Which type of club is most impacted by an improper lie angle?

The type of club most impacted by an improper lie angle is longer clubs, such as the driver. This is because longer clubs, which include drivers and fairway woods, are more sensitive to lie angle variations. When the lie angle is incorrect, it can cause the clubhead to be positioned either too much to the left or right at impact, significantly affecting the direction of the shot.

With longer clubs, a proper lie angle is essential for ensuring that the clubface strikes the ball squarely. If the lie angle is too upright or too flat, the longer shaft of the club exacerbates the effects of this misalignment, leading to inconsistent ball flight and potentially causing hooks or slices.

In contrast, shorter clubs and mid-irons have less sensitivity to lie angle changes because their shorter shafts inherently reduce the variance in impact position. Thus, while all clubs benefit from correct lie angles, the impact is most pronounced on longer clubs like the driver, making proper fitting crucial for golfers to achieve optimal performance.