Goal: Find a lie angle that fits the player's swing.
Lie angle is the vertical orientation of the clubhead. It affects the direction the clubface is pointing, and thus how the ball leaves the clubface. If the lie angle is too upright, the clubface will point to the left of the clubhead’s leading edge. If the lie angle is too flat, the clubface will point to the right of the leading edge.
There are two important factors to consider when considering the lie angle of an iron. First, lie angle should be fitted dynamically, meaning that the club fitter should examine the lie angle when the club is impacting the ball. How the clubhead sits at address has no bearing on performance. Second, lie is fitted after shaft length has been selected because length affects dynamic lie angle – every ½” of length added makes the iron play 1 degree more upright; the reverse is true for reduced length.
Callaway uses seven different color codes ranging from three degrees upright to three degrees flat in full degree increments. Callaway clubs use a painted groove line to identify changes in lie angle. The top groove line is used. An uncolored groove identifies a standard lie angle while a colored groove identifies a change from the standard lie angle.
Upright: A term used to describe a lie angle in which the toe of any metal wood, iron or putter is higher than standard, or higher than preferred at impact. If the lie angle is too upright, the clubface will point to the left of the leading edge.
Flat: A term used to describe a lie angle in which the toe of any metal wood, iron or putter is lower than standard, or lower than preferred at impact. If the lie angle is too flat, the clubface will point to the right of the leading edge.
Lie Angle Q&A
Q: Why does lie angle affect ball flight with a short iron more than a long iron?
A: When the sole of the clubhead is level to the ground, the clubface points the same direction as the leading edge. When the club isn't level, the face points a different direction to some degree. The more loft a club has (such as a short iron), the more the two directions differ. That is why lie angle is more critical with a short iron. As a side note on lie, contrary to another myth, an incorrect lie angle rarely affects hit location – if an iron is playing too flat and that golfer consistently contacts the club on the toe, it's coincidental, not the result of cause and effect.
Lie angle is the angle between the bottom, or sole, of the golf club and the shaft. Having the proper lie angle is critical if you want the opportunity to make accurate golf shots. The purpose in adjusting the golf club's lie angle is to ensure that the club is resting squarely on its sole when you are addressing your shot. This will help get your swing on the right plane and keep the clubface square at impact. A lie angle that is too upright will cause the heel of the club to hit the ground first, which will close the clubface and produce a pull or hook. A lie angle that is too flat causes the toe to hit the ground first, opening the clubface, which will result in a push or slice. It is estimated that about 90% of all golfers have a lie angle that is off by at least 2 degrees. Use the fitting chart as a guide to help you find out how far off your current lie angle might be and to find out what the correct lie angle for you should be.
While many golfers will find that "standard" club lie angles are good for them, there are those of us that may need some adjustments. Finding out the proper lie angle is a simple process if you feel you need an adjustment. The best way to find what lie angle is right for you is by taking a wrist to floor measurement. You should wear normal street shoes with a lift of less than 1". Stand at attention with your feet about a foot apart, shoulders relaxed, but up, back, and level. Keep your arms relaxed by your side. You'll want to have someone to take the measurement for you if you want to get it right. Have them measure the distance between the floor and your left wrist (for lefties, measure to your right wrist) where the biggest crease meets your hand. Look up this measurement, in reference to your height, using the chart below. The corresponding value represents how much more upright or flat (in degrees) your club's lie angle should be.
