Getting No Reads?
Follow these steps to diagnose and fix shot detection issues with your NOVA.
Open the NOVA Dashboard and look at your camera images after taking a shot. The two frames show what each camera sees. Use these to diagnose alignment issues.
NOVA is aligned correctly. The majority of captures should happen near the center of the frame.
The ball appears at the left edge of the frame. This means the ball is too far behind the blue dot, away from the screen or target. Move the ball forward (closer to the target).
The ball appears at the right edge of the frame. This means the ball is too close to the target. Move the ball back toward the blue dot alignment mark.
Align the ball with the blue dot on the right side of the NOVA, 10-12 inches away. That's about one golf grip length between the device and the ball.
NOVA's IR cameras need high-contrast markings to track spin. If your ball is in frame but you're still getting no reads, the markings may not be visible to the cameras.
Bold, black chevron markings are clearly visible to the IR cameras. This ball will produce reliable spin reads.
Colored markings look bold to your eye, but under IR light they wash out and become nearly invisible. The cameras can't track what they can't see. Switch to a ball with black markings.
Faded or sparse markings don't give the cameras enough contrast to track rotation. If your ball's markings are worn down or only cover one small area, switch to a fresh ball with bold, dark markings.
For the best results, use balls with factory-printed black markings like Callaway RPT, Titleist RPT, or TaylorMade TP5 Pix (chevron version).
NOVA needs to be on the same level as the ball. If the device is raised or lowered relative to where the ball sits, the cameras won't frame it correctly.
The ball sits centered in the frame with a clear view all the way around it. NOVA and the ball are on the same level surface.
The cameras are pointing down at the ground, with the ball barely visible at the bottom edge. This means NOVA is sitting too high relative to the ball, for example on a raised platform or shelf while the ball is on the floor. Lower NOVA so it's level with the hitting surface.
The golf mat is blocking the bottom half of the camera view. This happens when NOVA is sitting lower than the hitting surface, for example on the floor while the ball is on a raised mat. Raise NOVA to the same height as the mat, or move the ball to the same surface as the device.
Place NOVA on the same flat surface as your golf mat. If your mat is raised, set NOVA on something the same height so the cameras have a clear, level view of the ball.
If your positioning and ball markings look good, make sure everything in the software chain is connected and running.
Check the LED
Ensure NOVA shows a single solid blue dot that is not flashing or scrolling. This means the device is connected and ready.
If the LED is flashing red or scrolling blue, NOVA is still trying to connect to Wi-Fi. Re-run the setup process from the app.
Verify the software chain
All three of these need to be running for shots to register in your simulator:
Take a shot, then check dashboard.openlaunch.io to see if your shot images appear. If images show up here but not in your simulator, the issue is downstream.
The NOVA Windows application must be open and running in the background. It's safe to minimize it, but don't close it. This is the bridge between NOVA and your simulator software.
When GSPro launches, a NOVA connector window opens automatically. Keep it open and minimized. If it's not running, restart GSPro.
Quick checklist
Choose the Right Ball
NOVA tracks spin using golf balls that have clear, high-contrast markings.
Why markings matter
NOVA uses infrared cameras to track ball spin. The cameras detect rotation by following high-contrast patterns on the ball's surface as it leaves the clubface.
Balls with bold, dark, factory-printed graphics give the cameras clear reference points. The more distinct markings visible from any angle, the more accurate your spin data will be.
Colored markings (red, blue, green) may look bold to your eye, but under IR light they can appear washed out, making them hard for the cameras to track.
Factory-printed graphics lead to more consistent reads than hand-drawn lines. The print is uniform and won't wear off mid-session.
What to look for
Good markings are black or very dark, printed by the manufacturer, and cover multiple sides of the ball. Dot patterns, chevrons, arrows, and alignment aids all work well.
Avoid balls where the only marking is a small side logo, a single number, or colorful graphics. These don't give the IR cameras enough contrast or coverage to reliably measure spin.