Trugolf Trutrack Software (Newport)

[danielrobertbush]

Hi,

I have a few questions regarding the Trugolf software:

1. Specifically to the XML file that provides all of the coefficients that feed into the algorithm for calculation of unmeasured values, does anyone know where in the software the algorithms that use these coefficients can be found, so that I can better understand their use,
2. As you may be aware, the Trugolf Newport software requires you to hit the screen if you want to "measure" some ball characteristics such as launch angle etc. The problem with this is when I use a 9 iron or steeper hitting club I am not able to hit the screen and my shots don't register. For some shorter shots they automatically ignore the screen hit aspect and simply calculate all the ball flight parameters from your club head speed, path and face. Is it a set distance for which they automatically eliminate the need to hit the screen?
3. THE BIG QUESTION. Is it possible to either a) use a ball tracker as an add-on such that club head is measured by the Trugolf Trutrack optical sensors and the ball is measured by the ball tracker eg GC2 or b) using my exact current E6 software and Trugolf setup with a GC2. The reason I ask is that I feel measuring the ball information and calculating the club information is more realistic/representative than measuring the club information and calculating the ball information.

Many thanks

[Bubba22]

Daniel the questions you are asking are probably not doable. The XML data and it's coefficient etc are most likely proprietary data. How far are you from the screen that your 9 iron doesn't hit the screen? There may be a setting that will allow you to use club data to get the ball data including launch and speed. Check with Trugolf on this. I highly doubt Trugolf will allow other ball measuring devices like the GC2 to just randomly integrate unless they strike up a partnership. I don't see that happening!

[danielrobertbush]

Hi Bubba,

The XML coefficients are modifiable very easily as a different file exists depending on the Trugolf product being used ie proper commercial setup, Newport, Prestige etc. Would you like to see an example file? I have contacted Trugolf on the instant chat but his actual technical knowledge seemed limited. I have been advised of who to ask for if I phone for the best technical support but then I feel I may hit a wall in terms of it becoming proprietary information as you advise.

From what I see, every club is given coefficients for LA, base ratio and min width. I'm not sure what the base ratio is but I'm assuming the min width is what they use to predict what club you actually just swung. One thing I'm not totally sure on yet also (note I've only just got the unit and begun researching), is whether Trugolf use the "sonic triangulation" (microphone readings) to determine ball flight or if they use a combination of the triangulation calculation and calculation from the club head information. If they use a combination OR if you miss the screen and are purely calculating the ball flight from club head details like you mention, then this is where the LA coefficient will come into play.

I also highly doubt that Trugolf will use another company's ball tracker to work in conjunction with their club head sensors. When I am home in a few weeks they said they can basically plug into my system and check it as I reported that the ball flight width and spin are both underestimated. In theory, I think the system should be able to be quite accurate should the sonic triangulation work effectively, but like I say, as early as 9 iron there is a chance of missing the screen so you must use club head data only.

The problem with club head data is that it doesn't take into account how well you hit the ball and as the light sensors are on/off sensor it can't actually determine angle of attack of the club head so technically the club head speed will be underestimated on a steeper angle of attack.

I'm wondering if I have made the wrong decision in purchasing this system and in fact would get better accuracy from a system that measures the ball flight/spin and calculates the club head data as then the ball travel should be more representative of the actual. Since I have the E6 software to work with my Trugolf system and it is just one file that needs to be changed to allow the E6 to work with different Trugolf products, if it is possible to simply change just a few files so that a different branded ball tracker can work with my current E6 software.

Does that make sense?

[Brettster]

I have been advised of who to ask for if I phone for the best technical support but then I feel I may hit a wall in terms of it becoming proprietary information as you advise.

Does that make sense?

Interesting, I'm curious what you find out when you speak to someone in technical support? I'm a tech person myself, and what you're suggesting all sounds doable to me, I think you're big question would be if that data is considered proprietary, or if they allow other integrations to manipulate their data?

I'm also curious what you find out about if they are using Sonic Triangulation, or actual club head/path data. Please keep us informed up here with what you find.

[danielrobertbush]

Hi Brettster,

I've been doing a significant amount of reading and learning alot. Once complete I will then direct any pending questions to Trugolf. In my opinion there is alot of misconception with people talking about the volume that each mic is picking up in the Trugolf simulators, for me sonic triangulation is to do with the time at which the sound is detected, they wouldn't be using loudness to determine how close it is to each microphone, there would be far too many inaccuracies. I'll get confirmation hopefully this week on alot of pending questions.

One thing that has come to light thanks primarily to Bubba22 who seems quite familiar with a number of simulators is that you have to remember there are 2 stages, firstly all the data measured or calculated ie ball launch angle, spin, club path, club face etc and then there is the stage of what does the software chooses to do with this data, ie that ball speed and spin information relates to how much actual ball turn.

[Bubba22]

You are in the right course Daniel. I do think th sonic triangulation is good but there are probably done proprietary formulation that Trugolf have in its usage. I know yo can adjust certain things like the distance from ball to impact which will obviously affect the speed calculated. I think the concept is supposedly the mics will determine where th impact occurred allowing for determination of launch angle and horizontal azimuth. I do think tha they somehow use the club data (face angle and loft) to tweak thing a well. We have a Trugolf sim in our winter academy.

Your right there ar 2 stages in simulation. Measurement/data collection then software interpretation of that data. How each is done, tweaked, managed etc. depends on the company. This is where a lot of the proprietary information exists.

Do let us know what you find out from Trugolf.

[danielrobertbush]

Hi Bubba,

I will get you updated, getting so much information from the Trugolf Technique thread in another forum that I see you moderate. Up to post 571 of 667.

Just wondering now when you said "I highly doubt Trugolf will allow other ball measuring devices like the GC2 to just randomly integrate unless they strike up a partnership." when I see that this "Accusport Vector Pro" worked in unison with the Trugolf Trutrack basically exactly how I was wishing. Trutrack for club data and Vector Pro for ball spin data. I see that post was old and the brand may have changed (Skytrak?) and I'm still reading but looks like there is hope. The additional accuracy would be nice for home use but for simplicity if hiring out I would stick with trying to get the Trugolf original setup working better.

I believe that they do use a combination of sonic triangulation and club head data to determine the actual initial ball path and LA, and will definitely look at confirming this. For me, if they are confident in the sonic triangulation which should give you information on where the ball did actually hit the screen, then adjustments from club head info shouldn't be necessary. At the same time, if they aren't confident enough and use it as partial information, then you have to question why its being used with a lack in confidence.

Stay tuned.

[danielrobertbush]

Ok guys, as you can imagine Trugolf showed zero interest in trying to optimize an individual's game play with modification to the XML coefficients. They simply respond with saying the coefficients set are those that have been determined to be the most ideal after significant testing. I have since got rid of the Trutrack technology and purchased a GC2. I use the GC2 with Foresport's software within my Newport.

Question, I'm having trouble filling the screen with the projector. Any advice as I swear that it used to fill the screen.