clubheadspeed, smash factor and distance in ST

[Jon]

Can someone explain to me how the ST comes up with the numbers for clubhead speed, smash factor and distance? I think I read somewhere that ball speed is a measurement. Correct? What about the other 3 parameters I mentioned. Without measured results for clubhead speed and ball speed, wouldn't it be impossible to calculate smash factor and distance?

The reason that I ask is because I hit like 50 gap wedges yesterday and the clubhead speed seemed a little high for a 50* wedge: between 90 and 92mph The smash factor seemed low:between 1.0 and 1.1 (I was striking them solid) and the distances felt short:108 to 116 (I normally expect to carry my 50* 120). I've double checked the floor to make sure it is level and that the ST is at the same height as the ball. The only other environmental issue that I can think of is room light. I understand that too much light can be problematic for the ST, but what about too little? I set up my ST in an attic. After the sun goes down, the only light in the room comes from a small lamp and my iPad. Can this cause inaccurate readings from the ST?

[Clevited]

I don't know if these things have been fixed or not, but my Skypro showed a rediculous clubpath due to my extremely strong grip position. I was under the impression when I bought it, that the device calibration would eliminate any problem like that. This problem would give me rediculous clubpath numbers and therefore make it not useful for my swing type. Also, the swing speeds were incredibly far off even after editing club data in the iPad app (this ability was not available on Android and i believe it still isn't). I hit balls simultaneously with Skytrak and Skypro and if they were integrated it would have showed me smash factors of 1.6+.

I could have had a bad unit (I really don't think so) and I have since sold it but can any of you verify that these issues are fixed? If you hit driver with it on and calculate your smash factor by also using your Skytrak, can you verify it gives reasonable results? Can you calibrate it for a club, and then swing with a very strong grip position and still get valid swing path numbers. Because of these issues, I completely disregarded it as a useful tool at all.

[Morini]

If I got the club length right, skypro chs was very close to Trackman, often less than one mph off.

I don't think the skypro has a metric for path. It does have face angle at pre impact check points. As far as i know it measured these quite accurately. The assumption being that the face is aimed at the target at setup.

The skypro struggles at impact because it can't measure shaft droop, and also has to deal with noisy data caused by taking divots.

[Clevited]

I don't mean to change this thread into a Skypro one, but here are some images from what I saw when I had one. I am pretty positive this was me swinging with a very strong grip (I still do). It showed me unusable data as far as I am concerned. This was the same every time, it wasn't one fluke read. I just have reservations about accelerometer based devices measuring things. They just aren't there yet technilogically and software wise to be any better than OK in my mind. The Android app not having club editting ability even after years on the market is also disappointing. I believe they still don't. It seems like they dropped support for this device. I would be happy to buy a new one if I had any assurance it is still being worked on, the android app is updated to have club editing, and they fix the club path issues I have which are caused by a strong grip. If it shows weird numbers for an ultra strong grip, wouldn't it for any non-neutral grip?

[Jon]

I cant speak for sky pro but i can say that their arr many swing sensors that use accelerometers and gyroscopes that do an exceptional job at recreating the swing plane as well as giving you data points for several other parameters. I love my swing byte and never go a week without using it.

[Morini]

I don't mean to change this thread into a Skypro one, but here are some images from what I saw when I had one. I am pretty positive this was me swinging with a very strong grip (I still do). It showed me unusable data as far as I am concerned. This was the same every time, it wasn't one fluke read. I just have reservations about accelerometer based devices measuring things. They just aren't there yet technilogically and software wise to be any better than OK in my mind. The Android app not having club editting ability even after years on the market is also disappointing. I believe they still don't. It seems like they dropped support for this device. I would be happy to buy a new one if I had any assurance it is still being worked on, the android app is updated to have club editing, and they fix the club path issues I have which are caused by a strong grip. If it shows weird numbers for an ultra strong grip, wouldn't it for any non-neutral grip?

Clevited, that problem is not caused by strong grip. It is either faulty unit, or you attached the sensor upside down. I know because I have done it myself several times. The resulting swings looked very similar to yours.

When i first got mine, i tried some silly looping swings but they didn't read. I assume skypro disallowed swings outside "normal" range. With later updates that must have been relaxed as i once twirled the club like a baton before hitting the ball ... and it rendered it perfectly. I have also compared sky pro rendered plane to video, and it it's dead on most of the time. As such, i have high confidence in it.

[Clevited]

I know for sure I had it on right side up so it wasn't that. I can't eliminate the possibility I had a bad one. I still lean more towards its inability to capture my swing correctly due to how I held the club. It could be that things have been updated since and it can now do it, but this was maybe 4 months ago that I got rid of it. I hold the club with an ultra strong grip, something like 35 degrees from neutral. Instead of rotating my right forearm underneath to square the face up at address, I forward press the clubshaft and essentially have a very delofted clubface at address. This rotates the Skypro effectivley 35 degrees from neutral, and I assumed it was that, which made the swing path rediculous for me.

I won't know for sure unless one of you that has a Skypro is willing to test exactly that.

[Morini]

Hmm. I would have to hold a club in my hand and process what you wrote. As mentioned, sp assumes that face is square to target line. If you are correct in your reasoning that skypro is effectively 35 degrees off. you would have to manually align the unit accordingly. A bit of a hassle for you, so point taken that it may not be for everyone.

Based on seths recent comment, i think i am correct in that it will give face and path metrics. I also know that Gord Parke wound never release it if the accuracy want there.

I have owned my st for one month, and i feel very good about my decision. Having the club data will save us the expense of paying for trackman time and it will be so convenient to practice at home. Yay!