9 Reasons to Buy the SkyTrak+ in 2026 ($1,000 Cheaper than ST MAX—While It Lasts)

Winter’s here. In other words, this is the exact time when finally adding a golf simulator to your life makes the most sense.

But which one to get?

There are a lot of options for a lot of budgets and a lot of different indoor spaces. That’s true.

But one you definitely want to at least make sure you're considering is the SkyTrak+. The reasons are plentiful (these are our nine favorites) and the time is right.

Not to give away one of the most compelling arguments, but with the SkyTrak+ now a full $1,000 less expensive than the very similar ST MAX, yeah, this is worth thinking about right about now. And it just so happens to be indoor golf season, which makes that sweetheart deal all the sweeter.

So let’s jump right in. The nine things you can tell your spouse to justify this very wise SkyTrak+ investment.

You’re Saving $1,000 vs. the ST MAX (for Essentially the Same Launch Monitor)

Let’s start with the big one: money.

First of all, the SkyTrak+ used to sell for $2,495. So at $1,995, you’re already enjoying a nice discount.

But then when you look at the $2,995 retail price of the ST MAX and you compare that launch monitor to the SkyTrak+, that’s when you realize how amazing this deal really is.

The only things that the ST MAX (which is basically the exact same hardware with a different color scheme) has that the SkyTrak+ doesn't have is a dedicated speed training mode, a second USB port for simultaneous charging and data transmission, and a slightly faster processor.

Now, don’t get me wrong. The speed training in particular is a very nice feature, and I think it could help a lot of people. The dual USB ports and the improved processor are also undeniable upgrades.

But it’s when we talk in terms of value that the SkyTrak+ just becomes the clear better choice for most people.

The problem is that they aren’t going to make any more of them. So this chance to save $1,000 for what otherwise is the same dual Doppler radar and photometric system, same ball and club data, same practice software, and same Course Play sim software access is limited.

The SkyTrak+ at this price is legitimately one of the best deals going in golf tech right now.

It’s Perfect for Winter and Indoor Golf

If you live somewhere where the golf season is abbreviated, even if it’s only shortened by a couple months, you know what it’s like to jones for golf shots when it’s freezing outside.

And, yes, more and more communities now have some kind of indoor golf simulator commercial business. And they can definitely be awesome.

But let’s face it: The mountaintop, for all of us, remains our own personal indoor golf simulator setup. For some of us, it’s our slice of heaven. Or at least a place to improve when we can’t get out on the real course.

The reason the SkyTrak+ in particular is the right indoor and winter golf choice is because it’s designed for indoor use.

Unlike radar-based systems that need 8-plus feet of ball flight and often require 16-plus feet of room depth, the SkyTrak+ sits beside the golf ball and uses a combination of radar and cameras to capture data at impact.

That means you can likely get away with a space as little as:

• 10 feet wide
• 10 feet deep
• 9 feet tall

If you’ve got a garage bay, a basement corner, or even a spare bedroom, you can make this work.

And because it’s primarily a photometric system, you don’t need a massive ball-flight window. You just need enough room to swing comfortably and hit into a screen or net.

But again, going back to price, at $1,995, a SkyTrak+ is seriously the most affordable way to do true indoor golf without making major compromises.

The SkyTrak+ Has the Same Core Tech as the ST MAX

I already touched on this, but it’s worth emphasizing because it’s the foundation of why this deal is actually a deal.

The SkyTrak+ and ST MAX both track golf shots the same way with the same radar-plus-camera system. They read the same information and produce the same data metrics. The ST MAX just does it a little faster and adds in a couple of goodies, most notably the dedicated swing speed training feature, which I do really like.

But the point is that you’re not buying some canceled or discontinued tech if you buy a SkyTrak+. It’s the same tech that they’re using in their new flagship, the ST MAX.

The same thing’s true on the software side. You get access to the same ecosystem.

And by the way, just so that I’m clear, I actually think the ST MAX is fairly priced. I think for what it does for $2,995 in 2026, it’s in a very competitive position. Very competitive.

I’m just saying that if you can get almost all of that and save $1,000, well, I think that’s at least worth considering. In other words, the only product that makes the ST MAX look like it’s overpriced is the one it’s replacing, the SkyTrak+.

Cross-Platform Compatibility (Mac Users Rejoice!)

If you’re a Mac user, you already know the pain of shopping for golf simulators. Very few offer true, full-featured macOS support.

The SkyTrak+ does.

You can get the full SkyTrak+ experience on:

• PC (Windows 10+)
• Mac (M1 chip or newer, macOS 13+)
• iPad (M1 chip or newer)
• Android (recent models with solid specs)

That’s huge. It means you don’t have to buy a gaming PC just to run your simulator. You can use the computer you already own.

For Mac users who’ve felt locked out, the SkyTrak+ for $1,995 is extremely exciting.

The Software Ecosystem Keeps Getting Better

One of the most underrated parts of the SkyTrak+ story is how much the software has improved over the past couple of years.

It used to be that SkyTrak didn’t have its own native software solution for playing full rounds of simulated courses.

Now they’ve got Course Play, which is one of the leading sim software options for detailed course renderings and lifelike ball physics.

Plus, the practice software is phenomenal. And it includes a ton of options. You’ve got stuff like Shot Optimizer, Wedge Matrix, Bag Mapping, Skills Assessments, and Creative Practice Ranges.

Their whole software environment is very intuitive and easy to use, and it’s honestly fun to the point of being addictive.

The SkyTrak Plus Is Going Away, So Now’s the Time

The reality is that whatever remains in circulation of the original SkyTrak+ is it. They aren’t making any more of them.

I’m not saying that’s a reason for any kind of panic. There’s no such thing as a golf simulator emergency.

But if you want to get this savings, I’m just saying that you don’t have forever. Once whatever remains is gone, your only option for a new unit will be the ST MAX at $2,995.

You’ll Still Have SkyTrak+ Support

SkyTrak had a lot of success with the SkyTrak+.They sold a bunch of ‘em. There’s no way they’re going to turn their back on all of those customers. Not when they’re still a viable, very successful golf simulator company that’s trying to maintain good service.

Both the SkyTrak+ and the ST MAX run on the same software platform. That means that when new features, updates, courses, or other improvements are released for the ST MAX, the SkyTrak+ gets them too. The exception, of course, being speed training.

Also, look at SkyTrak’s track record. They’re still supporting the original SkyTrak, which came out in 2014.

Point is, you’re not buying a dead product. I get how that could be a concern, but in this case, you’re good.

Turnkey SimStudio™ Packages Take the Guesswork Out

Bar none, the best way to do this if you can swing it is to buy an already-designed, turnkey SkyTrak+ simulator setup. That removes all of the headache.

PlayBetter’s SimStudio™ packages are turnkey solutions that include everything you need, perfectly matched and ready to go. You get:

• SkyTrak+ launch monitor
• A free protective case
• Enclosure (multiple size options)
• Impact screen
• 5 x 5 premium hitting mat
• Putting/landing turf
• Side barriers
• Projector (with upgrade options)

Or you can design your own and leave out the components you don’t think you’ll need or that you already have.

Also, if you’re shopping for a dedicated golf simulator computer, definitely check out SurfThing. All they do is make computers specifically optimized for golf simulator software.

The SkyTrak+ Was Already a Great Option, Now It’s Crazy

There was nothing wrong with the SkyTrak Plus. Nothing at all.

In fact, when the ST MAX launched in late 2025, the SkyTrak+ was still quite popular. Now, with the ST MAX, they’ve just made it a little better. Good news.

And great news for as long as you can still get a SkyTrak+ for $1,995. Unless you need speed training, you probably don’t want to pay an extra $1,000 if you don’t have to.

The SkyTrak+ was already great. Now, at this price, it’s a bona fide killer option.

A Few Reasons the SkyTrak Plus Might Not Be Right for You

There’s always another side to the story. No product is perfect. And if I’m going to make the case for the SkyTrak+, I also need to be straight about where it falls short.

Thing is, it’s a much shorter list.

Really, as I see it, you should buy the ST MAX instead of the SkyTrak+ if:

• You want the speed training feature. It is sweet. And if you stick with it, it can help you gain clubhead speed.
• You can’t stomach a subscription. I won’t lie. To get everything out of the SkyTrak+, you gotta pay up. You’re most likely going to choose an option that’s going to cost you a few hundred dollars more each year. That adds up.
• You’re not in a position to act soon. I get it that buying a golf simulator, even if it’s on sale, is a big purchase. Now might not be the right time for you. And if that’s the case, please don’t feel like you’re out of options. There are so many amazing choices still available to you. You just happened to have missed one of the really good ones. You’ll live.

Is the SkyTrak+ Worth It This Winter?

If you’re done with taking winters off, and you want pro-grade data for less than $2K, now is unquestionably the time to grab a SkyTrak+.

It’s the same core tech as the brand new ST MAX. It’s fully supported going forward. It’s perfect for indoor use. The software keeps improving. And it’s a thousand dollars cheaper than its successor.

And winter’s the perfect time to make it happen. 

The SkyTrak+ was already great. At $1,995, it’s incredible.

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc "Shef" Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.