The correct lie angle

Using a clubface alignment tool, you can see that when the leading edge (bottom of club) is square and sitting flat on the ground, the clubface points down the target line.   When I lift the shaft into a steeper position so the heel of the club comes off the ground, even though the leading edge is still square to the target, the clubface now points to the right of the target.  You could make a good swing, squaring the clubface at impact, but the ball would start right of target and slice further to the right.  If I flatten the club shaft so the toe of the club now sits off the ground, the reverse effect happens – the alignment tool now shows the face points left; so again, you could make a good swing but the ball would start left and hook.

This is something I see everyday where players have clubs that are not fitted to their body type or style of swing. They might be making good swings but the ball starting off line makes the player think they have a fault in their swing.  These players then go about trying to change aspects of  their swing, usually making things worse, not better.

I recommend to everyone to take the time getting your clubs fitted. Perhaps you can alter your current set, or when buying a new set, get properly fitted before you make the purchase.

Transcript

Hi, Robin here with a short video on the importance of the correct line angle on your clubs. You’ve got a face alignment tool here on the club face. It’s to help us with the understanding. Fist the club with the sole of the club flat on the ground with the club face square. You can see the alignment tool is showing us that the club face is pointing down the target line.

At the back keep the club face square and steepen the club shaft until the heel of the club’s off the ground. Without changing the club face, the alignment tool is now pointing to the right. You can make a good swing, the club face square at impact, but the ball will be starting 10 to 20 degrees right of your target line, by no fault of yours.

Flatten the club shaft so the toe of the club is off the ground. you get the reverse effect. Even though the club faces square, the leading edge of the club is square to the target line. Now the club face is pointing left. Again you could be making good swings, the ball could be starting left and hooking.

This is something I see everyday. People with clubs that are not fitted to their body type or even their swings. They think they’re doing something wrong with their swing and they go ahead and try to make changes and work on things. Where actually just getting the club correctly fitted so that through the impact zone the sole of the club is flat to the ground, can have the effect of hitting much better shots without doing anything with your swing.

So I recommend everybody take a little time, even if they’re old clubs you can probably get them altered if they’re incorrect. Or of you’re banging a new set take the time to visit your local pro, getting yourself fitted, get the clubs made for you.