Birdie Looks

This is a personal project that I designed and developed using the React, React Native, and Firebase.
WHAT I DID
  • Development
  • 3D design
  • Research
  • Design System
  • UX Design
  • UI Design
  • Prototyping

01

Role
I started working on this concept in early 2020 to learn front-end and back-end development. Over the course of working on this project, I've not only learned a lot about golf but also discovered a passion for programming.

02

Final Design
I have not officially launched the application yet, but here is a short demo of the mobile application.
React web application
The web application a great service for discovering golf courses when planning a golf trip.

I'd also developed it as a easier tool and platform to add new golf course details and GPS map data.
React Native mobile apps
I developed a React Native application that allows users to find nearby courses, discover deals, track scores, get distances to the pin, and more.
3D map
I've started using Spline to create 3D maps of golf holes and greens so that players who are interested can study the course and improve their scores.

03

The Problem
I've tried many golf GPS applications and noticed that many of them drained my phone's battery life. In addition to designing a solution to resolve this issue, I discovered many other problems and opportunities.
Saving battery life
Most applications designed around the GPS feature are battery-intensive because it runs continuously in the background.

However, I noticed that during a live round, players only need GPS for about half the time, typically during approach shots. Prioritizing score tracking first and making GPS more accessible provides a good balance for all types of players
Mapping Data
Most golf applications have outdated data and are inflexible to modify or add onto because they rely on map data purchased from external sources.

To gain more control over adding additional map data and implementing live activity tracking, I opted to create my own database of course and map data using Firebase Database.
Providing great values
Developing a better golf application doesn't guarantee that golfers will switch to using your application. You have to offer something of undeniable value.

While almost all golf courses offer deals through various channels, the best way to reach customers is through the app they use to find golf courses. Birdie Looks makes it much easier for facilities to offer deals and for players to find them.

04

Approach
As an avid golfer and user of golf technology, I started designing the application to resolve some of the frustrations I had experienced with the apps I was using. After developing an MVP, I used the app myself, had friends use it, and interviewed many golfers for feedback.
Research
After interviewing and observing many golfers on the course, I noticed there are three groups of players. The first group really enjoys using their free GPS app. The second group prefers to use a rangefinder and track their score on a scorecard. The last group prefers someone else to handle the tracking.

The second group is the largest, and while they have a desire to improve their game, they find existing technology too complicated and distracting. To satisfy them, an golf app has to be as simple as using pencil and paper. It was a challenging task, but I found a solution that was greeted with enthusiasm.
Development
I chose React and React Native because they have been around for a while, meaning there is established documentation, online courses, and a community of developers on platforms like Stack Overflow. To store my data, I opted for Firebase, which offers a suite of APIs for authentication, cloud database, and storage.

05

Challenges
Setting up a flexible database
Creating and storing a comprehensive document of a golf facility's information, including all the golf courses on the property and tagging those courses with relevant details such as scorecards and GPS data, required a great deal of foresight.

In my experience, it took several attempts to get the data structure right. I ultimately chose Firebase's new Firestore NoSQL database structure, which has excellent API documentation. This service allowed for flexible and easy storage and retrieval of data.
Too many features
When designing and developing an application that isn't the first in the market, it's easy to include existing features or implement new, cool functionalities that aren't central to the app's value proposition and offerings.

I overdesigned the application and had to cut many features, rewriting the mobile application several times. However, developing these ideas was beneficial for testing and validation purposes.
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