When shopping around for new golfing gear, paying attention to the metrics of each product is essential, as doing so can be the key to you bettering your performance. Two of the specs you’ll often come across when looking at clubs are lie angle and loft; however, are these really connected to one another? Does changing lie angle, for example, affect loft or vice versa – and if so, how?
Changing the lie angle doesn’t directly affect a club’s loft; however, the two metrics are still connected. For example, the effect of an incorrect lie angle is far more prominent in clubs with more loft. Moreover, assuming the club is well-adjusted, as loft increases, the lie angle increases too.
As you can see, the two metrics are inherently connected and equally important in a golfer’s performance. So, read on as I explore this connection and take you through everything you need to know about finding a club that boasts the right lie angle and loft for your preferences and playing style. Below, I’ll also explain the meaning and importance of both metrics, so make sure to stick around until the end.
The Connection Between Lie Angle and Loft
Before exploring the connection between a club’s lie angle and loft, I want to quickly explain what these metrics entail and why they’re essential to selecting the right golfing gear for you.
Lie Angle
Simply put, the lie angle refers to the angle that gets created between the ground and the shaft’s center when you put your club down. To find the right lie angle for you, you need to take into account your stature, body type, and a plethora of other physical factors that affect your preferences and playing style.
Lie angle is an essential metric to consider because it affects both the direction and speed of the ball, as it determines the angle at which the club interacts with the ground (which can affect friction, trajectory, and so on).
Loft
Loft, on the other hand, is the angle that gets created between the ground and the clubface itself. Since the ground only comes in direct contact with the head and not the shaft itself, you can see how loft angle impacts lie angle, and not the other way around. When loft increases, lie angle increases as well.
Loft plays a significant role in the trajectory speed, and distance of the ball, which is why you’ll want to pay close attention to it when shopping for a new set of clubs.
Moreover, it’s important to note that incorrect lie angles are far more notable in clubs with bigger lofts. That’s because the incorrect angle gets magnified, promptly affecting the direction of the ball, making it impossible to hit an accurate shot.
Conclusion
Though changing the lie angle won’t directly affect a club’s loft, the two are still connected to one another. In order for you to achieve the performance you want, you’ll have to make sure that you find a club with the right metrics; otherwise, it can become increasingly difficult to hit straight, accurate shots.
Hopefully, the information outlined above gave you some insight into what lie angle and loft are, why they’re important, and how they can affect one another.