the shaft. Some is cosmetic (paint on head, shaft). Also, though some is performance - like when you put a wedge in the bag with an unprotected driver - could get ugly quickly

I'm one of those that believe a club performs better if it is taken care of...

the sound of clubs clanking around is like scratching your fingernails on the chalkboard to me.

With your bag, I could certainly see why you want to protect them!!

I agree with one of the posts above. It's way more than a cosmetic issue with today's drivers. I've dented the crown of a driver that had a headcover on it just normally pulling an iron out of the bag. The crown's are so thin these days. I'm not an engineer, but I suspect a dented crown could certainly affect the club's aerodynamics and performance.

Another, albeit minor, reason for head covers is noise reduction. It's pretty annoying hearing somebody bounding down the hill 2 holes over with clubs clanging together. I see the golf course as my quiet time.