In order to improve as a golfer, it is important to be consistent. You want to make sure you are grooving your swing and consistently hitting the ball in the center of the club face.
Equipment doesn’t need to work against your game. If you have a lying problem, remember that it is hard enough for the manufacturer to create clubs with the right lie angle.
The lie angle of a golf club is represented by the angle between the shaft and the ground (the club can be grounded at its desired position while holding it).
The lie angle is the angle of how the club is standing in relation to flat ground.
Imagine a line following the heel of the club, straight to the shaft. That’s what we call a lie angle.
What is Lie Angle
When the golfer is at his or her address position, the angle that is created between the top of the shaft and the ground is called the lie angle.
When the center of the sole rests on the ground, then the lie angle is perfect. It’s based on how much space is between the ground and the top of the shaft. With a higher lie angle, there will be more space- resulting in an easier swing.
Why is Lie Angle Important
The lie angle of your clubs should be based on personal style, and the golfer’s game, and should fit their body type.
If the golf club’s lie angle is wrong for you, then this can have adverse effects on your playing.
To hit the ball better and address more greens, it is important to properly fit your clubs. This includes a lie angle that is matched to your swing.
When the sole of the club arrives at impact parallel to the ground, it is considered a perfect lie angle.
If you are a golfer and your club is facing away from the hole, the face will be perpendicular to the line of the target.
If the clubhead is coming in with its heel up and the toe down, it means that the face of the club head is more likely to slice.
If the golfer is swinging correctly, and the toe of their club points upwards at impact, then the clubface should point to the left.
A golfer has more success with a normal shot if the toes and heel are aligned with the ball when the impact is made.
Your lie angle might be too upright if you’re striking the ball from a toe-up position, or too flat if you’re striking the ball from a toe-down position.
Trying to identify your club’s lie based on the way you head a ball can be tough.
However, if you notice that your slice is getting worse and worse, it might just be time to visit the pro shop to get re-gripped.
If the divots on your golf shoe are higher on one side than the other, this can be a sign of either too upright or too flat of a lie angle.
What Lie Angle Do I Need
The angle from the ground that a club makes contact with the ball (lie angle) has a greater impact on short irons than on long irons.
To find out if you need to adjust your lie angle, measure the distance between the floor and your wrist.
Look straight ahead, keep your arms by your side and stand on the floor. Put a golf shoe or street shoe on.
One way to tell if you lean to one side is by measuring how far down the front of your arm is on the floor.
If your natural posture tends towards leaning one way or another then measure from your wrist towards the ground in both directions.
This is your arm to the ground measurement. The proper lie angle is important for success in your game.
You can measure your swing and adjust the lie angle on your clubs for you.
Keep in mind that only irons and some hybrids can have their lie angle adjusted.
How Does Lie Angle Affect Ball Flight
What you want is for the sole of the club to be coming through flat towards the ground at impact.
The lie angle of the club is important because it affects the contact area between your club and the ground, causing potential difficulty with control when striking the ball.
If your driver is not coming through to the ball flat, but rather with the heel down more, your club’s lie angle is too upright.
You’ll then be aiming left and less likely to hit the ball straight.
You should ensure the toe of the club is pointing upward when you’re putting. If it’s too flat, the ball will fly in the right direction.
To determine the lie of your golf club, a fitter would first assess your height and arm span to find a starting point for the right lie angle.
To ensure that the club is of proper weight, you’ll hit off an impact board and have a sticker placed on the sole.
The type of marks on the golf club’s surface is indicative of how the club interacts with the ground during impact.
If the mark is too close to the toe, then the club is too flat, and if it’s too close to the heel, then the club is too upright.
There is some correlation between the length of a shaft and the lie angle.
If your clubs are either too short or too long, they will affect how it interacts with the clubhead when you hit.
New golf clubs require the shaft length to be properly fitted, for the best results. The lie angle also needs to be considered.
When it comes to golf, there are a lot of different factors that need to be considered.
The height and arm length of a golfer can have a huge impact on the clubs they should use.
If a golfer has long arms, the length and lie of his clubs may need to be adjusted in order to achieve optimal distance.
If you are unsure of the club for your needs, it can help to know that each half inch of shaft length added or taken away will make the swing 1 degree more upright or back.
When you get a new club, Ping will analyze the angle of your shot. The angles range from 4 degrees to 5 degrees, with black being standard.
How to Determine Lie Angle For Irons
Have someone place a sharpie on one side of the golf ball and then you should tap the ball with a club.
Check the other side of the golf ball and the design should have transferred, and, to check the lie angle of your club, the line should be in a perfectly vertical position.
If it’s tilted out, you need to make the lie point of the club flatter to correct this issue.
If the line is tilted toward your heel, the lie angle is too flat and you would need to bend it more upright.
The test won’t tell you exactly how much you need to adjust it, however, it’s perfect to initiate.
For a static test, I recommend you use a business card.
The card doesn’t account for the height during impact, some droop in the shaft, and how high up from the ground your wrist is but it’s good to use together with a Sharpie test and get measurements of your height and wrist to the floor.
In order to check your lie angle, find the midpoint of your golf club’s shaft.
Next, position it on the ground with the butt pointing either at or just below your abdomen.
Next, place a business card under the sole of the club and slide it towards you.
The lie of your club should preferably be in the middle of the back.
The lie of your club should ideally be in the middle of the back, with one end reaching about two-thirds.
If the card slides to anywhere but that, the lie is either too flat or too upright.
How to Adjust Lie Angle on Irons
Typically, the lie angle of a golf club is controlled mainly by your position on the ground and can be adjusted with a wrench.
Golfers like to make sure they are using the correct golf iron by checking their lie angle every year.
You should get your clubs checked at least once for any damage or adjustments that might need to be made.
This is more common for clubs made out of softer metal, but you should do it at least once a year.
Old methods of lie angle detection, such as a lie board and tape on the bottom of the club, leave much to be desired.
If you’re getting your clubs fitted at a golf store, check to make sure the staff has access to launch monitors that give accurate information about where your club meets the ball.
The important thing is to find the right fit for your swing. If you don’t, you may find yourself stuck on the course.
Golfers should get fitted with the right clubs to work on their current swing.
Manufacturers often use more upright clubs to cater to recreational and intermediate golfers who have over-the-top, decent swings.
A perfect instructor will take note of your consistent errors and provide you with advice to correct your bad habits.
A bit of trial and error, in the beginning, will lead to good results. One word of warning, however, is that this only works with an experienced golf pro.
FAQs:
Q1: Does a lie angle Really Make a Difference?
Ans: If you want to be a better golfer, you need to think about the lie angle when putting. If your club is angled wrong, it will cause your shots to miss by four yards.
Q2: Does a 1-degree lie angle make difference?
Ans: Yes, If you’re hitting the ball left all the while, it won’t be because you have the lie angle too flat.
If you are right-handed and I assume you’re hitting off to the left, there are two degrees to make a difference.
how to tell if the lie angle is correct
Q3: How to Tell if Lie Angle is Correct?
Ans: The angle of your club drives how impactful your swing is. If the line on the face is pointing towards your heel, then it’s too flat.
If the line points towards your toe, then it’s too upright. If the line is perpendicular to the grooves on the face, then they’re at a 90-degree angle and it’s in a neutral position.
Q4: Cost to adjust lie angle on irons?
Ans: The angle of your club drives how impactful your swing is. If the line on the face is pointing towards your heel, then it’s too flat.
If the line points towards your toe, then it’s too upright. If the line is perpendicular to the grooves on the face, then they’re at a 90-degree angle and it’s in a neutral position.
Final Words
It is essential to know the lie angle of your irons because it can affect the direction of your shots.
Irons must be calibrated for each individual player and will not have him or her playing their best game.
To fix this, one should be able to fix the damage afterward. If you find the marker rubbing off your current set of irons, try using the marker test with a different set of irons.
To obtain a better angle on your approach shots, you should have the lie of the club adjusted.
