SkyTrak Buyer's Guide | Everything You Need to Know

The SkyTrak is both a golf launch monitor and golf simulator in one unit. Remember, not all devices in this product class do both. Some are limited to only spitting out data and can’t simulate an actual round of golf.

With SkyTrak, not only can you use the device as a launch monitor or simulator, but it’s software agnostic relative to other similar products. More on that later. For now, the thing to understand is that you’ve got options. Options for golf courses, games, modes, etc. This is an incredibly versatile product.

Let’s look at the most common use cases.

Your SkyTrak golf launch monitor is a photometric system. It’s taking thousands of pictures per second in order to accurately measure things like:

• Ball speed
• Launch angle
• Backspin
• Sidespin
• Side angle

Based on those metrics, the SkyTrak can calculate:

• Carry distance
• Roll out and total distance
• Distance offline
• Clubhead speed
• Angle of descent
• 3D Flight path

That makes it a great game-improvement tool to be used at the driving range.

That said, this device is much bulkier than some of the others on the market. That means that transporting it to and from the range won’t be quite as convenient, as it is not going to fit easily into your golf bag.

Space requirements:

If you’re using your SkyTrak outdoors, space is really of no concern. All you need is enough room to swing your clubs.

The SkyTrak sets up to the side of the golf ball, rather than from behind. You’ll set the device up so that you’re facing the device as you address the ball. When turned on, the SkyTrak will shoot a laser light onto the turf to show you exactly where to place the golf ball. Position the ball with the logo facing the SkyTrak. From there, it’s time to grip it and rip it.

Software:

Right out of the box, you’re going to get SkyTrak’s driving range feature. That means all of the above data points plus a shot tracer to show your ball flight.

Most people using the SkyTrak outdoors will use it as a launch monitor rather than as a simulator. And for that use, the pre-loaded driving range software is all you really need.

Hardware:

SkyTrak has its own rechargeable battery and serves as its own Wi-Fi hotspot so that it can operate wirelessly anywhere. You’ll need to pair the SkyTrak with your mobile device to view the information readouts.

The SkyTrak really is designed primarily for indoor simulator use. It is not weatherproof, and it’s not as portable as other options. So, outdoor use is limited. Indoors is where this device really shines with incredibly accurate data, software options for both iOS and PC, and space-saving setup requirements.

Space requirements:

One of the great advantages of this personal golf launch monitor/simulator device is that it reads from the side rather than from behind. That’s a big deal if space is tight as it will save a lot on room depth requirements.

• Room depth. A home golf simulator like the FlightScope Mevo+ that measures from behind is going to require a minimum of 16 feet of room depth to work accurately and consistently. With the SkyTrak, we recommend at least 10 feet of room depth. That 6-foot savings in space can be huge for some people.

• Room width. We recommend at least 10 feet of space between side walls. This should allow you enough room to comfortably swing without hitting the wall behind you. A disadvantage to having the unit set up to the side rather than behind is that you’ll have to switch your setup to change between righty and lefty golfers. Consider that when you take into account who your playing group might include.

• Room height. There’s no bigger buzzkill than to buy a golf simulator, set it up, and then realize that the space you have is too small. You DO NOT want to put holes in your ceiling. So, measure well. Generally speaking, you need at least 9-foot ceilings to comfortably pull off an indoor golf simulator setup. Ten feet would be better. Of course, the height of the golfer and their swing path will alter those requirements. A tall golfer with a steep swing may require even more than 10 feet of ceiling space. On the other hand, a shorter golfer might be able to get away with less than 9-foot ceilings. To see if you have enough room, swing your driver (slowly at first!) in the space where you intend to set up your SkyTrak golf simulator.

Software:

Software compatibility is a big differentiator for SkyTrak. Where other units only work with limited software options, SkyTrak is compatible with seven different software packages, albeit each with a subscription or purchase price.

Simulator software options for IOS:

• TrueGolf E6 Connect
• WGT Golf

Simulator software options for PC:

• The Golf Club 2019
• TruGolf E6 Connect
• Creative Golf
• Fitness Golf
• ProTee Play

Hardware:

The only equipment you need for indoor golf simulation is your SkyTrak, a mobile device or PC, a mat, and a net. But to take it to the next level, you’ll probably want to incorporate a projector and impact screen. And for the very best experience, you’ll want to invest in a robust gaming computer capable of running simulator software with fast response times.

PlayBetter.com offers turnkey indoor golf simulation solutions. We’ve assembled everything you’ll need to accompany your SkyTrak and your computer or mobile device. That includes side barrier netting, landing pad turf, your choice of a hitting mat, a golf simulator projector, a ceiling mount, an HDMI cable, and an HDMI-to-Lightning cable. Save yourself a lot of shopping time with these options:

• PlayBetter SIG 8 Golf Simulator Studio Complete Package
• PlayBetter SIG10 Golf Simulator Studio Complete Package
• PlayBetter SIG12 Golf Simulator Studio Complete Package

If you’ve got the space and you’ve got a golf simulator, there are a lot of different ways to pull off indoor golf. Your budget and your creativity will be the two biggest factors in determining what works for your situation. Here are some of the common components you’ll want to consider:

• SkyTrak
• Net or impact screen with frame
• Hitting mat and turf
• TV or projector with screen
• Gaming PC or mobile device

As we’ve discussed, the SkyTrak is a photometric system. That means that it’s taking thousands of pictures per second in order to accurately produce precise measurements of what the ball is doing immediately after impact. Those measurements are used with sophisticated flight algorithms to simulate a realistic shot shape, flight path, and distance that would represent your shots on an actual course.

A doppler system tracks how your ball flies and where it lands and then calculates, rather than measures, the data that it outputs. It can struggle to measure spin and spin axis when the ball is hit a short distance into a net or screen.

Here’s the deal: Both systems work and each has advantages and disadvantages. Doppler systems are generally preferred for outdoor launch monitor use while photometric systems are generally preferred for indoor simulator use.

That’s another reason that the SkyTrak is most often used for indoor simulation use, even though it can still be an excellent outdoor golf launch monitor.

SkyTrak is as software agnostic as any golf simulator you can buy. That’s a great advantage as it allows you to choose from a variety of games and golf courses, including pretty much every famous course in the world, and it gives you options for both PC and IOS.

Here’s a breakdown of the hardware and processing power required to operate each software option.

TrueGolf E6 Connect

PC Requirements:

• Intel iS Processor
• 8 GB RAM
• NVidia 1070 graphics card or equivalent
• Dedicated GPU with DirectX 11 support
• 25 GB of hard drive space
• Windows 10
• Internet connection

iOS Requirements:

Supported iOS devices include iPad Pro Gen 1 or newer, iPad Air 2019, or iPhone 8 or newer. E6 Connect may not run well on older or weaker devices.

WGT Golf

IOS Compatibility:

• iPad Air
• iPad Air 2
• iPad Mini 2 (with Retina Display)
• iPad Mini 3
• iPad Mini 4
• iPad Pro

The Golf Club 2019

Minimum PC Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7, 8, or 10, 64 bit
• Intel Core iS-760 @ 2.80GHz or equivalent
• 4 GB RAM
• NVidia GTX 670 or equivalent
• Broadband internet connection
• 30 GB available hard drive space
• Sound card: DirectX 11 compatible

Creative Golf

Minimum PC Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7, 8, or 10, 64 bit
• Processor 2.5 GHz
• Memory: 2 GB
• Graphics: Dedicated 1GB Vram
• Internet connection
• Hard drive:42 GB for everything that Creative Golf offers

Fitness Golf

Minimum PC Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7, 8, or 10, 64 bit
• Processor: Intel Core iS, i7, or equivalent
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVidia GTX 670 or equivalent
• Internet connection
• Hard drive: 40 GB

ProTee Play

Minimum PC Requirements:

• OS: Windows 7 (32 bit or 64 bit)
• Processor: Intel Core iS or equivalent
• Memory: 4 GB RAM
• Graphics: Graphics: NVidia GTX 670 or AMD 7850 with 2 GB
• DirectX Version 10
• Internet connection