Loft/Lie Checker, Without the Price Tag

[Shrek74]

Hey all,

How do you do your loft/lie checks and validations with clubs you're working on? Do you have a homemade tool or do you use something you've purchased?

I'm trying to find something that I can get rather inexpensively that will be accurate and easy to utilize at home. I hate having to pay some $5/club to the local shop to have it done if I can find an inexpensive but accurate way to do it at home.

Thanks.

[Josh Parker]

Following this one. 

[Wolfstrum]

I have the same question. I am sure some DIY club makers have built their own low cost tools for this. 

[Off Map Oscar]

Can't you use one of those digital angle finders? 

Mount club so lie is flat put it on the shaft. Should tell you the lie. Then on the face to get the loft. 

[The TXBexar]

1 hour ago, Off Map Oscar said:

Can't you use one of those digital angle finders? 

Mount club so lie is flat put it on the shaft. Should tell you the lie. Then on the face to get the loft. 

Hey @Shrek74 @Josh Parker @Wolfstrum, this is what I do to determine my angles on any projects that I put together.

Hard part is getting the club level, so the sole of the head is level from heel to toe and face to back. But that can be checked with a level going parallel along the sole and top line, then perpendicular to the same locations. Once that's checked, then attach the angle finder to the face and to the shaft right above the hosel (or you could do to the back side of the hosel if you think the shaft might through off an accurate measurement). 

And I always recommend Harbor Freight if you're looking for an inexpensive solution to try; I've used this same gauge for a lot of different projects over the past 2+ years myself. [If the link doesn't work, it's a PITTSBURGH Dial Gauge Angle Finder for $5 @ Harbor Freight online]. 

Or, could spend $40 on a GolfWorx Protractor [if the link doesn't work it's a GolfWorks Golf Club Loft & Lie Angle Protractor for $40 on eBay]. It does come with a manual on how to measure the various different types of clubs, with pictures showing you how to use the Protractor, so it might be worth it to spend the $40 lol.

[Josh Parker]

2 minutes ago, The TXBexar said:

Hey @Shrek74 @Josh Parker @Wolfstrum, this is what I do to determine my angles on any projects that I put together.

Hard part is getting the club level, so the sole of the head is level from heel to toe and face to back. But that can be checked with a level going parallel along the sole and top line, then perpendicular to the same locations. Once that's checked, then attach the angle finder to the face and to the shaft right above the hosel (or you could do to the back side of the hosel if you think the shaft might through off an accurate measurement). 

And I always recommend Harbor Freight if you're looking for an inexpensive solution to try; I've used this same gauge for a lot of different projects over the past 2+ years myself. [If the link doesn't work, it's a PITTSBURGH Dial Gauge Angle Finder for $5 @ Harbor Freight online]. 

Or, could spend $40 on a GolfWorx Protractor [if the link doesn't work it's a GolfWorks Golf Club Loft & Lie Angle Protractor for $40 on eBay]. It does come with a manual on how to measure the various different types of clubs, with pictures showing you how to use the Protractor, so it might be worth it to spend the $40 lol.

Nice!  Thanks!  Hadn't thought of these.  I also saw a digital one that popped up in the Harbor Freight one that would possibly work as well.

[Shrek74]

5 hours ago, The TXBexar said:

Hey @Shrek74 @Josh Parker @Wolfstrum, this is what I do to determine my angles on any projects that I put together.

Hard part is getting the club level, so the sole of the head is level from heel to toe and face to back. But that can be checked with a level going parallel along the sole and top line, then perpendicular to the same locations. Once that's checked, then attach the angle finder to the face and to the shaft right above the hosel (or you could do to the back side of the hosel if you think the shaft might through off an accurate measurement). 

And I always recommend Harbor Freight if you're looking for an inexpensive solution to try; I've used this same gauge for a lot of different projects over the past 2+ years myself. [If the link doesn't work, it's a PITTSBURGH Dial Gauge Angle Finder for $5 @ Harbor Freight online]. 

Or, could spend $40 on a GolfWorx Protractor [if the link doesn't work it's a GolfWorks Golf Club Loft & Lie Angle Protractor for $40 on eBay]. It does come with a manual on how to measure the various different types of clubs, with pictures showing you how to use the Protractor, so it might be worth it to spend the $40 lol.

Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking about the GW Protractor (https://www.golfworks.com/golf-club-loft-and-lie-protractor/p/gwpro/). I just wish there was a bit more info/detail about how it works and stuff on the website. There's the magnetic base one too (https://www.golfworks.com/magnetic-protractor/p/pro/), but again no actual details on how it works.

It's about how to set the club in the right position, and keep it there that'll be the toughest part for any of these I bet.

[cnosil]

13 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

Thanks. Yeah, I was thinking about the GW Protractor (https://www.golfworks.com/golf-club-loft-and-lie-protractor/p/gwpro/). I just wish there was a bit more info/detail about how it works and stuff on the website. There's the magnetic base one too (https://www.golfworks.com/magnetic-protractor/p/pro/), but again no actual details on how it works.

It's about how to set the club in the right position, and keep it there that'll be the toughest part for any of these I bet.

Did you read the instructions?  https://store-k9nvqai7wz.mybigcommerce.com/content/PDFs/Tool_Instructions/HGCG.pdf
 

the big thing is that you need a station to clamp the club to be able to use these protractors.  This is the value model:   https://www.golfworks.com/value-line-golf-club-measuring-gauge/p/hgcg/

[Shrek74]

12 minutes ago, cnosil said:

Did you read the instructions?  https://store-k9nvqai7wz.mybigcommerce.com/content/PDFs/Tool_Instructions/HGCG.pdf
 

the big thing is that you need a station to clamp the club to be able to use these protractors.  This is the value model:   https://www.golfworks.com/value-line-golf-club-measuring-gauge/p/hgcg/

Yeah, didn't see the links to the instructions. Doing loft without the HGCG would be doable, but the lie would be difficult without some type of clamping device. I'll have to think about whether building something is possible for less or if I'll just need to either do without or fork over the cash.

Having the lofts/lies checked locally is about $5/club, but that includes bending if I need it. So that's about $30 for irons, plus $15 for wedges, each time they're checked. I'd basically have to check 5 sets of irons/wedges to save that money back. Hmmmmm....

[cnosil]

10 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

Yeah, didn't see the links to the instructions. Doing loft without the HGCG would be doable, but the lie would be difficult without some type of clamping device. I'll have to think about whether building something is possible for less or if I'll just need to either do without or fork over the cash.

Having the lofts/lies checked locally is about $5/club, but that includes bending if I need it. So that's about $30 for irons, plus $15 for wedges, each time they're checked. I'd basically have to check 5 sets of irons/wedges to save that money back. Hmmmmm....

You can find all the instructions for their tools here: https://www.golfworks.com/assembly-operating-instructions/

 

bending is the other side.  With the protractor and jig you can check the loft and lie but you then need a bending machine to actually bend the club.   
 

the cost gets into how frequently you check the lofts and lies.   I haven’t checked mine at all and I’ve had the irons for 4 years and wedges 3.  

[Shrek74]

2 minutes ago, cnosil said:

You can find all the instructions for their tools here: https://www.golfworks.com/assembly-operating-instructions/

bending is the other side.  With the protractor and jig you can check the loft and lie but you then need a bending machine to actually bend the club.

the cost gets into how frequently you check the lofts and lies.   I haven’t checked mine at all and I’ve had the irons for 4 years and wedges 3.  

Yeah, loft/lie bending machines are way too costly at this point to consider having one. The loft/lie station might be ok to have to check clubs both as I build them and on a yearly basis to ensure they stay in their proper settings. Forged clubs they recommend doing it yearly as the softer steel tends to move more easily (usually it's the lie that moves). If I need something bent, I'll pay for that. Those machines are $400 and up for the "cheaper" ones and $800 and up for a good one.

If I have one of these loft/lie checkers, I'd do it yearly and not just for me but for family and friends. So it would eventually pay for itself, but I'd have to convince myself to get it which isn't easy.

[cnosil]

28 minutes ago, Shrek74 said:

Yeah, loft/lie bending machines are way too costly at this point to consider having one. The loft/lie station might be ok to have to check clubs both as I build them and on a yearly basis to ensure they stay in their proper settings.

MGS HQ just got their loft/lie machine installed.  I’ve been trying to work with them to get over there after work to check my clubs.  Tried to do it after a few of my most wanted sessions but don’t want to keep them that late.