Hey, Team Titleist.

We have some exciting news! Starting today, November 3rd, Pro V1 and Pro V1x with Radar Capture Technology (RCT) are available for sale on Titleist.com. 

As we recently reported, RCT is a proprietary radar-reflective technology that was developed by Titleist R&D in collaboration with TrackMan to address an issue seen when radar-based launch monitors are used in indoor settings.

Outdoors, TrackMan launch monitors use Doppler radar technology, emitting microwaves that hit the golf ball and bounce back to the unit, transmitting data in intricate detail throughout the duration of the ball flight. A typical shot outdoors may fly through the air for 5-6 seconds, and spin hundreds of times before landing. TrackMan launch monitors can accurately calculate spin rate on a shot within 15 rpm by continually comparing how fast the top of the golf ball is traveling vs. the bottom of the ball – an amazing feat when you think about it.

But indoors, the ball only travels a few short feet before striking a hitting net or simulator screen. The flight only lasts a few milliseconds, and the ball may only rotate 1-2 times before its flight is abruptly halted. Not much time for the launch monitor to record data, which presents a real problem – spin rate can't be accurately recorded. Without applying a reflective sticker to the golf ball (which presents its own set of challenges) the launch monitor must essentially guess, and estimate spin rate.

So why does this matter? How much difference is there, really, between spin rate that a launch monitor might estimate and the true spin rate when you measure it precisely? And more importantly, how could that difference affect your game?

To find out, I spoke with Michael Fish, Product Manager of Titleist Golf Balls. Michael has overseen the RCT program since Trackman first approached Titleist in 2019 and he provided some great insight into the positive impact that RCT can have on any golfer's game.

"The challenge indoors," Michael said, "is that launch monitors utilize spin rate as part of an algorithm that projects an entire shot from a few feet of initial ball flight. Spin is used as a key metric to predict the remainder of the shot data – trajectory, curve, peak height, angle of descent, carry distance and even roll. If the spin rate isn't accurate, this introduces uncertainty into the downrange projection of the shot. The data or the representation you see on a simulator screen may not show how you truly hit that shot. With RCT, the doubt is removed. You can trust that the data is genuine and accurately reflects the swing you put on the ball."

Testing has shown that indoor estimates of spin aren't always accurate and inaccurate spin rates can have serious consequences, particularly if you're relying on those numbers to prepare for competition, to inform your swing technique, or even to make purchase decisions. Traditionally, players have practiced, received instruction and have been fit outdoors, where full ball flight can be observed and where launch monitor data is extremely accurate.

However, today, indoor golf centers and in-home hitting bays and simulators are rising in popularity. Technological advances have made these attractive alternatives to outdoor golf. But for indoor golf to truly be an effective tool, it should mirror your outdoor experience. And this is how RCT can really help.

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HOW CAN PRO V1 RCT and PRO V1x RCT HELP YOUR GAME?

• Indoor Club Fitting - Accurate spin data results in accurate total ball flight data. Using Pro V1 RCT and Pro V1x RCT, your fitter will be able to use measured, not estimated data to make informed recommendations. You can be confident that the equipment recommendations that worked for you in the indoor fitting bay will work just as well when you make a purchase and put your new equipment in play.
• Indoor Practice - RCT technology does not affect the performance of Pro V1 or Pro V1x in any way. This means you can practice indoors, experiment, refine your swing technique, and know that the flight, shape, height and distance of the shots you're seeing on your simulator screen will more closely reflect what you'll see on the golf course, too. One important note: please be aware that hitting off synthetic mats does affect shots differently than hitting off natural grass, so your numbers may vary based solely on the hitting surface you practice on.
• Indoor Competition - With Pro V1 RCT and Pro V1x RCT, you will experience the same flight, feel and spin that you're already accustomed to. With accurate spin and ball flight data, the fingerprints of your game – your shot shape, your carry distances, even your typical misses will be faithfully recreated when you play on a simulator. The rounds you play in your indoor golf league will be much more valuable and informative because you'll be playing your same game consistently – whether you're indoors or out.  

In the video below, Titleist Brand Ambassador Ian Poulter shares his thoughts on RCT technology:

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Michael Fish continued:

"What I find most exciting about RCT is the reliability of the data, We purposely created very demanding testing conditions to set a high bar for ourselves. We placed the shot collection net just ten feet away from the ball to create a short capture window. We fit robotic hitters with low loft drivers and hit shots at very high swing speeds in order to minimize the number of revolutions the ball could make before hitting the net. We examined many different materials, chemical applications and reflective designs. It took two years, but the solution we came up with successfully captures and precisely measures indoor spin data on 99% of shots hit."

Titleist R&D scientists and engineers also validated RCT data using proprietary photogrammetric launch monitors. These systems, used for years in Titleist R&D, use stroboscopic photography to capture images of the golf ball during the first few feet after impact. By comparing the ball's rotational orientation frame by frame, and by knowing the precise time gap between the frames of photos, exact spin rates can be calculated.

The result? Simultaneous testing of RCT with TrackMan launch monitors alongside Titleist photogrammetric launch monitors produced identical, true spin rate results.

Michael summed it up:

"The bottom line for golfers is that RCT delivers consistency. The ball flight numbers that you would generate outdoors are going to be virtually the same when you move to an indoor setting. If you want to work on your game, you can be confident that a five-yard fade is a five-yard fade. If you're investing in an indoor fitting and a new set of clubs, you can be confident that your fitting recommendations are going to deliver real improvements to your game. We're so excited about RCT because it translates. It's going to make all your indoor golf time more productive and give you yet another way to improve, to play better and to enjoy the game more."  

For more information on Titleist Radar Capture Technology and to order Pro V1 RCT and Pro V1x RCT, please click here.