Advice for SkyTrak not reading shots

[cchodroff]

There have been a number of posts by those who have been frustrated by Skytrak not reading some, many, or all shots. This could be due to a) network issues; b) software out of date; or c) placement of the ball relative to the red laser dot. In my case, after assuring a very strong wireless network signal (2.4Ghz frequency, which is what Skytrak uses) and downloading the most recent software (3.0.2, as of this date), I was still having issues with Skytrak consistently not reading my woods or my driver.

I use TaylorMade woods and a driver, all of which have a white head. I was misled by some posts that suggested the problem was the white head. After carefully applying duck tape over the top of the head I was still unable to get Skytrak to read these particular clubs. It was not having problems with any other clubs in my bag, though I did notice an occasional non-read with my 5 iron.

My problem was solved by a reading a couple of posts that talk about placing the golf ball about 1.5 - 2.00 inches behind the red laser dot and slightly closer to the Skytrak unit. This has completely solved my problem of misreads on my driver and woods. I'm also placing the golf ball about 0.5 inches behind the red laser dot for my 5 iron, again with complete success.

Skytrak does not make mention of this solution in their documentation which insists that the ball be placed on the red dot or have the red dot positioned at the bottom of the tee.

I'd suggest that Skytrak amend their documentation to include this solution for those of us who are experiencing this problem.

[cmckelvmi]

Thank you for posting this!

Have you noticed any accuracy issues with placing the ball behind the laser and closer to the ST?

I added the metal protective case to my ST yesterday and noticed more non-reads than usual. I have the case on the floor next to my mat and figured the mat was moving enough to bump the ST inside of he case. Once I made sure the ST case was not contacting the mat I hardly had any non-reads. Any insight on how high we need to raise the ST when balls are teed up for woods? I can get the ST to read my drives but wonder about accuracy if I don't have the placement correct.

[jut111]

guys, it's just common sense. The ball needs to fly thru the "viewing window" of the cameras. If you launch it low, put it behind the dot, launch it high put it in front.

[cchodroff]

jut111 explains the physics behind this issue.

I, too, use the Skytrak metal case. I have it placed on a NetReturn golf mat without any of the 3 screw in "feet" attached. It's simply sitting flat on the mat. The NetReturn mat is so sturdy, I doubt the Skytrak is being moved when I hit the ball. If you're placing the Skytrak with metal case off your hitting mat, I'd suggest using the screw-in feet and adjusting the height so that the bottom of the Skytrak is even with your mat.

[skytrakali]

I cured my misread problem (I now have only a very few) by positioning the ball about an inch towards me (i.e. slightly further away from ST) but level with the red dot (i.e. not in front or behind). This works with a rubber pedestal tee or straight off the mat. Tonight I had only one no-read out of 81 shots. I suspect that this strategy might give less chance for the club to interfere with the ball, but that's not a scientific statement - just a guess. I think that the bottom line is: if you are having lots of misreads then experiment with different ball positions relative to the red dot.

[Dan McWhirter]

My hitting mat definitely affects mis-reads. A thick DuraPro super whatever, recommended by Martin of the Golf Channel...if you hit fat, the SkyTrak tends to ignore the shot. Shanks and topped shots are read just fine, much to my dismay.