CaddyAid Golf GPS Faq’s

How many courses are in the database?

We have photographs of virtually every golf course in England, Wales and Scotland. These images contain not only the photograph itself, but also a complete GPS position for every blade of grass on the course, which would equate in most cases to billions of separate coordinates. Imagine this to other GPS products, that show perhaps only 5 or 6 features on any one hole, it clearly shows the superiority of our data.

Back to Top

How do CaddyAid map their courses?

Obviously we cannot go into too much detail here, but in essence when we have the entire picture of the course on our screens, we cut out all the 18 individual holes, and then begin to layer in all the different GPS points on that hole. This includes not only the front and back of key points such as the green, bunkers, ponds, trees and the like, but for every single blade of grass on that hole also.

Back to Top

How does CaddyAid calculate the distances?

When we look at the picture, we can clearly see the key points on the hole (bunker, trees, ditch etc), and mark them accordingly at both the front and the back. Each point has a specific unique reference point for its latitude and longitude, once these points are know, it is a very complex mathematical calculation that works out the distance from where you are standing to the, for example front of the green.

Back to Top

What do I do if my course is not on the database?

In this unlikely event, please contact us directly, informing us of the course you require, and we will reply within 24 hours.

The venue I want has 2 or more courses on it, how do I order a specific course within that venue?

In the eventuality that a specific course name within one golf courses venue is not separately listed (e.g. CaddyAid golf club, course 1, course 2 and course 3) please contact us and we remedy this immediately.

Back to Top

I cannot log in to my members area.

If you have forgotten your log in information, you can request a new password from within the site (we do not know your password for obvious security reasons). If the problem persists, please contact CaddyAid directly.

Back to Top

How do I get updates for my CaddyAid?

You will see updates from within your members area. If you are entitled to an upgrade, simply download the file from the site.

Back to Top

How accurate is CaddyAid?

CaddyAid is accurate to the width of the pixel on the screen (that is very accurate but varies between different hardware suppliers obviously) If you were to use the manual mode, the distance between the two points cannot be questioned. However when using the GPS mode there may be some variance due to  different atmospheric conditions which will affect all GPS products irrespective of who makes them. These conditions may be heavy rain, electrical storms, heavy clouds etc, and as such may well affect the reading the GPS receiver outputs, which in turn may mean the position shown on the screen may not be accurate. In this instance, CaddyAid‘s unique manual mode easily irradiates this problem, ensuring your distances are always correct.

Back to Top

How can I find distances to a 'blade of grass' like you advertise?

Simply touch the End tab, and then select somewhere on the picture. When you have touched the screen where you want to go to, the distance to that point will be automatically shown.

Back to Top

Is CaddyAid easy to use?

Yes it is. As long as you know which hole you are playing, all the information is automatically shown in a simple and easy format to understand.

Back to Top

Is using a GPS distance device during a round of golf legal?

Yes. In January 2006, the R&A made the use of such devices legal under the 'local Rule' meaning that as long as a golf club allow such devices at their particulat club, they can be used at any tournament. To see the R&A ruling in more detail please click here.

Back to Top

What happens if I cant get a GPS signal?

CaddyAid is the only product in the world which can operate when the GPS fails. To do this, an automated message will appear informing you that the signal has temporarily been lost, and to revert to 'Manual mode'. Simply press the manual tab, and then touch the photograph where you are standing, for example to the left of the fairway bunker. Once done, the distances to all the points on the hole will be shown to both the front and the back.

Back to Top

Can I find distances to the pin?

CaddyAid shows the photograph of the green, so if the pin is at the back right of the green, instead of guessing the number, you can simply touch the picture where the pin is. When done the distance to that exact point will be displayed.

Back to Top

How do I use the manual mode?

Select the manual mode tab, and then touch the start button (telling CaddyAid this is the point from which the reading will be taken) now touch the screen where you are standing. From there all distances will automatically be shown to the front and carry. If you want to know the distance to an exact place such as a blade of grass on the fairway or the exact pin position, press the End tab, and then touch the photo again at your preferred point. When done the distance between these two points will be shown. If you wish to find the distance to another blade of grass from your original starting position, simply touch the screen in another relocation. There is no need to touch the End tab again.

Back to Top

How can I find my LayUp distance?

Go into the Settings tab, from within the CaddyAid menu, and select the 'Lay Up' tab. From here select your preferred distance and if you prefer that distance to be to the front or the middle of the green. Now when on the course (except for par 3‘s) simply touch the 'Lay Up' tab, and the distance will be shown from where you are exactly to the distance you have stipulated. For example 95 yards to the middle of the green.

Back to Top

How do I buy more courses?

Go into your members area, and click on the link which allows you to buy more credits. You will have different options.

Back to Top

My machine is a Microsoft Vista, will CaddyAid work?

The immediate answer is yes. In order to work on Vista, please read the following instructions.

Back to Top

Will CaddyAid work with a Bluetooth GPS receiver?

Yes, of course it will.
Please make sure your Bluetooth GPS receiver is connected (paired) properly in the first instance. When done, look at the Comport tab, and then the New Outgoing Port tab. From this select your preferred Com Port number (please make a note of this Com number). Now within the External GPS icon, select the Hardware Tab and then select the Com Port number as noted previously. Finally from within the Access Tab, tick the box, and now you are ready to go.

Back to Top

Why don‘t I have a GPS icon on my device?

You will have one, but you cannot see it. You will need to perform a Registry Change, to reveal the GPS icon. We suggest you take your device to your service provider to ensure this is done correctly.

Back to Top

I am having difficulty getting my Car Sat Nav to work on the device

Sometimes when adding additional GPS software to your PDA, difficulties can happen initially getting all the GPS related software to work.

CaddyAid has a built in API, which means that it does not talk directly to the Com Ports. Please ensure you know which Com Ports your Car Sat Nav intends to talk to so that it is enabled.

When this information is discovered, go into Settings, System tab, GPS, Programs tab, and ensure the drop down menu entitled ‘GPS program port’ is the same one as indicated by the Car Sat Nav provider.

Back to Top

What hardware is the CaddyAid software compatable with?

CaddyAid (GPS and non GPS) software is compatable with Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 or later versions.

Back to Top

I have a PDA but it is not GPS, how can I use CaddyAid?

You can buy the non GPS version of the software which will work in the manual mode only. Or you could buy an external GPS receiver, assuming your PDA is Bluetooth.

Back to Top

Can I upgrade my software to the latest version?

Yes you can. By becoming a member of CaddyAid, you will be entitled to 1 upgrade of the software each year. We usually upgrade the software once a year after feedback from touring pro’s, their caddies and our growing number of club golfers around the UK.

When on the golf course, the icon shows itself to be in a different position to where I am standing, why is this?

Sometimes, depending on the type of course you are playing (in a valley, heavily tree lined etc) the receive gets conflicting signals from the satellites in space, and the position you see on the screen can be slightly different from that of where you are standing. This is slightly annoying, albeit unavoidable. CaddyAid is the only product in the world which shows you this potential error, as we believe the yardage readouts you get should be as accurate as possible. So much so we did something about it.

CaddyAid is the only product which can guarantee your position is correct, by making a manual amendment, by touching the start tab from the menu and then pinpointing your standing position. When doing this, the readouts will be accurate to inches.

Back to Top

Can I change the readout from Yards to Meters?

Yes

Back to Top

What is the difference between the product used by professionals and club golfers?

There is no difference. All the products supplied to the worlds elite are supplied to you as CaddyAid members, so you get all the benefits of the R&D that goes into supplying players on both the European and US Tours.

Back to Top