Who irons who dis (Lie Angle Help Please!)

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By Charles P

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  • 12 Replies
  1. Charles P

    Charles P

    Gapped out my (4-7 irons) today and its clear that the lie angle need some adjusting. I drew a line on my golf ball to see strike location and direction of line. To me it looks like they need a degree upright in the 6 & 7 (Red) and about half a degree in the 4 & 5 (blue).

    Also since my strike location is close to the heel, I am thinking that I should make the irons shorter, but i'm not about to cut up my shafts just yet.

    What do you guys think? Any advice would be appreciated.

    Post Image
  2. Brock L

    Brock L
    Fort Myers, FL

    You determine lie angle by using impact tape on the sole of the club and preferably with the aide of a launch monitor. You need to determine whether the sole of the club is digging at any point, as that is what causes the club to either open or close at impact. Sign up for a Titleist fitting day or visit your local retailer to schedule a fitting. In most cases, there is no charge for the fitting.
  3. Don O

    Don O
    Madison, WI

    Brock is correct on determining lie angle issues. More specifically, hitting close to the heel is more of a swing issue that you should see a good fitter like a Titleist Thursday. Or your local pro for an evaluation if you otherwise are committed to your current set. It may be length, but only after ruling out other corrections.

    My own experience with shaft length was my first fitting. My incumbent set and the AP1 were the same length. The stock png length was 1/4 inch shorter. Until we changed to a +1/4 inch shaft, I kept thinning the png. It didn't move the contact spot left or right.
  4. jeff p

    jeff p

    Impact tape can help, but that shows the interaction of the sole and ground. At that point, assuming a good strike, the ball has already left the clubface. The line on the ball method is a better indication of the angle of the club at impact. I have a tendency to rotate the clubface very fast, therefor my mark with impact tape is generally on the toe, even when my lie angles are correct. Best advice, book a fitting!
  5. Brock L

    Brock L
    Fort Myers, FL

    jeff p said:

    Impact tape can help, but that shows the interaction of the sole and ground. At that point, assuming a good strike, the ball has already left the clubface. The line on the ball method is a better indication of the angle of the club at impact. I have a tendency to rotate the clubface very fast, therefor my mark with impact tape is generally on the toe, even when my lie angles are correct. Best advice, book a fitting!

    The issue with the line on the face "dynamic" fitting is that an open or closed club face at impact will also give you a non-vertical line. If you use a high quality launch monitor in conjunction with this method, it can be useful. But like has been said repeatedly, you will be best served by booking a fitting with a certified professional.
  6. Charles P

    Charles P

    I've spent $400 dollar on fittings this year. $250 at Manchester Lane and $150 at CC. No one helped me fit for lie angle. It was really frustrating and I feel like i wasted my money.
  7. 19hole

    19hole
    Reading, MA

    Charles P said:

    I've spent $400 dollar on fittings this year. $250 at Manchester Lane and $150 at CC. No one helped me fit for lie angle. It was really frustrating and I feel like i wasted my money.

    If you were fit at Manchester Lane, the lie angle was definitely looked at by the club fitter. Those guys are the best in the business and would never fail to evaluate every aspect of the club during a fitting.
  8. Mike M

    Mike M
    Marblehead MA

    Brock's right; simple electrical tape on the soul, hitting off a lie board is the simplest way to go (aside from a fitting).if the iron is too upright the wear mark will be toward the heel; if it's too flat it'll be toward the toe.
  9. Joseph M

    Joseph M
    Saint John, New Brunswick

    This is the best way to check Lie:

    Ink Line On The Back Of The Ball Technique
    With a Sharpie pen put a thick, heavy ink line on the ball. Position the ball so the line is vertical, facing the clubhead as it would come into impact. Best to put it on a very short tee on close mown grass like on a par 3 hole so no grass can come between the ball and clubface. Hit the shot and look for a faint transfer of the ink line to the clubface. If the ink line is perfectly vertical/perpendicular to the score lines the lie is correct for the golfer at that length. If the line tilts so the top of the line is more toward the toe end of the head, the lie at present is too upright and needs to be flattened. Vice versa if the ink line is angled to the top of the line is toward the heel side of the face the lie is too flat and needs to be more upright. Subsequent hit testing with the ink line after bending verifies the change.

    Fitting for length is paramount if you hope to consistently find the center of the club


  10. Brock L

    Brock L
    Fort Myers, FL

    Joseph M said:

    This is the best way to check Lie:

    Ink Line On The Back Of The Ball Technique
    With a Sharpie pen put a thick, heavy ink line on the ball. Position the ball so the line is vertical, facing the clubhead as it would come into impact. Best to put it on a very short tee on close mown grass like on a par 3 hole so no grass can come between the ball and clubface. Hit the shot and look for a faint transfer of the ink line to the clubface. If the ink line is perfectly vertical/perpendicular to the score lines the lie is correct for the golfer at that length. If the line tilts so the top of the line is more toward the toe end of the head, the lie at present is too upright and needs to be flattened. Vice versa if the ink line is angled to the top of the line is toward the heel side of the face the lie is too flat and needs to be more upright. Subsequent hit testing with the ink line after bending verifies the change.

    Fitting for length is paramount if you hope to consistently find the center of the club


    I can create those exact same results simply by having an open or closed club face at impact. How do you think the ball curves? SIDESPIN. Unless you can guarantee a square club face, this method is basically useless. If you look at the OP's photos, that's exactly what you are seeing. On the right one, the line is straight at the bottom (initial impact) and curves off as the ball climbs the face. That's an open club face.
  11. Joseph M

    Joseph M
    Saint John, New Brunswick

    No doubt you can create these results and/or one's bad swings might possibly negate the benefit of using this method, however, it does not change the usefulness of using this method which I believe would be largely approved by professionals.
  12. Mockingbird808

    Mockingbird808
    Mililani

    Prefer using a dry erase/white board marker but who doesn't have a Sharpie around in their golf bag ;-)
  13. Joseph M

    Joseph M
    Saint John, New Brunswick

    Works for me!!

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