Lie angle testing while swinging bad - does it matter?

[ggbrands]

Have played for a long time and should know this.  4 Hcp, recently purchased irons and when having the lies determined, found I need 1* up.  What makes me wonder though is a.) I'm going through some bad swings these days which I am working on but not there yet - fighting a much too steep descent into the ball and divots left of target, and b.) last time I had the lies looked at, probably 5 years ago, I was 1* down. 

 

Can my current swing issue affect determining proper lie angles? Thanks.

[aquapig]

It could definitely change things. Being a 4 and playing for so long, maybe not drastically, but worth checking out once you've dialed in swing changes.

 

It's another reason lessons and practice should be a priority over going and buying new clubs and being "fitted". Especially if your new to the game, coming back from a long break, or like you, making a swing change.

 

 

[cgasucks]

Unless you grew or shrank by a few inches overnight, your lie angle won't change for the rest of your life.  Therefore, having the correct lie angle on your irons is a variable you can deduce in wondering why your swing sucks. 

Edited April 14 by cgasucks

[Magicmarker7551]

Are the clubs the same length as they were then?

 

Is the standard lie of the new irons the same as the standard lie of the old ones?

[Stuart_G]

On 4/14/2024 at 8:50 AM, cgasucks said:

Unless you grew or shrank by a few inches overnight, your lie angle won't change for the rest of your life. 

 

Sorry not correct.    Swing changes can significantly effect posture and body positions at impact - which can and will effect the lie angles of the club.   

 

Early Extension is perfect example of a swing flaw that will make lie angle have to be more upright compared to what might be needed with better posture and motions.

[cgasucks]

37 minutes ago, Stuart_G said:

 

Sorry not correct.    Swing changes can significantly effect posture and body positions at impact - which can and will effect the lie angles of the club.   

 

Early Extension is perfect example of a swing flaw that will make lie angle have to be more upright compared to what might be needed with better posture and motions.

 

Please explain this then.  Explain why Ping is doing it wrong after all these decades and have been misleading their tour staff all this time.  No wonder Viktor Hovland played crappy at the Masters.

 

Edited April 15 by cgasucks

[GoGoErky]

27 minutes ago, cgasucks said:

 

Please explain this then.  Explain why Ping is doing it wrong after all these decades and have been misleading their tour staff all this time.  No wonder Viktor Hovland played crappy at the Masters.

 

That’s just a starting point for a fitting not the end all be all of the fitting for lie angle or length.

 

 

[Stuart_G]

8 minutes ago, GoGoErky said:

That’s just a starting point for a fitting not the end all be all of the fitting for lie angle or length.

 

 

 

Exactly - static fittings are just that - static - not the final dynamic lie angle fitting.

 

 

Even with their charts Ping has always used lie boards and other methods to further adjust the lie angle for individuals being fit.

 

[ShortGolfer]

The fitter at Club Champion bent a club to be sure he got the lie angle right on my irons.

[bcflyguy1]

47 minutes ago, cgasucks said:

 

Please explain this then.  Explain why Ping is doing it wrong after all these decades and have been misleading their tour staff all this time.  No wonder Viktor Hovland played crappy at the Masters.

 

Nothing more than a guide for where to start in a good fitting process. Does not and cannot take into account the player's delivery of dynamic lie, their shot shape/start line preferences etc. etc.

[Stuart_G]

Might also find this informative:

 

https://ping.com/en-us/blogs/proving-grounds/does-lie-tape-lie

 

 

Although he is wrong about how precise you have to be with the sharpie test - likely because he's never actually used it.  It is a common misconception.

Edited April 15 by Stuart_G

[RobS]

Steep AOA and left pointing divots is frequently going to indicate an over the top, outside in swing path.  Along with that you're, typically going to see higher hands and toe down at impact.  Fitting lie angles with a lie board, sharpie or launch monitor is potentially going to make ball flight matters worse.  If you're working through some swing issues, you may want to consider a temporary, static fitting until you are closer to getting any path or plane issues cleaned up.

 

On the topic of the Ping charts, it's just a starting point for their fitting process.  Ping's data shows that 75% of players fit within color code of static and 95% within 2 color codes.  That's a pretty decent spread, which is why they don't stop at just static measurements.  The intent of the chart is to start the fitting with a lie angle that will likely be close or potentially the same as the dynamic fit.  A big part of this is to avoid having players alter their set up and/or swing to adjust to the golf club.

[aquapig]

On 4/15/2024 at 10:46 AM, ShortGolfer said:

The fitter at Club Champion bent a club to be sure he got the lie angle right on my irons.

You must have shrunk. 🤣