On my best nights, I can manage an equal tree in most rooms, but there's still a handful of people out there that tree me by a car or two. You can improve your chances by running a direct connection from modem to your PS3 via ethernet cable instead of running through a router. Using smaller televisions such as 24" or smaller, an older model TV with tubes which reduces lag between PS3 & TV, or a newer HDTV with gaming mode which reduces screen lag to roughly 5-10milliseconds are all methods used by some of these "tree gurus" to improve their methods when hand-eye coordination isn't enough to get the job done.
Of course, it doesn't help if you're playing on a server or with people in a different part of the country. If the ghoster is on the other side of the country from you, and the other guy is on the same coast as the ghoster, chances are you'll be at a disadvantage. What some would call "skill" is nothing more than multiple variables resulting in lower ping & screen lag that lets them launch faster than the other guy. Hand-eye coordination is indeed important, but whoever sees the ghost sooner is the one who can react faster.
