SkyTrak is one of the most established names in golf simulation, and the SkyTrak ST MAX is its current flagship. It measures the ball with a photometric camera and reads the club with a secondary Doppler radar, and it works indoors and outdoors. That combination is exactly why so many buyers start their search here.
This pillar guide covers the full ST MAX ecosystem for 2026. You will find the ST MAX launch monitor on its own, the SkyTrak ST MAX DIY Enclosure simulator package, the SKYTRAK App membership tiers, and the course libraries each tier includes. It will help you choose the right combination for your budget and goals.
TL;DR: The SkyTrak ST MAX Ecosystem at a Glance
- SkyTrak ST MAX Launch Monitor: $1,695. A portable photometric launch monitor with a camera for the ball, a Doppler radar for the club, 21 data points, a 4-hour battery, and GOLFTEC Speed Training built in. Works indoors and outdoors; no stickers or special balls required.
- SkyTrak ST MAX DIY Enclosure Golf Simulator: from $5,461.90. A complete studio-grade home simulator package: ST MAX launch monitor, Carl's Place enclosure with triple-layer impact screen, a Real Feel Country Club Elite hitting mat, and an Optoma ZW350ST short-throw laser projector with ceiling mount. Six enclosure sizes available.
- Software: from $99.99 / year. The native SKYTRAK App runs on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. Without a membership you get the SKYTRAK Driving Range with ball and club data. Beyond that, SkyTrak sells three membership plans: Essential for practice tools, Core for your choice of the Foresight or TrackMan course library, and Elite for both libraries. Course play comes with the membership, so there is no separate simulator software to buy.
The Current SkyTrak Lineup: ST MAX and ST MAX DIY Enclosure
In 2026, there are two ways to buy into the SkyTrak ST MAX platform from Top Shelf Golf:
| Option | SkyTrak ST MAX (launch monitor only) |
SkyTrak ST MAX DIY Enclosure (full simulator package) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,695 (reg. $2,995) | $5,461.90 to $5,796.90 depending on enclosure size |
| What you get | ST MAX launch monitor + 14-day trial of SKYTRAK App membership | ST MAX launch monitor, Carl's Place enclosure, impact screen, hitting mat, projector, ceiling mount |
| Best for | Golfers who already own or plan to source their own enclosure, mat, and projector | Golfers who want a complete, professionally matched studio-grade bay out of the box |
| Software included | 14-day free SKYTRAK App trial; subscription required after | Same 14-day trial, subscription still required for ongoing software access |
| Setup complexity | Minimal, unbox, pair, update firmware, play | Moderate, enclosure assembly and projector alignment take a weekend |
| Ships | FREE within the contiguous 48 states | FREE within the contiguous 48 states, in several boxes |
Both use the exact same launch monitor hardware; the difference is whether you assemble the room around it yourself or buy a fully-matched turnkey setup. The rest of this guide digs into each option, the software choices that pair with them, and how to decide.
The SkyTrak ST MAX Launch Monitor
The SkyTrak ST MAX is a photometric launch monitor with a second sensor for the club, all in a single 1.7 lb portable unit. A high-speed camera captures the ball at launch, and two Doppler radar sensors read the club through the impact zone. This pairing lets the ST MAX deliver full ball and club data without requiring alignment stickers or special marked balls.
Core Specs
- Technology: Photometric camera for ball data, dual Doppler radar for club data
- Data points: 21 total: 9 ball metrics, 5 club metrics, 7 calculated values
- Weight: 1.7 lbs, easy to carry
- Battery: ~4 hours per charge, USB-C recharge
- Ports: Dual USB-C, charge and transfer data simultaneously
- Placement: Side-of-ball (not overhead, not rear), works in tight indoor spaces
- Environment: Indoor and outdoor use, no special balls, no club stickers
- Compatibility: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android via the SKYTRAK App
- Price: $1,695 at Top Shelf Golf (reg. $2,995)
Ball Data
The ST MAX measures the following ball metrics natively on every shot:
- Ball Speed: peak velocity off the face
- Launch Angle: vertical launch relative to horizontal
- Side Angle: horizontal launch direction relative to target line
- Backspin: vertical spin in RPM
- Side Spin: horizontal spin component in RPM
- Total Spin: combined spin rate in RPM
- Spin Axis: tilt of the spin axis (shot shape indicator)
- Carry Distance: calculated ball-flight carry
- Total Distance: carry plus roll-out
Club Data
Five club-delivery metrics are measured directly by the ST MAX's dual Doppler radar array, without the stickers or marker dots that older photometric-only systems require:
- Club Speed: measured head speed at impact
- Club Path: in-to-out or out-to-in relative to target line
- Face to Target: clubface angle relative to the target at impact
- Face to Path: clubface angle relative to the club path (primary shot-shape driver)
- Smash Factor: ball speed divided by club speed, the efficiency metric
Calculated Values
The ST MAX derives seven additional values from the measured ball and club data, including shot score, flight path, angle of descent, apex height, offline distance, and carry-to-total ratios. These appear in the SKYTRAK App's detailed shot view and are what make the ST MAX's session and progress tracking so detailed.
What Makes the ST MAX Different From Earlier SkyTrak Models
- Club data measured, not estimated. Earlier SkyTrak units were camera-only and inferred club data from ball behavior. The ST MAX measures club data directly, which improves accuracy on off-center strikes and heavy-spin shots.
- Speed Training Powered by GOLFTEC. Exclusive to the ST MAX, a structured speed-gain program co-developed with GOLFTEC with guided drills, measurable targets, and progress tracking you can train against.
- Battery + dual USB-C. 4 hours of cordless use, and in a permanent install the second USB-C lets you charge and stream data without cable swaps.
- Improved tight-space tracking. The ST MAX is better at picking up full club and ball data in low-ceiling rooms and short hitting bays than earlier SkyTraks, a meaningful upgrade for basement and garage simulators.
- Same familiar software. If you've used the SKYTRAK App before, the interface is the same, just with more data populated on every shot.
Who Should Buy the ST MAX Alone (Not the DIY Enclosure Package)
- Golfers who already own an enclosure, mat, and projector and just need to upgrade their launch monitor.
- Outdoor-first players who want a portable unit for the range, backyard, or travel, the ST MAX runs outdoors with no setup adjustments.
- Practice-focused buyers who are happy with the SKYTRAK App's built-in practice tools and don't need a full enclosure + screen + projector yet.
- Anyone who wants to spread investment over time: buy the launch monitor now, add the room build-out later.
SkyTrak ST MAX Launch Monitor
- Sensor: Photometric camera, radar for club data
- Data Points: 21
- Battery: ~4 hr, dual USB-C charging
- Stickers: Not required
- Indoor/Outdoor: Both
- Includes: GOLFTEC Speed Training
- Camera reads the ball, radar reads the club, no stickers
- 21 data points cover full ball flight and club delivery
- No stickers, no balls, no setup tax between sessions
- Dual USB-C means simultaneous charge and play
- GOLFTEC Speed Training included
- Battery is shorter than radar-only competitors
- Not a pocket unit: set up is bay-level, not range-bag
- Premium price tier
The SkyTrak ST MAX DIY Enclosure Golf Simulator
The SkyTrak ST MAX DIY Enclosure Golf Simulator is Top Shelf Golf's complete, studio-grade package: every component matched and sold together so you can build a polished home simulator without sourcing parts piecemeal. It's anchored by the same ST MAX launch monitor, paired with premium hardware from the best-in-class brands we carry for each category.
What's in the Box
- SkyTrak ST MAX Launch Monitor: the flagship photometric launch monitor described above
- Carl's Place DIY Enclosure: sturdy frame, side nets, overhead safety baffles, pipe framing kit, and a foam insert kit
- Triple-Layer Premium Impact Screen: smooth projection surface with reduced bounce-back
- Real Feel Country Club Elite Mat (5'W × 5'L): premium hitting mat with a true-feel surface
- Optoma ZW350ST WXGA Laser Projector: 3,600 lumens at a 0.521:1 throw ratio, matched to the enclosure geometry
- Ceiling Mount: heavy-duty projector mount with adjustable drop
- Optional PC/Laptop: a gaming PC or laptop can be added at checkout if you need one to run simulator software
Available Sizes
| Enclosure size | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 8' W × 8' H × 5' D | $5,461.90 | The narrowest enclosure in the range |
| 10' W × 7.7' H × 5' D | $5,586.90 | A 4:3 screen at the lowest height in the range |
| 10.5' W × 8' H × 5' D | $5,625.90 | Medium rooms, basements, home offices, most two-car garages |
| 11.5' W × 8.5' H × 5' D | $5,731.90 | A foot more width and six more inches of height than the 10.5-foot size |
| 13' W × 7.7' H × 5' D | $5,766.90 | The widest screen in the range, at the lowest height |
| 12' W × 9' H × 5' D | $5,796.90 | Larger rooms, taller ceilings, commercial-style bays, taller golfers |
Every size ships with the same ST MAX launch monitor, the same Optoma projector and the same impact screen; what changes is the width and height of the enclosure.
Why Buy the DIY Enclosure Package Instead of Sourcing Parts
- Every component is matched. The projector throw distance is specified for the enclosure geometry; the screen is sized for the frame; the mat is sized for the enclosure depth. No guessing, no returns because something didn't fit.
- One order. Instead of managing a launch monitor order, a mat order, a projector order, and a screen order from four vendors, you place a single order.
- Top Shelf Golf-vetted components. SkyTrak, Carl's Place, Real Feel and Optoma are the four brands in the package, and we stock each of them on its own as well.
- Save versus sourcing separately. Buying the same components individually typically runs 10 to 15% higher than the DIY Enclosure Package price.
- Free shipping within the contiguous 48 states. The components ship separately, often in more than one box.
Who Should Buy the DIY Enclosure Package
- First-time simulator buyers who want a complete, reliable studio-grade bay without spending weeks researching components.
- Golfers building a dedicated simulator room (basement, garage, or outbuilding) where everything needs to fit and look right.
- Buyers who value their time and prefer a one-conversation purchase over coordinating four vendors.
- Anyone who wants a polished, commercial-quality aesthetic without paying commercial pricing.
ST MAX DIY Enclosure Simulator
Studio-grade package: ST MAX, Carl's Place enclosure, Real Feel mat, Optoma laser projector. Six sizes available.
Shop DIY Enclosure →
All SkyTrak Packages
Every SkyTrak ST MAX configuration we carry -- standalone launch monitor, complete simulator packages, and accessories.
Browse Packages →SKYTRAK App: The Native Software
The SKYTRAK App is SkyTrak's first-party software and is what most ST MAX owners use day-to-day. It runs on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, which is rare in this category. Most simulator software is Windows-only. A 14-day trial membership is included with every ST MAX purchase, after which a paid subscription provides ongoing access to practice tools and course play.
SkyTrak restructured its software in 2026. Without a membership you only get the SKYTRAK Driving Range, with ball and club data, and there are three paid membership plans. Here is what each paid plan includes:
Essential: $99.99 / year
- Full launch monitor data capture: all 21 data points
- Bag mapping and club-by-club averages
- Progress tracking across sessions
- Basic practice tools and drills
- No course play included
Essential is the right tier for golfers who primarily want to practice and track improvement at the range or in a hitting bay. If course play isn't a priority, there's no reason to pay for a higher tier.
Core: $299.99 to $349.99 / year
- Everything in Essential
- Your choice of one course library: Foresight Sports (50 courses) at $299.99/yr, or TrackMan (52 courses) at $349.99/yr
- Full sim-grade course play inside the SKYTRAK App, including Pebble Beach
Core is the course-play tier. You pick a single licensed library and the price follows your choice: the Foresight library at $299.99 a year or the TrackMan library at $349.99 a year. Pick the library whose course list you prefer.
Elite: $599.99 / year
- All Essential practice tools
- Both the Foresight and TrackMan libraries, 95+ courses combined, including Pebble Beach
- 2 new courses every month
- 10% off the SKYTRAK Shop, 10% off GOLFTEC services, and a free GOLFTEC Game Evaluation ($99 value)
Elite is the "everything" SkyTrak subscription. If you want both licensed libraries in one plan instead of choosing between them, Elite bundles it all into a single fee. For households with multiple serious golfers, Elite is almost always the better value than paying for Core twice.
Which Tier Should You Pick?
- Practice only, no course play? Essential ($99.99/yr). Don't pay for courses you won't use.
- Want to play courses but happy with one library? Core ($299.99 to $349.99/yr). Pick the Foresight or TrackMan library you prefer.
- Want both course libraries and every perk? Elite ($599.99/yr). Best overall value if you're a serious user.
- Just starting out? Use the 14-day free trial that ships with the ST MAX, see which features you actually use, then subscribe to the right tier for you.
Complete SkyTrak ST MAX Pricing Summary
| Product / Subscription | Type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| SkyTrak ST MAX Launch Monitor | Hardware, one-time | $1,695 (reg. $2,995) |
| SkyTrak ST MAX DIY Enclosure (10.5' × 8' × 5') | Full sim package, one-time | $5,625.90 |
| SkyTrak ST MAX DIY Enclosure (12' × 9' × 5') | Full sim package, one-time | $5,796.90 |
| SKYTRAK App Essential | Subscription, 1 year | $99.99 |
| SKYTRAK App Core (Foresight or TrackMan library) | Subscription, 1 year | $299.99 to $349.99 |
| SKYTRAK App Elite | Subscription, 1 year | $599.99 |
Financing available: Top Shelf Golf offers Affirm financing on both the ST MAX launch monitor and the DIY Enclosure package. Prequalifying does not impact your credit score. The ST MAX launch monitor is available for as low as $104/month.
Which SkyTrak Setup Is Right for You?
Work through these questions in order. The first "yes" is your answer.
- Do you need a launch monitor you can carry to the range and also use indoors, without building a full simulator bay? → ST MAX alone. Pair it with the SKYTRAK App Essential ($99.99/yr) subscription for practice data.
- Do you already own an enclosure, mat, and projector, and just need to upgrade your launch monitor? → ST MAX alone. Keep your existing room, drop in the ST MAX, subscribe to whichever SKYTRAK App tier matches your use.
- Do you want a complete simulator bay without sourcing four vendors? → ST MAX DIY Enclosure. Pick the 10.5' × 8' size for most rooms, the 12' × 9' size for taller ceilings.
- Is structured practice and speed training more important than course play? → Any ST MAX + SKYTRAK App Essential. Nothing in the SkyTrak ecosystem matches the GOLFTEC Speed Training and practice tools.
- Is Pebble Beach specifically a must-have course for you? → ST MAX (either version) + SKYTRAK App Core or Elite. Every Core and Elite plan includes Pebble Beach course access.
- Do you run a Mac or iPad and don't want a Windows PC? → ST MAX + SKYTRAK App (any tier). It's the only SkyTrak software that runs natively on Apple devices, so Mac and iPad owners get full course play without a Windows PC.
- Do you want the widest possible course library with official vendor support? → ST MAX + SKYTRAK App Elite, which bundles both the Foresight and TrackMan libraries (95+ courses combined) in one subscription.
