skytrak for pretty much a complete beginner

[taylor310]

So I've definitely got the golf bug. I'm 32 and have never really golfed in my life. I have played less than 10 full rounds total in my life I'd say(and 3-4 of those were 2-3 years ago with borrowed clubs). All of my friends have been playing since they were considerably younger and I'm looking for the best way possible to improve my game as quickly as possible. I'm looking at a simulator because like a lot of us I work 8 - 5 so I can usually only squeeze in a half round maybe after work and a round every other weekend or so. I also live in Oklahoma so the winters i'll get out even less. I figure something like the Skytrak will allow me to play 2-3 rounds a week, and really hone in on my approach, chipping, and driving. I was interested in the Protee so i could get club face data since I am SUCH a beginner and there is no telling what i'm doing at impact half the time, but in my set up i'll either be playing in the living room or the garage the majority of the time, so I can't really have a permanent set up to mount lights and camera's.

How much more do you think a complete beginner would get out of something that gets club face data vs the skytrak? I know with the skytrak I will at least be able to hit balls and get a realistic sense of where they are going and my range/swing speed etc. I was also looking at a flightscope, but i don't think that will work indoors as i'm hitting into a net the majority of the time. Also since I am such a beginner I would prefer to stay as close to the net as possible for the safety of my house/garage ....

[bronco]

IN my opinion if you are wanting to improve your game as quickly as possible you need to be getting golf lessons from a professional. I don't believe a simulator is going to help a beginner at all

[Joko]

Let me chime in. I was in a very similar situation as you a little over a year ago. I had played probably 15 full rounds of golf when I was 14-16 (never got lessons then). And now I'm 35. I had wanted to get into golfing for awhile and discovered sim golf first by the optishot, and immediately decided that 'wasn't good enough' and saw the SkyTrak option (ProTee another good option but the SkyTrak seemed easier to jump into)

Long story short - I got the SkyTrak, setup my sim area, took a 4-5 lessons to get the basics down (this was key). Not having club data as a beginner is a bummer and does make it more difficult to self diagnose. However after playing and practicing on the SkyTrak over the last 12 months (mostly the last 6 months though) I have been able to better self diagnose issues with my swing. If you can record yourself while swinging that will help also.

I would do it again and again and again. I had always said that I wouldn't take up golfing unless I could practice easily, and this allowed that, and it's fun! I do wish I had club head data that comes with ProTee or GC2 HMT, but I figure in the next 1-3 years a device will be available that is more cost effective (or easier setup) that will capture this data, be it an addon for the skytrak, or maybe selling my skytrak and getting an ES16 if it turns out to be good eventually.

[taylor310]

I've had one less so far which seemed to help. I also bought something similar to an orange whip which really seemed to help my striking and tempo on my swing. It's been about a month since my first lesson so I figure I need to get another one scheduled pretty soon.

[NYCgolfer]

I am a decent golfer and have taken an average of 4-6 lessons a season. I think that in order to improve, find a good local pro; preferably someone who is tech savy and incorporates a launch monitor with the lesson. They can help you grove a solid golf swing and you'll get an understanding of how to use the technology to give you feedback. Although the SkyTrak is great for point of impact, a pro will help you with your grip, takeaway, follow through and all the intangibles that a launch monitor won't

[Joko]

I like the 'preferably someone who is tech savy and incorporates a LM with the lesson' part that you added. I took my lessons with a guy who seemed good and I have nothing bad to say about him, but I'm hesitant to spend any more money with him as I would like to take lessons on a LM with club data. If I can see the data I am more of a believer, while watching video taken on an iPad is better than nothing, I would want more.

[GmanJeff]

Taylor player (I'm a Martin man myself). I'm a beginner who uses ST and I think it's extremely helpful. Alone, it may not help a lot, as you'll see your ball flight but may not have the ability to understand why the flight is what it is, or how to improve it. But, in conjunction with lessons you'll be able to verify that you have adopted changes which make a difference, and you may find it motivational. Before I had the ST, when hitting into an indoor net I wouldn't know whether a shot which started out straight-ish would continue that way, and I wouldn't have any sense of how far it might have gone. It just hit the net and that was it. With ST, the feedback is far more complete and useful for making changes to your swing. I also use it pretty much every day, where I certainly wouldn't make it to an outdoor driving range daily, so I practice more than I otherwise would.

[Wyzyguy]

Lessons coupled with SkyTrak is a win win. I bought my ST last November & used it a lot during the Michigan winter. Really helped my wedge game (that was my focus) from 120 & in. If you are willing to make an investment into your new hobby with lessons and tech I say give it a go. I really enjoy the ST and the software improvements have be good. The ability to see the figures on shots is important. Having a wedge leave at 34* and the next shot leave at 25* with 2x the spin should tell you something about consistency.

I was probably a 5-6ish HC (no official HC until this year) when I got the ST and ballooned to 10-11 in the spring as I made changes, injuries, pressure I put on myself to play well, bad course management, etc... . At my lowest point I shot 97 on an average course & was crushed. I am currently sitting at 3.6 and wanted to be 0.0 at this point but my game is much more consistent than in the past. Not as many high rounds & put up my lowest scores ever this year. The ST is a tool & not a cure. If you have a solid understanding of Flight Laws, strike and Angle of Attack vs Path the SkyTrak gives great feedback. A can of foot spray to clearly see the strike & you are on your way.

You still have to do the work. My schedule requires that I be able to practice at home. FYI.. I will be taking some lessons in the winter. I have never taken a lesson up to this point. Will probably struggle again in the spring but I want to improve... That is a tough thing to handle mentally when you practice and your scores go the other way. I did not enjoy the HC going up but I knew I was onto something more consistent. With my current skill set.. the rest of my HC is in scoring better on par 3's due to weak iron play (improving lately), attacking par 5's for more birdies, and putting from 10-30 ft or so. Take advantage of your newness to the game. Get some solid instruction on fundamentals and stick it out. Things sometimes get worse before they get better.

Final note.. It is important to see some balls fly full flight. Most of my ST use this summer has been outdoors off a mat into my side yard. If you start second guessing #'s the ST is reporting you will be going down a rabbit hole.. I know.
Hit some balls outdoors to confirm what you are seeing when you can. I was hitting real low launch drives on ST when there was snow on the ground. I typically hit a pretty high D tee shot. I discounted it for a few months. Got on the course in the spring and was not getting the ball in the air. I should have went and confirmed the data asap. Good Luck

[MainStGolf]

Have to agree with what everyone has said. Lessons either in person or at the very least an online lesson where you can send your swing video to a coach, but in-person lessons would be best. SkyTrak owner here and extremely pleased with the purchase of the unit and the progress the company has made and is continuing to make. Also born and raised in Oklahoma!

[FaultyClubs]

I agree with the others that proper lessons are the most important. After that it becomes about how best to practice. I think hitting at your local range and playing real golf is a good option.

But if you don't have the time, and need to practice at home then a sim is far better than simply hitting into a net. With the net you don't know where the ball is going so the value is very limited.

IMHO club data is very valuable, especially for beginners and especially for club path. Ball data doesn't add much provided you can see your shot shape and where the ball is going. So a beginner is probably better off with a Protee because of the club data than a Skytrak.

However if you can't use the Protee for some reason then a Skytrak is a good choice since in any case you need to see accurate ball flight to practice.

[aeroburner]

I also agree with everyone on getting out on the course or range and playing with friends and practicing IRL and getting a sim is really a good investment, i have both protee and skytrak and these are both really good to work with, they do give a little different data but both these systems are growing and expanding and skytrak might get club data eventually as protee is working the flight data it would pretty cool to see these two systems crossover.

[Sledge0001]

Lessons and lab time. They go hand in hand. My Skytrak with TGC is awesome to practice on when I can't get to the driving range or play a round. It keeps you swinging and your tempo improves overtime. I'd say go for it and enjoy!

[taylor310]

Thanks guys. I originally thoguth about an Optishot but everything I read about accuracy scared me that i would pick up bad habits using that daily. I have pretty much bought the entire setup EXCEPT for the skytrak at this point. Do you think I would end up picking up any bad habits using foam balls with it? I really want to use a temporary setup in my living room, but I do NOT have faith that I won't put a real ball through the wall.

Honestly, even the Qolf and Almost balls sound like they are hard enough that a shank might do some damage.

[FaultyClubs]

Personally I think you'll pick up some bad habits with daily use a foam ball. They are just so light. Probably not a big deal for a temporary setup though.

In my living room there is no way I'd hit anything BUT foam balls. Stuff happens.

If you can afford a Skytrak or Protee then don't even think about an Optishot.

[Sledge0001]

Foam balls are a no go. They just don't simulate hitting a real golf ball. I have never hit a Qolf or Almost Golf ball in my life so I can't comment on those but the foam ball option is not a good one based on my previous experiences.

I personally have and still use both the Optishot2 and the Skytrak. The Optishot 2 isn't terribly inaccurate with irons if you calibrate them correctly. For me I still have issues with my hybrids and driver picking up on the Optishot which makes it tough to play a virtual round of golf and trust the accuracy. I get that every virtual system is prone to inaccurate readings as its not real golf but I must say that Skytrak is downright impressive.

I still have issues once in a while with super high flying flop shots on my Skytrak w TGC but the overall accuracy of Skytrak I would personally gage at a 8.7- 9.7 out of 10 where the Optishot would give a 6.5 - 8.5 out of 10. Not trying to badmouth anyone's product as they are both a blast and I do believe both can help your game simply by having you swing the clubs more frequently.

Disclaimer *These comments and super scientific calculations are based solely off my personal experience.*

[Sledge0001]

No. I am not a fan of putting any type of tape on any of my clubs. Although I will admit my driver and hybrids are both darker bottom clubs with very little shiny surfaces to be picked up.

[wbond]

I was not a fan either but found that to be the only thing to get it to read consistently. I ended up using an old driver I had and got another 4 wood and hybrid just to use on opti so I didn't tape the ones I play with.

[FaultyClubs]

I dId same as wbond. Used old set just for the sim and taped them. Taping can make a big difference. The optishot can do better than many think although it's not in the same class as a Protee or Skytrak.

[wbond]

Almost golf balls feel nothing like a real ball at all. Only thing it does is give you something to focus on while swinging.