If you're new to the Course Tools in UDisc, start here. We'll cover the basics and best practices for how to use Map Manager to map all tees and all target positions at your course. Once you're done setting up your course in Map Manager, you'll never need to walk the course to create a new map when targets at the course are moved, and stats for your course will become more accurate.
What is Map Manager?
Map Manager is a tool that models how disc golf exists at your course. To get your course ready for Smart Layouts, you'll use Map Manager to enter every possible tee pad and basket position for your course. Map Manager was built with complex courses in mind (multiple tees and targets on every hole). Once you've placed every tee, target, and fairway in Map Manager, unless a brand new tee is poured, or a new sleeve is installed for a new basket location, you shouldn't ever have to re-map anything for your course. Gone are the days of needing to walk and map your course every time you move baskets.
What isn't Map Manager?
Map Manager is NOT a layout map. Think of Map Manager as the authoritative list of all the tees and baskets on the property. Later, you will use the information you've entered in Map Manager to easily create Smart Layouts from the Layouts tab of the Course Tools.
Where is Map Manager?
You can now access all the courses that you're an ambassador for in the 'Dashboard' link at the top of UDisc.com, or by clicking here: udisc.com/my-courses. You can also search for your course on UDisc.com/courses and then click on 'Course Tools' in the top right. Make sure you are logged in to your UDisc account at UDisc.com.
Why is Map Manager?
Map Manager allows for Course Ambassadors to edit tee, target, and fairway configurations on any device, including on a computer, to keep their courses constantly updated, including support for courses with multiple pin placements.
A few general tips to help you with the initial Map Manager setup:
1) Have your tee signs close by. The best way to make your course accurate in UDisc is make it match what players are seeing when they are out there playing.
2) Label everything. If you only have one set of tee and target positions, we recommend naming them as Main (you might install some alternate positions in the future). If the course already has a naming scheme, like A, B, reds, whites, etc., then you should mirror those in the UDisc course listing.
3) Remove any elements that are out-of-date. If a course element is no longer used, then you can delete the tee, target, or path entirely to display only the current positions. On the other hand, if an alternate location will be used in the future, then you can set it to Inactive rather than removing it. For seasonal tee and target positions, label those appropriately to reflect what they represent, and be sure to check Temporary if it applies.
4) Follow the red dots. UDisc will point out elements that still need review until everything is confirmed, and you can use the red dots as a guide for which pieces to look at next. There is a small box at the top left of the Map Manager page that will show how many elements/holes need to be reviewed. You can also find the red dots on the map itself, and along the bottom of Map Manager. Keep all of the elements that exist at the course, and remove any erroneous elements that don't belong.
5) What do I do if my Map Manager is totally empty? If you have not yet mapped your course, you can do so directly on the Map Manager tab by tapping on the + Add New Tee Position and + Add New Target Position buttons to put the new hole on the map, and select which hole they belong to. Once a tee and target are both assigned to the same hole, Map Manager will automatically create a fairway from that tee to that target. You can add any number of tees or targets to each hole, until you have completed the setup of your course. Once you have finished adding all of the elements and appropriately assigned them, review and submit your changes for approval.
If you have already mapped your course, but you did so on a classic layout, please reach out to us at help@udisc.com. Let us know the name of your course and which layout contains an accurate map. We will be happy to help in getting that layout imported into Map Manager for you.
6) Submit your changes and wait for approval. Once no holes need review, and all the red dots are gone, submit your changes for approval. Most courses will need their initial Map Manager setup to be reviewed by UDisc to verify everything is correct. This usually takes around 24 hours, but can sometimes take a little longer during our busy times! Some less complex courses may be automatically approved if they have no errors.
7) Go to the course and refine tee/target GPS positions, if necessary. If you think some tees/targets are not quite in the right positions, open Map Manager on your mobile device and tap on a tee/target and use the button to move the tee/target to your GPS location. Submit these changes when you're done so your maps are as accurate as possible. Once you refine locations, you shouldn't need to do this again, unless you pour a new tee pad, or install a new basket sleeve
8) Upgrade your layouts. Once your Map Manager updates cover all of the possible elements at the course, click "Layouts" in the Course Tools menu and convert any current layouts to Smart Layouts. This quick video tutorial walks you through Smart Layouts and how to use them.
9) Use Quick Targets when baskets are moved. As an ambassador, disc golfers at your course are counting on you to keep the course updated. When baskets on your course are moved to new positions, use the Quick Targets tool to signify which targets are active. All Smart Layouts that use those targets will update when baskets change positions on your course, and players at your course will have a great a experience and their course maps will be accurate.
10) Enjoy course stats. View play counts and other statistics about your course from the 'Statistics' area in Course Tools. This can be a powerful tool when approaching course stakeholders or local governments to secure funding for course improvements. We hope this helps bring more disc golf to your community!
If you need any further assistance, please contact help@udisc.com.
For help from fellow ambassadors, take a look at our Community Forum here.