Skytrak and best “fake golf ball”

[David4445]

Hey guys!
I’m new here....I’ve done a search and haven’t really seen a ton of variety.

I will be purchasing a skytrak this month for my gym for my clients to use and to be used in swing assessments. We might plan on doing some type of league down the road. I’m trying to find the best “fake golf ball” to be used with the simulator as I’m worried about pass throughs and having a golf ball bounce around the gym. They will be hitting into a net that is in front of a projector.

[SecondandGoal]

My $.02 worth... if you're using a projector, you must have a screen. If you take a little extra time and make sure you have protective netting set up around it (side curtains and above) properly, no reason not to use real balls. I absolutely loathe hitting practice balls. Just take a little time, and invest in extra materials if necessary, to make sure everything is well contained.

[David4445]

I would love to have a set dedicated area but it will be in a gym class room and will need something that we can take down quickly between classes.

[mdniBruce]

I am using a Rukket Haack net with side panels in my garage for now. Hindsight being 20/20 I'd probably get their SPDR as it doesn't have the dip in the middle. My whole setup takes about 15 minutes for a complete setup or teardown.

I can't imagine a 'safe' ball giving proper numbers.

[David4445]

Have you had any “pass throughs” on the rukket net?

[mdniBruce]

Zero so far, it is pretty new, but I was seeing ball speeds in the 150s for a bit. Seems pretty durable in construction.

[Lgnir]

Net Returns are pretty easy to put up and take down. When I have had to move mine, if I have one other person I can take it down into two sections. First remove the side panels, then remove the top half with the net attached, and then you basically have a base unit left.

I love the net return, as I have never had a ball bounce around in my garage. Even on really crappy hits.

I'd stay away from fake balls, as your readings will be way off from regular balls.

[Dave Lee]

I've used foam balls and Qolf balls. The foam ones will be way off on distance but show direction and spin ok. Qolf balls were actually decent for short irons and get worse as you go from mid to longer clubs. Although, I haven't seen Qolf balls on amazon in awhile so don't know if they still make them.

[David4445]

Thanks everyone for the responses!
This will be placed in a pretty open area but people all behind it. Any recommendations on a strong golf net that is to put up?

[wjf67]

I think that it would help if there was a boost button for using limited flight golf balls. It would widen the appeal, and make it safer when letting the kids play. Is this a possible update?

[schmidt61059]

I know this is a bit told, but I'd really like to second the idea of adjustment for practice balls. It would seem like this is mathematically possible, even if the results are not perfect.