What kind of ball do you use?

[tonybrown32]

I think this is a common issue for many people. You need a lot less rigour when hitting foam balls versus real balls, not to mention the sound (if living with others). My initial setup was hitting foam balls into a standard retractible projector screen (with Optishots). Moving to Skytrack, I had to change my entire setup to real simulator screen that would take a real golf ball, and also side nets to ensure I don't shank one and put in through my wive's car window (setup is in my garage)...

I have a friend that would love to buy a Skytrak, but hasn't because he isn't able to hit real balls in his basement, but could hit foam balls....

I think this relatively simple enhancement would open up the device for many people that have these limitations.

Ideally if customers could configure "ball profiles", and share those online, as there is such a variation with foam ball characteristics. Could be something as simple as a power boost a spin boost, and a factor that scales those based on ball speed....

Personally, if you can't hit real balls, I don't think Skytrak is the device to be looking to purchase. Skytrak fits for a market of users that want as accurate of information/ ball data as possible, including accurate side spin, launch, and distance information, without the $8,000-16,000 price point. In order to obtain accurate data, you would need to use a real ball. A foam ball does not react like a real ball, nor would you play a foam ball on the course. Skytrak was also built first as a practice/range tool... simulation came later. Even if Skytrak software could be configured with a setting for "foam balls", your data would be mostly calculated information, and entirely unreliable compared to on course results in my opinion.

If you only have room to hit foam balls indoors, Optishot or something similar would be a better option. May not be what some what to hear, but it would seem to be really overkill to buy a $2000 launch monitor like the Skytrak, and then think a foam ball will give you good or accurate results you can use to improve your game.

[schmidt61059]

To the question about foam balls ... I'm not a Skytrak user (yet), but I've been looking into it. One option is AlmostGolf. Check out this thread: https://golfsimulatorforum.com/forum...ls-and-skytrak and this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxfxCjxppTA&t=613s . Both address the question. And to the general issue: I would love to get a Skytrak, but while I have places to swing, I do worry a great deal about one badly hit shot with a real ball doing a lot of damage. The ability to adjust for AlmostGolf would be great.

This said, I'm currently using an R-Motion with AlmostGolf balls . It has many drawbacks, but it does work. It has a dedicated setting for AlmostGolf. You might consider this option. aT $300, It's a much cheaper way to figure out if you want a simulator. I did pay for a good mat, but it's not necessary. You don't need an impact screen. An old bedspread will do. Mishit shots bounce harmlessly off whatever they hit (tho' I guess if you hit one into a window at close range, it would be bad).

[wbond]

I've bladed almost golf balls directly into a bay window from about 20' and thankfully no damage. Got the brilliant idea to hit em over the house from the front to back