Latest Best Ball(s) for SkyTrak & Impact Screens Friendly Observations?

[gette]

Hello All,

New to this pocket draining golf sim hobby and have my ST on the way along with my Direct from Mill screen.


I have been reading and gathering data and getting my ducks in a row while building my sim and found all of you guys n tis forum very helpful!

Lately I have been looking into to sim friendly golf balls. This information (and ST tips and tricks in general) are scattered all over the place. And seems golf ball manufacturers like to change their formula or reinvent themselves every year or 2. So I figured it would be nice to get latest observations with the latest ball designs from all the SkyTrak with Impact Screen users out there. I'm sure SkyTrak_Seth might have gained some general observations over the years as well, that would be very helpful. Especially in regards to what the "perfect" ball would look like according to the SkyTraks cameras and calculations are concerned.

My common sense mind is thinking the most durable ball with less spin would be ideal for the Impact Screen. Because it seems that nicks and scrapes and splits will kill a screen quick. And even just higher spin balls (wedges, etc) will wear it out quicker. Combining the 2 sounds like a recipe for a quick disaster. But of course we need some spin. Especially for the better players out there trying to mimic their real game.

I am also assuming ST likes a lot of blank space with the logo or factory alignment line best. Meaning the Trvius soccer balls, though cools looking will not be idea as the have too many marks. And I read marking balls with sharpies can run off on Impact Screens. So finding those that are manufactured with a nice readable logos and/or alignment lines may be best.

So I am thinking an average or low spin and durable covered ball would be ideal for both, considering ST reads and screen longevity. Seems most of the premiums have Urethane covers to promote more spin but also more susceptible to damage. Both of which are not good for impact screens.

That being said I have been thinking something along the lines of the Wilson Duo Soft or SPIN might be the in the running for the perfect ball for ST & Impact Screen?

Also I have read White balls only but have also read that ST loves colored as well. The DUO now comes in white and colors. So I am thinking that may be where I start.

Anyone have any opinions on the Wilson Staf DUO Soft, Spin or even new Urethanes with ST reading and ball durability for Impact Screen Friendliness?

Any other ball types, brands, colors, etc that users have had great success with ST reading and ball durability for Impact Screen Friendliness?
I think noting ones to avoid as well as ones liked would be helpful to everyone.

Thx Guys!
Geo

[wbond]

I've found soft balls split a lot quicker than others.

[gette]

Good observation that makes this even more difficult and needs to be take into account. Thank you sir!

Maybe some of these more durable skinned, non-tour type balls other cover's durability is offset by the very soft inner cores of the softer ones.

[cmckelvmi]

Good topic and I will be following as I am hoping to have an impact screen and projector set up by next Winter. I currently use my gaming ball, ProV1x and would like to continue. However, if an impact screen can't handle the high spin and punishment from the wedge strikes then I might need to reconsider spending on the impact screen. I practice with my wedges more than any other club besides my putter since that is where scoring comes from. I look forward to reading the comments!

[gette]

What I have read so far is basically you can use pretty much any new, clean ball as far as an impact screen is concerned.

The best practices for maximum screen longevity is always wipe down the ball and check for cuts, nicks, splits and even rash and replace as soon a you see something (minor damaged save and use out on the real course, esp near water hazards. lol). Seems very high spinning balls, esp with wedges can also wear out a screen.

Problem with that is that can get expensive, fast, esp with the expensive tour balls. They are more $ up front, typically have a lot more spin with the less durable, soft covers (that helps encourage the spin). Replacing them all the time might cost more then replacing your screen on a yearly basis.

So I think most would be interested in finding something more durable (less abrasion and splitting), with a little less spin (but not to much less as most are trying to mimic and improve their real game) therefore stretching their ball replacement time/$ and extending their screen life. But the kink is I think most want/need a soft feel. As I think a hard, dimple-less, spin-less ball would ultimately be best for the screen, but certainly not for us. lol

I guess ultimately once we have some top balls in some price ranges, it is then all about cost, which would be relative to the longevity (cost per hit).

As far as the SkyTrak is concerned... I'm guessing it doesn't care if you hit a marshmallow or a pool cue ball. As long as it has a certain type of contrasting"mark" on it. Adding a loft more details and suggestions (esp from the manufacturer) would be very helpful and only make everyones life easier and save them $ due to Tech Service misread calls.

[StanMI]

I have since moved on from my ST but when I was a regular user the best ball for me was the Callaway Truvis (Red and White) soccer ball. I got very few no reads with this ball. Seth (the God of ST) has a post on here that says because of the type of cameras used the Truvis ball should be no better then others. From me experience with ST this was by far and away the best ball. Others have said this ball leaves marks on the screen, I have none and I used them over a year. I do switch out the ball after about two rounds so that may have made a difference. I'm also not "long" be any means, 220 to 250 off the tee so that may make a difference also.

goo luck with your set up !! And, as always YRMV !!

[gette]

Thank you for you comment.

I like those balls IRL.

Curious on what screen(s) you have/had?
I wonder if some are more abrasive then others and possibly more susceptible to ball logos rubbing off, etc.

My analytical/programming mind immediately thinks the Truvis (and any other balls with the exact same repeating pattern), would be the least accurate balls for spin calculations (besides a complete white ball with no logos or markings of course) with a camera based system like ST, where it compares 2 or more photos.

Theoretically the spin calculations could be skewed (thinking more spin or less spin) when it uses these same repeating shapes on the ball for it's calculations. Since a golf ball can spin close to 100 revolutions per second multiple, perfectly identical patterns could be mistaken for one another, if there is no way of knowing which mark is which. I am sure the other logos that are also on the ball between the hex patterns will help lessen this happening, but may not be 100% fool proof.

I guess this is also true for balls that have the same exact logo on both sides. If we can't tell the difference between sides, chances are the camera might not be able to either.

But on the flip side, I would tend to think a ball like the Truvis would have a lot less misreads, since there is so much to see. Again this is all theoretical.

Now the new Truvis Stars and Stripes might be something as instead of only 1 repeating pattern there are 2. And the stripes pattern is also different when rotated. So that with the logos might have enough variation to lessen possible confusion (if that is even an issue) which can skew the spin calculations.

Just thinking out loud. lol

[StanMI]

I have the Supertex screen, not the best for image but has held up well. My projector is a BenQ MW632ST, great projector but only 720. Next one will be a 1080.

As to the ball. Before I was using the Truvis I always had to make sure the logo on the ball faced the ST to get anything close to a consistent read. Truvis solved that.

[gette]

Thank you Stan!

[gette]

The comments above made me think about temperature and would be nice to take that into account.

As in other threads I have read about "splits" which seems to be one of the top issues. It immediately kills that ball = 100% unplayable even on real course (as opposed to some rash or even slight nick that could be playable IRL but not recommend for screen). Plus once it splits right after you hit it, it can be spinning at thousands of rpms and can saw a hole right through your screen. Esp since we all tend to hit the same areas on the screen, over ands over again. So once you find a split ball, it already did some damage (theoretically) with at least 1 hit to your screen.

I'm willing to bet that colder temperatures will split balls easier then warmer temps. It would be very interesting to know the avg temps of the users commenting on splitting issues.

Ball A might tend to split more then Ball B in 45-50 degree winter garage use.

But that same Ball B might be less durable and more prone to damage/splits compared to Ball A in 70+ degree weather.

Regardless of temps. I think I rather have outer cover that will noticeably wear before it splits. So it can be detected and removed well before a split. I seem to remember reading a few saying Vice balls were prone to split. But again with the temps are they mainly hitting in colder temps or ?

I think it is safe to say that all balls will have a tendency to split more the colder they are. And possibly 2 piece covers as well, I don't know.

[cmckelvmi]

I will definitely need to come up with a game plan to share the abuse throughout an impact screen. I have limited space in my garage and tend to hit the same area of net return and have worn some holes in the net. I purchased a replacement net for my Rukket Sports net. I took the old net that had the holes, flipped it around and draped it in front of the new net. I am wearing holes in the opposite side of the old net already.

[Pat S.]

I use almost exclusively Wilson Duo balls in my simulator. I find that they are pretty durable and give me a little spin. But I have never been a player to use a high spinning ball regularly on the course. I used them in the winter in the simulator (mostly unheated garage) and they still seemed pretty soft. None have cracked.

When I built my simulator I think I bought three dozen and I am still working my way through them. I usually only use three or four at a time in my sim. I found out very quickly that when you have three dozen golf balls and you hit three dozen golf balls in the sim, then you have three dozen golf balls to pick up.

There was a thread fairly recently on here about how often people replace balls in the simulator. I have just about hit them enough so that the lettering is wearing off, so maybe I should replace them.

For what it’s worth, on the occasions I have tried other balls, the sky track has confirmed that balls like the pro V1 definitely spin more and cheap 2 piece balls like the Noodles a buddy of mine plays with will definitely spin less.

[gette]

That's good to know Pat. Thank you.

On paper I think a ball like the DUO Soft would be perfect for a sim with an impact screen setup. Less spin, shallow dimples, more durable cover and soft feel. Now as long as they are not prone to just splitting out of nowhere (esp in warm weather) then they might be a winner for a lot of users, esp considering the cost.

I am certainly going to give them a try.

[doublebogey]

I've found soft balls split a lot quicker than others.

Agree - especially the Wilson DUO and DUO Spin balls.

[gette]

Thanks for comment.

Were these in use a while and/or did they offer any wearing indication prior to splitting or would they just all of a sudden split?

Did this happen more in colder temps or?

[doublebogey]

Used for a while. But they seem to crack much quicker than other brands (i.e., Titleist, Callaway, Bridgestone, Precept, etc.).

[wbond]

They split sooner in colder weather. A split ball doesn't necessarily do damage to a screen as the ball returns to it's shape well before it hits the screen. You can find super slo mo videos of ball returning to it's shape on youtube. And sometimes it's tough to even find the split, but you know right off the bat as the ball speed is way lower and may even have some crazy spin reading. I did take a chunk out of one of mine before, it was very weird. I posted a pick of it before.

[frodaddy00]

1. I also have a garage setup and moved my extra golf balls inside to avoid the temperature shifts that could compromise your ball durability.

2. Avoid Vice golf balls. I've used 4 or 5 of these balls on my sim and EVERY SINGLE ONE of them split after just a couple of rounds. Maybe its a bad batch but to me its just not worth the risk of using a ball that is so poorly manufactured.

Balls I've had very good success with on my sim:
- chrome soft x truvis
- snell mtb
- cut golf (blue)
- pro v1x
- tp5x

[Sascha1818]

You used the truvis chrome soft with skytrak ? I thought this might be an issue and never tried. So it works ?

[frodaddy00]

Yes the red soccer balls have performed arguably the best regarding low # of misreads. I don't have an impact screen so cannot comment on the dye bleeding onto your screen although it wears off so I could definitely see that being a potential issue.

I cannot explain why these red soccer balls perform well because as noted before the color red doesn't really show up on infrared cams the skytrak uses... *shrug*

[frackh]

I've had the same results with Vice balls as well as Kirkland's 4-piece balls. For sim play, they don't last more than a few rounds. I hit into a Net Return so it's a little less severe of an impact than those hitting into the impact screens.

[triplebogeysrbetter]

Balls I've had good success with on my sim: (Results may vary)
- C company Supersoft - Great feel in the sim. I hit one or two about 4 rounds now and no wear.
- Nike - Clearance from Target. Similar results like the SS.
- Wilson Zip. You can get 2 dozen at Walmart for 19.99. I've had good results with them in the SIM and IRL. Great winter ball


The supersoft I found with the huge Calloway logo seems to help my ST pick up the spin.

Jr and I experimented with different balls. The nike, wilson, and SS. Even the SS with the logo not showing had poor spin numbers.

My son hits a 6 iron about 140-150. With the logo showing the numbers were spot on. No logo and the number was around 110.

[dunginhawk]

I plan to use the Kirkland balls, which are super high quality, but lower cost.

[gette]

I have read a few users complain about the Kirkland and Vice splitting prematurely.

No matter how cheap they are if the split after a few rounds, you are still over paying IMO.
I am certainly staying far away from those personally, esp since a split ball can also damage your screen or net.

[triplebogeysrbetter]

TBH I've split a few balls on contact. I knew I split based on the sound and WTF that was only 20 yards. Never hurt the sim screen. I use real tees as well. No problems with breaking them in half and hitting the screen.

[frackh]

gette Just to be clear, I'm not complaining about them at all with the full understanding that none of these balls were made for hitting into an impact screen/netting. I'm sure they last more than a few rounds on a real golf course (aside from encountering the usual hazards like water, trees, cart paths).

[gette]

Thank you for the clarification.

I do realize that. I have read other posts from other users compelling about them as well. More so the Vice.
Smacking into an impact screen contributes to it.

[Jard]

I play Chrome Soft both inside and outside. The red/white truvis did leave tiny red marks on my screen and you could see that the red markings were coming off, so I stopped using them pretty quickly. I stick to plain white Chrome Soft inside even though I play truvis outside.

They do split after a few hundred hits, so do something like the Bridgestone e6. That's what my brother-in-law and I play so that's most of my experience.

[wbond]

Top flite gamer tours work well. I don't recall splitting any of these yet and Dicks always has a good sale on them. Right now it's two dozen for $30.