Illustrated Map: Using the App Without Data or Internet Connection

18Birdies works best with a stable internet or cellular connection. Some features require a network connection, but you may still be able to use many core round features when service is limited or unavailable.

18Birdies includes an offline-friendly map option called Illustrated Map. Illustrated Map can help you view the course layout when satellite imagery is not loading reliably, when your connection is poor, or when you want to use the app with limited or no internet connection.

In this Article:

• Can I use the app with limited or no connection?
• What is the Illustrated Map?
• How do I switch to the Illustrated Map?
• Why did I see a prompt to switch to the Illustrated Map?
• How do I switch back to the GPS Map?
• How do I pin Map Layers to the GPS screen?
• What should I do before playing somewhere with poor service?
• What features may not work offline?
• Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the app with limited or no connection?

Yes. If your round was started while you still had an internet or cellular connection, you may be able to continue using many core round features after service becomes limited or unavailable.

You may be able to:

• Record score and basic statistics
• View an Illustrated Map of the course
• Use limited course mapping and layout information
• Add notes for a hole
• Take pictures for your round gallery
• Edit your handicap for the round
• Continue viewing some round information that was already loaded

Important: Offline mode does not mean every 18Birdies feature will work without service. Some features still require an internet or cellular connection.

What is the Illustrated Map?

The Illustrated Map is an offline-friendly course map that can help you view the hole layout when satellite imagery is not loading reliably.

Instead of relying on satellite imagery, the Illustrated Map shows an illustrated rendering of the hole. This can help you continue viewing the course layout when you have weak service, poor satellite map coverage, or no internet connection.

The Illustrated Map may show course features such as:

• Tee area
• Fairway
• Rough
• Bunkers
• Water
• Green area
• Hole layout

You can switch between the regular GPS Map and the Illustrated Map at any time when the option is available.

How do I switch to the Illustrated Map?

To switch to the Illustrated Map:

1. Start a round in 18Birdies.
2. Open the GPS screen.
3. Tap Tools in the bottom-right corner.
4. Tap Map Layers.
5. Select Illustrated Map.
6. Tap Save.

The GPS screen will update to show the illustrated version of the course map.

Why did I see a prompt to switch to the Illustrated Map?

If 18Birdies detects that your network connection is weak, unstable, or unavailable, you may see a prompt suggesting that you switch to the Illustrated Map.

The Illustrated Map can provide a clearer course rendering when satellite imagery is not loading properly. This can be helpful with a poor network connection or when you want to keep using the app while offline.

You can switch back to the regular GPS Map at any time if your connection improves.

How do I switch back to the GPS Map?

You can switch back to the regular GPS Map at any time.

To switch back:

1. Open the GPS screen.
2. Tap Tools in the bottom-right corner.
3. Tap Map Layers.
4. Select GPS Map.
5. Tap Save.

The GPS screen will return to the regular map view.

How do I pin Map Layers to the GPS screen?

If you switch between map views often, you can pin Map Layers to your GPS screen.

To pin Map Layers:

1. Start a round in 18Birdies.
2. Open the GPS screen.
3. Tap Tools in the bottom-right corner.
4. Find Map Layers.
5. Tap the pin or add option next to Map Layers.

Once pinned, the Map Layers button will appear on the right side of the GPS screen so you can quickly switch between the regular GPS Map and the Illustrated Map.

What should I do before playing somewhere with poor service?

If you know the course may have poor cellular service, prepare before your round while you still have internet access.

Before heading to the course:

1. Open the 18Birdies app while connected to the internet.
2. Start your round before you lose connection.
3. Open the GPS screen.
4. Tap Tools.
5. Tap Map Layers.
6. Select Illustrated Map if you want to use the offline-friendly map view.
7. Review the course map before your round.
8. Keep the app open and do not sign out of your account.

Important: You may not be able to start a new round, search for courses, or load certain app features once you are fully offline.

What features may not work offline?

Some 18Birdies features require an internet or cellular connection.

When offline, you may not be able to:

• Start a new round
• End or fully sync a completed round
• Search for courses
• Link or invite players to a round
• Send a round invite
• View live Feed updates
• View parts of your profile
• Use features that require live syncing
• Use some shot tracking features
• Load satellite imagery if it was not already loaded

Some GPS behavior may also be limited if your device cannot determine your location accurately.

Frequently Asked Questions