How to map a Golf Course at TheGrint for GPS purposes

grinter001

6 minutes

When we developed TheGrint we aimed to create a collaboration environment. That means that TheGrint community and members collaborate with each other in many aspects:

  1. Establishing USGA clubs to provide each others with free USGA handicaps
  2. Keeping the Golf Course Database up to date
  3. And now, Mapping Golf Courses for GPS purposes

In this post we will talk about how to map a golf course for GPS purposes using our Course Uploader Tool.

How to map a Golf Course for GPS

As you probably already know, our Golf GPS functionality relies on Map information of golf courses. When a Golf GPS app tells you that you are 154 yards away from the pin, all it is doing is calculating the distance from where you are to a geocode (point on a map) stored in a database.

So, in order to have well functioning GPS distances we need to be able to identify all the appropriate geocodes for each Golf Course. In our case, we map at least 4 points for each hole:

  1. TeeBox (Longest): This indicates the app where the hole begins
  2. Center Green: This indicates where the Center of the green is located
  3. Front Green: To indicate the front of the green
  4. Back Green: To indicate the back of the green
  5. Fairway: To indicate the middle of the fairway (only Par 4 and Par 5 holes)

Steps to Map a Golf Course for GPS

Go to  our  Course Uploader Tool and identify the golf course you want to map. Like the image below shows.

Once you identify the Golf Course and click on the "Map this course" button you will begin the mapping process.

Once you begin, identify the TeeBox of Hole 1. Then click on the "Add" button to add a marker to the map. Finally position the marker in the middle of the TeeBox like the image below shows.

Once you have marked the TeeBox, then follow the same process to mark the Fairway and Green markers.

To mark the fairway simply position the marker where you believe would be the ideal position off the tee.  See the below for an example:

Finally, to mark the green make sure that you position the markers in a straight line following the most likely approach shot line. See the image below for an example.

Once, you have mapped the green then you can map more elements if you like. However, those are not required. Below a list of elements, what they are and how to map them.

  • Front Bunker L: Indicates the front edge of a bunker (left side of fairway)
  • Front Bunker R: Indicates the front edge of a bunker (right side of fairway)
  • Carry Bunker L: Indicates the back edge of a bunker (left side of fairway)
  • Carry Bunker R: Indicates the back edge of a bunker (right side of fairway)
  • Front Water: Indicates the front edge of a water hazard. Try to position the marker in the most likely point of entry
  • Carry Water: Indicates the carry point of a water hazard. Try to position the marker in the most likely point of carry to be able to clear the water hazard
  • Waste Bunker: Indicates the most likely entry point to a waste bunker
  • Dogleg: Indicates a dogleg. Position the marker such that it clears the dogleg
  • Tree: Indicates a Tree

Let us know if you have any questions at contactus@thegrint.com

Enjoy your golf!