Using strike tape to improve skytrak distance

[RonRed]

I have noticed a strange thing with my ST. If I place strike tape on the face of a club, I hit the ball about 20 yards farther, to the correct distance. Can someone else try this. Without tape, my 7 iron goes about 145 to 150. With strike tape on the face of the club, 7 iron is 165 to 170, which is normal for me.

[MainStGolf]

If club head speed is complete BS why even give it?

I have never claimed to be a numbers expert. I'm completely new to this area of indoor golf and looking at numbers. I'm trying to learn.

I do know part of my issue could be in the swing. I did do some more research and when I took a more full backswing I got closer numbers to what is expected. Could be I swing like that outdoors and haven't been indoors. Got new clubs this week so now that's throwing things off :-).

If someone has a good read or video regarding use of numbers I'm game because I do want to learn.

[Shardak]

>>If club head speed is complete BS why even give it?

They give it because the marketing department demands that it be there. A lot of low-end launch monitors only directly read a few stats (some of them only read ball speed), and everything else is calculated. I think its a poor decision that Skytrak (not low-end) decided to include a calculated club-speed number. But knowing that it is calculated, just ignore it completely. If you want club speed for cheap, get a Skypro or any of those gadgets you attach to the shaft of your club.

Club speed is one of the least useful stats anyway, so you are not missing anything by not seeing it. Maybe for club-fitting it has a place, but for improving your game its not a huge factor.

One source of good info that I have found is watching Mark Crossfield / AskGolfGuru videos on youtube. He uses a GC2 launch monitor and really explains the impact of swing mechanics to the numbers.

[MainStGolf]

Thanks for the video tip. I'll check them out!

[SomaPLR]

The swing speed numbers aren't actually totally BS. They are BS when you try to manipulate real world data (by taping your clubs). It's a calculation based on live data. GC2 does the same thing (without HMT). I've found the calculations to pretty similar to Trackman - maybe a 1-2% difference and for something that's not measure that's not bad.

[SomaPLR]

Indeed. Here's another set of 7 iron data. First grouping is with an e6 ball, second is with a cally SR3. Third group was trying to kill one shot just to see how far I could hit it. All this goes to show how much difference spin makes in terms of carry. Also notice significantly lower launch with the urethane-covered SR3. Also note the ball speed required to carry 170+ with a tour ball.

Dang man what irons are you playing? I can't get below 5500rpm on a 7 iron with range balls. I play old school lofts in the Titleist CBs tho. I have a 35* 7 iron.

I hit the Ping I series irons and I was getting almost 185 yards carry on my normal swing 7i, I thought this is ridiculous. The Ping 7 iron is 32*...which is basically my 6 iron. I stepped on one and it went over 200 yards. It's all relative.

[MainStGolf]

Well it is definitely something mechanical in my swing. I have been able to get a "normal" swing to get to the 150 mark (not carry mind you just total distance) which is expected for my 8-iron. I'm still in the low 20s for launch angle and I'm not having an easy time bringing that number down without shanking it. I got some ball speeds over 105 and I think my best was 111 today and this was on a TGC range with no wind.

Really enjoying this learning process, although it is frustrating too because I'm so competitive. I was able to carry a couple 155 but consistently I was in the 135-145 range.

[TorchRedRob]

Dang man what irons are you playing? I can't get below 5500rpm on a 7 iron with range balls. I play old school lofts in the Titleist CBs tho. I have a 35* 7 iron.

I hit the Ping I series irons and I was getting almost 185 yards carry on my normal swing 7i, I thought this is ridiculous. The Ping 7 iron is 32*...which is basically my 6 iron. I stepped on one and it went over 200 yards. It's all relative.

Callaway X-Prototypes with a 35* 7-iron with KBS tour shafts. I find that the KBS shafts spin about 500rpm less for me than the DG's, and also give me another 2mph or so ball speed across my irons.

I wouldn't be surprised if you could spin an e6 less than a range ball, honestly. I can typically spin range balls close to my normal gamers- the e6 is super low for me for some reason.

[SomaPLR]

Interesting. How would you compare the ball flight vs dgx100?

[TorchRedRob]

For me:

KB's 130g get up quick, flatten out for a while, and descend a little flatter. Short irons usually take one hop and stop within about 10-15 feet of pitch mark.

X100's start low, spin up to apex, and descend steeper. Short irons typically stop closer to pitch mark.

Peak height is about the same for me, but it appears like the kbs is higher, I think because it apexes sooner.

I like the feel of the kbs better, too. I've always thought the dg's feel loose/fwobbity (highly technical term) thorough impact. The kb's feel better to me in that they seem more purposeful through impact. Oh, and I soft step the kb's one step.

If you've never hit the kb line, I'd say it's worth a go.