Many (including myself) have posted about the R50 distance calculation. Empirically, I have witnessed there are algorithmic aspects applied to the shot carry and total distance result. That is, if the device reads a ball-club contact that is not perfect, it will deduct respectively--distance. If it’s any consolation, I’ve experienced the same penal calculation with a $25,000 Trackman. On the course, we have ball and club technology to overcome much of this less-than-ideal contact penalty.
One way around the punitive penalty with the R50 is to set the elevation to the maximum: 10,000 feet. This returns some of the distance lost to less than perfect contact.