Official PDGA iPhone App

[Furthur]

Originally Posted by MTL21676

First off, I love this. This is a fantastic idea. The GPS course locater is long overdue. People complaining the money...IT'S FIVE DOLLARS.

Now that I've said that....

I really support this app being free. I don't see many recreational disc golfers buying this app and I certianly don't see those who really don't know what disc golf is buying the app.

This is a unique opportunity to introduce new players to the sport and turn recreation players into more competitive players. 4.99 will turn away many people from the app. Those of us like me who know the sport and play it, it's an instant buy. But of course, I'm very knowledgeable of the sport.

I think the free app will provide people with access to the course directory and basic scoring. Most new players don't need to know the numbers of OBs, putts, etc, or need detailed descriptions of holes.

[cgkdisc]

This has been changed to allow for ease of use on a mobile device?

You can make the text and scoring box size whatever you need to see by using your fingers to zoom in as needed on your smart device.

[Furthur]

Text boxes are not effective UI implements for mobile devices; they are much more effective with keyboard and mouse interaction. I can go dig up the studies that have been done, but a lot of the existing UI work that's done on the internet is frustrating to mobile users, often to the point of mobile users who quit using those sites on mobile devices. This is the reason you see so many mobile devolved sites (espn.com just rolled out a new mobile site that's awesome, and is a great example of mobile specific design). It's also the reason you see so much money being pumped into the mobile market; development companies don't want to lose out on revenue because their app was meant for a computer, not a phone. Consumers are fickle; if something isn't easy to use, they won't use it. Making an easier, more intuitive mechanism for live scoring specific to mobile devices will probably drive an increase in live scoring.

[WhiteyBear]

you need a free and "pro" version, or allow the app to have a free trial period of say....one week. Otherwise why would I pay $5 for anything app-wise if I didn't know it was worth it?

[cgkdisc]

The only thing the group scorekeeper needs to do now is to enter the score for each player after each hole. No text other than a number is required. The names of the people in the event are already there and all the TD needs to do is check the box to indicate which players will be in a group for live scoring. Again, no text entry. The main thing a future app interface would assist is to pass the scores entered in the app to the live scoring web software rather than having to enter them twice.

[cgkdisc]

you need a free and "pro" version, or allow the app to have a free trial period of say....one week. Otherwise why would I pay $5 for anything app-wise if I didn't know it was worth it?

In any product introduction, some are early adopters and some aren't. Nothing wrong waiting to see if the early adopters find it worthwhile.

[Patrick P]

I don't have a smart phone, but I've seen friends that do that are using Easy Scorecard. Looks like a very cool app. How will the PDGA app be compared to this app already available? One feature of Easy Scorecard that I foresee as an issue is the GPS navigator, and players would not be able to use this app in sanctioned events. Does the PDGA have any similiar GPS Navigator? Will live scores be broadcasted to say TD central?

[cgkdisc]

Easy Scorecard is Android. They do not have an iPhone version yet. It's probably the best Android app and has some features the PDGA app does not have yet like tracking individual throw stats and calculating some stats for multiple rounds stored on the device. It's all B&W for some reason where the PDGA interface is full color. I think the PDGA scoring process is a little easier to see and faster. The full 3500+ listings in the PDGA Course directory is accessible with only 800 or so courses in Easy Scorecard. However, if you submit the GPS coordinates for the tees and pins on a course, it will allow you to calculate your distance to the pin when playing. That feature is planned for the PDGA app.

A proposal to allow smart phones and rangefinders to determine distance during rounds is under review by the Board for use starting in 2012. No action taken yet. Live scores can already be entered on the website if the TD sets it up and shows the scorekeeper in each group with a Smart Phone how to log in and do it.

[WhiteyBear]

Originally Posted by cgkdisc

In any product introduction, some are early adopters and some aren't. Nothing wrong waiting to see if the early adopters find it worthwhile.

Eh, I like having a "lite" version available, opinions of others are great, but I like to test drive something before I committ.

Originally Posted by Patrick P

I don't have a smart phone, but I've seen friends that do that are using Easy Scorecard. Looks like a very cool app. How will the PDGA app be compared to this app already available? One feature of Easy Scorecard that I foresee as an issue is the GPS navigator, and players would not be able to use this app in sanctioned events. Does the PDGA have any similiar GPS Navigator? Will live scores be broadcasted to say TD central?

Easy Scorecard Pro was worth every penny, the main differences between lite and pro were the throwing statistics (which you don't really NEED, but are just nice to have in case you are a stats junkie and you want to see specific areas in your game that you can improve). Even if a course isn't listed, it's very easy to manually add it, even seperate tees. I can add any course (considering its all a par 3) manually in about 30 seconds. Granted you won't have incredible details like yardage and such (which you can also enter manually), but its more than enough to let you create a history of rounds played per course. It even auto-handicaps you, per course, as you play.

The PDGA app sounds really interesting, the thing for me is I'd rather compare the two instead of buying an APP outright and having buyers remorse the next day. If the PDGA app comes to android, then I'll look at the features, until then Easy Scorecard Pro is THE way to go. You can cache multiple players, their handicaps, email instantly post-round, etc etc.

I find the yardage feature to a nice addition, if it gets added to the PDGA app. But until its approved through the board, and the current rules gets overturned, all this would be doing is promoting "cheating" at sanctioned events. Not to mention arguments at non-sanctioned events.

If the PDGA app comes with all the bells and whistles, I might bite, I'd just have to do alot of data entry to get my previous rounds entered in. I do like this direction that is being taken, and kudos for you all in taking this step with technology. It would be nice if you could fully integrate it with the PDGA membership, buying it when you join/renew for half price or something.

[WhiteyBear]

And Chuck, I hope you know that I'm not bashing the product. As I stated, I'm happy to see this app come out, I think its a great product! If you ever come out with the Android platform, I've love to be a "tester"

[cgkdisc]

I understand. Several apps have the jump on the PDGA app. But it makes more sense releasing a more basic version right away with buyers knowing they're onboard for free upgrades along the way rather than wait until you have the deluxe version completed. It also helps fund the effort.

[Patrick P]

Originally Posted by cgkdisc

Live scores can already be entered on the website if the TD sets it up and shows the scorekeeper in each group with a Smart Phone how to log in and do it.

This sounds very interesting. Is there a resource for instructions on how to do this?

[cgkdisc]

Not at the moment. Several TDs and Marshals for big events have learned how to set up live scoring and do it during the rounds. That's what you've seen on the PDGA website when it's done at Worlds, NTs and a few other Majors. It's not hard to do but access to the score uploading area is restricted to TDs with their event password. Plus for now, Gentry has to place the Live Scoring link on the home page when someone wants to do it so people can access the live scores.

This process will have to be simplified and structured for safe access by mobile apps and players who have Smart Phones to enter live scores for their groups. I think the goal will be to have a better system by 2012 in tandem with the potential approval of the use of Smart Phones during events in 2012 mentioned in my previous post.

[Jeff_LaG]

Originally Posted by Patrick P

This sounds very interesting. Is there a resource for instructions on how to do this?

There's a PDGA Online Tournament Scoring System Help page, but unfortunately it's somewhat rudimentary and doesn't cover doing Hole-by-Hole Rounds. (in other words, live scoring) But any TD who uses the PDGA Online Tournament Scoring System is free to play around with it, and it's fairly intuitive to learn how to use.

[bbotte]

I keep searching the app store every day.....

[cgkdisc]

Theo was having some trouble getting the app uploaded for the final review from Apple and then there's some time for them to review it before release. We'll post here when it's available.

[bbotte]

I'm familiar.

[tpozzy]

With regards to a free version. That is in the plans. It's a fair amount of work to create and maintain two versions, so the decision was to put the paid version out first. In addition to keeping it simple, we need to start generating revenue for future development. The board only approved the investment for the first version of the app, not for unlimited ongoing development. If we aren't successful in selling the app so it can generate enough revenue to continue development, we may not pursue implementing the long list of possible features.

Assuming sales are reasonable, we will continue development, and then release a free and a paid version. Anyone that buys the initial paid version will be able to upgrade to all the new features in the paid version without any additional cost (we can't guarantee this, but most likely for at least a year or two). The free version will have basic features, and ads, and will be encouraging people to upgrade.

As far as the Android version goes, development has been approved, and will start soon. I use a Motorola Droid X as my main phone. Dave Gentry and Dave Nesbitt, and other key individuals on the extended development team, have Android devices, so we are all very much looking forward to the Android version!

We are anxiously awaiting the Apple approval. It has been in the "Waiting for Review" status since last Friday, and the average time for review is around 7 or 8 business days (Mon-Fri). There's no guarantee that we'll pass the first review, though. This is our first attempt.

-Theo

[WhiteyBear]

Nice thing about Android is....zero red tape. Glad to hear you all got approved for that version, I'll be looking for it.

My advice would be to make a free version with ad-support, gauge interest, generate revenue, then upgrade from there to an ad-free cost-centered app "pro" based on responses. I think you'd be safely hedging your ROI risks that way.

Keep up the good work.

[tpozzy]

Originally Posted by WhiteyBear

Nice thing about Android is....zero red tape. Glad to hear you all got approved for that version, I'll be looking for it.

My advice would be to make a free version with ad-support, gauge interest, generate revenue, then upgrade from there to an ad-free cost-centered app "pro" based on responses. I think you'd be safely hedging your ROI risks that way.

Keep up the good work.

That would have been one way to approach it, but it would have delayed needed revenue too long. The board only allocated a limited fixed budget for the project. Any additional investment is going to have to come from revenue. We believe a core group of PDGA members and supporters will buy the paid version, and that will enable us to continue the development effort, including a free version.

[tpozzy]

Originally Posted by bbotte

I keep searching the app store every day.....

So the good news is that Apple approved the review of the app. It is a testament to Mike Dietrich's rigorous coding standards and extensive beta testing by a great team that this app passed on the first attempt.

The bad news is that the contract is still "Processing". This is a manual process on Apple's part, and even though we think we have provided all of the required legal and financial information, it's not complete.

Our goal for many months was to launch the app on the first day of Am Worlds. It is very frustrating to be this close and know we'll probably miss the target date because of red tape. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Apple will respond shortly, so release of the app really is "any day now".

[tpozzy]

We were notified today that the contract processing is complete! That means the app should be available sometime tomorrow (if it's not, I'll follow up and find out why not). Let's see who the first person is to get it and post a review!

[cgkdisc]

It's in the store. Use search term "sports disc golf" and it's one of the apps listed.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/disc-...ga/id449511724

[ChrisEads]

Just purchased it and am working on getting it onto the phone and using it. Cant wait as I expect this thing to be extremely helpful.

[tvproducerkev]

I'm trying to enter scores for a round of 18 holes on a 27 hole course. How do I end the round? Looks like the app expects me to finish 27 holes.

[Patrick P]

Originally Posted by tvproducerkev

I'm trying to enter scores for a round of 18 holes on a 27 hole course. How do I end the round? Looks like the app expects me to finish 27 holes.

Press the DNF button!

[bbotte]

So tell me again why this isn't advertised on the front page of the slowest website on the planet?

Nice looking app, great job ladies and gentleman, you got my $5. Thank you.

[cgkdisc]

I'm trying to enter scores for a round of 18 holes on a 27 hole course. How do I end the round? Looks like the app expects me to finish 27 holes.

A "round" on a course in the PDGA Course Directory is expected to be the number of holes shown in the directory in order to produce round ratings. However, that doesn't prevent you from creating a new course with a similar name that only has 18 holes where you enter the details on the 18 holes you want to include. However, no round ratings will be produced, at least in this early version of the app.

[cgkdisc]

So tell me again why this isn't advertised on the front page of the slowest website on the planet?

It is but your screen hasn't refreshed yet...

[tvproducerkev]

I got this to work by pressing next, and when the "forget someone" popped up I clicked the enter par, and it allowed me to move to the next hole without entering a score until I got to 27