Using GPS on the Golf Course

Never look for a yardage marker again, period!

18Birdies GPS helps you view distances, navigate the course, and make more informed decisions during your round. From the GPS screen, you can see hole maps, front, center, and back green distances, hazards, targets, and other in-round tools.

Powered by Google Maps, we verify every single tee marker, landing zone, and hole location for over 35,000 courses around the world - ensuring you have the most accurate mobile GPS rangefinder on the market.

Sounds awesome, right? Click here to open the app and start your round!

In this Article:

• How do I start using GPS?
• What can I see on the GPS screen?
• How do I move the target?
• How do I change holes?
• Why does my GPS look inaccurate?
• What should I do if GPS is not working?
• Frequently Asked Questions

How do I start using GPS?

To use GPS during a round:

1. Open the 18Birdies app.
2. Tap Play on the bottom menu.
3. Select the course you are playing.
4. Confirm your round settings.
5. Tap Start Round.
6. Allow location access, if prompted.

Once your round starts, the GPS screen will show the hole map and distance information.

What can I see on the GPS screen?

The GPS screen shows:

• Hole layout
• Your current location
• Front, center, and back green distances
• Distance to selected target(s)
• Hazards
• Bunkers
• Greens
• Tee boxes
• Fairways
• Hole number
• Par
• Hole distance
• Hole handicap
• Score entry
• In-round tools

How do I move the target?

You can move the target on the GPS map to measure distance to a specific area.

The target shows two distances:

• Your distance to the selected target
• The distance from the selected target to the green

To move the target:

1. Tap or drag the target circle to a location on the hole map.
2. Review the distance to the selected target.
3. Review the remaining distance from the target to the green.
4. Adjust the target as needed.

This can help you check distance to layup areas, hazards, doglegs, or other points on the course.

How do I change holes?

18Birdies may automatically advance to the next hole as you play. You can also manually change holes from the GPS screen at any time.

To change holes manually:

1. Open the GPS screen during your round.
2. Use the hole navigation option at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select the hole you want to view.

How do I turn auto-advance on or off?

Auto-advance can be managed from GPS Settings before or during your round.

To update auto-advance:

1. Open the round setup screen before your round, or open the GPS screen during your round.
2. Go to GPS Settings or GPS Preferences.
3. Find the Auto-Advance setting.
4. Turn auto-advance on or off.

Important: Auto-advance uses your GPS location to help determine when to move to the next hole. If you are physically closer to a different hole, the app may automatically move you to that hole.

If the app advances to the wrong hole, use the hole navigation option at the bottom of the GPS screen to return to the correct hole.

Why does my GPS look inaccurate?

GPS accuracy can vary based on your device, location, signal strength, battery settings, and surrounding conditions.

GPS may be less accurate if:

• Location Services are turned off
• 18Birdies does not have precise location access
• Your phone has a weak GPS signal
• You are indoors or near tall buildings, trees, hills, or heavy cloud cover
• Battery saver settings are limiting GPS performance
• The course map or layout needs to be reviewed

Small differences between 18Birdies, rangefinders, golf cart GPS systems, and course markers are normal.

18Birdies uses your phone’s GPS location and course map data to estimate distances. A rangefinder measures a direct line-of-sight distance to a specific target. Golf cart GPS systems and course markers may also use different measurement points or data sources.

If something looks very inaccurate or out of the ordinary, submit feedback in the app or contact support@18birdies.com so our team can review it. Please include the course name, hole number, screenshots, and a brief description of what looks incorrect.

What should I do if GPS is not working?

If GPS is not working or your location looks incorrect:

1. Make sure Location Services are turned on for your device.
2. Make sure 18Birdies has permission to use your location.
3. Allow precise location access, if available.
4. Step outside with a clear view of the sky.
5. Wait a few moments for your device to find your location.
6. Turn off battery saver or low power settings that may limit GPS.
7. Close and reopen the 18Birdies app.
8. Update the 18Birdies app to the latest version.

If GPS still does not work, contact Support with your device type, app version, course name, round date, and screenshots if available.

What should I do if the tee box or starting position is wrong?

If the tee box location or starting position is incorrect, your GPS distances for the hole may look wrong.

You can manually adjust the tee location during your round.

To move the tee location:

1. Open the GPS screen during your round.
2. Find the ball and tee icon on the hole map.
3. Use your finger to drag the icon to the correct tee location.
4. Review the updated distances for the hole.

Moving the tee location should correct the distances for that hole.

If the tee box location is incorrect in 18Birdies, we also recommend reporting it through the in-app feedback flow or contacting support@18birdies.com so our team can review and fix it permanently.

Frequently Asked Questions