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How to get started with Birdi for Golf Course Mapping

Written by Kayley Greenland
Updated over a week ago

Start here

Before anything else, follow these three steps:

Once processing is complete, your map becomes your working environment.

Step 1: Define, detect, and measure your course

This is where most of the work happens — mapping out your course and extracting insights.

Define boundaries (manual)

Use annotation tools to map:

  • Greens

  • Fairways

  • Bunkers

  • Rough / native areas

How:

  • Use Polygon or Freehand tools

  • Group into folders (e.g. Hole 1, Hole 2)

  • Add labels, notes, comments

Tip: Duplicate shapes to save time when working across similar holes.

Measure areas and volumes

Once features are mapped:

  • Areas are automatically calculated from annotations

  • Use Volume Tool for stockpiles and earthworks (requires DEM)

👉 How to use annotation tools on your 2D map

👉How to create a volumetric layer annotation

Detect features (AI-assisted)

Speed things up with AI detection.

Best results using simple terms:

  • “sand” → bunkers

  • “trees”

  • “water” / “ponds”

  • “roads”, “pathways”, “car parks”

⚠️ Greens and fairways are better done manually.

👉How to Use Birdi’s Map AI Detect Tool

👉How to use Birdi’s Map Canvas AI Detect tool

Step 2: Organise and analyse your data

Use folders + table view to make sense of everything.

Table View (right-hand side)

  • View all measurements in one place

  • Works for:

    • Annotations

    • AI detections

    • Volume layers

Quickly understand:

  • Total areas

  • Per-feature breakdowns

  • Reporting-ready outputs

👉How to access and use Table View for your 2D annotations

Step 3: Add design & planning data (optional)

Bring in existing plans:

  • Upload CAD, DXF, shapefiles, GeoJSON, KML

  • Overlay on your map

  • Align design with real-world conditions

Style and analyse these layers using the same tools.

👉How to upload vector data to your map

Step 4: Track changes over time

If you have multiple captures:

  • Use the Timeline

  • Compare site conditions across dates

Useful for:

  • Renovations

  • Construction progress

  • Before vs after reporting

👉How to use Birdi’s Split Screen view in Map 2.0

👉How to use Birdi’s Timeline view in Map 2.0

👉How to Use “Add Data from Existing Map”

Step 5: Share with clients and teams

Quick sharing

  • Use “Share Only” (top right)

  • Generate a simple view-only link

Collaboration

  • Add comments directly on the map

  • Use Workspaces for ongoing client access

👉How to create, customize and manage your workspaces

👉How to use Birdi's map commenting tool

What this enables

  • Accurate spray planning

  • Clear area + volume insights

  • Better design alignment

  • Visual progress tracking

  • Simple, shareable client communication

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