Since we've been talking quite a bit about professional club fitting, I thought Bill question was a good one to share.
Bill says:
The videos are great! I am hoping to save wear and tear on my back by using your method. One question: my clubs have standard lies. Should I look into getting them adjusted more upright by one or two degrees?
Thanks,
Bill Knox
The Surge says:
Glad to hear that the videos are really helping you Bill, and I am confident that they will reduce the wear and tear on your back.
Regarding your lie angle, a great question question. Just because you are swinging more vertical/upright does not necessarily mean that you have to bump your lie angles more vertical/upright. Lie angle is determined by the length of your arms versus the height of your torso when returning the club to impact, so that the leading edge of the club hits the ground soled flat. That is, not heel or toe up, which changes the launch angle and direction of the ball flight.
For example, I am 5′9″ and have an arm length of 35 inches, which is usually the length associated with someone well over 6 feet. My son, D.J., is 6′4″ and also has a 35″ sleeve. For his height and arm length, his clubs are standard lie. Whereas, with my long arms, relative to my shorter torso, my clubs are set 3 degrees flat. And, with my upright/vertical swing, my clubs at impact are soled properly. That is, the leading edge is flat to the ground.
So, since you have changed your swing to a more upright plane does not necessarily mean your lie angles must also be upright, as is seen by mine being flat. If your lie angles are too upright, your divots will be digging in the heel. If they are too flat, your clubhead will dig in the toe. And, if your divots are clean and level from heel to toe, your lie angle is likely correct.
I recommend that you visit your PGA Professional or local club fitter and have them check your lie angles of all your irons as they apply to your new upright swing.
The Surge!