When we set out on our SkyTrak Golf Simulator and Launch Monitor review, the possibilities really excited us. Imagine playing golf whenever the heck you felt like it – rain or shine – from the comfort of your own home. No driving to the course or range, no need to coordinate tee times with your buddies, and no worrying about dressing properly.
This can all be accomplished with a proper home golf simulator setup. Typically these launch monitors were out of reach for nearly everyone due to the costs involved. Enter SkyTrak, which makes having a quality home golf simulator an affordable reality!
There are many considerations and options to keep in mind, and the Skytrak Golf Simulator experience is at the top of our list, which is why we put together this comprehensive SkyTrak Golf Simulator review and buying guide.
Read on to learn more about what to consider and see if SkyTrak is right for you.
Pros:
- Highly accurate
- Portable
- Easy to set up and use
- Excellent choices for compatible golf simulation software
Cons:
- Small delay between ball contact and seeing the flight path
- Only tracks the ball’s flight path and not your club path
Bottom Line:
If you’re looking for the sweet spot of performance, features, accuracy, and price in a portable and personal launch monitor, then the SkyTrak golf simulator is your best bet out there bar none.
The SkyTrak 2020 Review – Overview
SkyTrak is a personal launch monitor that delivers instant, real-time 3D ball flight data and shot analysis, which can also be paired with software and display devices that can upgrade this experience to a true golf simulator setup, allowing you to play world-class courses right from your home.
Weighing less than 2 pounds and only 7 inches tall, it’s extremely portable – allowing you to bring it with you to the course for consistent data gathering and analysis in the real world as well.
SkyTrak is great on the compatibility factor, too: it can connect wirelessly to any iOS or Android device or any computer running Windows (whether that’s a PC running Windows, or a Mac running Windows through Bootcamp)- all without needing a WiFi connection.
Protective cases are also available if you’re concerned about errant shots knocking into this bad boy.
The SkyTrak personal launch monitor uses photometric technology, meaning that it uses high-speed cameras to capture a series of images of the golf ball for several feet directly after impact. It uses these images to directly measure your shot’s launch angle, ball speed, backspin, side spin, and side angle, which also allow it to estimate carry and total shot distance.
SkyTrak uses these data points and estimations to create a realistic and accurate 3D ball flight model, giving you real-time shot simulation and performance data. The SkyTrak also tracks your performance over time, giving you real insight and depth into how your performance is evolving. It’s like having a personal swing coach with perfect memory with you at all times.
The beauty of this setup is that it only requires a few feet of ball flight to get all this data, so you can use SkyTrak literally anywhere you can swing a golf club – indoors or out!
The SkyTrak personal launch monitor starts at $1,995 if not on sale (which it commonly is for up to a $300 discount).
In addition to purchasing the launch monitor, there are three Skytrak Yearly Plans offered:
- Basic (Free): Provides access to the following:
- 3D practice driving range: gives you a better view of your shots and the results of your swing while hitting your ball with your clubs than you’d be able to actually see at the driving range.
- Ball Performance Data: ball flight data on individual shots is captured and displayed automatically, including: measured ball speed, launch angle, backspin, side spin, and side angle. You’ll also get calculated club head speed, carry distance, offline distance from target line, and total distance for each shot.
- First Person Camera View with Shot Tracer: This gives you the ability to view ball flight from down the line, as if you were standing behind the ball while looking at the target, and tracking your shot through the air. Also gives you a shot replay option to review great shots.
- Registration: While not really a feature, this activates the SkyTrak warranty and registers your device to SkyTrak for security purposes, such as loss or theft.
- Game Improvement ($99.95 per year): Provides everything included in the Basic plan, plus the following:
- Additional options for Challenges and Fun, making the SkyTrak significantly more entertainment focused. We’ll cover these later in this guide, but they include things like Target Practice, Skills Assessments, Bag Mapping, and more.
- Custom Settings: Allows you to change the practice range turf conditions from standard to soft or firm, adjust humidity and wind conditions, and more.
- 5 Additional Camera Views: Adds first person, dynamic, downrange, follow the ball, and 45-degree overhead camera views.
- Session History: Stores shot data to analyze historical performance and improvement data over an entire session and provides a shot history table, average distance with club, and a whole lot more.
- Progress Tracking, Charts, and Graphs: Personal data is stored in the cloud through the SkyGolf 360 Mobile App, and charts shot stats by club, allowing you to see average carry distances, max distance, and helps to create a bag map to help you with your club selection during play.
- Play and Improve ($199.95 per year): Provides everything included in the Basic and Game Improvement plans, plus integration with WGT (World Golf Tour) on iOS. Basically, if you’re going to be using any kind of iPad or iOS device for part of your simulator setup, plan on going with the Play and Improve plan.
How to Setup SkyTrak
One of the great things about SkyTrak is how darn easy it is to set up. Once it’s charged (via the included MicroUSB cable), you simply power it on, download the iOS or Android mobile app, and connect to it directly or over a WiFi network. It’s that simple! This process takes less than three minutes and you’re ready to start playing.
SkyTrak’s Ease of Use
The SkyTrak personal launch monitor app is very user-friendly, with large icons and easy-to-understand visuals, which allow you to simply glance at the screen to see your performance, rather than having to squint at the app to see what’s happening.
Using the SkyTrak indoors or outdoors is extremely simply as well. Start by placing the device parallel and on the same level as your hitting surface, about 12 feet away from the ball.
SkyTrak recommended that you place your ball’s logo facing the launch monitor lens (so there’s more information captured in the images). This will give you the best results for spin readings.
When SkyTrak is ready for you, you’ll see a red dot on the ground or your hitting mat – place the ball on this dot for best performance.
Once you see the power, WiFi, and Ready Light have all turned green, you’re good to start swinging!
Accuracy of Skytrak Golf Simulator Data
SkyTrak tends to slightly under-report metrics compared to other personal launch monitors we’ve tested, but this isn’t a bad thing. Overall, and especially for the price, SkyTrak’s data accuracy is spot on.
One thing to note is that SkyTrak (as well as many other launch monitors even halfway close to SkyTrak’s excellent price) doesn’t track club head speed. It does a pretty good job of estimating it, but if you require club head data, you’ll need to look for a commercial-grade launch monitor (and thus need to multiply your budget by about 4 or 5)!
Don’t sweat this small fact though – the SkyTrack’s data capture capabilities will prove more than adequate for nearly everyone.
To put you at ease, here are the accuracy parameters of the SkyTrak personal launch monitor:
- Ball Speed: 0-200mph +/- 1mph
- Launch Angle: 0-0 – 55° +/- 1°
- Back Spin: 0 – 12,000rpm +/- 250 rpm
- Side Spin: 0 – 4,000rpm +/- 250 rpm
- Side Angle: 0 – 20° +/- 2°
Skytrak’s 3D Ball Flight Model Accuracy
SkyTrak continually updates and improves their 3D ball flight model to ensure accuracy. Generally speaking, it’s amazing what the SkyTrak can do when translating real-world data and rendering it in 3D for ball flight.
SkyTrak’s 3D rendering is extremely accurate overall, with a minor exception being on the occasional wedge shot. Again, nothing to be concerned about here considering all of the upside and benefits.
Skytrak Golf Simulator’s Momentary Shot Delay
Some folks tend to sweat the small stuff. If that’s you, we should point out that SkyTrak does have a slight (2 to 3 second) delay between your shot and showing the ball flight on the simulator.
We found this to be a benefit rather than a drawback, as it gave us time to try and guess what the shot will do based on how the shot felt, which actually improves your golfer’s “sixth-sense” in the real world. After all, you won’t be bringing your SkyTrak along for a tournament and will want to rely on your natural ability to take in feedback from your shot. SkyTrak will help you develop this.
Long story short, this is not an area of concern – once we got used to it, we failed to even notice it.
The Skytrak Golf Simulator App Review
Depending on the SkyTrak plan you choose, there is quite a lot that the SkyTrak Golf Simulator App can do! We’ll walk through what’s offered below.
Practice Range
Think of the Practice Range as a literal driving range within the comfort of your own home, but with way more control. The layout offers simple controls and big displays to allow you to see data easily.
SkyTrak’s Practice Range allows you to practice and monitor your results with extreme accuracy and gives you immediate data on ball speed, launch angle, side angle, backspin, and more.
The Practice Range also allows you to track your performance over time and figure out what’s working well (as well as identify weak points in your game). You’re also able to adjust settings for wind speed, humidity, and elevation, allowing you to simulate real-life course conditions.
SkyTrak also offers different camera angles for live shots and replays (depending on your SkyTrak Yearly Plan).
SkyTrak Challenges
This is where SkyTrak begins to make the turn from a personal launch monitor into a very fun and family-friendly device. SkyTrak offers several single-player and multi-player challenges through their software, giving you the fun of a TopGolf experience at home.
The beauty of using SkyTrak’s Challenges is that each person will be able to adjust their settings (such as target distance and number of shots available), as well as have their own color of shot tracer, depending on the specific challenge.
Let’s break each of the challenges down below:
Closest-to-the-Pin Challenge
Although it’s self-explanatory, each player takes their shot to see who can land their ball closest to the pin. This is a lot of fun for small groups!
Long Drive Competition
If you’re deciding who gets bragging rights, the long drive competition is for you. This challenge is tons of fun for get togethers and always a crowd pleaser!
Target Practice
SkyTrak’s Target Practice challenge allows you to see a score from 0-100 based on how accurate you shot to a specific target and allows you to get a real sense of how accurate you are with every club in your bag, which is extremely helpful feedback when improving your game. Not to mention, it’s a great game to play with others!
SkyTrak Skills Assessment
Similar to Trackman’s Combine feature, the Skills Assessment option in SkyTrak’s simulator allows you to set up the number of clubs you want to hit as well as the target distance, giving you ultimate control.
Setting this up only takes a few minutes, and then SkyTrak walks you through each club and stores all of your data. Once the assessment is complete, you’ll receive a detailed report that shows your shot tendency, accuracy, dispersion, as well as your dynamic handicap and SkyTrak handicap for each club.
Having this amount of data is invaluable and is really insightful to helping you continually improve your game.
SkyTrak Bag Mapping
Think of SkyTrak’s Bag Mapping as a Skills Assessment for your entire bag of clubs. Shot shape, carry distance, tendencies, and gapping between clubs is all measured and reported in extreme detail once the bag mapping is complete.
This is an excellent feature, especially if you don’t have a clear understanding of your carry distances for each club. The data in here can really help you with making choices on where to spend time improving your game and what to consider when purchasing new clubs.
Skytrak’s Golf Simulation Packages
If the ability to practice at home, get incredibly detailed and accurate data, and hone your game whenever you wanted just wasn’t enough reason to take the plunge, SkyTrak also works with some of the best golf simulation software providers out there, allowing you to play thousands of courses from all around the world!
This is where things get really fun, as you’ll be able to include casual golfers (read: your wife, kids, family, and friends) in the experience.
SkyTrak’s partnership with golf simulation software allows it to transmit data such as ball speed, launch angle, backspin, side spin, and side angle to each of the applications and allows each piece of software to apply their own ball flight model.
Let’s walk some of the best golf simulation software packages for SkyTrak and what you can expect from each.
World Golf Tour Golf Simulator for SkyTrak
Chances are if you’ve owned a smartphone or had a Facebook account in the last decade, you’re familiar with WGT (World Golf Tour). Great news: you can also play this on SkyTrak! The big difference is that the visuals are incredible, using terrain mapping and photo-realistic imaging to bring you some of the most advanced course simulation out there.
A big benefit of opting for the SkyTrak Play and Improve Yearly Plan is that WGT is included for free! WGT gives you 12 full courses that can be played, including Pebble Beach, Kiawah Island, Chambers Bay, St. Andrews, Bandon Dunes, and others, as well as 18 total courses that you can play closest-to-the-pin challenges on.
All around, WGT is a great value when bundled with the SkyTrak Play and Improve plan.
World Golf Tour’s Ball Flight and Data
Overall this is accurate and lines up with what we saw in SkyTrak’s native app. Distance and wedge shots are calculated correctly, which is great.
World Golf Tour’s Visuals and Course Representation
WGT sets the bar high for other golf simulation software packages – the realistic visuals are absolutely stunning and if you opt for a projector setup, WGT makes you feel like you’re nearly playing the course in real life.
World Golf Tour’s Gameplay and Course Depth
WGT continues to add new courses to it’s software, which is great for ongoing added value and replayability. Camera angles are limited and there’s no shot replay, which is unfortunate. We should point out that WGT is single-player only as well, so consider this into your decision if you’re thinking of using SkyTrak for parties or get togethers.
World Golf Tour’s Software Reliability
WGT performed great on a myriad of iOS devices, including devices as old as an iPad Mini 2 and an iPhone 6s, although WGT recommends newer iPads.
World Golf Tour Cost
WGT is free and included in the SkyTrak Play and Improve Plan.
The Golf Club Game Golf Simulator for SkyTrak
SkyTrak owners rant and rave about TGC (The Golf Club Game) for good reason: the graphics are absolutely incredible and can run up to 4K Ultra HD, and TGC allows you to move around the course in real time. Talk about an immersive experience!
There are over 170,000 high definition courses, and you also have the awesome ability to create your own courses here. Adding to the in-depth experience is an in-game announcer, which is just plain fun.
The Golf Club Game’s Ball Flight and Data
Again, the data is very similar to what’s seen on SkyTrak, which is great news here. Consistency is always a winner.
The Golf Club Game’s Visuals and Course Representation
4K Ultra HD visuals are something that you need to see to believe, and the sheer amount of courses means you’ll never run out of something new to play with TGC. If possible, make sure your system setup can handle the max settings to take advantage of all that TGC has to offer.
The Golf Club Game’s Gameplay and Course Depth
TGC offers up a LOT of courses for free which is a big advantage here. The realism is also outstanding, with realistic rolls and bounces on the fairways and greens. The sandtraps and roughs also play accurately, as do TGC’s chipping and putting functions.
Depending on the package you purchase, TGC also offers multiplayer option, both locally and online, and you can even compete in live, worldwide tournaments! A lot of fun.
The Golf Club Game’s Software Reliability
You’ll need a computer-based setup to run TGC. As long as your setup meets the minimum system requirements you won’t experience any reliability issues, as this software runs smoothly and reliably.
The Golf Club Game’s Cost
There are two TGC software packages you can opt for, one being the Original TGC, and the other being the 2019 TGC. Each has their own benefits and can be purchased outright, or you can purchase 2019 TGC on an annual basis.
TGC Original is a one-time purchase of $499, TGC 2019 is a one-time purchase of $895, or you can purchase both together for $995.
TruGolf E6Golf Connect Golf Simulator for SkyTrak
TruGolf E6 is a very well-built golf simulator. There’s nearly 90 courses available and these are all mapped with extreme precision, which really ups the realism factor.
Time of day, camera angles, lighting, and wind are all controllable here, and course elevation is factored into your ball flight, which is really nice.
TruGolf E6’s Ball Flight and Data
The E6 data lines up with what we saw in the SkyTrak app – again, good news here.
The Golf Club Game’s Visuals and Course Representation
The actual terrain of the course actually impacts the gameplay, which is a great touch, and each course just looks incredible, from the textures and lighting to the shadows. The camera follows the ball naturally during shots and replays, which adds to the experience.
Visually, TruGolf E6 is just a hair under TGC, but still excellent.
TruGolf E6’s Gameplay and Course Depth
Depending on the package and device you play on there’s up to 27 playable courses, as well as a practice area that includes a driving range with target practice, as well as putting and chipping areas.
The gameplay is extremely realistic, and the option of multiple camera angles gives extra value. Putting is highly accurate which is excellent, and you’ve even got the option to practice individual holes on courses which is great.
TruGolf E6’s Software Reliability
TruGolf E6 can be used with a computer setup or an iOS device. We didn’t experience any performance issues at all on either type of device when using TruGolf E6.
TruGolf E6’s Cost
Annual subscriptions start at $300, with one-time packages starting at $1,500 depending on the device you’ll be using with TruGolf E6.
Creative Golf Simulator for SkyTrak
Creative Golf 3D starts to blur the lines between a traditional golf simulator and a full-blown golf entertainment package, which we love. The usual is included here: over 130 European and International courses, a driving range for individuals and team play, and even a cool club fitting option.
The fun part is the entertainment-based games, which include things like mini-golf courses, demolition and target practice courses, pitch-and-putt style games, and even a Fairy Tale golf mode which features shorter holes that kids can play to get the same results as adult players.
All of these features sum up to a lot of cool benefits and selling points you can mention when trying to convince your spouse why you should invest in a SkyTrak!
Creative Golf’s Ball Flight and Data
The Creative Golf data consistently lines up with the SkyTrak app data.
Creative Golf’s Visuals and Course Representation
Creative Golf uses satellites and real elevation levels when designing their software, which translates to a very realistic portrayal of the course being played. As great as the realism is of all the European courses that Creative Golf focuses on, the real value is in the entertainment-based games.
Even the visuals of knocking down abandoned buildings and playing mini-golf in Creative Golf are totally satisfying.
Creative Golf’s Gameplay and Course Depth
Creative Golf includes 5 full courses, with additional add-on packs of 10 courses available for a one-time purchase of $99.95 per set. It’s important to note that the entertainment features are included in the basic plan, so you won’t be missing out on any of the fun features of mini-golf, demolition golf, or Fairy Tale golf here.
The courses look great, but the visuals do look a bit more like an actual “game” rather than a simulator within Creative Golf.
Creative Golf’s Software Reliability
We experienced zero issues with Creative Golf when testing it, which is great.
Creative Golf 3D’s Cost
Annual subscriptions are $249.95, while a one-time purchase runs $499.95.
Unique Additional Skytrak Games and Added Value
There are some really fun and interesting software options for SkyTrak besides the golf simulators. Here are some of the best choices we’ve found during our SkyTrak Golf Simulator review:
Fitness Golf for SkyTrak
Fitness Golf combines full simulated course play with a fitness component built in. You can add a treadmill or stationary bike to get a full aerobic workout when you play!
A driving range, putting courses, and chipping courses are all included, as are 13 different camera angles, as well as multiplayer support (depending on the game type being played). There’s even a fitness only mode which allows you to move along the course using your exercise equipment, adding additional value and fun to your home workout setup.
Over 160 courses are included with Fitness Golf, and it’s one of the least expensive software packages on this list at a one-time fee $249.95 (requires the SkyTrak Game Improvement Plan).
Fitness Golf is available on SkyTrak setups using a PC only – there is no iOS option.
Protee Play for SkyTrak
If Creative Golf blurs the line between golf simulation and fun, then Protee Play is taking a hard stance over on the “fun side” of that line. Fun doesn’t mean weak performance though, as Protee offers full 4K Ultra HD graphics in all of their creative and unique games, which all you to do all sorts of things with your SkyTrak – including multiple driving ranges, shooting balls at zombie targets, playing soccer, football, darts, and even carnival games.
Similar to Fitness Golf, Protee Play is PC-only. It’s affordable, at $149/year or at a one-time purchase of $399.
Golfisimo by Creative Golf
Creative Golf went really out of the box when creating Golfisimo, which includes some really entertaining games for the whole family. What’s great about these games is that they’re designed to help you improve your precision, short game, as well as your ability to play under pressure. It can be bought standalone or used in conjunction with Creative Golf.
Golfisimo runs $199.95 annually, or can be purchased one-time for $299.95.
Frequently Asked Questions about Skytrak
What is a Golf Simulator?
A Golf Simulator is a setup consisting of a launch monitor (such as SkyTrak), a display (usually a projector or tablet), and a ball capture device (like a net).
The beauty of a golf simulator is that it allows you the ability to play golf indoors and during any time of year, allowing you to practice whenever you feel like it. It also requires less time, usually with the ability to complete a round of golf in less than an hour, and offers the ability to play exclusive courses that you likely wouldn’t have the chance to play in real life.
How Does a Golf Simulator like SkyTrak Work?
A golf simulator captures your swing and shot data through either radars, cameras, optical sensors, or sensor mats and uses that data to determine where your ball will go and shows it on a screen.
Besides just displaying your shot, a simulator can also display additional data points to help you track and measure your performance.
What’s the Difference Between a Golf Simulator and a Launch Monitor?
Launch monitors (such as SkyTrak) and golf simulators are different, but similar. Confused yet? Don’t worry- it’s simple. A launch monitor is strictly a piece of equipment that analyzes and captures data during a golf shot, such as ball speed, backspin, side spin, flight path, carry, launch angle, and more.
A golf simulator takes data from a launch monitor and uses it to simulate a shot on a golf course virtually from within an app or software.
SkyTrak (and it’s counterparts like Trackman) are launch monitors which also have the ability to work with golf simulation software, providing lower cost and giving the user flexibility in which software they choose to use.
There are other full-blown golf simulators that are offered in a complete package, such as Full Swing and Golfzon.
How Much does a SkyTrak Golf Simulator Cost?
The SkyTrak Launch Monitor retails for $1,995.
It’s important to note that a full golf simulator setup requires additional equipment and golf simulation software, each with their own additional costs.
Is Skytrak Worth the Money?
If you’ve got the budget, yes – SkyTrak is worth it! SkyTrak is a great launch monitor with portability and flexibility at a competitive price point that outperforms other models that cost several times what SkyTrak does. Simply put, it is a very impressive piece of equipment.
How Much Space do I need to use Skytrak?
If you’re going with an indoor simulator setup, you’ll want to make sure you have a space that’s 10 feet wide by 10 feet long and at least 8.5 feet high.
The width, length, and height of your golf simulator area can be adjusted up or down depending on player height and club length.
A good rule of thumb is to make sure you have enough space to swing your longest club (usually your driver). If you can swing this inside, great news: you’ve got room for a golf simulator.
What Gear and Accessories do I need for SkyTrak?
What additional items you need for SkyTrak really depend on your intended use. What we mean by that is, do you intend to use this indoors or exclusively outdoors?
Most folks that purchase a SkyTrak launch monitor do so with the intent of using it indoors at least part of the time.
Assuming that’s you, you’ll need to decide what type of display and equipment you’ll be using.
For the equipment side, you’ll need to decide between using a PC/laptop or an iPad. Each have their pros and cons (mainly, the computer setup option offers many more software choices and incredible graphics, but the cost of a high-performing PC alone can add thousands to your setup). Additionally, the iPad route offers WGT (World Golf Tour) access for free through SkyTrak’s Play and Improve Package.
Regarding your display type, you then have the option of using a screen (such as a computer screen or monitor) with a computer, the iPad’s screen, or connecting it all to a projector for a true golf simulation experience.
In our opinion, if you can go the projector route, do it! You’ll need a projector, a projector mount kit, and a projector screen for this option though. One thing to be sure of here is to make sure you mount your projector where it won’t be hit by your club or ball!
Skytrak Golf Simulator Projector Setup – What You’ll Need
- Projector (ideally a 4K projector for the best graphics)
- Projector Screen (you’ll want a golf simulator projector screen that can handle high-speed impacts from golf balls and at least 9′ wide by 9′ tall)
- Projector Mount Kit
Skytrak Golf Simulator Setup Without a Projector – What You’ll Need
- Computer Monitor (if using a computer setup)
- Tablet Stand (if using an iPad setup)
Net Return Simulator (Net and Screen)
Once you hit the ball, it needs somewhere to go – preferably not in your wall. This is where a good net comes in. You’ll need this regardless of which setup you choose – we suggest a net setup that has sides in addition to back netting to catch those errant shots!
Hitting Mat
Look, no one said this venture was going to be cheap. And there’s no way you’ve come this far just to wind up with an awesome golf simulator setup and chipping shots off your carpet, right? You’ll need a proper hitting mat to make sure you get the most out of your home golf simulator. Make sure the size is right for your space and is large enough to stand on and swing comfortably (usually a 4′ x 5′ golf mat is best).
What Device Do I Need to use SkyTrak?
If you’ll be using iOS with SkyTrak, you’ll need an iPad Air, iPad Air 2, iPad Mini 2 with Retina Display, an iPad Mini 3, or newer.
If you’ll be using Android with SkyTrak, you’ll need one of the following devices:Google Pixel C, Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 or Galaxy Tab S3 or newer, Samsung Galaxy S6 or Galaxy S8 or newer. In general, Android devices containing Octa-core or dual quad-core processors are best.
If you’ll be using a computer with SkyTrak, you’ll need a PC running Windows 7, 8, or 10 with an Intel Core 2 Duo @ 2.0GHz or higher with 2GB or more of RAM.
*Make sure to check the tech requirements on the golf simulation software you plan on using as well, as these may be higher than SkyTrak’s requirements.
Who is the Skytrak Golf Simulator best for?
The SkyTrak launch monitor is best for recreational players who either love golf, golfers who are serious about improving their game, enthusiasts who want to play top-class world courses year-round, or all three.
What Data does the Skytrak Golf Simulator measure?
SkyTrak measures the following data points:
- Ball Speed
- Launch Angle
- Back Spin
- Side Spin
- Side Angle
Using this data, SkyTrak is also able to accurately estimate the following data points:
- Carry Distance and Total Distance
- Offline
- Roll
- Flight Path
- Club Head Speed
- Angle of Descent
What is the best Software to use with Skytrak?
This really depends on your goals, setup, and budget.
For extreme realism, TGC (The Golf Club Game) is unparalleled.
On overall value, World Golf Tour (WGT) is included with the highest level SkyTrak plan and is tough to beat as it is compatible with all iOS devices.
If you’ll be using SkyTrak with family and friends often, Fitness Golf and Protee are both excellent and affordable options if using a computer-based setup.
How Durable is SkyTrak?
While we won’t suggest leaving SkyTrak out in the rain or purposefully shanking shots at it, SkyTrak is rather durable. The best bet to protect your investment would be to get a durable protective SkyTrak case. We definitely recommended this if you’re going to have family, friends, and especially children around your SkyTrak setup!
Can Right-Handed and Left-Handed Golfers play Skytrak at the Same Time?
Yes. The SkyTrak needs to be “in front of” (facing) the golfer, so you’ll either need to move it back and forth in position, or set up a larger hitting area and just turn the unit around for each player orientation (some devices were created for this very reason!). Consider this when making your purchase and setting up your simulator space.
Can I use Real Golf Balls with SkyTrak Golf Simulator?
Yes, and it’s recommended that you use the same golf balls you use on the course. SkyTrak uses that ball’s speed and spin to determine your flight path and distance, so it’s important to use a real ball.
If you don’t have a favorite golf ball selected, head on over to our golf ball selector guide where we break down the best golf balls based on your playing style and swing speed.
Foam balls may be used, but understand that you won’t be getting the most accurate data available – particularly on your carry distance and total distance metrics.
What Courses can I play on Skytrak?
Depending on the golf simulation software you choose, there are over 100,000 courses available to play. Many golf simulators have at least a dozen courses included with their basic option – be sure to check these out individually to confirm which courses and how many are included.
Will the SkyTrak Golf Simulator Actually Help Me Improve My Game?
Yes – SkyTrak will improve your golf game! Even if you don’t pay attention to the loads of data that SkyTrak produces and tracks (which you shoud), simply playing more will make you a better player.
Think about the fact that you can pick up and play whenever you want, work on your swing mechanics continuously, and complete an 18-hole round in about an hour. When was the last time you completed 18 holes on the course in an hour?
Many players report being able to squeeze in an additional 10+ rounds per month – think about the impact that will have on your game. As they say, practice makes perfect.
What are Some Good SkyTrak Alternatives?
In our opinion, there’s no better choice than SkyTrak in its price range for overall compatibility, features, accuracy, and performance. It’s the full package!
However, you may want to look at others… if only to know for sure that you’re choosing the best personal launch monitor out there. Here’s how SkyTrak compares to others out there.
Skytrak vs TruGolf
It’s important to consider the differences in setups when comparing SkyTrak to TruGolf. SkyTrak is a personal launch monitor (part of a golf simulator setup) that can be used indoors or outdoors, and TruGolf is a dedicated indoor golf simulator setup.
SkyTrak reigns supreme here on cost, it’s ability to use multiple golf simulators, and the ability to take it with you to the driving range or golf course to keep capturing important data.
TruGolf will customize a golf simulator for your specific room and has no delay between shot and display, which is really impressive.
Considering that the price point for a TruGolf setup starts at over $10,000, our money’s on the SkyTrak.
Skytrak vs OptiShot
OptiShot (or specifically, the OptiShot 2) is a small mat-based simulator that starts at $799 and includes 15 full courses and a virtual driving range. The trade-off is in the technology: OptiShot measures your club path via infrared sensors, while SkyTrak uses images to capture much more data and accuracy through your ball speed.
OptiShot is limited in its software integration capabilities since it’s intended to be a budget option.
Long story short, if you’ve got the budget to even consider purchasing a simulator setup, spring the extra few bucks and go for the SkyTrak.
Skytrak vs Trackman
Finally, a clean comparison! SkyTrak and Trackman are both launch monitors, but they’re aimed at two completely different markets.
Trackman offers a lot of the benefits and data accuracy that SkyTrak does, but also beefs it up with additional club data like attack angle, dynamic loft, club path, face angle, and impact location. Trackman then beefs this up with additional video analysis and putting analysis, and even the ability to compete in the Trackman Open, which is a global competition with a prize purse of nearly $100,000. Very cool indeed.
Here’s the big difference: price. SkyTrak runs $1,995. Trackman starts at $18,995, with outdoor-friendly Trackman options running $24,995. That alone will put it out of the range of most users, which is why (again) we recommend SkyTrak.
Skytrak vs Rapsodo
Rapsodo is a cool but outdoors-only launch monitor that uses a companion app on your smartphone to quickly display data points on your swing, making it easy to use on the course or at the driving range.
The app itself is pretty nifty, tapping into your smartphone’s GPS to determine the ball’s direction once hit, and providing a visual representation of all the shots you made during your session. Since it’s using your smartphone, it also captures video playback for your shots, along with shot-tracer visuals.
There’s a lot of data that Rapsodo captures and it is pretty darn accurate, but the big drawback here is that you’re opting for an outdoors-only experience. At $499.99 it is extremely affordable.
If your budget or space in your home won’t allow for SkyTrak or the indoor setup it offers, the Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor is a great option. On the other hand, if you have the space indoors, it’s best to choose the SkyTrak.
Final Thoughts on Our Skytrak Golf Simulator Review
The SkyTrak is a beast. Great price, accurate data, simple setup and easy to use, this thing’s got it all. If you find yourself unable to make it to the course as much as you’d like, or if you live in a climate where the weather isn’t perfect year round, SkyTrak is for you.
You’ll find more time to play (heck, your family might want in on the action too) with SkyTrak in your home, and you’ll be a better golfer and enjoy the game more because of it.
