May 14, 2019.
For about three years ago we did a SoMe Q&A with Fredrik Tuxen, we thought it was about time to do another round.
Q: When will you cover every hole on the PGA Tour with a TrackMan on the teebox?
A: We have started doing this since the Players 2019😊
Q: When is the next gen upgrade for putting coming and what will be the new features?
A: Scheduled for the end of 2019. Should include path, attack and maybe impact location and more
Q: When looking at the current/future trends in golf analysis, what are your view on the use of Augmented Reality to connect the player directly to real-time analytical data?
A: This is indeed a very interesting area which we are looking into. I think a lot can be done in making data more intuitive and easy to absorb. Augmented reality is a great technique for doing this.
Q: When will you have a mode for kicker?
A: We tracked Sunday Night Football kicks in the fall of 2018. We are of exploring doing an actual product for this sport as well.
Q: How far do you hit your 7?
A: I hit my 7i 142m carry in no wind conditions at sea level (Denmark).
Q: Will they ever attempt to use neural networks and/AI to replace teaching via delivery numbers?
A: I definitely think NN/AI will be used to assist teachers and make them even better. There will probably also be products in the future that will try to be AI-teachers, but I am skeptical about how good they will be, they will need a lot of inputs.
Q: When will an optimal chart be made available for putting?
A: We have already made a putting chart with some pro-data which is a step on the way. But yes, more guidance on what to improve in putting is definitely relevant and we are learning each day.
Q: What are we going to see in the next iteration of TrackMan? Also, what better insight and understanding do we have for the physics of putting now? I remember listening to a podcast some time back about how Mr. Tuxen felt that there might be a future trend to adopt less loft on putters going forward for a better roll. Since about 2013 I’ve been using 0 degrees loft and using an ascending blow to the ball of around 4 degrees so I’m hoping that perhaps I’m already on trend!
A: I actually do think you are on the right trend wrt putting. We are still learning in putting, but there is no doubt that in order to get the ball to roll quicker a positive attack angle and close to zero dynamic loft is what you need. For future TrackMan’s there is a lot of things we would like to do, most of these are confidential I am afraid. But one thing that I would like to get rid of is the user needs to enter which club they are hitting – I would really like this to happen automatically in the future.
Q: How does the TM measure spin?
A: We have developed a unique method which we have patented. Essentially what happens is a modulation of the radar signal due to the spin of the ball. This modulation turns out to have discrete frequency components spaced exactly the spin frequency of the ball. This method is the most accurate method there exist on measuring spin rate and does not require knowledge about the size of the ball or any particular placed markers. This means we can use exactly the same principle for measuring spin rate on baseball, tennis balls, soccer balls etc. This is future one of the strongest patents by TrackMan – very proud of this invention.
Q: When can we have tracers in events?
A: This is definitely something I would like also – get an ‘I’m on TV feeling’.
Q: What’s the +/- tolerance for carry yds with everything standard?
A: Outdoors: The ball is tracked all the way and is accurate within 1 ft at 100 yds, 2 ft at 200 yds. Indoors: Within 2% of carry distance
Q: You are a genius. Are you married?😂
A: I am happily married and have 2 wonderful sons at 18 and 21 years. I am a real family-guy😊
Q: Why aren’t you officially recognized as someone who has revolutionized the game of golf? Like David Leadbetter, Butch Harmon, Karsten Solhiem, Jack Grout and the all the many other names that have revolutionized the game of golf over the decades.
A: I do think it is recognized by the most influential people in the industry how important a role TrackMan has played in the understanding of cause and effect in golf. But recognition always comes on the back end, so maybe in time TrackMan will get the wide official recognition for its role.
If you have a question for Fredrik Tuxen, leave a comment below.
1) Will we be able to see Trackman 4 being able to read short putts less than 4.5mph or 8ft under Stimp 10? Would it require another optical sensor to do so or would Trackman 4 be able to do it?
2) When is the ETA for indoor gear effect fix for reading proper spin axis?
3) If indoor carry tolerance is +-2%, at 130yds it’s +-3yds difference and at 230yds it’s +- 5yds. Is this on a two tailed 95% CI scale?
Re 1: There might be options to push the limit even further down for TM4.
Re 2: This will part of FW 1.9 ETA in June.
Re 3: This is the 90 % confidence interval, but bare in mind it assumes standard ball aerodynamics and no wind conditions.
Re 1) Is this mean that we can expect a TPS update which will resolve short putts for simulator? If so, can you give us any estimated release date?