When I bought my Skytrak I was super excited. I had it all charged and ready to go and then when it came to setting it up, I couldn’t get it to connect. This was so frustrating! Have you encountered this problem? We cover the common connection problems with Direct mode, Network mode and wired connections in this article, and give you steps to fix them.
There are 7 core problems Skytrak users face when trying to connect properly. You may be struggling to connect Skytrak to the internet. You might be having difficulty connecting the Skytrak launch monitor to your computer, tablet or phone. Some golfers struggle with both! We explain all 7 problems and offer step by step solutions.
You don’t need a lot of equipment to connect your Skytrak app to your Skytrak launch monitor. At a basic level you only need the launch monitor, one device that can run the Skytrak app and your golf equipment!
If you’re coming to this article, there’s a high chance you already own Skytrak, but if not then check it out here. Despite the connection issues raised in this post, Skytrak is a great launch monitor!
On this site, you’ll find articles on all aspects of building a golf simulator. I will also link to other sites where you can buy some of the simulator components. Some of these links may be affiliate links, which means if you click them I gain a small commission at no extra cost to you. This really helps out me and my site so thank you in advance! Alex @ MyGolfSimulator
Contents hideThere are three ways you can connect the device running the Skytrak app to your Skytrak launch monitor.
You can have a wired connection with a USB directly to your PC, or you can use the two wireless connection modes. These are called Direct Mode and Network Mode. We address all three in this article, highlight the problems that can arise and offer solutions and fixes.
Before we start, it’s worth saying that your Skytrak must be adequately charged before you embark on your first simulator session.
Only a few golfers are lucky to have space in their homes for a full simulator setup. Of those, the vast majority will have the golf simulator room in their garage or basement.
I expect that the most likely places families keep their wifi router are by their main computer or by their phone line, which will be kept in the main part of the house.
Many golf simulator enthusiasts run into the problem of inadequate wifi signal in their golf simulator rooms simply because of the distance and number of walls between their simulator and the router.
The solution to this problem is to install one or more wifi extenders in your simulator space or a nearby part of the house. This will improve the range of the wifi beamed by your router and allow the Skytrak unit itself a more consistent connection. If you’re using a PC to run Skytrak you can also use a USB wifi adapter to improve the signal to the PC itself.
If your golf simulator room is in an outbuilding you may need to run an ethernet cable to the room or have an engineer install a similar solution so you have constant and reliable internet access in your simulator. with thanks to Carl’s Place
Direct Mode is best for when you have no internet connection, or an unreliable internet connection. This may be when you take Skytrak outside or to the driving range. The Skytrak unit emits it’s own wifi signal, to which your device will connect. You may have to manually do this in your device’s settings. There shouldn’t be a password or anything, the connection should happen within the Skytrak app itself.
When i tried this the connection wouldn’t work for me as I was using my phone’s VPN software. I turned this off and the connection worked straight away.
The downside of direct mode is that you can’t have a concurrent internet connection. This means you won’t be able to sync your shot data in real time or play simulated courses or challenges online. Once you do go back online though (likely at home with your house wifi) you’ll be able to sync your shot data to your Skygolf account.
Network mode allows the iPhone or android device to communicate with the Skytrak unit via your home wifi signal. They both communicate with the router which acts as a bridge between them. This allows a concurrent internet signal so you can sync shot data in real time and access online features. You will need this to play simulator software such as WGT and TGC. with thanks to https://www.skygolf.com/skygolf/support
You will need to connect Skytrak to Direct Mode on your phone before going on to connect in network mode. This allows Skytrak to learn the network credentials of your phone. You’ll need to follow the above steps to connect to direct mode first.
Now, onto a connection method you’d have thought would be the easiest. However there are a number of problems with Skytrak USB connections that users have faced over the years.
Please note, that there is nothing stopping you connecting your PC to your Skytrak by either Direct Mode or Network Mode. Many people feel that using a solid USB connection should allow for a link with fewer dropouts and missed shots. However, this is not always the case. Like Network mode, USB connections allow concurrent internet connection to take place so you can enjoy Skytrak’s online features.
There will be a separate set if requirements for each golf simulation programme (eg TGC or WGT) too.
Do these steps in this order. Turning on the Skytrak before plugging in your cable could prevent a connection being made.
The USB connection would seem to be the most stable of the three connections but it often doesn’t play out that way.
Try these actions to achieve a stronger Skytrak USB connection.
Lastly, the USB method of connecting Skytrak seems to be the biggest culprit for users experiencing missed shots. This means shots not registering on Skytrak. They always seem to be your best strikes too! If you follow the above tips and tricks you’ll minimise this as best you can.
We have a dedicated article coming up soon on how to prevent Skytrak missing shots.
I would say to check whether your Skytrak still misses shots as frequently in the other connection modes. Our upcoming article features all the other problems causing missed shots so keep an eye out for it dropping soon!
This is probably a symptom of the same problem as number 1 above, an inadequate wifi connection.
The solution to this problem is to install one or more wifi extenders in your simulator space or a nearby part of the house. This will improve the range of the wifi beamed by your router and allow the Skytrak unit itself a more consistent connection. If you’re using a PC to run Skytrak you can also use a USB wifi adapter to improve the signal to the PC itself.
A dropped connection could also be a symptom of your PC shutting off power to the Skytrak USB port, in order to save power. See our USB connection section if you’re losing connection with a wired setup.
Taking Skytrak outside means you’re likely to be taking it outside of the reach of a solid internet connection. You can either connect Skytrak to your phone or tablet using Direct mode (as we explain above) or use personal hotspot on your smartphone.
You can connect your iPad, tablet or phone to the Skytrak via Direct Mode and use the driving range function no problem. Of course, your shots won’t be synced until you get your Skytrak home and connected back to your internet. You also won’t be able to use any online features of your Skytrak.
That is unless you use your phone to set up personal hotspot wifi. A personal hotspot is where you share the internet connection your phone gets from it’s cellular signal. You can then access the online features by connecting your Skytrak via Network Mode to the wifi network produced by your phone.
The connection experience often isn’t perfect using this method though, and can be hard to set up at first, as previous Skytrak users have found. There are steps you can take in the setup process to maximise the chance of this method working.
We have a dedicated article on connecting to Skytrak’s Network mode with a personal hotspot connection. Check it out here, it also covers many of the problems that come up with this connection and how to fix them.
If you still can’t manage to get Skytrak connected despite trying all of the above, it’s time to contact Skytrak support directly for assistance.
Here are a few of the items that can help golfers overcome some of the Skytrak connection problems we discuss above.
You can beam the HDMI signal from your device running the Skytrak App (eg tablet or PC) directly to your projector or a big screen TV without the need for cable management up to the ceiling or along the wall. Check this product out at Rain or Shine Golf
Check out this link to a comparison at Tech Radar about the best Wifi extenders on the market. They explain what to look out for and which devices will suit your needs.
I recommend Anker cables. I was having problems with my Oculus Quest connecting to my PC and these cables sorted me out. They carry both data and power quickly and efficiently, unlike cheaper micro USB cables.
This is the chart of LED light combinations from Skytrak Support. with thanks to https://www.skygolf.com/skygolf/support, where you’ll find links
When I first looked at this table of light configurations I struggled to understand what the modes meant. I hope that this article has helped you understand enough to know what the terms in the LED chart mean and how to fix the associated problems. with thanks to https://www.skygolf.com/skygolf/support, where you’ll find links
A Skytrak launch monitor that doesn’t connect is worse than walking around Pebble Beach without your golf clubs. It’s the most frustrating thing ever, especially considering how much coin you have thrown at the whole golf simulator idea.
I hope this article has helped you learn how Skytrak is meant to be connected and also how to solve some of the common problems that arise when trying to connect.
Please share this article on social media if it helped you solve your Skytrak connection problems!
Thanks for reading
If you’ve read this post you probably already own Skytrak, but if you’re still considering buying it, I really recommend it. It’s a fantastic launch monitor that can allow you so much more practice time than you would get infrequently getting to the range for an hour.
