Getting fit for a new set of golf clubs can be such a fun and exciting time.
You will have to learn some of the jargon and terminology that club fitters use so you can make sure that you get a great fit.
One of the things which you will hear mentioned quite a bit is how upright or flat a club is.
It can be quite important to understand exactly what this means and how it will impact your game.
Let’s take a look at what two degrees upright might mean.
What Does 2 Degrees Upright Mean on a Golf Club?
Two degrees upright means that a golf club has a lie angle that is two degrees upright of standard.
The standard lie angle is going to differ depending on the club you are talking about and the manufacturer.
When a Titleist seven iron is two degrees upright, it may still have a different lie angle than a TaylorMade seven iron that is two degrees upright.
Lie angle is something that is very commonly used when getting fitted for irons.
If the lie angle is off, it is very likely the interaction with the turf will also be off.
As a golfer comes into the impact position, the lie angle needs to be a perfect fit so that the player can hit the ball with the center of the clubface.
What Happens If a Lie Angle is Wrong on Your Irons?
Some golfers choose not to get their clubs fitted, and they’ll play with something that comes off the shelf.
For many people, this is entirely understandable, more affordable, and the norm.
However, for golfers who are taller or shorter than average height, it makes sense to get fitted to ensure that the club is the ideal fit for your game.
If your lie angle is perfect, your club will sit square to the ground when you set up to hit.
If your lie angle starts to get too upright, you will see that the toe of the club will sit up off the ground.
When the toe is up off the ground, there is going to be a greater chance of the golfer hitting a shot that is more on the heel of the club and could go to the left.
If your lie angle is too flat, you will see that the heel of the club could be slightly off the ground at impact.
When this happens, the golfer is more likely to hit their shot off the toe of the club and have it travel more towards the right.
If you find that you are consistently hitting your shots left or right, and your swing is on the right plane and all other factors are in place, you may have an issue with the lie angle.
The good news is that, for most clubs, the lie angle can be adjusted to get it to the number you need.
Typically speaking, taller people need more upright clubs, and those who are shorter need something flatter.
How to Get the Perfect Lie Angle on Your Clubs
The best way to get your lie angle perfect on your clubs is to go to a fitting or local club repair shop and get fitted.
When you get fitted for the proper lie angle, you will need to hit off of a lie board using fitting tape.
The tape will go across the sole of your golf club.
The tape has markers on it that will indicate where you are making contact with the ground.
This is why you use a lie board when working on fitting your clubs.
The lie board will help you find the exact point you are making contact with and mark the tape on your club.
If you are hitting the tape in an area that is off from the center location, chances are you need something with a different lie angle.
Usually, this will be tried a few different times with several irons.
Sometimes, if a fitter only does it with one club, you may want to request they do it with a few of your current clubs.
Although the results will more than likely be the same, you want to make sure this is a measurement that is completely worked out before you purchase your next set of clubs.
Although you can usually have your lie angle adjusted or tweaked after purchase, it is best to do it before making your final selection.
Remember that a lie angle is not a standard thing across all brands.
There will be variation in lie angle from one manufacturer to another.
Just because you are one degree flat on one set of irons does not universally mean you will need one degree flat on any set.
Are Custom Golf Fittings Worth It?
As you can see, a golf fitting can be quite a valuable process.
It will help you feel as though you have something in your hands made to help your golf game be that much easier.
Custom fittings are helpful for most players, yet they come at a cost.
Not only is the fitting going to cost you anywhere from $50 to $150, but the adjustments made to a club could also end up costing you hundreds more.
There are some things that are worth knowing before you head into a golf fitting.
1. Don’t Go If You Don’t Have the Budget
If you don’t plan on spending anywhere from $700 to $2000 on a set of new irons, don’t go for a fitting.
The fitting will help you order a new set of clubs that is right for your golf game, and those are going to be expensive.
If you don’t have room in your budget for a purchase like this, don’t worry about the fitting.
2. Work Out a Deal on the Fitting Cost
If you are going to order your new clubs from the person who fits you for them, you should work out a deal on the fitting costs.
If your purchase will be $1000 or more, try and get the fitting for free.
Though you may have to pay for the fitting upfront and then have it credited, it will be worth it.
Paying for the fitting in one place and then ordering the clubs in another could cost you an additional $50 or more.
Many club fitters will advertise deals like this to keep people interested in buying clubs from them.
3. Be Honest About Expectations
You have to remember that the person who is doing the club fitting is also probably trying to sell you golf clubs.
If you started looking at a set for $700 and now, all of a sudden, with shaft upgrades and grip upgrades, your cost is over $900, you may want to think about what you are doing.
When you start entering the world of custom golf clubs, you will find that there are endless options for shaft and grip combinations.
For most golfers, the stock shaft options will be plenty good enough to get the necessary performance.
There are some golfers, however, who will need premium shaft choices.
If you are going to be getting a premium shaft, make sure you feel as though it is going to be the best decision for your game.
If you shoot 95 most days and the fitter is telling you that a $100 per club shaft upgrade will change your life, try and be realistic about this.
Most golf club fitters will work to get you a set of clubs within your budget which is also great for your game.
The best thing you can do is be honest about your budget and what you plan to spend so that they can fit you accordingly.
If you go in without laying down the groundwork, you could find that you are being sold options you really don’t need.
The bottom line is to be smart about the fitting and make sure you are getting something that you need.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what it means to have a two degrees upright club.
The lie angle is an important measurement when it comes to custom fit golf clubs.
If your club does not sit flat when you set up to hit a shot, it could be something which needs to be fixed.
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