Skytrak will not read driver accurately

[DocW]

I'm a new skytrak user. Overall I am happy with it. However I am having major issues with the driver. I can not get it to ready accurately. I have read all the posts on what could be causing the issue. I have not had the skytrak outdoors but I am very familiar with my numbers on Flightscope and Trackman. My typical clubhead speed its 115+ with carry around 280+. My Skytack is reading my SS around 104-105 and I cant get it to carry much more than 240-250. Sometimes I will get a crazy week slice that travels about 220 when it feels solid. I'm a scratch golfer and have a pretty good feel for a solid shot vs. a skank slice that goes 220. This happen on both practice mode and TGC.
My irons seems to be fairly accurate. For reference my reading with the 9 iron on skytrack are 90-91mph ss and carry between 150 and 155. Seems like I would be able to get the driver up a little faster than 104, even being indoors.
Any suggestions on what could be the cause? My unit is new and came with the label not to remove the protective cover on the sensor but I think I read on another forum that there may be a think plastic cover that is to be removed and then another protector under that that stays---true? Could that have anything to do with it. I also have not figured out a good way to keep my mat from sliding yet but I can't imagine that as being the cause.
Just to add more info three wood and hybrid read a little short also but I don't get the crazy shot flights. SS with my 3 wood also reads 104 and is closer to 114-115 on trackman at my club

All help is appreciated

[sb944]

Hi Doc, no help here unfortunately, but I'm with you on being a new skytrak user too. All I can say is this thing is taking photos, and trying to isolate the ball in the photos. It got more consistent for me when I made a better contrast between ball and background much better, eg no whites to put it off, perhaps even a fairly consistent background colour and a strong white ball.

[codehead]

skytrak does not measure swing speed. It is estimated from ball speed so..... I wouldn't put so much stock in it. I think you need to compare ball speed. Also are you talking carry or total distance? Because carry is all that matters.

[DocW]

ball speed around 150 which is well below what i am used to seeing

[Clevited]

Just my opinions of possible issues that I feel can cause me problems, perhaps they will help you. These are in no particular order of likilness. (Also, an fyi for you, Skytrak doesn't read swing speed, just ball speed and guesses at your swing speed)

1) White background causing problems with higher speed shots (ball gets lost in the white background I am guessing)
2) Over used ball, they will lose speed after some time from internal cracks. You might even notice it only loses speed on some hits, which might all be to do with the side of the ball you are hitting.
3) Indoor swing. Believe it or not, but if you are swinging indoors, you might swing your irons fine, but the big stick you end up holding yourself back, but not on pupose. Very common problem, especially having a shiny new expensive toy you could accidentally hit.
4) Just don't have it on a given day. I can vary a ton with the driver, upwards of 10-15 mph on any given day just from hitting too much the day before, or a little stiff or sick, or lack of sleep etc.
5) Mat moving during swing. If the skytrak is moving while you swing, this can definitely cause some issues.
6) Mishits, even though you are an excellent golfer, if you have a club that doesn't give a ton of feedback, or if you rely more on the sound (which changes drastically indoors), shots off the heal or toe will make that swing speed estimate go way down even though you swung normal speed.


Just some ideas. I typically use a swing speed radar (correctly setup should be pretty reliable, oh and fresh batteries) to tell me if I am just slow on a particular day. It is a very good way to get in the ball park of what you are swinging that day.

[Whiskeyjack]

I've had similar problems recently. I just upgraded to to the Skytrak Metal Case and have noticed that I'm hitting my short Irons a little farther, my mid irons normal and my longer clubs a little less.
I think the issue is height of the unit for me. I notice the unit in the metal case sits a little higher. Previous to this, I tinkered with the height until it was pretty close for me. I haven't had time to do this since I received the metal case and put the unit in it.
A few weeks ago I took the unit to the range and hit it off a mat. After tinkering with the height of the unit there I had great results comparing the carry distance to the distance I was getting on the range finder.

Try tinkering with the height of the unit and see if there's a difference.

[Dave Lee]

Try putting the unit on a box so the bottom is level with the top of the tee. You basically want the red dot to cross the top of the tee. (Don't put the tee where the dot hits the floor, after raising the unit up.) I've always heard it has issues with drivers since they're tee'd up significantly higher. I have a FMJ case so it comes with adjustable legs. Once I moved it up tee height, I started getting accurate drive data.

[wbond]

My height for driver has worked perfectly since day one over two years now with the dot at the base of the tee. Depending upon launch angle and speed you may need to play with the position in relation to the dot as well as the height. If I read it correctly, your mat is moving around, is the ST sitting on the mat, if so, this will cause issues.

[trumb1mj]

The carry algo is definitely different from SkyTrak to Flightscope. Try punching a really good strike into the flightscope trajectory optimizer--skytrak is at least 10 yards shorter for me.

[DocW]

Tried raising the height and didnt't do anything. Tried moving ball position around and it only got worse. I'm OK with a slight loss of distance but it is ridiculous. I am flying my hybrid as far as my driver. I hit a few last night that were about 40 yards right and only flying 220----they were good strikes. I know....maybe I suck more than I think but I have been outdoors on the range six or seven times over the past two weeks and have yet to hit anything as short or as offline as I am getting with my skytrak. I am also very honest with myself and capable of feeling center and off center hits.
Does Skytrak have any sort of customer service? Also, again I am hitting everything else fine. Just finished a session with my seven iron. Ball speed averaged 123 and average carry was 180. I just find it hard to believe that it would be user error creating such bad driver numbers

[codehead]

What type of driver are you using? Color. Shaft color etc. Sounds like the hardware is good if all your other clubs are fine. There is something specific about your driver or what you are doing with it. I.e. setup, ball position....

[DocW]

Titleist driver with matte grey/ black shaft. No white. For tees I have used the tee claw with a white tee and also the tomahawk tee (white). Both go flying I guess I could fix the tee and see if having a stationary tee changes anything

[codehead]

Also. Are the shapes of your shots appropriate? Is it reading spin properly?

[DocW]

It is hard to say. I definitely get more off the charts bad/ short and way right. I think for the most part shot shape is accurate.

[weakhead]

What are you using for a tee? I have had issues using a large mass BirTee. I've gone to using a regular plastic tee and securing it so it doesn't fly forward through the Skytrak line of sight.

[DocW]

tomahawk tees and the tee claw. Both do not stay put. I will try to fix the tee and see what that does. Also, playing nine this evening so I will have a a good idea of what my ball is doing before hitting the basement

[weakhead]

This is what I have been using to secure my tees. Elastic Stretch Cord. The one I got is clear not white though.

[codehead]

What are your spin numbers and launch angle? Do they look appropriate?

[DocW]

Good question. I will circle back tomorrow. I have been so consumed with my 240 carry I have not even looked

[trumb1mj]

I am seeing the same thing as DocW. Drivers are absurdly short and right. Carrying my 4i 210 yards and my driver 220-230. Driver is white which could be the issue. Using tomahawk tees as per recommended on this site.

[Clevited]

A few things to ask and for you to maybe check.

What kind of ball do you use? ProV, Range Ball, colored ball etc.
Fresh ball or hit many times? Brand new or a referbish/found ball?
Is your wall that the skytrak faces white or shiny or reflective? Do you wear white pants when you play on skytrak? White shoes?
Are you sure it isn't caused by swinging indoors (9 times out of 10 this ends up being the problem)? I suggest bringing skytrak to the range and test to eliminate this variable.
Is there a light shining towards the camera lenses of the unit?

Last but not least, is your driver head cracked? At 115+ mph driver speed, they sometimes don't last real long. I got 2 years out of my last one, and I am in a similar category to you. RIP R9 Superdeep ; ; (Good thing I had bought a backup on Ebay!)