SkyTrak Plus (ST+) Launch Monitor: A Hands-On Review

The Skytrak+ arrived in 2023 and quickly became one of the most talked-about launch monitors of that year. Its original version showed up back in 2014 and built a loyal following thanks to reliable accuracy and a gentle learning curve, which kept golfers across every handicap coming back to it. The Plus model carries that reputation forward and piles a long list of upgrades on top.

This review walks through the Skytrak+ in detail, covering how it performs, what changed, and how it holds up once you actually start sending shots into it.

Let's dig in.

Original SkyTrak Weaknesses

⛳SkyTrak Plus launch monitor sitting on a hitting matSkyTrak Plus launch monitor sitting on a hitting mat

SkyTrak Plus

⛳Original SkyTrak unit set up for an indoor golf simulatorOriginal SkyTrak unit set up for an indoor golf simulator

Original SkyTrak

For all its success and popularity, the original SkyTrak carried a few real drawbacks. The biggest was the absence of club data, so you never got the full picture of your swing or a clear sense of what to work on. There was also a shot delay of roughly two seconds, which made it harder to connect each result to the swing that produced it. That lag was especially annoying when you were grinding through a range session or trying to tweak something mid-round.

The original unit also had a habit of dropping shots, either missing them entirely or reading the data wrong, which left users second-guessing their numbers. Outdoor use drew complaints too, since plenty of golfers struggled to get clean readings when they took it outside. On top of that, the original SkyTrak had a fairly tight hitting area, which made it tricky to capture balls struck off-center.

Those rough edges pushed some buyers toward competing units. The new SkyTrak+, though, addresses every one of these problem areas, and the result is a launch monitor that feels more accurate and more dependable from the first swing.

SkyTrak+ Improvements

This refreshed take on the original SkyTrak brings a handful of meaningful upgrades that make practice sessions better.

⛳SkyTrak Plus play mode showing a course on screenSkyTrak Plus play mode showing a course on screen

The wider hitting zone is the first thing you notice, giving you more room and a smoother experience when you practice at home. You no longer have to fret about a shot going unread because it landed just outside a cramped target box.

The fresh onboard processor handles calculations faster and delivers instant feedback after every swing. That speed is a real help when you want to adjust your technique on the spot and sharpen your game in real time.

The 5GHz Wi-Fi gives you a secure link to SkyTrak's app, so you can track your progress and reach the more advanced features. USB-C charging means you top up the battery fast and get back to hitting balls in short order.

Maybe the most important change is the pairing of photometric tracking with a Doppler radar system, a combination built to nail accuracy whether you are inside or out.

Unboxing and Setup the SkyTrak+

Open the SkyTrak+ box and you'll find the launch monitor itself, a USB-C cable, a power brick, and the user manual.

⛳Contents of the SkyTrak Plus box laid out for setupContents of the SkyTrak Plus box laid out for setup

Once everything is in front of you, start by plugging the USB-C cable into the SkyTrak+ and into a power source. Let the unit charge all the way up before you go further.

From there, connect your phone, tablet, or computer to the monitor. The pairing steps are spelled out in the SkyTrak+ mobile app or in the computer software, so just follow the prompts.

One last thing: calibrate the monitor before you hit, since that step keeps your readings as accurate as possible.

SkyTrak+ Features

Now let's run through the headline features of the new Skytrak+ and look at how each one improves on the older model.

Improved Accuracy

Accuracy is where the SkyTrak+ takes its biggest leap over the original. The engineering team reworked the internal software and the algorithms, both of which were already a strength on the previous model, and pushed them further.

⛳SkyTrak Plus displaying detailed shot data for game improvementSkyTrak Plus displaying detailed shot data for game improvement

That work has tightened precision across the board, including club head speed, ball speed, launch angle, and spin rate. The numbers you see now match the swing you made far more closely.

Check Also: How Accurate Are Golf Simulators?

Set against both its predecessor and its rivals, the SkyTrak+ pulls ahead on accuracy with consistent, trustworthy measurements. Those readings translate into optimal launch conditions, so each shot looks and behaves realistically on screen, complete with a better-projected trajectory.

The device also lets you tailor the settings to your ability. You can pick from the range of shots it can track, using real golf balls, practice balls, or the special balls made for skill-level training.

Larger Hitting Area

The SkyTrak+ offers a bigger hitting area than its competitors, which makes the whole session feel more natural and more enjoyable. The zone measures 5 inches wide and 6 inches long, a 40% jump over the original, and that extra space gives you room to swing freely and strike the ball with confidence.

To get the best out of it, use real golf balls along with a solid hitting mat and net. The SkyTrak+ fits into all sorts of spaces, but you'll want around 10 feet of clearance in front of the unit so you can take a full swing safely. Putting those pieces in place is what keeps your launch conditions accurate and repeatable.

Club Metrics

The SkyTrak+ reads a range of club metrics that help you make sense of your swing and reach optimal launch conditions.

⛳SkyTrak Plus play mode reporting club and ball metricsSkyTrak Plus play mode reporting club and ball metrics

Club head speed is one of the key numbers it captures. This is how fast the head is traveling at the moment it meets the ball, and it largely determines how far you can carry a shot.

Smash factor is another important reading. It's the ratio of ball speed to club head speed, and a high figure means you transferred energy efficiently, which shows up as better ball flight and more distance.

The SkyTrak+ also tracks club path and face angle. Club path describes the direction the head travels through the swing, while face angle is where the clubface points at impact. Read together, they tell you whether your swing is on a good path and give you the data to fix a slice or a hook.

Lastly, the club compare tool, part of the Club Fitting software, lets you see the gaps between your clubs so you can decide which one fits each shot.

Shot Optimizer

The SkyTrak+ runs a Shot Optimizer feature built to help you score lower. It lays out your club and ball data in a format that's easy to read, then layers on red, yellow, and green scores so you can measure your results against optimal launch conditions at a glance.

Shot Optimizer covers a spread of metrics to judge shot quality, among them carry and total distance, face-to-target, and club path. Heat maps plot your club's measurements against the ideal ranges and give you a fast read on how you're hitting it. You can even line your scores up against players at other skill levels.

Use Shot Optimizer to weigh your club and ball data against optimal launch conditions. The clean interface and color-coded scoring make it simple to dial in adjustments and tighten up every shot you hit.

Dual Doppler Radar

The new Dual Doppler Radar system is one of the biggest reasons the SkyTrak+ stands out in golf simulator tech. This fresh approach feeds you accurate data on a wide set of variables, including ball speed, launch angle, ball flight, and club path. The SkyTrak+ then turns those readings into a realistic simulation that captures the small details of an actual round.

A major upside of the Dual Doppler Radar is that it pulls in genuine Club Data, including key swing information like clubhead speed, angle of attack, and club path. With that data on hand, you can study your swing, work on the weak spots, and ultimately shoot better scores.

Other radar-driven sims such as Trackman and Flightscope units ask for more room and usually cost more than the compact SkyTrak+ does.

SkyTrak + Software

⛳SkyTrak Plus software interface running on a connected screenSkyTrak Plus software interface running on a connected screen

The SkyTrak+ supports several software tiers, namely the Basic Driving Range Software, the Game Improvement Software, and the Play & Improve Software plans. As you can see, the Plus runs the same software lineup as the original, and we think that was the right move, since the game-improvement and feature-packed software was always one of SkyTrak's main draws. There's no sense in rewriting a formula that already works so well.

The Basic Software gives you instant feedback on every shot, showing your club and ball data and letting you practice on a virtual driving range.

The Game Improvement Software layers on more tracking and analysis, including club path and a broader set of shots. It leans heavily toward practice and game improvement. You'll need an active subscription to this tier to reach third-party titles like E6 Connect, TGC 2019, GSPro, Creative Golf 3D, and others, each of which carries its own cost.

The Play & Improve Software opens the door to one of the top golf simulation software options, letting you play real courses or custom builds. It bundles in extra features as well as WGT Golf, which gives you full-course play on famous tracks around the world in single-player, multiplayer, and online modes.

With SkyTrak+ Software, you get practice range tools, virtual driving ranges, and quality simulator setups, and you don't have to bother with special balls or stickers on your clubs.

5GHz Wifi

A stable connection matters a lot for a smooth round at home. This stronger Wi-Fi keeps your link reliable and steady, so your practice runs without random drops.

Whether you're working on your game through virtual range reps or playing full simulation, the SkyTrak+'s 5GHz Wi-Fi holds the connection together from start to finish.

USB-C Charging

The SkyTrak+ swaps the old micro-USB power cable for USB-C charging. That change is a welcome relief for anyone who fought with the original cable. USB-C plus the Rapid Charging feature means quicker, more efficient top-ups and less waiting around between sessions.

Because it uses USB-C, you can power the unit from all sorts of chargers instead of being locked to one specific brick. The Rapid Charging feature gets the battery back up fast, so a low charge never cuts your practice short.

There's a small bonus too: the orientation of the USB-C plug no longer matters, unlike micro-USB. It seats correctly either way you flip it.

Club Stickers Not Required

Unlike some monitors, the SkyTrak+ asks for zero club head stickers. That's a win for the golfer who hates clutter, and it saves both time and money. You simply grab your clubs and start hitting.

For a club-fitting business, this one feature carries real weight. There's no need to slap stickers on whenever new clubs come out or a different customer wants to try various heads, which saves a ton of time and effort. Fitters can use it to steer clients toward the right gear, and they can also pitch their shop as running the newest, most accurate tech around.

SkyTrak+ Improved Shot Accuracy

⛳SkyTrak Plus tracking shots during outdoor driving range practiceSkyTrak Plus tracking shots during outdoor driving range practice

Between its modern Doppler radar, its optical tracking systems, and its refined algorithms, the SkyTrak+ delivers a level of shot accuracy that's hard to match, handing you genuinely useful feedback on your game.

The tracking inside the SkyTrak+ is sharp, reading shots to within 0.5 yards, which puts it among the most accurate launch monitors you can buy. That precision means you can lean on the data and aim your practice at the areas that actually need work.

The SkyTrak+ also logs club path and club face data, which gives you a deeper read on your swing mechanics and your impact position. That information helps you pinpoint the strong and weak parts of your stroke and adjust from there. Knowing where the face sits at impact also helps you clean up ball flight and add carry distance for optimal launch conditions.

What I Like About the SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor

In my time with it, the SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor has proven to be a strikingly precise and dependable tool for golfers at any level. The accuracy of its ball and club head data tops the list of things I value, because the numbers are reliable enough to actually shape how you swing. The lack of gimmicks is another standout, since the unit gives honest feedback with nothing dressed up to look better than it is.

I also appreciated how the SkyTrak+ sat relative to my stance, which felt just right, and I never had to mess with sticking markers on my clubs to pull the data I wanted.

The simulator setups deserve credit too. With its modern tech and that onboard processor, I got to enjoy realistic courses, accurate distance and carry data, skills challenges, and game-improvement tools. The fast charging and secure connection make it a strong pick for outdoor sessions, while support for E6 Connect and other simulation titles brings together great graphics, solid game mechanics, and improvement features in one package.

And then there's the price. Fitting this much tech and innovation into the SkyTrak+ while keeping the cost under $3,000 is no small feat. At $2,995, it runs about $1,000 more than the original, yet it still undercuts the launch monitors it competes with.

Related reading: Golfin IDRA II Golf Launch Monitor.

What I Don't Like About the SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor

The SkyTrak+ took the original's blueprint and built on it with better features and stronger hardware. It held onto the original SkyTrak's biggest strength, its support for several simulation titles, plus all the features and game modes that help you improve. It also set out to fix the older unit's faults, and now it tracks both ball and club and serves up more accurate data points.

There's almost nothing here to gripe about, almost nothing. My one real complaint is the cost of third-party software, which needs an active license for the Game Improvement Plan or the Play & Improve Plan with WGT, running roughly $130 and $250 a year. On top of that, you'll pay somewhere between $300 and $600 a year for the various E6 Connect plans, or a one-time $995 for TGC 2019.

Going the third-party route bumps up the total spend by a fair margin.

SkyTrak+ Price & Options

The SkyTrak+ launch monitor is a modern device built to help golfers play better, and it carries a retail price of $2,995. The Basic Driving Range Plan comes bundled in at that price.

For your money, you get an accurate monitor that records launch angle, ball speed, club path, club head speed, and more. Pair it with your phone or tablet and you can review every reading the moment the ball leaves the face.

Vendor	Price
Rain or Shine Golf	$2,295	Shop at Rain or Shine GolfWarranty and financing available, starting at 0.00% APR
Top Shelf Golf	$2,295	Shop at Top Shelf GolfWarranty and financing available, starting at 0.00% APR
Carl's Place	$2,295	Shop at Carl's PlaceWarranty and financing available, starting at 0.00% APR
The Indoor Golf Shop	$2,295	Shop at The Indoor Golf ShopWarranty and financing available, starting at 0.00% APR
PlayBetter	$2,295	Shop at PlayBetterWarranty and financing available, starting at 0.00% APR

*Prices may change. Please check the vendor's website for the most current pricing.

Optional Yearly Software Subscriptions

The SkyTrak+ also sells optional yearly subscriptions for the software tiers below:

• An extra $130/year opens up the Game Improvement Plan (GIP), with plenty of added game modes and features to help you sharpen your game.
• For $300/year, you get more than 20 virtual courses and online play (through iOS) with the Play & Improve Plan and WGT Golf. This is the only in-house option that allows full simulation play.
• You can instead pay $430 a year for the GIP plus the Basic Subscription to E6 Connect, which adds 27 virtual courses along with E6's challenges and game modes, and it runs on both iOS and PC.
• For $730/year, you step up to the expanded E6 Connect plan, with 96 courses playable on iOS and PC.
• $1025 buys a one-year GIP subscription with lifetime access to The Golf Club 2019, so after that first year you only keep paying $130/year for the Game Improvement Plan.

SkyTrak is also compatible, either officially or unofficially, with even more software. For the full breakdown of supported titles, pricing, and features, take a look at our detailed review of the 7 Best Simulator Software For Skytrak. Just keep in mind that software purchases should go through Skytrak's official website to steer clear of compatibility headaches.

SkyTrak+ Protective Case

⛳SkyTrak Plus protective case shielding the launch monitor from ball strikesSkyTrak Plus protective case shielding the launch monitor from ball strikes

To keep your monitor in great shape, you'll want to shield it from accidental damage. That's the job of the SkyTrak+ Protective Case.

Built from high-density polyethylene, the case stands up to even your hardest mishits and absorbs the impact. So you can swing away without sweating a stray ball clipping your expensive launch monitor.

The SkyTrak+ Protective Case is close to essential if a group of golfers will be using the unit. That extra layer of protection buys you the peace of mind to relax and play. The case is shaped specifically for the SkyTrak+ and travels easily, which makes it a natural fit for golfers who are on the move a lot.

Alternatives to the SkyTrak+

Here are the strongest alternatives to the SkyTrak+ launch monitor:

The SkyTrak+ is accurate and flexible, but these three alternatives bring their own features and strengths that might line up better with what you need. Keep in mind, though, that the SkyTrak+ still gives you more for your money. It costs less than all three options, and even after you factor in software, it remains a smart buy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are the questions golfers ask most often, the kind that can help you make the call.

What Devices Are Compatible with Sky Trak+?

The SkyTrak+ launch monitor runs on most PCs and Mac computers, and it works with every iOS and Android phone or tablet as well. In practice, you can use the monitor with nearly any device, whatever operating system it runs.

Can Skytrak+ Be Used Outside?

Yes, it can. The SkyTrak+ is compact and light, so carrying it out and setting it up wherever you play takes no effort. Its photometric and Doppler radar tech lets you read shots in any lighting, indoors or out.

Does Sky Trak+ Require an Internet Connection to Work?

You'll need a stable internet connection for the SkyTrak+ launch monitor in certain cases. Up front, internet is required for registration, the app download, and any firmware updates. After that, you only need it for online simulation play. Indoor single-player sessions, on-course use, and range work all run fine without a connection.

What Golf Simulation Software Works with Sky Trak+?

Popular simulation titles that run on the SkyTrak+ include The Golf Club 2019, TruGolf E6 Connect, WGT Golf, Fitness Golf, Creative Golf 3D, and Awesome Golf. These platforms hand you a wide library of courses to play, plus instant feedback, club data, and practice tools, and they're all officially supported for use with the SkyTrak+. GSPro is another graphically gorgeous sim, though it isn't officially supported. Even so, it runs fine with your Skytrak or Skytrak+ once you do a little setup. Here is an unofficial guide for getting GSPro working with your Skytrak+ rig. Note that the guide is written for the original Skytrak, but since both monitors share the same software components, the steps should carry over:

Final Verdict

The SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor is a strong choice for anyone who wants performance close to pricier mid-tier rivals like the Bushnell Launch Pro. It may not pack every last bell and whistle the costlier models do, but it bends to your specific needs.

The monitor gives you instant feedback on every shot, so you can fine-tune your swing and keep getting better. The blend of Doppler radar and photometric tech has lifted accuracy that was already very good on the original Skytrak.

All told, we think the SkyTrak+ is a fine launch monitor that's set to be every bit as successful and popular as its predecessor, maybe more so.

Drop a comment below if you have questions or want to share how the SkyTrak+ Launch Monitor has worked for you.

Happy golfing!

Facebook

Twitter

WhatsApp

Email

Share