|
Post by cloran on Feb 12, 2011 0:07:52 GMT -5
How many of you guys use Google Earth to plan a strategy prior to playing a course?
I use the ruler function (switched to yards) and plot various features on the course. I'll use the line drawn on the screen to pick sight lines for tee shots, too... GE is very useful for that.
I'll also use it for course management.
Example: There is one par 5 in particular where GE really helped me last year. It's 524 yards and I always hit driver off the tee, but reaching the green in two is nearly impossible and there's OB right the entire length of the hole. The fairway is narrow and starts to dogleg to the right at about 260. It's been a blow-up hole for me many times. There's such a severe up slope to the green that leaving yourself even just off the green gives you with a very tough pitch or chip. After plotting the hole on GE I decided to hit 4 iron off the tee, 5 iron to a lay up spot that would leave me a full 54* wedge for my third. Worked like a charm and I made par my first try with the new strategy.
|
|
|
Post by Richie3Jack on Feb 12, 2011 0:11:12 GMT -5
I basically use it for charting the course direction. So if the wind is supposed to be blowing west, if I'm on the 16th hole, the wind is swirling and I know I'm facing east...then I know what to do.
Only problem with that is if I'm familiar with a course, I know exactly what the wind will be doing on each hole. For instance, I played Windermere so many times that the wind either blew with you or against you on #1. And I could tell you exactly how the wind would blow the next 17 holes. That and if the wind was blowing in your face on #1, you were likely in for a tough day. If it was with you, you could go low.
Haven't tried your ideas. I'll have to start practicing.
3JACK
|
|
|
Post by slice_oftheday on Feb 12, 2011 0:31:23 GMT -5
I did this for one tournament last year
|
|
jamo
'88 Apex Redlines
Posts: 142
|
Post by jamo on Feb 12, 2011 11:55:33 GMT -5
I've done it a few times, but mainly just to see how far I hit it and to see how far off the yardages off (I don't have a rangefinder or GPS).
|
|
|
Post by mchepp on Feb 12, 2011 18:16:28 GMT -5
I use it all the time. 2 purposes. One it gives me a feel for each of the holes for a course I have not played before. I tool around to each of the holes and note trouble, water and so forth.
Two I use it on my home course to create a yardage book. My home club doesn't have one and I like to go out and use my scope that has slope built in during practice rounds and do some charting. My home club is quite hilly and the the slope can fool you sometimes. I can layout the holes and trace the fairway and then go out and map the course with the scope.
|
|
rhh7
Beat up Radials
Posts: 2
|
Post by rhh7 on Feb 19, 2011 16:00:47 GMT -5
cloran, Thanks a million!
I downloaded Google Earth today, and found Maple Ridge, my local course here in Calgary.
My best is 89 from the blues, I plan to shoot 79 this summer! This is an incredible tool!!
|
|
|
Post by cloran on Feb 19, 2011 18:08:19 GMT -5
Welcome aboard rhh7.
Keep us posted. Good luck with getting your 79!!
|
|
|
Post by jiminsc on Apr 27, 2011 19:39:07 GMT -5
I play tournament golf about three times a month. Using google earth I make an info sheet listing each hole hole, Direction, General elevation changes for fairways and greens and if appropriate significant nearby, but not necessarily adjacent, topography (rivers, mountains etc.). Using this info I predict what clubs I will be hitting. I do this before I play a practice round to see if during the round any of this information is significant or leads to a better understanding of the course in general.
On the night before or morning of the tournament round, I will note the forecasted wind direction & strength and use this info if it appears to be valid on the range or as the round proceeds.
If you have to play a course without a practice round, it is helpful in identifying problem areas over greens that may not show up on a sky caddie or other device.
|
|
jerryg
'88 Apex Redlines
Posts: 100
|
Post by jerryg on Jul 27, 2011 8:54:54 GMT -5
I just gave it a shot and went to look at the course I am to play later today (if the rain quits). Of course being in Minnesota the course was covered with snow! Ha!!
|
|
|
Post by pavaveda on Jul 27, 2011 9:14:27 GMT -5
You can edit the timeline to see different images from the satellites.
Another useful tool that I've found is Bing's map feature called "Bird's Eye". It's an angled view and let's you get a better idea of the terrain. I find that when you get down to the terrain level in Google Earth, it becomes really difficult to navigate. It's almost like you are too close. Bing's is a little easier to use.
|
|