Trackman- The Game

[18in2hours]

I have seen the future of driving ranges, and it will be some form of Trackman-The Game. Google it for more details. I went to Miles of Golf in Ypsilanti, MI yesterday to try it out. As I understand it, there are only a handful of these setups on the planet. Even though it was snowing outside, I couldn't believe my friend and I were the only 2 people using it. Once word of mouth starts getting out about this my guess is that you will need an appointment. I drove ~100 miles to do this in some very questionable road conditions (snow) and would gladly do so again today.

A couple items from my experience that I didn't realize going in.

It is not a "full" Trackman experience as there are a few missing parameters in what it records, most notably Angle of Attack and club path.

The parameters that "normal" Trackman lists with negative and positive signs are changed to L and R so you don't have to keep track of what negative means.

The fact it tracks every shot you make and stores it for later review online is awesome. It calculates averages and standard deviation types numbers for you. After I got home I reviewed the data and realized that my 6 iron (TM Burner) was about 5 yards longer than what I was using as a 5 iron (23 degree hybrid). Needless to say, that hybrid will be hitting Ebay soon.

Below are all the parameters it recorded from one 6 iron-there was a helping crosswind, last summer I was carrying my 6 180-185 on a good day, but was averaging 190-195 on the Trackman

Ball Speed- 127.9
Vertical launch (deg)-20.9
Horizontal launch (deg)-2.7L
Spin-5593
Spin Axis (deg)- 8.0R
Height (feet)- 111
Land Angle (deg)- 46.1
Carry- 191.8
Carry Side- 13'10"R
Total yds- 203.2
Total side-16.0R

A question for the Trackman experts about my data-The horizontal launch for most shots was left, but the spin axis sent the ball back out to the right (just like this shot). Does this mean that I am coming over the top with a slightly closed face at impact or is that not possible to say for certain without some of the other parameters the normal Trackman records?

Feel free to ask any questions about the system. I'll do my best to answer them accurately.

 

[Bigwill]

I'd love to hear the answers of the more experienced guys on this topic. I'd like to know how to figure out my path and face angle from the info available on the game.

 

[dannyc]

I
A question for the Trackman experts about my data-The horizontal launch for most shots was left, but the spin axis sent the ball back out to the right (just like this shot). Does this mean that I am coming over the top with a slightly closed face at impact or is that not possible to say for certain without some of the other parameters the normal Trackman records?

i don't think you could say 100% w/o seeing the face angle and club path, but i'd say the closed face/out to in is more than likely the case.
could also be a heel hit.

is this the "launch" version of Trackman?
could you also just rent time instead of playing "the game?"

 

[Bigwill]

You can. But like 18in2 said, you don't get club data.

 

[18in2hours]

All I did was the "shot analysis" portion of it. I saw a demo of the "game" portion. It looked like a lot of fun, but I was more interested in getting some carry distances and ball speeds. The cost to rent the time was the same regardless of what functionality of the Trackman you used.

 

[Todd Dugan]

TrackMan accurately "tracks" the flight of the ball. But in frigid, windy weather, the ball is not going to fly like it would in warm weather with no wind. Frankly, I'd just as soon use the indoor TrackMan version, which models a "spot on" ball flight as if it were warm with no wind. Plus I can use the premium balls that I use on the course, not range balls.

 

[dannyc]

You can. But like 18in2 said, you don't get club data.

right, i meant rent time using another functionality (driver fitting, teaching mode, etc.) that does give you club delivery/ball data.

All I did was the "shot analysis" portion of it. I saw a demo of the "game" portion. It looked like a lot of fun, but I was more interested in getting some carry distances and ball speeds. The cost to rent the time was the same regardless of what functionality of the Trackman you used.

cool.

 

[dannyc]

TrackMan accurately "tracks" the flight of the ball. But in frigid, windy weather, the ball is not going to fly like it would in warm weather with no wind.

which is why you would "normalize" the data.

Frankly, I'd just as soon use the indoor TrackMan version, which models a "spot on" ball flight as if it were warm with no wind. Plus I can use the premium balls that I use on the course, not range balls.

i can't think of too many cases where calculated results would be preferred over measured data. would definitely be cheaper, though.

 

[Todd Dugan]

If your going to normalize the data, then you don't need to be outside. That's my point. Initial launch conditions and clubhead delivery will be measured either way. Although, some of the clubhead delivery data seems to missing from "the game", based on the original post.

 

[18in2hours]

If your going to normalize the data, then you don't need to be outside. That's my point. Initial launch conditions and clubhead delivery will be measured either way. Although, some of the clubhead delivery data seems to missing from "the game", based on the original post.

Yes, there is some clubhead delivery data missing, I listed everything it recorded. I'm sure it has something to do to lessen the costs of the units. They had 5 or 6 stalls with it and I'm betting it'd be hard to turn a profit at $36/2 hours on 6 Trackmen at ~$20K a piece.

Regardless of whether or not hitting indoors is better, for February in Michigan, this was pretty sweet. The only options around here are hitting a ball into a 50 yard dome or hitting balls into a snow covered range where anything longer than a 8 iron you can't see them land due to the snow on the ground.

I can say they did have the machine that dispenses the range balls indoors, so they weren't like ice cubes off the club.

 

[Bigwill]

right, i meant rent time using another functionality (driver fitting, teaching mode, etc.) that does give you club delivery/ball data.

They do have a standard Trackman setup for those applications

 

[18in2hours]

They do have a standard Trackman setup for those applications

Yes, but that is not part of the same area. I think the standard Trackman setup (the clublatory) is for fittings with a pro/club fitter. I have my doubts that you can use the standard setup on your own as you can with Trackman The Game.

 

[Bigwill]

Yes, but that is not part of the same area. I think the standard Trackman setup (the clublatory) is for fittings with a pro/club fitter. I have my doubts that you can use the standard setup on your own as you can with Trackman The Game.

You're right.