Are You Getting Most Distance from Your Swing?

TrackMan Shot Analysis: Smash Index & Spin Index Help You Maximize Your Distance

Overview

This video tutorial by Craig at Private Fairway introduces two new data points—smash index and spin index—available in the TrackMan shot analysis system. The explanation covers how to enable these features, interpret their values, and optimize their accuracy during practice.

Key Points

• Feature Introduction

  • Smash Index and Spin Index are new metrics in TrackMan’s shot analysis.

  • Both are scored out of 100: above 100 is over-indexed, below 100 is under-indexed.

  • They provide quick insight into smash factor and spin performance, simplifying comparison to pro benchmarks.

• How to Enable

  • Access via settings if not already visible in the data tray.

  • Available in practice, range, performance center, and virtual golf modes.

• Practical Demonstration

  • We hit several shots with an 8-iron to show how the indices respond to different swings.

  • Example: Smash factor of 1.41 yields a smash index of 100; a spin rate of 3,700 gives a spin index of 88.

• Interpreting Index Values

  • High or low indices may result from factors like clubface contact point or attack angle.

  • Indices provide a summarized performance measure instead of raw data comparison.

• Spin Accuracy Considerations

  • For accurate spin readings on TrackMan 4 (ground-based), use RCT (Radar Capture Technology) golf balls (e.g., Titleist or TaylorMade).

  • RCT balls enhance spin tracking with reflective technology.

  • On IO systems, RCT balls are not required due to the different spin capture technology.

  • Non-RCT balls yield italicized (estimated) spin rates and do not provide a spin index.

• Additional Tips

  • RCT balls are available at the facility or online.

  • Using the correct ball type ensures precise data for training and improvement.

Conclusion

Smash index and spin index are valuable new metrics in TrackMan for golfers seeking to improve their game. Using the right equipment, especially RCT balls on certain systems, ensures data accuracy and more effective practice.

Full Video Transcription:

Hi, this is Craig at Private Fairway, and I'm going to show you in this video two new data points, smash index and spin index, that are going to help you in your practice in the shot analysis feature here on our TrackMan system.

So if they're not in your tray, you're just going to want to find them by clicking the settings there right here, smash index, spin index, and what those are is they're essentially a score out of 100.

So above 100 is over-indexed, below 100 is under-indexed, and they're going to give you an idea of how your smash factor is actually working. So for example, on this shot, my smash factor with this 8 iron was 1.41, which is a little higher, so now that's, my smash index is 100, my spin rate was 3,700, which is a little bit low, so my spin index is 88. But just to give you kind of an idea of how it works, we'll hit a shot here, and you'll see kind of what happens, I'll hit 2 or 3 just to kind of work it out.

Push that one a little, lift it a little open, a lot open, it's a little better, that was a pretty good swing. All right, so we kind of have Goldilocks options here, so first one here, you'll see my smash index is pretty high, it's a little bit high, spin's not bad.

This one here, smash factor's pretty good, spin's a little low, then this last one, my smash factor index is actually good, but my spin is a little bit low, and there can be different reasons for that, where you're hitting it on the face of the club, if you're hitting what your attack angle is, all of those things.

But instead of just doing, looking at the numbers and then looking at the chart to see how you relate to the pros, this gives you an index to give you kind of an idea of what your average overall smash index or spin is, and these data points should also be available to you in the range and the performance center, and while you're playing virtual golf, too.

So, pretty cool new feature. Now, one thing about spin, I think in order for spin to work, if you're on one of the systems with the TrackMan 4, that's the system with the TrackMan on the ground behind you, you're probably going to want to use some of these RCT Pro V1 balls.

So, these balls have a reflective technology under the cover of the ball, and it gives the TrackMan better spin accuracy. If you're on one of the IO systems, they use a little different technology, and those systems capture spin a little bit better, and so you shouldn't need the ball.

But the reason I want to show you is, I think if I use those balls I just were hitting with are RCT balls, but if I were to hit a non-RCT ball, what happens is you'll find that the spin reading is actually pretty close, but what's happening is the system is calculating the spin.

So, if I hit this ball, so you'll see when I hit that ball, it's giving me an italicized spin rate. That italicized spin rate means that it is guessing or it's kind of, well, guessing is the right word. It's guessing at the spin, but you'll see it's actually not that much different than like my other shots.

So let's hit one that's a little bit better with it. That's not the right ball. All right, so my non-RCT ball. So there we go. So you'll see the spin is actually fine, but you're not going to get the spin index number because it's not precisely calculating the spin.

So just something to be aware of if you're not using an RCT ball. We usually will try to have sleeves of them available. You can also get them online. Just make sure you search for RCT. I think TaylorMade and Titleist both make RCT versions of the ball. So that's spin and smash index.

Hopefully those will be helpful to you as you're working on your golf game and trying to drop some strokes from your handicap.