TP5 Pix Ball with Skytrak

[Ryan O'Keefe]

Just wanted to share my experience with the TP5 "PIX" balls with the Skytrak.

As we all know, it's best to have the ball logo facing the Skytrak to provide the best possible results.

I'm the kind of person who likes to be as lazy as possible without affecting results so I looked at finding a ball with more/better/bigger markings so that I didn't have to continuously lookout for the orientation of the ball. I looked through the forum and found a few people had tried the Chromesoft Tru-vis, however, they were getting markings on the impact screen from the printing on the ball.
I couldn't find any threads on the TP5 pix ball so I thought I'd give it a crack (I searched for 2 minutes, so forgive me if this has already been tried before).

Results: I found there were far fewer no-reads when using the TP5 pix ball when compared to other balls, even with the logos orientated towards the unit. I went from around 1 in 10 to 1 in 20-30. I also found that there were rarely any "misreads" (or reads that weren't within the realm of simply being a bad shot).
I also tried to use a non "PIX" ball without worrying about the logo orientation and found spin numbers to be all over the place.

In terms of durability, I would say I got 800 shots out of the ball before it started really going downhill, fast. I've attached pictures of the ball I used for around 1000 shots. The extent of the damage on the ball really only got to this point in the last 20-30 shots. A big note here as that the majority of my shots are 60/56/52/P wedges, with only about 25% of the remaining shots on clubs from 9i - 4i (low ceiling height prevents longer clubs). I'm using 3month old Cleveland RTX 4 wedges and BS is usually around 9000-10,000RPM. I'm not in the know about ball durability enough to categorically say that my use case would cause a higher rate of damage but that is my assumption.

I did not get any marking on my impact screen whatsoever, but please don't come at me with a knife if you try the balls and have different results.

Cheers,

Ryan.

[GungHoGolf]

Good write-up, thanks for sharing your experience.

Those are some gnarly balls, man - you should retire them long before they get that chewed up, or you'll be burning holes in your screen way faster than you should (high-spin wedge shots are what puts the most wear and tear on screens, due to the spinning friction).

Also, all that missing paint on the balls had to end up somewhere, whether you see it yet or not. My guess is it's on the screen mostly, and you'll only notice after a longer period of time when the center of your screen grows darker.

That said, screens are not meant to last forever. If having fewer no-reads outweighs buying screens more often for you, maybe it's a tradeoff that makes sense for you.

[Ryan O'Keefe]

Before the cover started falling off, the paint was still intact. I've bought a sleeve and will upload a pick after 500 or so shots.

[HoselRocket]

Great write-up. Thanks for the info.

[bubbafish]

Thanks for the tip, Ryan.

[jpotas]

Just wanted to share my experience with the TP5 "PIX" balls with the Skytrak.

As we all know, it's best to have the ball logo facing the Skytrak to provide the best possible results.

I'm the kind of person who likes to be as lazy as possible without affecting results so I looked at finding a ball with more/better/bigger markings so that I didn't have to continuously lookout for the orientation of the ball. I looked through the forum and found a few people had tried the Chromesoft Tru-vis, however, they were getting markings on the impact screen from the printing on the ball.
I couldn't find any threads on the TP5 pix ball so I thought I'd give it a crack (I searched for 2 minutes, so forgive me if this has already been tried before).

Results: I found there were far fewer no-reads when using the TP5 pix ball when compared to other balls, even with the logos orientated towards the unit. I went from around 1 in 10 to 1 in 20-30. I also found that there were rarely any "misreads" (or reads that weren't within the realm of simply being a bad shot).
I also tried to use a non "PIX" ball without worrying about the logo orientation and found spin numbers to be all over the place.

In terms of durability, I would say I got 800 shots out of the ball before it started really going downhill, fast. I've attached pictures of the ball I used for around 1000 shots. The extent of the damage on the ball really only got to this point in the last 20-30 shots. A big note here as that the majority of my shots are 60/56/52/P wedges, with only about 25% of the remaining shots on clubs from 9i - 4i (low ceiling height prevents longer clubs). I'm using 3month old Cleveland RTX 4 wedges and BS is usually around 9000-10,000RPM. I'm not in the know about ball durability enough to categorically say that my use case would cause a higher rate of damage but that is my assumption.

I did not get any marking on my impact screen whatsoever, but please don't come at me with a knife if you try the balls and have different results.

Cheers,

Ryan.

Seems like you get a ton of no reads and mis-reads if your improved numbers are 1 in 20 or 30. I often hit 150 to 200 shots in practice session using hybrids, irons, wedges, and my driver and only get MAYBE 2 or 3 no reads. Your set up may be the issue and not the ball. I use Titleist ProVs or a Titleist Tour Softs almost exclusively.

[Ryan O'Keefe]

I wouldn't say that "rarely any mis-reads" in my post aligns with "a ton", as you say. In regards to no reads; the point is that no-reads reduced drastically. You say that you hit 150 shots and have 2-3 no-reads. that's around 1 in 50, after using the balls more since my original post, I'd say that my estimate was harsh and that I'd be around the same as you (1 in 50). I'm assuming you're orientating your logo towards the unit for each shot.. I don't have to do this. I also get far better consistency in my spin numbers as there is always going to be a marking on the ball that is facing the unit.

[talressen]

I tested the TP5pix against my the regular TP5. The Pix consistently gets better spin readings. Misreads are down by about 30%. Only getting 1 or 2 a round now. I replace them after about 500 shots because I hate looking down and a mangled ball. But yeah I can echo the positive sentiments.

-Spend less time placing the ball
-Better spin readings
-Reduced misreads

Feels like this ball is designed for the Sim, even thought it was obviously not.

[Danger Dan]

Got the same impression at first with the the Pix. Less misreads, but I also get some exagerated spin numbers. I feel Skytrak as trouble reading all those "reference" markings on each rotation of the ball. I would like to hear from Skytrak people on that very specific question...

[buckslayr]

i’d like to hear from skytrak too

[Morini]

I don't use Pix, but have used most brands of premium balls. I never bother with the logo, and have no spin issues. I am sure at the margins you might get better reads with the logo under some circumstances, but I am fairly confident that Skytrak can use dimple pattern to get spin for most shots. I think the logo helps when at extreme VLA, high and low, as imagers may only catch part of a ball.

[Needsmoreeagles]

I do use these balls in the Sim with my ST. I do think they work well but I also feel they provide some misreads (where the ball definitely flies a different path than the one I hit) and I believe it is too much for the camera to handle. Cleaning balls from time to time seems to help too.