Distances shorter than real life

[Mandragora]

I have already read all of the topics on this and I would just like some additional suggestions. I have had my Skytrak for about a month and I really am enjoying it. Ball path seems to be perfect in most cases. The issue is I am at least one club short on most of my irons. I hit my 7 iron 150 IRL and I have confirmed this at the driving range.

At home I am seeing a 135 distance. Also, Once below a 7 iron distances do not move up that much. I would hit a 6 Iron 160 IRL but on Skytrak I only get about 140.

Funny thing was to make sure I was not hitting the ball thin or fat and hitting the sweet spot I used my Face stickers. As soon as I added the sticker, I started getting correct numbers (I assume because my spin was cut in half.)

I don't know the exact type of mat I have. It is 14 yrs old and was purchased at Golfsmith. It is not as hard as a mat I would hit on at the range. So I see this as being one of the following:

1. For Optishot I had built a platform and I am still hitting on that platform. It is not bolted down or anything, so I guess there could be some energy loss though I do not believe the platform is moving.
2. The mat sits on top of a puzzle type exercise mat. So maybe I am losing energy there as well.
3. Is it possible that even though I am contacking the ball first, the ball is being driven down into the matt slowing the ball speed.

For a 7 Iron, I am seeing a ball speed of about 99 with backspin of 5300.

The other thing I noticed when using the impact tape stickers is that as soon as I applied it, my launch angle was immediately higher. I could see I was hitting the screen about 1 ft higher than when the tape was not applied.

I did try playing with elevation etc, but that did not have much of an effect till I got about 10000 ft at which point, I got some strange results.

I believe the Skytrak is reading accurately as I initially took it to the driving range to verify the numbers and it seems to be reading reasonably.


Things, I haven't tried yet:

1. Putting the mat directly on the tile. If I do this, it will slide so I will need to secure it somehow (without damaging the tile.

2. I was considering changing the platform to a deck made of 2 x 3s and plywood under the mat which would reduce the energy absorption from the current foam mats making my feet more stable and possibly l;limiting the energy absorption when the clubhead impacts the ball.

3. Replacing the mat.

Does anyone have any additional ideas?

Thanks.

[foggedz]

If you are seeing a ball speed of 99mph/spin of 5300 with your 7 iron, then the distance is accurate. I would suggest taking the Skytrak outside, and see if your ball speeds change. If you are still seeing a ball speed of 99mph, then your 7 iron does not go 150 yrds. What is your average launch angle with a 7 iron?

I have had my Skytrak for a few years, and I feel like I have only recently figured out how to use it to improve my iron game. I find that it is very important look at my launch angle, and balls speeds with my irons. I have worked on getting my launch angle's down, and in turn my ball speeds have come up.

[OnInTwo]

Mine does the same thing. Too much torque in our swings, and no way to secure it. I have to kick the mat over every few shots. My ol' lady said she read something on Pinterest that may help--flip the mat over and apply caulking on the bottom to grip the carpet better. Haven't tried it yet, but will be picking some up in the next couple of days. I could see how it could help.

[Monovision]

Please let me know how it goes. Don't want to rip abrasions in the carpet too much, but would love to be more stable!

[FACE]

I know the SkyTrak guys live abroad but is there anyone that has a SkyTrak/TGC setup (that works well) near Lakeland Florida that would be interested to look at mine to test it and see if it is me or the unit?

[Mandragora]

I finally got my unit to give me pretty accurate distances. Someone (I can't find the post now) said they raised theirs 1/4 inch above the mat. I played around and now have mine 1/8 inch above the mat. I also have my altitude set to 2000 ft and temp set to 80 degrees. My good contact shots are now giving me the same distances I hit IRL. YAY!

[Taingbeast]

Thanks everyone. I will try some of these suggestions tomorrow. I've had mine for about a week and was starting to get frustrated with the driver distances especially. IRL I can usually hit it between 230 and 250 pretty consistently but in the skytrak range and WGT I've never been able to get more than 230 on my best hits and usually goes around 200. Most of my irons are also about 1 club short too. I would take it to the range tomorrow but there's 100 percent chance of rain where I'm at. Guess I'll stay in and try some of these tweaks.

[Taingbeast]

I did raise mine about a quarter inch and my irons seem to have improved. However my driver is still kind of baffling me. I guess it really just is the new environment. I tried to adjust my swing and tees and ended up getting a ball into the ceiling. Oooops

[Mandragora]

I just wanted to post an update on this issue since others have had it as well. Now that I am indoors for the winter I have begun trying to figure out what to practice. I decided that strike has to be the number one issue for me. One of the things I am trying to do is ensure I am hitting the ball first and not the mat first. To check this, I laid down a towel with the edge about 2 inches behind the ball. I then would hit a shot and decide whether I made contact with the ball or the mat first. I was shocked at how many times I thought I contacted the ball first then looked back to see the towel had moved.

Now in every case I do not believe I was hitting the mat, but it became obvious since I was catching the towel which is about 1/4" thick, that meant that I was coming into the ball too shallow. Now I am working on coming in a little steeper to the ball.

When I hit the ball first, I increased the distance hit (still not consistently to what I hit IRL but much closer.) I think that out on the course, with the ball sitting up nicely even if I hit the ground first I am not losing as much velocity as I am on the mat. I also believe that if I can change my swing to be a little steeper and make better contact, I will get better compression and eventually see an increase in distance IRL.

So to be clear, there are two different issues. One is hitting the mat before the ball which has the effect of reducing the swing speed. Second it being too shallow which probably means I am not getting proper compression.

I would guess that lower handicappers i.e. single digits, probably do not see as much of a difference between shots inside and IRL because they probably hit the ball first most of the time. I will provide another update as I continue to change my swing to be steeper.

[James James]

I just wanted to post an update on this issue since others have had it as well. Now that I am indoors for the winter I have begun trying to figure out what to practice. I decided that strike has to be the number one issue for me. One of the things I am trying to do is ensure I am hitting the ball first and not the mat first. To check this, I laid down a towel with the edge about 2 inches behind the ball. I then would hit a shot and decide whether I made contact with the ball or the mat first. I was shocked at how many times I thought I contacted the ball first then looked back to see the towel had moved.

Now in every case I do not believe I was hitting the mat, but it became obvious since I was catching the towel which is about 1/4" thick, that meant that I was coming into the ball too shallow. Now I am working on coming in a little steeper to the ball.

When I hit the ball first, I increased the distance hit (still not consistently to what I hit IRL but much closer.) I think that out on the course, with the ball sitting up nicely even if I hit the ground first I am not losing as much velocity as I am on the mat. I also believe that if I can change my swing to be a little steeper and make better contact, I will get better compression and eventually see an increase in distance IRL.

So to be clear, there are two different issues. One is hitting the mat before the ball which has the effect of reducing the swing speed. Second it being too shallow which probably means I am not getting proper compression.

I would guess that lower handicappers i.e. single digits, probably do not see as much of a difference between shots inside and IRL because they probably hit the ball first most of the time. I will provide another update as I continue to change my swing to be steeper.

Not necessarily, it just means your low point is behind the ball. Best bet is to get some lessons on Trackman/GC Quad etc which can confirm what your AoA is and what it should be.

The mats infuriate me because they are SO punishing on slightly fat shots (that you wouldnt notice on a real golf course). Having said that I always try to err on the side of thinning shots (off mat and in real golf). Missing 1 or 2 grooves low will reduce the distance a little but you are probably still on the green. Hitting it fat will not be so good!

[Clevited]

I have already read all of the topics on this and I would just like some additional suggestions. I have had my Skytrak for about a month and I really am enjoying it. Ball path seems to be perfect in most cases. The issue is I am at least one club short on most of my irons. I hit my 7 iron 150 IRL and I have confirmed this at the driving range.

At home I am seeing a 135 distance. Also, Once below a 7 iron distances do not move up that much. I would hit a 6 Iron 160 IRL but on Skytrak I only get about 140.

Funny thing was to make sure I was not hitting the ball thin or fat and hitting the sweet spot I used my Face stickers. As soon as I added the sticker, I started getting correct numbers (I assume because my spin was cut in half.)

I don't know the exact type of mat I have. It is 14 yrs old and was purchased at Golfsmith. It is not as hard as a mat I would hit on at the range. So I see this as being one of the following:

1. For Optishot I had built a platform and I am still hitting on that platform. It is not bolted down or anything, so I guess there could be some energy loss though I do not believe the platform is moving.
2. The mat sits on top of a puzzle type exercise mat. So maybe I am losing energy there as well.
3. Is it possible that even though I am contacking the ball first, the ball is being driven down into the matt slowing the ball speed.

For a 7 Iron, I am seeing a ball speed of about 99 with backspin of 5300.

The other thing I noticed when using the impact tape stickers is that as soon as I applied it, my launch angle was immediately higher. I could see I was hitting the screen about 1 ft higher than when the tape was not applied.

I did try playing with elevation etc, but that did not have much of an effect till I got about 10000 ft at which point, I got some strange results.

I believe the Skytrak is reading accurately as I initially took it to the driving range to verify the numbers and it seems to be reading reasonably.


Things, I haven't tried yet:

1. Putting the mat directly on the tile. If I do this, it will slide so I will need to secure it somehow (without damaging the tile.

2. I was considering changing the platform to a deck made of 2 x 3s and plywood under the mat which would reduce the energy absorption from the current foam mats making my feet more stable and possibly l;limiting the energy absorption when the clubhead impacts the ball.

3. Replacing the mat.

Does anyone have any additional ideas?

Thanks.

I didn't read the entire thread so if what I mention are repeats of what other have said, just use that as reinforcment of the idea.

These are the things I know are for sures with my setup.....

1) The mat robs distance if hit even the slightest bit fat, and it still robs distance because I take a divot with irons. I cannot follow threw like I would like, its like hitting a ball from directly behind a tree root, FULL STOP almost after the ball is struck. Ok well its not quite that bad but you get the idea. Some mats are better than others. It is also hard on your arms and wrists no matter what your age is. (I would also agree with the possibility the ball is driven into the mat some upon contact altering its speed substantially)

2) Skytrak has some issues with spin decay (I suspect) as carry distances with many irons are not what other trajectory tools would show given one inputs all the parameters that the Skytrak measured. I am roughly 10 yards short on most iron shots, compared to what they should be given these other tools I speak of and my own experience on the course and the range.

3) Mats can alter ball spin substantially when compared to hitting off a tight grass lie. Typically I will see lower spin and higher trajectory hitting off of a mat (which you would think would make the spin decay issue moot but it doesn't seem to.) This I suspect is caused by my tendancy to hit a little fat at times. My mat is so squishy that the ball hits higher up on the clubface which lowers spin and raises launch angle. This is made worse when the ball or club face gets dirty.

4) Driver, long irons, fairway woods for me are 10-20 yards carry short at times given the Skytrak measured numbers compared to other trajectory tools. I believe this is also at least partially a spin decay issue.

5) For me, ball speeds nearing 170 mph (I even start to see this problem in the 160s), start to not agree with trackman, my swing speed radar, or my swing caddie radar. Skytrak has shown at times up to 8 mph slower ball speeds for me. It is almost always at least 2 mph slow at these speeds. I suspect error for measuring ball speed increases as the speed to measure goes up. I am guessing it has to do with shutter speed of the cameras, or the delay between pictures, might be some image blur?

6) Horizontal launch can make a large difference in measured ball speed. I haven't fully tested if there is a definite amount per measured angle, but it seems to read either slow of fast depending on if its a pull or a push shot.

7) Unheated garage bays suck, 20 degree F golf balls really hurt, don't go nearly as far and they crack stupid fast. Keeping the golf balls in your pocket helps but when you are lazy like me and leave them all in the garage, be prepared to have a garbage full of cleaved golf balls in a hurry.

When I get the time to redo my hitting bay I will be getting a GOOD mat and securing it to the floor somehow. I will widen my bay area so I don't feel so blocked in. I will hit into a screen or white sheets backed by my net material so the balls don't get so dirty so quick. I will get a projector so I don't feel like I am in a garage (there is something to be said about feeling like you are outside, I swing more free I think). I will make a spot for my Skytrak that makes it perfectly aligned and level every time whether hitting lefty or righty. I will also heat the darn garage to a comfortable temp!!!