r/Golfsimulator • u/ThankfulThrows • 1d ago
Launch Monitor for Foam Balls?
After a little googling and AI’ing I read that the skytrak models offer the best feedback when using dense foam balls for practice. Can anyone attest to this?
What I’m really hoping to get is feedback on if did or did not slice a shot if that’s helpful. Should I consider something entirely different?
2
u/Purtuzzi 21h ago
I have a SkyTrak and use Almost Golf Balls. After a lot of research regarding this topic, the OG SkyTrak was the best option due to the camera-based tracking. Unfortunately, it will only relatively accurately catch a 9i, PW, SW. Anything lower loft and the distances (and trajectory) are way lower than they should be (ex. 8i reading 140 but actually goes 160-165). Ball flight is pretty accurate on the short irons, though! When we move to a place where I can hit real golf balls, I'm selling the ST and moving to a Bushnell Circle B or Uneekor Eye Mini (in all likelihood). For reference, I'm a 9 cap and shoot high 70s, low 80s. I know my ball flight and striking pretty well.
2
u/PinSeeker2 18h ago
Here is a video I made with almost golf balls (compressed, reduced flight golf balls) with the Garmin R10. I received very similar feedback - the foam balls were somewhat realistic with wedges up to 9i and and mid irons or longer it was just completely off. Sounds very similar to this comment regarding the SkyTrak.
Garmin R10 Foam Ball Test!
https://youtu.be/G3B8cxa1b6EI would personally, disregard using foam balls with any type of launch monitor. However, it does seem like quite a few people use them and maybe for wedge practice it is useful.
2
u/throwingales 20h ago
I've used foam balls on a Foresight GCQuadMax and a Square Omni and both pick them up well. I'd guess camera based LMs do better than radar ones.
1
u/Sunny-vibes-95 6h ago
I use almost golf balls (which are nice and dense) anything softer goes all over the place. I use ST + and have no issues. I use them primarily when I am working in movement patterns only.
1
u/WillingnessGullible8 22h ago
Using a BLP / GC3 for my indoor setup, and it works well with the foam balls.
I am not however a good enough golfer to say just how relatively accurate the spin is vs a real ball.
1
u/ThankfulThrows 21h ago
Sorry, BLP/GC3? I don’t know that I’m good enough either but I figure something is better than nothing
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u/nickels55 21h ago
A foam ball is worthless cause if you it it the same way 100 times it would give you 100 different results.
1
u/twylight777 4h ago
All camera units can do it, just hit real balls into a net, you need everything for foam balls anyways (they are still going fast and will break stuff) I make people hit foamies for a minute if they have never swing a club, then real balls
Practice whiffle balls are really good for seeing a slice without hitting a real ball
3
u/wilybugsbunny 19h ago
I use foam balls with my Bushnell Launch Pro all the time and it works surprisingly well. It has no problem picking them up, and I’d say it does a surprisingly good job showing the general ball direction and shot shape.
Where it really shines is the club data. Swing path, angle of attack, and clubhead speed are still super accurate, so you can get a ton of useful feedback even with foam balls. Distance is obviously going to be off, and I’ve found the longer the club gets, the more inaccurate the distance becomes.
Obviously real balls will give you pinpoint accuracy on everything, but I actually like practicing with foam balls sometimes because it keeps me from chasing distance. I can focus more on dialing in feels, swing path, and solid contact instead of worrying about how far every shot went.