Correct lie angle: Why it will help you shoot lower golf scores

One of the most important things to get right before you purchase a new set of irons is LIE ANGLE. 

Each manufacturer has a different spec for the lie angle on their clubs, and the majority of golfers never get them adjusted for their own individual swing.

HOW IT WORKS: GOLF CLUB CUSTOM FITTING

We all swing it differently at the end of the day, and so if the lie angle specification is not adjusted properly it could cause shots to travel some 10 yards offline from their intended target line even if the player made what felt like a great swing. 

We caught up with professional golfer and The Belfry's custom fit technician Neil Wain to learn more about the importance of lie angle...

Lie angle is defined as the angle between the shaft and the ground line when the club is measured in normal playing position with the centre of the sole touching the ground line.

There are only two scenarios that occur when your lie angle is not adjusted properly for your swing: the club is either too upright whereby the toe is not making contact with the ground at impact, or the club is too flat whereby the heel is not making contact with the ground at impact.

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If the lie angle is too upright then then the ball will be hit left of target.

If the lie angle is too flat then the ball will be hit right of target. 

It should be said that the ball will travel approximately four yards away from your intended target line for every degree your lie angle is either too upright or flat.

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Here at The Belfry, we place tape on the sole of the iron and then draw a Sharpie pen line onto the golf ball.

Upon at impact, we'll then look at where the golfer is striking the golf ball.

INSTRUCTION: BEST IRON PLAY TIPS 

Another traditional way to test lie angle is to use an impact board with tape.

We also use a launch monitor to get an even greater indication of what is going on at impact. 

TESTED: BEST GAME IMPROVEMENT IRONS 2017

#1: THE QUALITY OF YOUR STRIKE

The correct lie angle is so, so important. It will allow you to produce a better ball flight and therefore control distance a lot more regularly. With a better ball flight comes more confidence too. The bottom line is that it makes the game much easier and hopefully your scores will come down! 

#2: OPTIMISING SHOT SHAPE

Finding the correct lie angle allows golfers to develop a consistent shot shape. That’s crucial for getting into a rhythm and building belief.

#3: IMPROVING SHOT DISPERSION

Identifying a golfer's correct lie angle will help them hit the ball much straighter. We find that with the right lie angle, even the mishits go further and straighter. Golf is a hard enough sport as it is, so why not make it easier?!

Click here for more information about custom fitting at The Belfry, and keep up to date with Neil Wain's extremely helpful golf equipment and custom fitting advice on his active Twitter and Instagram pages.