How many have to have their ST out of alignemnt to get a straight shot?

[Nasdaqsam]

I am 100% confident the way I align my ST and the off set on the screen the dot and the line are dead on with each other. Yet everything I hit still ends up left even if hit right at the center line. Reading through more and more posts I see many have to set their ST off center to get a straight shot.

How many of you out there finding this same issue? The big thing is I am losing confidence in my swing and changing it to compensate for what seems to be an alignment issue with the ST itself. They really should do something about this we should be assured there is a way to set the machine so it is aligned properly.

[Wizard of Coz]

I hit parallel to my skytrak and I don't seem to have a problem. Take it outside and see if your pulling the shot. That would tell you immediately.

[Nasdaqsam]

I would if we didn't have 2' of snow/ice on the ground and it wasn't 17 degrees out. I'm afraid it will be another 4 to 5 months minimum before I can do this. lol.

[Morini]

1. First of all, let's take the laser alignment tool out of the equation. It is a known issue that it may be inaccurate.
2. The question then becomes whether the skytrak's is aligned parallel to the edge of the case. This is ideal, as it makes simple mechanical alignment possible.
3. ST is aligned off center but accurately reads horizontal launch angle once alignment is adjusted. Not ideal, but also no big deal. Just align by hanging string in front of screen, hitting chip shots, and tweaking alignment to match. If you have a permanent setup, just place lines or even a jig to make future alignment quicker.
4. If the ST reads all over the place even and there is no consistent way to align it, we have a problem. I believe this is rare.

[Nasdaqsam]

My set up is permanent it is not all over the place its everything going left. Not a hook its a solid draw. IRL I have never been able to hit a draw. I have never had s lice issue either. It a shot was off they are mostly lining up wrong or just picking my head up.

[Morini]

As far as I know, alignment does not affect spin axis, only horizontal launch angle. Thus, the ball curving left should not be related to any alignment issues you may have. In either case, Whether your setup is permanent or not, it is important that it is aligned so that straight shots go straight. That may or may not be parallel to edge of case.

[SkyTrak_Seth]

If you are hitting parallel to the unit casing and it is reading a strong push or pull bias, then I would recommend having the unit checked out. It's extremely rare, but it could need to be re-calibrated.

[Nasdaqsam]

Seth, I know for a fact I am mechanically square. I have lines set up for a square hit as well. I played with it tonight and found if I turn it more towards the left of center the hits seem to be much straighter. I would have thought the opposite. It may need to be recalibrated but man I am playing it a lot I don't want to give it up....lol.

[Morini]

Nasdaqsam, if you turn the ST left, a straight shot compared to target line will go right from ST perspective.

[Nasdaqsam]

Thanks for all the comments and assistance. I am going to keep playing with my swing to make sure it is not me that is causing my issues and not the ST. I think what has/is happening is I had some draws early on since I rarely hit draws I am adjusting my swing to get rid of it but thinking now trying to correct a few bad hits I have developed a swing that is actually causing them. I broke it back down to the basics and taking small straight shots at center with all the clubs from LW thru driver then slowly bringing them to a full swing. For the most part until I get to a full swing I can keep the ball on center line. I tend to push them left a bit still but I am hitting them that way they are not a hook or draw. The one club I have to hit well right of center to get a play able shot is my 3 wood. But that may be due to the ST reading the side spin is incredibly high.

[David Williams 'Chips']

I've owed my skytrak for a few months and until this weekend only used it outdoors. I was getting a lot of shots not registering and most shots going 40-50 yards left. The only way I could get more sensible/expected results was to close my unit to the target by around 30 degrees. I contacted skytrak and arranged for the unit to be tested. It was tested indoors and I was told that there is no problem with the unit and it working perfectly. I was pleased with this and put my bad experience with it down to the fact I used it outdoors. Over the last 2 weeks,I have had a major structural change to my property, had an upstairs wall removed and ceiling raised so I now have plenty of space. I have a projector fixed to the ceiling, connected to a laptop and a big white hitting screen with surround. The setup is perfect but I'm so disappointed with my skytrak unit. I've spent hours on forums reading about ball placement etc and I've tried it all but in my new indoor setup, I'm still getting loads of misreads and those big ridiculous left shots. I've only tested it with 3 clubs so far, 52 degree, 6 iron and driver. 52 degree gives a lot of readings and realistic results with the unit setup properly, but the 6 iron, lots of misreads and all going way left, to fix this, I had to close the unit by around 30 degrees. Driver was picking up most shots way left unless I close unit to target. I have tested with light on and off with similar results. I'm close to giving up on this unit but still hoping I can get some more suggestions/help. I'm going to buy a proper heavy mat that doesn't move and maybe I need to do something with the lighting but I'd imagine that might help with the number of misreads but won't solve the problem with the unrealistic 50 yard left shot. I'm desperate for help as I'm close to accepting that the unit just isn't as good as the advert suggests.

[wbond]

are you putting the ball logo facing the unit? Your spin seems pretty low.

[Jtangm04]

Does you strike mat move when it contacts the ball?

[David Williams 'Chips']

yes, using clean TM TP5 ball with logo facing the red dot

[Morini]

David,

I can't see why the 52 would read correctly but not others. Some troubleshooting is in order to narrow down issues.

1. Doubt lighting has anything to do with it.
2. The mat may.
3. The color of your club head and/or shaft could also be factor.
4. Switch to spin axis rather than side spin.
5. Spin axis is unrelated to alignment, so likely caused by your swing, possible as a result of mat closing the face. The photos show 5 degrees left HLA, but a ton of left spin axis.

Sort out the HLA first.

Test 1: Hang a string or place tape or similar in the center of screen (or whatever your target is). Hit chip shots at target. Adjust ST alignment until shots that hit the target read straight. If it requires 30 degrees off line you have a problem. If it is only a few degrees, move on to the next test.

Test 2: Repeat test with 6 iron, starting with a 1/4 swing and increasing ball speed in say 10 mph increments. If unit passed Test 1, no reason why it should not pass Test 2. If it doesn't, need to figure out what causes it, perhaps mat, perhaps shaft.

[David Williams 'Chips']

Morini, really appreciate the support. I haven't had time today but had half hour yesterday after my post and noticed the skyrtrak case was raised very high. I lowered it and it started picking up most shots, still going way left but will experiment. Will post some pics of my setup as I'm putting turf down too. I do need a proper mat, any you recommend?

[David Williams 'Chips']

yes Jtangm04, it does, I need a proper mat and wondering if any come recommended?

[wbond]

Fiberbuilt

[David Williams 'Chips']

Also, i'll be looking to get some software so I can play courses, I have a laptop with Windows OS and favouring The Golf Club Game but would love to hear other people's opinion on this?

[Luckylogan]

I purchased a 5x5 Commercial driving range mat on eBay for $200 it’s the A grade...Also it’s at Rawhide golf co. Web sight....I also purchased a flighdeck from Fiberbuilt and inserted it into the mat after cutting a hole in it and cutting the perimeter of the flight deck with a bandsaw.
The mat is in really good shape and they also have a B grade that is $150 ( not sure on that condition) ...The mat holds a wooden tee which is nice but not much give if you hit fat shots on it , this is why I got the flightdeck .

[Morini]

Nice. Got a flightdeck as well. I am still haven't decided on a setup. I was going to build a plywood platform, cut the hole, and carpet the rest. I might give your solution a shot

[wbond]

How much higher is the FB portion than the rest of the mat? Looks like it's sticking out a bit.

[Lombo]

Can you speak to the feel and performance difference between the Rawhide mat and the Fiberbuilt flighdeck hitting areas?
I also recently just purchased the Rawhide grade A mat and it's certainly nice and sturdy, but I can't seem to get my 3 wood and long hybrids to register correctly from a distance perspective with my skytrak. I can't seem to get a carry longer than about 190-200 yards on the best of strikes No other problems with any other club and I'm wondering if the Mat has something to do with it. This is the third mat I've used with all similar results with these particular clubs. My Skytrak is set up to the correct height of the mat and sits separate of the hitting mat, so not an issue with the unit moving during the strike. Did you have any issues reading these kinds of clubs before you put in the Fiberbuilt insert? and more importantly, if you did have issues, does the Fiberbuilt hitting solve them for you?

[Luckylogan]

About 1/4” ...I’ve since placed some cheap foam pads underneath to bring it up to the same level...Works great , only problem is that I spent a couple hours today hitting balls and now everything is sore ..LOL

[wbond]

At least you were hitting off a FB, otherwise you would have been worse off. Nice job cutting it into the mat.

[Luckylogan]

Hey Lombo, can’t really help you on your question about the 3wood...I only used the mat a few times before I got the Fiberbuilt...Only hit irons of of the mat and used tees when I hit the fairway woods...No problems with hitting of the Fiberbuilt though.

Thanks Wbond!...Ive been a carpenter for 30+ years and have the tools 😁... I Actually have the set up in my wood shop.

[Luckylogan]