What will be the ball flight direction if an iron contacts the lie board near the middle of the sole by the toe?

When an iron contacts the lie board near the middle of the sole by the toe, the ball flight direction is affected primarily by the clubface orientation and the point of contact on the club. If contact is made on the toe, it generally causes the clubface to open slightly at impact. This resulting face orientation typically leads to a ball that starts its flight towards the right of the target line, depending on the player's swing path.

The dynamics at play include how the weight distribution on the sole impacts the angle of attack and face angle at impact. Since a strike on the toe tends to push the ball right when the swing path remains consistent, the ball will naturally travel toward the right from the starting point, making this answer the most accurate in describing the expected ball flight direction.

Understanding the physics of the strike and its effects on ball trajectory is essential in golf instruction, particularly when diagnosing common flaws or teaching proper impact positions.