On the Range Protracer @ PGA - Juiced Numbers for TV...

[Stephen1125]

The numbers were huge! But 10 yards down hill it's a lot.

[ebrasmus21]

There are two threads going on simultaneously discussing this topic. Since I've made some freaking key posts in this thread I'm bumping for selfish reasons only.

[OnOff]

The carry distances at the range definitely seemed a bit out of whack today and yesterday. However, if the range is downhill and there is a good 10-15 mph helping breeze up there, that could explain it. But I wouldn't be surprised if they're inflated.

 

My issue with Protracer is the ball speed numbers, I think they're inflated slightly. I often see numbers that are a bit high than those calculated by the PGA Tour's radar partner Shotlink. For instance, I have seen DJ hit 186mph ball speed multiple times on the telecast but per Shotlink his highest recorded mph is 184.65. Further, I've seen Jon Rahm around 181/182mph a few times per Protracer but per Shotlink his best is 180.32. Now Shotlink is only recording drives on a limited basis, so it could be possible that these discrepancies are simply due to a limited sample size done by Shotlink, but I find that to be unlikely. See Shotlink stats below.

 

http://www.pgatour.c...stat.02402.html

 

You may be a bit confused. Shotlink is used for measurement of distances between shots. (http://www.shotlink....bout/background). The disparity between the stats you can find on PGAtour.com and the numbers you see on TV arises from differences in sample size. Only two holes are measured per round - one uphill and one downhill - and in many of those measured holes players don't hit Driver. In all instances the numbers are collected by Trackman/Radar.

 

You're right, I was confused, I thought Trackman records speed stats as well but they do not. With that said, I still find is suspect that I often see players on TV with numbers greater than their highest measured speed on the PGA Tour's stat page. The sample size is definitely limited on the tour's website but I feel that more often than not I see guys put up higher numbers on TV. I'm most likely wrong but I wouldn't be surprised if they're slightly inflated for TV.

[RobertBaron]

I know these guys are somewhat superhuman but cmon. DJ hitting 290 yd 3 woods off the deck on the practice range is my argument from incredulity

[Cheesehead42]

I sat on the 18th hole at Erin Hills and watched guys, ie. Justin Thomas, hit 300yd 3 woods all day. There was hardly any wind on Saturday.

[moonshine]

I'll tell you all about fake news...no way Kokrak won LD contest with inferior Titleist driver..no way! Pinnacle w/v1x on side?

[Lagavulin62]

They put this garbage on the screen because you guys insist it be included. All anyone does in here for the most part is argue those numbers and how you can somehow do it yourself. I would be fine if they never use that stuff again. But since that will never happen I do like the fact it gives us a ball flight pattern.

[Sean2]

I know these guys are somewhat superhuman but cmon. DJ hitting 290 yd 3 woods off the deck on the practice range is my argument from incredulity

 

The ProTracer "lofts" have been jacked. :-)

[ZBigStick]

If the protracer is at the back of the range could it be adding another 10-15 yards or is that not how the system works?

[Dave230]

Just to add a few more coals to this flame, the announcers constantly get clubs wrong. Or say stuff like, Rory's hitting a soft wedge from 180. And then the camera shows the top of the club and it's clearly an 8 iron. Don't get me wrong, I know pro's hit it much further than my wimpy 105mph club head speed self. Just annoys me when they say stuff on 200 yard par 3's that aren't downhill/downwind like "should be an easy 7 or 8 for Dustin", and then you see he's hitting a 6 iron. There's nothing wrong with hitting a 6 iron 200 yards, let alone 190. Why push this narrative that the pro's have to hit it these ridiculous distances.

 

Or when they play delofted 7 irons and they're like 'can't believe he hit 7 iron there from 200', when he/manufacturer essentially just turned it into a 5 iron.

 

I'm a pretty average golfer myself, but I hit my irons lower than average, so I'll be hitting less club than some of my partners. But who cares, really? You can hit a 5 iron 120 or a sand wedge 120, it's all about hitting the ball closest to the hole.

[Shilgy]

Kuchar is on the range right now. Tracer is giving him 265-275 carry. Must have been downwind the other day.

Oops

273

268

290 hot ball lol

260

[tigerstew]

Do any of u carry 200 yards?

[The General]

Just to add a few more coals to this flame, the announcers constantly get clubs wrong. Or say stuff like, Rory's hitting a soft wedge from 180. And then the camera shows the top of the club and it's clearly an 8 iron. Don't get me wrong, I know pro's hit it much further than my wimpy 105mph club head speed self.

 

Just annoys me when they say stuff on 200 yard par 3's that aren't downhill/downwind like "should be an easy 7 or 8 for Dustin", and then you see he's hitting a 6 iron. There's nothing wrong with hitting a 6 iron 200 yards, let alone 190. Why push this narrative that the pro's have to hit it these ridiculous distances.

 

my thoughts exactly. The announcers say, "he just hit an 8 iron 210 yards, can you believer that Gary?" And the very annoying Gary Koch: "Ooohhhhh eeee iiiiii ummmm argghhhh, uh uh uh ummmm ohhhhh he didnt want to go there Roger."

 

And they fail to tell the viewer that it was a flyer lie, down hill, down wind and wet grass. I just don't understand broadcasts wanting to basically LIE to the viewer.