Definition: The “lie angle” is defined as the angle made between the shaft and clubhead. The key is to have a club with a proper lie angle that ensures the sole of the club is parallel with the ground at impact, thus eliminating lie angle induced errant shots. Improper lie angles will cause directional control problems.
The direction of a golf shot is determined by the following:
- Path of swing (determines up to 30% of direction)
- Face Angle (determines up to 70% of direction)
- Centeredness of hit on club face (determines up to 10% of direction)
Meaning, the face angle has twice as much effect on direction as the path of swing and close to 6X as much as where you hit on the face of the club. Face Angle at impact is GREATLY affected by the lie angle.
First some lie angle facts:
- A 9 iron that is off 4* in lie angle (either too flat or upright) will cause a pull or push of 22 feet right or left of the target.
- A 5 iron that is off 4* in lie angle (either too flat or upright) will cause a pull or push of 40 feet right or left of the target.
- Most fairway woods, in essence, do not have a lie angle needing adjusting as the sole is rounded and does not dig heel or toe.
- Drivers do not have an effective lie angle as are not made to hit off the ground.
- The single axis swing DOES NOT need more upright lie angles in clubs.
- For every 1/2 inch you add to a club, the lie angle is effected by 1/2*.
- The longer the club the FLATTER the lie angle is needed. For example, if you add 1 inch, the club needs to be 1* flatter.
- There is no 1 standard for lie angles. Every company has a different standard. Maltbie’s Standard (used by PGA) is 60.5* for a 5 iron.
- The best way to determine an individual’s needed lie angle is through dynamic fittings (off lie board) – but – with the single axis – single plane swing – static fitting (using height vs. wrist to floor measurement, etc.) is very effective and very accurate.
There are two ways to fit lie angles. One is to fit the lie angle of the club to your current swing, the other is to fit the lie angle of the club to a swing you are trying to model (hopefully the Moe Norman single axis swing). We prefer to fit the lie angle to your single axis swing as, with you see above, you will make compensations away from a good swing if the lie angle doesn’t fit. For example, if you need a 61* lie angle in a 5 iron for your single axis swing, and you currently have a 64* lie angle, when you swing gets better (toward the needed 61* club) you will be pulling the shots significantly because the club’s heel will be digging into the ground rather than the middle of the club…. you will have difficulty making changes…
So, as many as me – it comes down to the chicken and egg theory. If you were going to play in a tournament tomorrow – I would definitely get a lie angle that fits today’s swing. If you are trying to make swing changes to get a good single axis swing – I would get clubs that fit that swing you are working towards. Hopefully, those lie angles aren’t too far apart and your clubs can be bent to adjust accordingly.
Good Luck – Check Those Lie Angles – See what they are telling you…
Remember – ALWAYS PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE!!
