Easy one today. In the last Fitter’s Corner, I mentioned a specific example of where I adjusted the loft weaker for a player and it helped him.

I had someone ask me “What about changing the lie more upright for a player who slices it?”

My gut reaction is always No. Not just No, but a hard NO. Why not? In my mind, there are several reasons. First, how much right correction are you going to gain? It depends on the player, but there will be some no doubt. Ultimately, you have to ask “is the juice worth the squeeze?” Will you get enough to offset the other drawbacks that come along with it? If the heel digs, or the center of the face can’t be found, or the ball starts further left – are these types of things worth it? Second, and perhaps more important – this is a SWING issue, not a club issue. Why not take the steps to fix the mechanics that cause the slice, rather than put a band aid on the golf club. When he does fix it, the club will be right for him. If the lie is adjusted, he may never get it right if he does try to fix it. Third, there are better ways to do this than by bending the lie to an incorrect spec. Just my two cents.

Let’s dive into WHY we need to adjust the lie angle. The way the sole strikes the ground is the indicator of what we need to do to a clubs lie angle. If the divot is not square (in shape) and flat (not heel or toe deep), then the lie should be adjusted to get it to where it is.

A club manufacturer will look at a player who is 5’10” tall, and look at that set up. They will make it so the club sets flat for a player with that build and a good set up. If you are taller or shorter, hands higher or lower at impact, or you create some undue forces on the shaft in the golf swing – you may need to adjust the lie angle. We’ve said in the past that lie is head and shaft dependent – each shaft will move differently depending on the forces imparted upon it, so there is no “one size fits all” solution for any player.

The goal of the fitting is to get the club to sole correctly at impact. This reduces the need for any additional hand action. If we change the lie to accommodate a faulty ball flight, we are essentially mis-fitting a player – on purpose.

We say “I’m going to fit you with the swing you brought with you today.” If that is a slice swing, all things being equal, you will still slice it when we are done. An out to in path and an open club face produces a slice no matter how you try to disguise it. If we take the club and make it more upright, that will simply start the ball further left – with the same golf swing. An upright lie on the golf club simulates a ball-above-the-feet lie, but without the flatter swing plane (so less curve to the left).

A different club head will correct more than changing specs. A Big Bertha iron, for example, will have more heel weighting and make it easier for the player to close the toe. A heavier shaft may stop the club from coming over the top at the the top of the swing. I’d try these things first. You know where it stems from? How do you figure out what to do?? ASK the player. Say “I see your misses go to the right. Is this something you are working on, or would you like me to build you something that fights that a little bit?”. The player might say “I’d love that”. I’d follow up with this “OK. I can for sure, but there is a downside to this. If you decide to work on this move to correct it, the clubs will be a little hook biased. Do you think you’d work on it, or no?”. This tells you where to proceed.

Continuing down this pathway, I see no reason why we should adjust the lie incorrectly to further compensate. BUT, what if the player still insists? Simple. Build a club at 2* more upright than you fit him for, and compare the results. My guess is there won’t be enough of a difference to warrant the change. Even so, if he STILL wants to do it – then do it. They are not your clubs. Bending them back to STD lie is not that hard to do.

Happy Fitting!!!

Jim Yeager, PGA