Distance is way short

[wjf67]

just installed skytrak. Tried my normal ball (titliestnTruSoft) and 2 types of rubber balls (almost
golf, callaway hx) and all come up short by 25 - 30 yards (for 8 iron). The longer the club, the greater the shortfall. On range, I get the expected distance.

id this a calibration issue, or something else?

[qwiklap]

Hey guys -- I am having a similar issue. I get mid 80's swing speed with a 8 iron or 7 iron (which is what the Trackman showed when I was fitted), but get low ball speeds (like mid-90's or very low 100s) even when I flush it. I would think my ball speed would be more like 115 or so (assuming I am getting a similar smash as I saw during my fitting -- like 1.35 to 1.38). So my carries are like 10 to 15 yards low.

Is there something (other than "inside swing" or mat) that would cause that?

I am wearing no shoes (so I will try with shoes on tonight). Since it is an 8 or 7 iron - indoor swing should not be an issue. I have a CCE mat and using a B330RX that I took out of play cause it kit a cart path. The iron in question is a Ping G -- I hit the 8 iron 150 (145 carry) and 165 (160 carry) IRL.

I am puzzled. It just seems like the ST is not capturing/calculating the right ball speed based on my swing speed.

[Clevited]

I would say that if you are first able to definitively rule out the usual suspects you spoke of, try the following.

Try a new ball as your current one could be internally damaged and rebound slower.
Check where you are contacting clubface, I get in a funk and blast them off the toe one after another at times.
Make sure no bright lights, white background could be causing problem.
If mat moves when hitting and Skytrak on it, that can be a big problem.

Just some ideas. Good luck.

[qwiklap]

Thanks for the tips. Not the ball - tried a new one tonight.

however - the bright lights gave me an idea. I have LED down lights in the room. I believe these lights actually pulse or flicker - but at such a speed it's not noticeable to humans. But it could be throwing off ST.

Will experiment tomorrow

[GMR]

Just to add something here, pretty much anyone I have invited over to hit ball on my skytrak has complained that their long clubs go short. I'll hit a shot directly after them and show them that no, that is in fact not the case. The issue always boils down to:
1) inside vs. outside swing -- it can be really difficult to get acclimated to letting loose when you're hitting at something that is only 5 yards away
2) less feedback on a mat vs grass (i.e. they are catching it a bit fat but can't tell since they aren't digging a trench) and
3) I have found that across the board most simply don't accurately know their carry distances with their longer clubs. If you are hitting a 3h to a 200yd target on the range and you hit one close, it's easy to think that it carried 190-195 and rolled 5-10, when in reality it may have only carried 165 or 170 and--by nature of it being a crappy low-spin range ball--rolled 30-35 yards up onto the target green.

[qwiklap]

Just to add something here, pretty much anyone I have invited over to hit ball on my skytrak has complained that their long clubs go short. I'll hit a shot directly after them and show them that no, that is in fact not the case. The issue always boils down to:
1) inside vs. outside swing -- it can be really difficult to get acclimated to letting loose when you're hitting at something that is only 5 yards away
2) less feedback on a mat vs grass (i.e. they are catching it a bit fat but can't tell since they aren't digging a trench) and
3) I have found that across the board most simply don't accurately know their carry distances with their longer clubs. If you are hitting a 3h to a 200yd target on the range and you hit one close, it's easy to think that it carried 190-195 and rolled 5-10, when in reality it may have only carried 165 or 170 and--by nature of it being a crappy low-spin range ball--rolled 30-35 yards up onto the target green.

Thanks for the input. Honestly -- my flatter swinging clubs (hybrids and woods) seem to be ok. Making me certainly think it could be reason 2. But even when I feel a 'flushed' pure strike, it seems to fly high (spin high) and fall short (with a low smash factor given the stated swing speed).

[Clevited]

I think the mat really could be the issue. Mine is a soft mat and really grips the club.If i catch one just a tad fat, my club really gets under the ball and it comes out very high and short. I usually get less spin with those ones though, not more. You will likely need to experiment with skytrak off grass to see if you get different ball speeds, launch angle and spin.

[inorkuo]

swing speed from skytrak is just an estimate. it only measures the ball. for most people skytrak is accurate with the shorter clubs and they complain that it is short on the longer clubs. you could try putting the ball on a short tee to see if the mat is a factor.

[qwiklap]

Hey guys -- following up on my post. It definitely seems that the mat was the culprit. I worked on my striking and now am seeing what I expected (even better than expected) with properly struck shots (113 to 115 mph ball speeds, 160+ yard carry distance). Definitely a must to hit a proper "ball first" strike on the CCE mat (as others have noted).

BTW -- I have come to just ignore the club speed since it is not a measured value.

[Clevited]

Glad to know. Those darn mats really can do a number on a persons "golf-esteem" if you know what I mean!

[GMR]

Glad you figured it out and are now getting good data. Obviously club data not measured but I run a SSR right next to my Skytrak and have found that whatever calculation they use for club speed is actually surprisingly accurate.

[Benjamin Minus]

I've had my skytrak since January and my distances are way off. Not only are they short but I even get negative clubhead speeds at times! This had to be my purest strike ever!

[SkyTrak_Seth]

That is most definitely a misread. If it happens often, check the room for something reflective or metallic in the background that could be causing interference registering the shots. Also make sure the clear film with pull tabs on the SkyTrak unit window have been removed.

[pcascio]

I've had my skytrak since January and my distances are way off. Not only are they short but I even get negative clubhead speeds at times! This had to be my purest strike ever!

This is a new one. Maybe it's your name that confuses the ST?

[Morini]

I took it as an April's Fools day joke???

[kiwigolf]

Interesting, I am finding that carry distance is correct however club head speed is approx 5-10 mph lower and backspin is about 1500-2000 rpm lower.

I guess club head speed should be ignored at is it calculated.

Hitting indoors, on a golf mat with Prov1 balls. I also agree that indoor swing is a factor especially if your roof is not stupidly high.

[GungHoGolf]

Interesting, I am finding that carry distance is correct however club head speed is approx 5-10 mph lower and backspin is about 1500-2000 rpm lower.

I guess club head speed should be ignored at is it calculated.

Hitting indoors, on a golf mat with Prov1 balls. I also agree that indoor swing is a factor especially if your roof is not stupidly high.

Hitting off mats (vs turf) lowers spin by about 20% (see https://blog.trackmangolf.com/mats-v...ts-difference/)

CH speed is calculated with SkyTrak, and cannot be trusted 100%. Always select the club you're using to help make the calculation more accurate.

[PT1911]

Mine is definitely off. I just got a new unit, with the latest software on it and it registers my PW at 85 mph and my driver NO higher than 100 mph. I would say on average I am a good 50 yards short of where I am in real life with my driver.

[BuZZ]

I hit about 100 balls on my used unit yesterday in the sun and I’m it seems like the fiberbuilt flight deck heavily penalizes anything but a good strike. Which I don’t mind! When it’s perfect my yardages are a little farther than normal but when I miss a little it’s about 20 yards short.