Apple Watch | 18Birdies App General Overview

The Apple Watch is an amazing piece of technology. With the 18Birdies Apple Watch app, we bring you an easier take on the 18Birdies experience. Now you can score your round, log stats, and get distances directly from the Apple Watch!

Compatibility

You will first need the most recent version of the Apple Watch software; watchOS9. The app may work on older models/versions of watchOS however, the latest version of watchOS is recommended for an optimal experience. Find your Apple Watch model.

• The GPS distances on your Apple Watch are based on the location of your watch, not your phone. This means that you don't have to carry your phone around on the course to get accurate distances.
• Both Bluetooth and cellular Apple Watches are compatible with this feature. However, if you have a Bluetooth-only device, you'll need to stay within 10 yards of your phone to avoid any pairing disruptions.
• Keep in mind that GPS distances on your Apple Watch may vary from those on your phone app. This is because the distances are based on the location of your watch rather than your phone. 

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Set up the Apple Watch from the 18Birdies app.

1. Launch the 18Birdies App.
2. Tap Me in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
3. Tap Settings to open the App Settings.
4. Tap Connect Apple Watch.
5. Tap Set Up.
6. Scroll down to view the list of applications that are installed on your phone.
7. If you don't see 18Birdies listed under Installed on Apple Watch, scroll down to find Available Apps.
8. Tap Install next to 18Birdies.
9. On the "My Watch" app on your iPhone, navigate to "General" to configure your Apple Watch hardware settings to optimize your watch for use with 18Birdies. Make sure that:
   
   • Within "Background App Refresh", toggle the first-row and 18Birdies buttons to be ON
   • Within "Return to Clock"->"On Screen Wake Show Last App" is set to "Within 1 hour of Last Use".
   • Within "On Tap", set to "Wake for 70 seconds"
   • "Workout Power Saving Mode" is turned OFF
   • If you're having trouble starting   a round   on your Apple Watch, completely close and then restart 18Birdies on your phone then restart the "Starting a Round" process below:

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Setting up the Apple Watch in a round

1. Launch the 18Birdies app.
2. Tap Play and complete the round setup process to head into the GPS screen.
3. Tap Tools in the bottom right corner of the screen.
4. Tap Settings.
5. Tap Connect Apple Watch.
6. Tap Set Up and complete the setup process outlined above.

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Setting up 18Birdies on the Apple Watch

1. On your iPhone, open the Apple Watch application
2. Scroll down to view the list of applications that are installed on your phone.
3. If you don't see 18Birdies listed under Installed on Apple Watch, scroll down to find Available Apps.
4. Tap Install next to 18Birdies.
5. On the "My Watch" app on your iPhone, navigate to "General" to configure your Apple Watch hardware settings to optimize your watch for use with 18Birdies. Make sure that:
   
   • Within "Background App Refresh", toggle the first-row and 18Birdies buttons to be ON.
   • Within "Return to Clock" -> "Show Last App" is set to "Within 1 hour of Last Use".
   • Within "On Tap", set to "Wake for 70 seconds".
   • "Workout Power Saving Mode" is turned OFF.
   • If you're having trouble starting  a round  on your Apple Watch, completely close and then restart 18Birdies on your phone then restart the "Starting a Round" process below:

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Starting a Round

It may take a few moments for round information to load or update on your Apple Watch.

1. From your Apple Watch, open 18Birdies watch app.
   You should see a prompt to "Start a new round on your phone to begin". (screenshot below) Open the Play tab on your 18Birdies iPhone App. Check that the course info displayed matches the course you want to play
2. From the Play tab on your 18Birdies iPhone app, select "Start Round".
3. Complete the Start Round details on your iPhone.
4. Tap "Play" on your iPhone

If you've confirmed that your Apple Watch and phone are synced, but the Apple Watch app remains on the "Start a new round on your phone to begin" screen above:

1. End the round on your phone by selecting "Exit without Saving"
2. Close 18Birdies on your phone while keeping 18Birdies open on your Apple Watch
3. Relaunch 18Birdies on your phone
4. Restart the round on your phone.

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Distances, Navigation, Scoring, and Stats

The GPS distances on your Apple Watch are based on the location of your watch, not your phone. This means that you don't have to carry your phone around on the course to get accurate distances.

• Both Bluetooth and cellular Apple Watches are compatible with this feature. However, if you have a Bluetooth-only device, you'll need to stay within 10 yards of your phone to avoid any pairing disruptions.
• Keep in mind that GPS distances on your Apple Watch may vary from those on your phone app. This is because the distances are based on the location of your watch rather than your phone. 

Getting Distances

From the Distance screen, you should see three numbers corresponding to the remaining Back, Middle, and Front distances to the green.

Advancing to Next Hole

From the Distance screen, swipe up to go to the next hole. Swipe down to go to the previous hole.

Switch Holes Shortcut

From the Distance screen

1. Tap and push (Force Press) the Apple Watch screen until you feel the Apple Watch face vibrate.
2. Tap Go To Hole

Swipe Right to Enter Strokes for Scores

1. From the Strokes screen, tap the + or - button to allocate strokes OR use the scroll wheel on the side of the Apple Watch.
   The strokes will start at Par.
2. Tap Next Hole to go to the next hole or swipe right to left to enter Stats.

Swipe Right to Enter Stats

1. From the Stats screen, tap the respective buttons to enter stats OR use the scroll wheel on the side of the Apple Watch.
2. Scroll down to enter more stats.
3. Tap Next Hole at the bottom of the Stats screen to go to the next hole.

Strokes Gained

As an 18Birdies Premium Member, you can now use your Apple Watch with our strokes gained scoring mode!
To edit strokes gained shots after you have entered them on your Apple Watch, you must use your phone

1. Set up the round on your phone, open the app on your Apple Watch, then select ‘Strokes Gained’ scoring method when prompted.  You can also select Strokes Gained scoring on the phone after the round has been set up.

2. Once you start the round and are on the 1st tee box, tap ‘Add Shot 1’ to mark where you will hit your first shot from.

3. Next confirm your distance to the hole, select your lie and club. Then walk or ride to your ball.

4. Once you get to your ball, tap “Add Shot 2” and follow the previous steps to confirm your distance, lie  and  club.

5. After reaching the green, select “Green” as your lie.

1. Adjust the Dist. to Hole to change the length of your putt.
2. If you miss the putt, tap ‘Add Another Putt’ to record the putt and start another putt.
3. Repeat steps 5A-5B above until you finish the hole. Then tap “Finish Hole”
   

   

6. When you finish the hole, you can swipe to the  right hand  screen and see a Hole 1 shot summary screen. If you need to edit any shots, you can do so from your phone.

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Finishing a Round

Round scoring can be completed on your  Apple Watch, BUT you must confirm the end of a round from your iPhone.

1. Tap Resume Scoring to go back to the scoring screens.
2. Tap Go To Hole to go back to a hole and edit information.

Confirm the Round

1. When  a round  has been ended on your Apple Watch, return to the 18Birdies app on your iPhone.
   Rounds can only be completed and confirmed from your iPhone.
2. Tap Confirm Scorecard on your iPhone to complete the round.

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Trouble Syncing or Connecting

If your Apple Watch and iPhone device are compatible with the specification mentioned above, our first suggestion is to try logging out of the app on your phone and then log back in.

How To Log Out

1. Open the app and tap Me on the bottom menu bar.
2. Tap the three white dots in the upper right corner
3. Scroll down and tap App Settings
4. Scroll down and tap Log Out.

You should then be taken to the sign-in screen.

Log Back In

1. On the sign-in screen, tap 'Already have an account? Log In'
2. Tap Log in with Email.
   If your account does not have an email linked, use the phone verification method.
   
3. Enter the email your account is registered to and the corresponding password
4. Tap Log In.

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Activity & Health Tracking on the Apple Watch with 18Birdies

18Birdies will track certain activities (steps, calories, standing time) while using the app with your Apple Watch. You should see the tracked activity in the Fitness app. 

At this time, the activity data that is tracked with the 18Birdies app is not tracked as a golf workout. 

To turn on/off the Apple Health Kit completely:

1. Start a round to enter the GPS screen on the watch.
2. Long press (Press firmly) to bring up the options menu.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Make sure the Watch Health Kit toggle is turned to the 'Off' position.

Need to Know Info

• Depending on the SKU (wifi-only or cellular + wifi), you will need to keep your phone within 10 yards of your Apple Watch to maintain the data stream for optimal performance - A back or bag pocket will work!
• As you enter scores and stats on your Apple Watch, your phone will update in parallel.
• Currently, 18Birdies for Apple Watch doesn't have a "Complication". If you would like to see one, please let us know at support@18birdies.com.

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