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Hello,
I purchased my skytrak in early June. I have been using it pretty faithfully these last two months. My ball striking has certainly improved with my wedges, down to my 6 iron. However, from the beginning, my driver distances (and longer irons for that matter), have been shorter than what I see in real life. That being said, I think a lot of that can be attributed to rollout, and I'm more interested in shot shape and control than I am with distances.
From the beginning, I have been using a bubble level/and a torpedo level to check my skytrak. Every time I use the bubble or torpedo, the skytrak software reports -4 on the side to side, but reports zero front to back. That being said, I generally draw my clubs. A pretty typical draw with my 7 iron results in 15 yards right to left movement. On the skytrak, that draw is even more pronounced, often 20-35 yards, even with a 7 iron.
Now, I haven't been to a "real" range since I got my skytrak, but I went the other day. I was expecting to see a huge draw like I do on the skytrak. Well, guess what? I saw my normal 10-15 yard draw. That really got me wondering about leveling the unit, and questioning what should I be using, the software, or a real level? i also wondered if perhaps the leveling was affecting my drives on skytrak, as they are often below 10 degree launch angle, and significant hooks. IRL, my average drive is 215 yards. However, I almost never hit 215 on skytrak. On skytrak, the normally carry about 165-170, and roll out to 185 or 190. Again, not a huge deal, but it does make sim play rather tough.
So yesterday, rather than use my bubble and torpedo, I did some experimenting with the software level. I took it from -4 down to zero, which resulting in the skytrak leaning in on quite a pronounced angle towards the ball.
What do you know, my huge draws went away, and I even hit some cuts and slices. Now, I don't normally hit cuts and slices, unless i'm just getting warmed up. In a round, I might go right once in 18 holes. I feel pretty comfortable knowing that my shot shape is right to left. Therefore, the "zero" angle in skytrak didn't feel quite right either, and it certainly looks weird with the unit leaned so far to the left.
I then decided to take the unit back to more of a neutral position, settling on -2. Better looking shots, still some cuts to the right, but not as bad. Drives were a little more realistic too.
Ultimately, I ended up questioning my confidence in how I am really hitting the ball. I need to be able to trust the skytrak, and I really want someone (Seth) to chime in with an answer.
Should we be using the software, or a real level?
And yes, my sktrak is level with my mat, etc.
This board has been great reading material, I thank all for their contributions. I had been hesitant to post, but there have been a number of posts asking this same question, and I have yet to see it answered.
I can live with my 80 mph swing, and my 200 yard drives. I got the skytrak to dial in my shot shape and develop consistency, but until I know how to actually level and plumb it, I feel like I could be doing more damage than good to my swing.
Again, thanks for all the great information on this board, and I would love an "official" answer.
Edited to say right to left, rather than left to right
Brad
I purchased my skytrak in early June. I have been using it pretty faithfully these last two months. My ball striking has certainly improved with my wedges, down to my 6 iron. However, from the beginning, my driver distances (and longer irons for that matter), have been shorter than what I see in real life. That being said, I think a lot of that can be attributed to rollout, and I'm more interested in shot shape and control than I am with distances.
From the beginning, I have been using a bubble level/and a torpedo level to check my skytrak. Every time I use the bubble or torpedo, the skytrak software reports -4 on the side to side, but reports zero front to back. That being said, I generally draw my clubs. A pretty typical draw with my 7 iron results in 15 yards right to left movement. On the skytrak, that draw is even more pronounced, often 20-35 yards, even with a 7 iron.
Now, I haven't been to a "real" range since I got my skytrak, but I went the other day. I was expecting to see a huge draw like I do on the skytrak. Well, guess what? I saw my normal 10-15 yard draw. That really got me wondering about leveling the unit, and questioning what should I be using, the software, or a real level? i also wondered if perhaps the leveling was affecting my drives on skytrak, as they are often below 10 degree launch angle, and significant hooks. IRL, my average drive is 215 yards. However, I almost never hit 215 on skytrak. On skytrak, the normally carry about 165-170, and roll out to 185 or 190. Again, not a huge deal, but it does make sim play rather tough.
So yesterday, rather than use my bubble and torpedo, I did some experimenting with the software level. I took it from -4 down to zero, which resulting in the skytrak leaning in on quite a pronounced angle towards the ball.
What do you know, my huge draws went away, and I even hit some cuts and slices. Now, I don't normally hit cuts and slices, unless i'm just getting warmed up. In a round, I might go right once in 18 holes. I feel pretty comfortable knowing that my shot shape is right to left. Therefore, the "zero" angle in skytrak didn't feel quite right either, and it certainly looks weird with the unit leaned so far to the left.
I then decided to take the unit back to more of a neutral position, settling on -2. Better looking shots, still some cuts to the right, but not as bad. Drives were a little more realistic too.
Ultimately, I ended up questioning my confidence in how I am really hitting the ball. I need to be able to trust the skytrak, and I really want someone (Seth) to chime in with an answer.
Should we be using the software, or a real level?
And yes, my sktrak is level with my mat, etc.
This board has been great reading material, I thank all for their contributions. I had been hesitant to post, but there have been a number of posts asking this same question, and I have yet to see it answered.
I can live with my 80 mph swing, and my 200 yard drives. I got the skytrak to dial in my shot shape and develop consistency, but until I know how to actually level and plumb it, I feel like I could be doing more damage than good to my swing.
Again, thanks for all the great information on this board, and I would love an "official" answer.
Edited to say right to left, rather than left to right
Brad
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