Skytrak and different ball spin rates losing distance

[Timdm3]

I definitely feel that Skytrak is penalizing high spin rates.

I was playing E6 and trying to land a green from 118yds. Using Pro V1s with an ALL OUT swing, I was only able to carry 115yds with a 9000+ spin rate. Switched over to Titleist Velocities and I was flying the green easily with 128yd carry and 4000 spin rate.

I usually use Pro V1s on the course and the longer carry distance using Velocities on Skytrak seem more accurate to real life play. I have never used Velocities on course - does anyone have any data that these balls actually fly further or is the high spin rate from Pro V1s just being shorted on Skytrak?

[wilson]

Stick tape on your club with the V1s, mulligan and retest.
Would like to hear your results.

[MrHogan]

Velocities go miles, slip one of them out on the longest drive hole for sure..

[aja]

Timdm3 What club were you playing?

Higher spinning balls as a rule don't go as far as ones that spin less.

I would say that your Skytrak is giving you the correct results.

[Timdm3]

wilson I will give some tape a try tonight. This is to try and reduce spin on pro v1 I am assuming?

aja I was playing a P wedge. Maybe the Skytrak readings are correct and that would be great. Shot shape and everything else feel dead on. The numbers from the velocities just seem to match my real life numbers on course with pro vs. It could be in my head, maybe I just think I hit further.

[mhage]

I think the mats may also artificially inflate spin numbers as opposed to grass

[TorchRedRob]

The testing I have seen shows that mats influence spin, but in the other direction. There is less spin on plush mats than on grass or hard mats. This is also my personal experience.

[hks8888]

In general, higher spinning balls travel less than lower spinning balls. It becomes more obvious with longer clubs.
However, since Skytrak uses a flight model to estimate distances, it seems to me that when a spin rate is in extreme side,the flight algorithm doesn't necessarily produce a good estimate.

For example, for 100-120 yard shots by a wedge, the spin rate of 4K is an extreme case. This 128 yard with 4K could be exaggerated.
Another example, in the early days of my Skytrak use, I tested it on the range. I was hitting toward 60 yard flag with worn-out yellow balls. My balls traveled the exact distance in reality, but Skytrak kept saying 70 yard or more. I learned that the worn-out practice balls and my dull wedge produced an extremely low spin, around 2K, for this distance with a wedge. When I hit my own used but good Titliest ProV1 balls, the spin rate jumped to 5K-6K and Skytrak produced an accurate estimate.

Now, Skytrak has experienced some tweaks on its flight model over time, but I am not sure if this kind of things has been dealt with. So, when you see spin rates in extreme side you need to take into account this flaw of using a flight model.

[wilson]

Timdm3 yeah, that way its the same flag, same ball, but you're drastically changing the spin number.
Here's TrajO showing just how much those numbers do affect distance.
A wedge at typical launch conditions but with 9000 vs 4000 pretty much shows just what you saw:

[Deuce]

Very cool. What software is that?

[wilson]

Flightscopes online site:

http://flightscope.com/products/trajectory-optimizer/

[Timdm3]

wilson I tried your tape idea. Never would have thought of that but very interesting...

The ProVs had the same exact flight pattern as lower spinning ball. Carried about 10yds further and spin was only in the 4.5k range.

So what does this tell me? Do I need to revisit my distances IRL with ProVs? Or is this a mat vs turf issue? I swear I hit my lower irons roughly 10yds further IRL.

[doublebogey]

You think maybe compressing ball against mat might generate more spin vs compressing against grass?

[Timdm3]

That seems like the logical answer doublebogey. Maybe there is a middle ground with real grass where it is spinning just enough less to give more distance but still enough to stick a green.

Pretty cool to see how much variation there is between a couple balls.

[wilson]

I have a home made mat - a crappy Hank Haney 4x4 over the top of Wal-Mart foam workout squares - and i tend to get a shot higher on the face of my irons that i do on the range - maybe 2-3 grooves higher. With my practice balls this drops the spin nearly 750-1000 RPM and causes some difference in flight compared to the range.
Lots of variables inside, just as there are outside. I just try to find the 'consistent' variables (if that makes sense?) and watch my ball speed, launch and overall spin numbers when practicing to judge how well i am striking it on any given day.