DIY option for Uneekor balls

[TXANM]

I have been drilling balls as well but I haven’t used die to make it black. The system recognizes the peach interior of the older prov1x balls I have been drilling. Anybody else not die theirs to make it black? No misreads and data seems to be coming across correctly for me with this approach.

[IowaCat89]

I'm using balls that have black or blue cores so that when the mill goes through the cover the dark circle does not need any ink or dye. The thinner the cover the better in my opinion so that the circle is closer to the outer surface of the ball. As for the mill, that's the easiest way for me to hold the ball accurately and control the depth. I haven't tried a regular drill and bit, but that might work just fine if you are careful.

[awisnia]

Got it - I wonder if it matters where the dots are at address - assuming that the spin (and other) information can only be determined after the ball is actually spinning in flight.

[awisnia]

Is the milling just to get a sharp circle? Or, is the theory that by counter sinking the hole, the ink will not transfer to the screen as much? (I realize in some cases it's to expose the dark layer below the white)

[Tonysmjc]

Certain patterns do read
just not correctly

but by the same token
5 triangles work and balls will missing dots and triangles beyond five also still read but give more 888:222 readings

the other day I hit a stickered ball with maybe 35/40 percent of the dots missing and it still read 100 percent of the shots

so is the number of dots and actual triangle pattern set in stone
no

but it is the one we know we can count on to give the most accurate numbers and read 100 percent of the time
or as close to 100 percent as were ever going to get

[968Cab]

I have cobbled together single dot leftovers into a triangle pattern, no where near exact...but if you unpeel to relocate, they don’t stick very well the second time.

My mishaped triangles seem to perform the same as the ones that go on as a set of 3.

I’ve also played quite a few shots when one of the 3 stickers facing up at address is nearly gone, with never a mis-read.

Maybe I’ll try some random evenly spaced placements and see what works.

[IowaCat89]

I kinda think the triangle pattern makes a difference based on the reports that Callaway Truvis balls don't work. However, the Truvis pattern is also the wrong shape (pentagon vs circle) and the wrong size, so I guess those factors could be playing a role. I minimally drilled balls without the triangle pattern and did not get good results, but that was early on and other factors certainly could have been at play (primarily calibration of the camera being sub-optimal). I currently mill 1/4" holes spaced 1/2" apart, center to center. I know that works well with my cameras. I see no difference between 5 patterns and 6 patterns, but have not experimented much with 4 patterns.

[awisnia]

Do we understand if there is something sacred about the triangle pattern?? When I've accidentally hit a non-uneekor ball the algorithm seems to pick up anything it can find in the image. I'm wondering if the triangle was a way to maximize the number of dots in the circle of a pad printing pad - so the ball could be done in six cycles of the printer??? In other words, the system is not looking for triangle pattern of dots, but just dots.

Has anybody tried a bunch of evenly-distributed dots around the ball? There may be a pattern that reduces the total number of dots on the ball and still provides enough targets for the software. Also, perhaps individual stick-on-dots would perform/survive better than the triangle stick-on with all of the clear supporting web between. Muck less total surface area of sticker means less face-sticker interaction which means less sticker shredding and wear (and perhaps truer spin)

Also, with the drilled balls, perhaps a non-triangle pattern could reduce the number of holes, but keep an adequate number of dots in each visual frame.

[Tonysmjc]

I’m not big on ball placement and agree that it will read
fairly well with 5

but the fell of hitting it on an undrilled location is just better

[LondonGolf]

Same. I get a few 888/222 when I really go after a wedge, but other than that works pretty good

[IowaCat89]

I'm not placing the ball, I just hit it in whatever orientation that it ends up in. I put the 5 patterns at odd angles and pretty evenly spaced. Seems to work.

[Tonysmjc]

And yes the tp5x
is the highest comp tour ball by tm
so it’s fits the pattern of going up one level in ball compression from what you play

if you already play the x version of anything I think a drilled ball will fell soft

i know that’s true for me when I drill my game ball
gets too soft

only doing 5 sets instead of 6 also helps
ive not been a fan of leaving a set off but I’m warming to the idea

[Tonysmjc]

I’ll try that

I have some additional beta version coming from schwagg33
and prefer to order as opposed to diy

im hoping he come up with a process that allows me to use my gamer , filling the holes helps
shallow drilling helps
but with the balls being different it’s all trial and error

[IowaCat89]

Tony, You might try a TaylorMade TP5X. The white cover is really thin so the hole ends up being really shallow. If you get a 2017-2018 model the first layer under the cover is flat black. So far I've never had one of those cause the 888 error. I'm just using 5 patterns rather than 6.

I think you will find it feels like a ProV1 with no holes, but I don't think you will get quite as much spin. To be honest, my swing sucks so bad that I can't say for certain.

[Tonysmjc]

I’ve found that I prefer one a higher compression ball when I’ve drilled them
right now I’m in the
bxs , z star ,pro v 1
but when I drill those they feel soft
but if I drill a pro v 1x
i like it

guessing the compression changes when drilled