If you’re like me and spend countless hours honing your swing on a SkyTrak+, you know how exciting a major software update can be. The latest SkyTrak 5.2 update just dropped, and after testing it out briefly, I can confidently say it’s got some nice features that will make practice and gameplay even better. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new, my personal highlights, and how it all stacks up.
Major New Features: A New Way to Practice and Play
1. Course Play Practice
- What It Is: Practice from anywhere, in any way, on any of the Course Play courses.
- My Take: This is a game-changer. Being able to drop a ball anywhere on a course and practice specific shots—like tricky bunker lies, short-sided flops or hitting gaps—adds so much versatility to practice sessions. This is a great addition.
2. Match Play
- What It Is: You can now play local 1v1 or 2v2 matches.
- My Take: I was really looking forward to this game setting, and it worked really well. The setup was simple, and it will be a nice changeup from playing strokeplay with my buddies all the time. I wish you could set it up as a 2v1, but I found a workaround. Check it out below under the “My Favourite Features So Far” section.
3. Lie Penalties
- What It Is: Enables shot adjustments based on lie conditions.
- My Take: This adds a layer of realism I’ve been waiting for. It’s especially noticeable when hitting from rough lies—shots feel more authentic with reduced spin and power.
Minor Features: Small Changes, Big Impact
-
Adjustable Altitude in Course Play Setup:
Living in Canada, altitude adjustments let me simulate real-world conditions, like a high-altitude course in Banff or a flatter seaside course. You can manually change it or set it to match the course elevation. It’s a cool touch. -
Enhanced Putting Options:
Additional manual and auto-putt settings are great for tailoring games to different skill levels. -
Retained Course Play Settings:
This might seem minor, but not having to re-enter settings every time you boot up saves a ton of hassle.
Adjustments and Bug Fixes: Smoother and Smarter
SkyTrak+ also addressed several quirks and issues:
- Improved Mulligans and Rehits: The system now remembers your last shot aim, which is a small convenience.
- Rollout Fixes: Low-launch shots now behave more predictably—no more 450+ yard drives on the driving range.
- Quality-of-Life Enhancements: A new app exit button on the main menu and clearer gimmie circle distances.
These tweaks make the overall experience smoother and eliminate some of the frustrations from earlier versions.
My Favorite Features So Far
After some hands-on time with the update, here’s what stood out to me:
- Course Play Practice: Dropping balls in different course scenarios will completely change how I practice. I can focus on improving specific areas of my game rather than just hitting on the range. Although the SkyTrak ranges are great, the ability to hit shots over water, through gaps, or practice those short-sided shots is pretty cool.
- Match Play Fun: I was really looking forward to this feature, and after testing it, I can say it worked seamlessly! Unfortunately, the system only supports 1v1 or 2v2 matches, so you can’t play 2vs1.***A simple workaround is to add a 4th player and concede the hole for that player on the tee box. Since I usually play with two other friends, this workaround will come in handy and keep things fun and competitive.***
- Lie Penalties: It’s great to see SkyTrak inching closer to real-world conditions. The penalties for hitting out of bunkers or rough now feel much more realistic, with spin and power adjustments that improve the overall experience.
Conclusion: Is the 5.2 Update Worth It?
Absolutely. Whether you’re a dedicated SkyTrak+ user like me or just getting started, this update adds value to an already fantastic system. Here’s hoping the SkyTrak team continues listening to its users and improving the experience.
Have you tried the 5.2 update? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below—especially if you’ve found creative ways to use the new features!
If you’re looking to download the latest software update, check out the SkyTrak site here – SkyTrak Updates
