Lost distance and high sidespin numbers no matter what club

[Schlob27]

Can anyone please advise on how I can correct this issue? I have had my skytrak for a week and every friggin shot shows 3k+ side spin or 20+ degree side angle. I get 10K backspin on my driver and -9 yards roll out with an 8 iron. My distances are 50 yards short on almost every club except wedges, which are closer to 30 yards off. My spin actually goes down with wedges.

I contacted skytrak support and they were absolutely no help. Did the red dot test, which showed the red dot wasn't even close to one inch outside of the paper. They said the unit was fine and the numbers will come to accurate with time.

Ive tried moving the ball closer, further, before, after, on top of the dot and every dang shot slices. Even when I shut down the face and try and duck hook it, it slices.

I have moved the ST on the mat, off the mat, 1/2/3/4 inches above and below the mat and even tried on 3 different matts. Inside, outside, with a fox or in a box, I still get side spin.

If by some miraculous shot I do hit center, it goes nowhere, even shorter than the sliced shots.

If anyone could offer advice I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Sam

[Scoop]

Any pictures of your set up you can share? That is likely the issue. Check the tilt/roll in the SkyTrak app too.

[3on3putt]

As Scoop mentioned, have you zeroed out the tilt and roll? Also make sure the bottom of the unit is level with your hitting surface. And having the logo of the ball face the skytrak helps it read spin better. It sounds like there's a setup issue of some sort here. What's behind you? Anything reflective that might be interfering with the camera?

[Ande2920]

Hey schlob, I’m new to the Skytrak world have having very similar issues. Hoping the group can give some suggestions as Skytrak has been a combo of unhelpful and unresponsive. I’ve spent hours reading on this forum and tried everything, no luck.

I’ve used a Swing Caddie for some time, feel it’s pretty decently accurate, but I’d like to see the ball flight so I don’t grove a giant hook like I did in High School at the golf domes.

Thought the Skytrak would be a great way to keep the swing tuned in Snowy Minnesota. Once I got the unit, I noticed major issues with the distances. All my mid to long irons cluster around 170-180 no matter the ball speed etc.
I've pulled out the swing caddie to prove to myself that I’m not crazy.

I’ve attached pics of my setup along with a few side by side reading to show the gaps I’m getting.

Thanks a lot in advance

[3on3putt]

Post some screenshots of some shots hit on the skytrak app so we can see ball data. That can help with determining what the issue may be. Also, indoor swing syndrome is very real. Many people just need time to get past it.

[Ande2920]

Thanks 3on3, I thought it was the indoor swing also at first, which is why I pulled out the swing caddie. A couple pics of the swing results are below. I can post more if that would help.

[Ande2920]

Sorry the pics loaded sideways the first time. I've added a couple side by sides of the Skytrak and Swing Caddie. I've leveled the unit, tried five different types of golf balls, hit off a tee and the mat, hit in front and behind the ball, turned the light on, off, dimmed, window closed, etc, still no luck. Everything is 20-30 yards short. I've played with the elevation, moving from 700 ft where I live up to 9999 feet and its still short. I've also noticed ball flight is much lower than expected. Probably 5-8 yards lower than expected (at least based on when I got my irons fitted earlier this year).

[Schlob27]

3on3putt the distance is the issue. When I go to a sim course, I am only getting 100 yards out of my 8 iron. I would have to play from the kids tees. I bought the skytrak so I can play St Andrews realistically. Not just mash shots into a screen.

[3on3putt]

Schlob --- I was responding to Ande.

[Ande2920]

I've not seen this shot optimizer before, thanks for sharing.

I used 700 ft for the altitude as well. My concern is the distance is simply short versus on course. I'm not trying to stroke an ego, just trying to understand. I play to around a 5 but won't be for long if I'm off a club or two on every shot....for me a normal 6 iron is around 185 and a 7 would be around 170.

I used a set of Titleist 990's with X stiff 130 shafts for 20 years up until this summer when I switched to Hogan PTX Pro's with KBS Tour V 110 Stiff shafts. Picked up a club to club and a half in the process. The distances I'm getting on the SkyTrak look similar to the old 990s.

The Swing Caddie gives carry distance only. I've found it to be pretty reasonably accurate. For $300 bucks, its handy to have to work on distance control or if you're trying to increase your swing speed. Downside is you can't visually see the ball flight unless you're outside so mine sits on the shelf for 7 months a year.

[Schlob27]

As Scoop mentioned, have you zeroed out the tilt and roll? Also make sure the bottom of the unit is level with your hitting surface. And having the logo of the ball face the skytrak helps it read spin better. It sounds like there's a setup issue of some sort here. What's behind you? Anything reflective that might be interfering with the camera?

This is from outside using my backyard net, no restrictions. I switched between a 22 hybrid (215 yrd ave) and 6 iron (185 yrd ave). Yes, everything is level and zero'd out. Skytrak confirmed my indoor hitting is ok.

Every shot is absolutely exaggerated spin wise even though I keep my hands quite.

Here is an 8 iron where i was trying to intentionally slice it off the toe.

[Schlob27]

I do not disagree with that the data matches the shot optimizer,

I am saying the data is incorrect. I am not hitting shots with 10K back spin nor did it duck hook. This shot flew straight into the middle of the screen, just like most of the others.

The unit is producing incorrect spin and speed numbers. This is what I am hoping to overcome.

[Fhacker]

Shot off toe will hook not slice. If u hit the above off the toe and shot hit center of your screen it’s looks fine

[Schlob27]

Yes, exactly. set up for a slice, opened stance and face, ball go hook.

[3on3putt]

This is from outside using my backyard net, no restrictions. I switched between a 22 hybrid (215 yrd ave) and 6 iron (185 yrd ave). Yes, everything is level and zero'd out. Skytrak confirmed my indoor hitting is ok.

Every shot is absolutely exaggerated spin wise even though I keep my hands quite.

Here is an 8 iron where i was trying to intentionally slice it off the toe.

I assume you meant to type "skytrak confirmed your outdoor hitting was ok," not your "indoor hitting." Skytrak is not great at outdoor use. The skytrak folks may tell you otherwise, but sunlight is not known to be great for it. Not sure what your outdoor setup looks like but it's really more of an indoor unit.

[Schlob27]

No, skytrak confirmed my indoor setup and also says it was ok to hit outside. I was just illustrating that the data is bad no matter where I set the unit up. It was not in direct sunlight either, the sun had already gone past the trees.

[Scoop]

Have you checked the screen to make sure the flimsy screen protector with pull tabs has been removed and also no finger prints, dust, etc. on the screen? What you're describing sounds like something might be causing it to not get good images or something interfering with it. Your backdrop would be the next thing to check (the direction your back is facing at address). Try hanging a dark curtain or sheet behind you to block out anything it could be picking up.

[3on3putt]

Just to echo what Scoop said .... the Skytrak comes with some film over the camera lens. Some people don't notice it and therefore don't remove it. And once they do, the readings are night and day difference. Make sure that plastic film has been removed. Like he said, there is definitely something interfering. Are the indoor reads showing identical data as the outdoor reads? Or is one way different than the other?

[Morini]

I didn't read every post and comment but ...

Obvious distance, side spin, and side angle misreads are 95% due to skytrak being at wrong height. Actual unit, not bottom of case, level with mat.

Distance short fall? Almost always skytrak is accurate (meaning GC2, Trackman etc would read the same thing from same set up). The cause is usually indoor swing syndrome or club mat interaction or a combination. Test for the latter hitting off a short tee and note differences. Also, look for excessively high launch, as on some cheap mats, the ball rolls up the face and fly way too high.

Indoor swing? Can be hard to diagnose but often distance shortfall is higher for longer clubs.

[Fhacker]

Thumbs up Morini