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User GuidesGPS-Integrated Scoring

Using GPS Distances While Scoring

Get real-time yardage to the pin, green, and hazards directly on your scoring screen. This guide walks you through using GPS distances during your round.

Before You Start

What You Need

  • A smartphone with GPS (iPhone or Android)
  • A modern web browser (Safari on iPhone, Chrome on Android)
  • Location services enabled on your device
  • A course with GPS data configured

Quick Setup Checklist

  1. Open the scoring interface before your round starts
  2. Grant location permission when prompted
  3. Wait for GPS to lock (usually 2-5 seconds)
  4. Select your starting hole

Step 1: Enable Location Permission

When you first open the scoring interface, your browser will ask for permission to access your location.

On iPhone (Safari)

  1. A popup appears: “Allow [site] to access your location?”
  2. Tap Allow While Using
  3. If asked again by iOS, tap Allow Once or Allow While Using App

On Android (Chrome)

  1. A popup appears: “[Site] wants to know your location”
  2. Tap Allow
  3. Choose While using the app if prompted

Note: You only need to grant permission once. Your browser remembers your choice for future rounds.

Step 2: Wait for GPS Signal

After granting permission, the GPS needs a moment to acquire your position.

What You Will See

  • Loading spinner: “Acquiring GPS signal…”
  • Signal lock: Distance numbers appear

Expected Wait Times

ConditionsTime to Lock
Open sky, good weather2-3 seconds
Partial tree cover3-5 seconds
Dense trees or overcast5-10 seconds
Indoors or under roofMay not work

Tip: Step into an open area for fastest signal acquisition.

Step 3: Select Your Current Hole

Use the hole selector to switch between holes as you play.

How to Select a Hole

  1. Find the hole dropdown (shows current hole number)
  2. Tap to open the list
  3. Select your hole (1-18)
  4. Distances update immediately

When to Change Holes

  • Select each hole as you arrive at the tee
  • Distances are specific to each hole’s pin, green, and hazards
  • Forgetting to switch shows distances to the wrong targets

Step 4: Read Your Distances

The GPS display shows multiple distance measurements to help you choose the right club.

Distance to Pin (Primary)

The largest number shows your distance to the flagstick in yards.

Example display:

To Pin
147 yd

This is your primary reference for club selection.

Distance to Green Center

A backup measurement showing distance to the middle of the green.

Use green center when:

  • Pin position seems incorrect
  • You want to play to the safe middle
  • Course data does not include pin location

Distance From Tee

Shows how far you are from the tee box.

Useful for:

  • Confirming you have hit past the 150-yard marker
  • Tracking drive distance
  • Verifying your position

Hazard Distances

When the course has hazard data, you will see distances to nearby obstacles:

  • Bunker: 85 yd
  • Water: 120 yd (carry distance)
  • Tree line: 145 yd

Hazards are sorted by proximity, showing the three closest.

Step 5: Enter Your Score

After completing the hole, enter your score as usual. GPS and scoring work together seamlessly.

Typical Flow

  1. Check distance on tee
  2. Hit your shot
  3. Walk to ball, distance updates automatically
  4. Check distance again for approach
  5. Finish hole and enter score
  6. Move to next hole and select it

Understanding Accuracy

GPS Accuracy Indicator

A small number shows your current GPS accuracy:

  • 5-10m: Excellent accuracy (typical outdoors)
  • 10-15m: Good accuracy (acceptable)
  • 15m+: Reduced accuracy (consider conditions)

What This Means for Club Selection

GPS accuracy of 10 meters equals approximately 10 yards.

AccuracyEffect on Club Selection
5-10mWithin half a club
10-15mWithin one club
15m+Consider adding margin

Practical advice: If GPS shows 147 yards with 8m accuracy, the actual distance is likely between 138-156 yards.

Live Distance Updates

How Updates Work

  • Position updates automatically every 5 seconds
  • No action needed from you
  • Distances change as you walk

Watching Distance Decrease

As you approach the green:

After tee shot: 285 yd
In fairway: 142 yd
Near green: 35 yd

Manual Refresh

If distances seem stuck, tap the refresh button to force an update.

Scoring While Using GPS

Optimal Workflow

  1. On the tee: Check distance before hitting
  2. Walking: Glance at screen to see distance dropping
  3. At ball: Confirm distance before approach shot
  4. On green: Enter score while GPS resets for next hole

Keeping Screen Active

Your phone may dim or lock during play:

  • iPhone: Settings > Display > Auto-Lock > Never (during round)
  • Android: Settings > Display > Screen timeout > 10 minutes

Battery tip: GPS uses 10-15% battery over 18 holes. Bring a portable charger for back-to-back rounds.

Common Situations

Distance Seems Wrong

Check these items:

  1. Correct hole selected?
  2. GPS accuracy indicator green?
  3. Standing in open area?

If still incorrect, the course GPS data may need calibration. Compare with yardage markers.

No GPS Data Message

“GPS data not available for Hole 7”

This means the course administrator has not added GPS coordinates for this hole. You can still score normally; you just will not see distances.

Permission Was Denied

If you tapped “Deny” by accident:

iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings > Safari > Location
  2. Find the site and tap Allow
  3. Return to scoring and refresh

Android:

  1. Tap the lock icon in address bar
  2. Tap Site settings > Location
  3. Change to Allow
  4. Refresh the page

GPS Not Acquiring

Try these steps:

  1. Move to open area away from buildings
  2. Ensure Location Services enabled in device settings
  3. Wait 15-20 seconds for signal
  4. Refresh the page

Privacy and Your Location

Where Your Location Goes

Your location stays on your device. Here is what happens:

  1. Your phone’s GPS determines your position
  2. Distance calculations happen in your browser
  3. Only the calculated distance is displayed
  4. Your coordinates are never sent to our servers

What We Do Not Store

  • Your walking path on the course
  • Where you hit shots from
  • How long you spent on each hole
  • Your location history

Your Control

  • Grant or revoke permission anytime
  • GPS feature works only while you allow access
  • No tracking outside of active scoring

Tips for Best Results

Before the Round

  • Open scoring interface on first tee
  • Grant location permission before others are waiting
  • Verify GPS works before teeing off

During Play

  • Select each hole as you arrive
  • Trust the distance to pin measurement
  • Use green center as backup if pin seems wrong

For Signal Quality

  • Step away from golf cart when checking distance
  • Avoid checking in cart barn or under pavilions
  • Brief open-sky exposure improves accuracy

Battery Management

  • Start round with 50%+ battery
  • Lower screen brightness to conserve power
  • Consider airplane mode with WiFi/GPS if available
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