How to Use RCT to Improve Your Indoor Practice Sessions
The world of indoor golf has exploded in recent years. With advanced simulation technology, golfers can now practice year-round, even in cold climates. In this article, we’ll explore an exciting new innovation that is making indoor sessions even more accurate and helpful: Radar Capture Technology (RCT).
RCT allows indoor monitors like TrackMan to precisely measure golf ball spin using tiny internal markings, rather than external stickers. This leads to highly accurate readings on every single shot, helping golfers truly dial in their games. We’ll explain what RCT is, how it works, and why it has become an essential tool for serious players practicing indoors.
Tori’s Winter Golf Routine
Even podcast host Tori takes her game inside during northeast winters. She shares how her indoor routine helps her stay sharp when fairways lie fallow:
Tori’s Indoor Golf Routine
- Uses local indoor simulator bays for practice sessions
- Focuses on honing wedge distances down to the yard
- Takes regular lessons at a year-round indoor facility
- Occasionally travels south to sneak in rounds on real grass
Tori emphasizes that indoor facilities are now abundant, accessible, and central to golf culture in cold regions. What was once written off as “dead time” is now prime improvement season thanks to advanced simulation.
The Titleist Experts’ Perspectives
To unpack RCT technology, Tori interviews two Titleist golf ball specialists:
- Michael Fish: Senior Manager of Golf Ball Product Management
- Matthew Hodge: Director of Product Development in Golf Ball R&D
Michael explains how he too takes advantage of abundant northeast simulation centers. He uses them for casual games with friends, concentrated solo practice, and even private instruction. Michael notes that such facilities were quite rare just 5-10 years ago, but are now anchoring winter golf culture.
Matthew details his own indoor golf routine spanning personal training, family contests, and coworker leagues. With his chemical engineering and PGA professional backgrounds, Matthew takes a scientific approach to hone both physical and mental game elements. He emphasizes that serious golf requires year-round strength and skill development.
Inside the 2023 Titleist Lineup
As Tori notes, Titleist debuted new Pro V1 models in 2023. She asks the guests how these balls have performed and what feedback they are receiving from pros:
- Tour players felt 2021 Pro V1s ballooned too high on shots into the wind
- 2023 design reduced spin and trajectory as requested
- Positive reviews after gradual tour player conversion
- Future models incorporate ongoing pro feedback and new technology
Tori then inquires about Titleist’s development cycle for golf balls. Michael explains that new iterations launch every two years, with research driving incremental improvements. He indicates that premiers like the 2025 line incorporate extensive testing and input from all player levels.
Matthew details the internal terminology Titleist uses to track models over the years and describe specific ball types. This includes:
- V and X to denote Pro V1 vs. Pro V1x
- Year numbers marking introduction dates
- Customized performance descriptors
He notes that providing differentiated ball models helps satisfy the preferences of diverse players.
Introducing Radar Capture Technology
The critical innovation elevating indoor performance is Radar Capture Technology (RCT). Michael recounts its origin as a collaboration between Titleist and simulator brand TrackMan.
What is Radar Capture Technology?
- Built-in markings on the golf ball casing layer
- Reflect radio signals to measure spin data
- Eliminate the need for stickers inside simulation bays
- Developed jointly with TrackMan launch monitors
- Launched formally in 2021 Pro V1 and Pro V1x models
Michael explains that radar-based monitors like TrackMan require a bit of oncoming ball movement to register spin. Stickers enhanced this, but orienting them was inconvenient. RCT removes that friction while boosting shot readings to 99%+ accuracy.
He indicates that RCT balls thus deliver superb realism and data reliability for golfers practicing indoors. The experience matches the actual course more closely, helping ingrain correct distances. Ultimately RCT facilitates better training, so golfers play their best when it matters most.
Advancing Ball Integrity
Tori wonders how embedding markings inside balls avoids altering performance. Matthew details Titleist’s stringent product requirements, including flight identicality. He shares fascinating specifications confirming minuscule RCT weight differences:
- Ink density barely registers relative to total mass
- Altering properties like ball weight was forbidden
- RCT balls and standard models have identical carries
Matthew explains the RCT markings weigh about 1/1000th of a paperclip! He states they influence trajectory and outcomes identically both inside and out. So golfers can confidently practice with these balls indoors and play them outdoors.
RCT balls also conform fully to USGA standards. The internal logos comply with marking rules and do not compromise legal status. So RCT Pro V1 balls could even substitute for standard models during tournaments.
Demystifying Launch Monitor Technologies
Tori wonders about the simulation equipment used in driving ranges versus at-home setups. Michael details the boom in affordable consumer options, though concrete market share data remains scarce. He says high-performance TrackMan units define the premium end, with lower-cost alternatives also proliferating.
Matthew outlines the key functions and providers in two main simulator categories:
Radar Monitors:
- TrackMan Orange Boxes
- Also: Garmin, FlightScope, Full Swing
- Support RCT spin capturing
Photogrammetric Monitors:
- High-speed camera systems
- Also: AboutGolf, Unicorn, Rapsodo
- Measure ball data through images
- Don’t require RCT markings
He advises golfers to observe their center’s technology before choosing practice balls. Facilities often supply worn leftovers lacking brand markings and original performance. So takeaways must match your course play to gain accurate feedback.
Accessing RCT Golf Balls
Michael confirms that RCT balls indeed feature distinct side-stamp logos in black and orange. This indicator helps golfers confirm model integration before indoor sessions.
He says Titleist continues educating facilities on RCT merits to motivate adoption. Some partners already stock RCT ranges exclusively to enable optimum player diagnostics.
For sites without RCT on hand, Michael recommends:
1) Requesting balls from the front desk
2) Bringing your own to replace house offerings
3) Ordering a personalized dozen from Titleist.com
He projects that RCT product explanations and first-hand golfer experiences will drive further availability over time.
Evaluating Practice Results
Finally, Tori raises a vital question: What if you inadvertently use RCT balls outdoors?
Matthew reassures that performance remains identical in either environment. The balls satisfy all USGA conformity parameters as well, with the RCT logo deemed equivalent to standard markings.
So RCT integration enables a seamless transition between your training and tournament play. You can implement indoor lessons on the course with full confidence.
In Closing
State-of-the-art radar capture golf ball technology is empowering golfers to elevate their indoor practice effectiveness tremendously. RCT gives simulation facilities, instructors, and students unprecedented data precision to track improvement.
This special marking integration by Titleist in collaboration with TrackMan revolutionizes off-season training. It allows players to expand their windows, tailor their games, and prep fully for springtime peaks.
So don’t waste your winter anymore pining through the pain of separation from your beloved sport. Invest instead in some RCT balls, book time at your local golf dome, and let the tech do the teaching when old Man Winter locks the doors. You’ll never dread the end of golf season again!
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