Sapphire

Training Manual

1500 Series - March 2019

Table of Contents

**Click on a topic below to jump to that section

Table of Contents

Welcome to Play, Practice and Fun

aboutGOLF is the Platform for the Modern Golfer. Providing unmatched technology with endless entertainment. aboutGOLF is shaping the future of the indoor golf experience. 

Taking on challenges presented by a new wave of golf enthusiast, aboutGOLF is making it possible for even the most avid golfers to gain instant access to the game they love, while delivering the performance and accuracy needed to improve their game.

Blackwolf Run Championship Course Hole 1

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Power On

1. Turn on:  
   

1. Green switch - powers computer and technology.
   
2. Yellow switch - powers the tee light.
   

1. Turn on Projector: 
   

1. Point remote at the front of the projector and press the power button.
   

1. On the desktop, double click/touch the aG Simulator icon to begin game play.
   

Launch the Simulator - Begin Game Play

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Main Menu 

• Timer (mid top right) - Add time. Enable time restricted play.
  
• Portal Menu (next to the timer icon) - Display the portal options for quick access to aG Links and the aG Data website. 
  
• ? (top right) - Help for the Main Menu. 
  
• - (next to the help icon) - Minimize game.
  
• X (next to the minimize icon) - Exit game.
  
• Play - Begin a round of golf.
  
• Compete - Online / Classic events - See the aG Classic Games manual  for additional information.
  
• Practice - Go to the Range or 360 Range to practice driving, chipping and putting. See the Practice Range manual or the 360 Range manual for additional information.
  
• Club Fitting - Club Fitting.  See the aG Club Fitting manual for additional information.
  
• Quick Start - Go directly to a round or to the range - bypassing setup screens. 
  
• Load - Retrieve a saved round to resume play or retrieve shots saved during round or range play.
  
• Utilities - This option is to be used by properly trained personnel only.  Modifying settings in the Utilities screen may alter the license manager or cause errors in game play. 
  

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Timer Options

• The timer feature is used to manage the amount of play time allowed by the simulator administrator.
  
• To access the timer menu, click on the timer icon at the top right of the screen.
  
• After clicking the timer icon, you will be prompted to enter the administrator password. 
  
• Enter the administrator password and select OK.
  
• Note: The default administrator password is “club”. 
  
• To Start the timer:
  

• Select +1 hr, +30 min, or +5 min to add time to the timer clock. You may choose to add any amount of time in increments of 5 minutes.
  
• Choose start timer - OK.
  
• Answer Yes to “Do you want to start the timer?”.
  
• The timer will begin to run for the selected amount of time.
  
• When the timer is on, the time remaining will display at the top right of the screen.
  

• To Clear the timer:
  

• Choose clear timer - OK.
  
• All time remaining is cleared to zero.
  

• To turn timer Off: 
  

• Choose timer off - OK.
  
• The timer will be disabled.
  

Timer is ON - 4 Minutes Remaining

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Setup Game Round

To start a game round:

• Click Play at the Main Menu to go to the player list screen.  
  
• Select the members for your round by choosing Add Player.  
  
• At the member login screen, create a new member or select an existing member to add to Today’s Group and click OK.
  
• Select the course, course holes and weather options at the player list screen. 
  
• Or choose Customize or Next to go to the course screen to make your selections.  
  
• Choose the course, holes, pins and weather conditions at the course screen and click Next.
  
• At the scoring screen, select the scoring options before choosing Tee Off to start your round.  
  
• For stroke play, you also have the option to Tee Off directly from the player list screen.
  

Player List Screen

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  |

​Player List Screen

Player List Options

• Add Player (top left) - Click to go to the Add Player screen to create a new player or add an existing player for round play.
  
• Clear List (under add player option) - Click to remove all the players from the golfers list.
  

• Or double click on a member name to remove them from the list.
  

• Golfers (mid top - next to add player option) - All golfers selected for play at the Add Player menu will display in this column.
  

•  If the golfer is an online member and logged in, the world icon will display.
  
• If the golfer is an online member and not logged in, the world with slash icon will display.
  

• Tee (next to the golfer name) - Click to change the tee. Options are: Red, White, Blue, Gold, Black, ‘S’kill, JR (Junior).
  
• RH / LH (next to the tee icon) - Click to change from right handed to left handed.
  
• M / F (next to the RH / LH icon) - Click to change to Male or Female player.
  
• S (next to the M / F icon) - Click to set the skill level. 
  
• Course (top right) - Select course to play. Note: All archived courses will display last in the course list.
  
• Holes to play (under the course option) - Select all 18, front 9, back 9.
  
• Pin (under the holes option) - Select pin placement:  novice, intermediate, advanced.
  
• Weather (under the pin option) - Select wind speed: calm, light wind, breezy, windy.
  

• Scoring (under the weather option) - Select the following scoring types:  stroke, custom stroke, closest to pin challenge, long drive challenge, match, scramble or stableford.  
  

• You must select a minimum of 2 players for match or scramble scoring options.
  
• For match play, a maximum of 4 players may be selected.
  
• Your license key must include the challenge games product for the closest to pin challenge or long drive challenge scoring options to display.  See the aG Challenge & Classic Games manual for additional information.
  
• Your license key must include the custom stroke product for the custom stroke scoring option to display.  See the aG Custom Stroke Play manual for additional information. 
  

• Customize / Tee Off (bottom right) - Displays when the scoring type = stroke.
  

• Choose Customize to go to the Course screen to setup options for game play.
  
• Choose Tee Off to go directly to the round.
  

• Next (bottom right) - Displays for all scoring types except stroke. Choosing Next will take you to one of the following screens:
  

• For closest to pin challenge or long drive challenge scoring types:
  

• Choosing Next displays the Challenge setup screen.
  

• For custom stroke scoring type:
  

• Choosing Next displays the Custom Stroke setup screen.
  

• For all other scoring types:
  

• Choosing Next displays the Course screen.
  

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Add Player

Before beginning a round of golf, you must create a new member or select an existing member to add to Today’s Group.  At the Player List screen, click on Add Player.

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Add Player

From the Add Player screen you have the option to:

• Select an existing member on your Simulator.
  

• When there are a lot of members in the list:
  

• Enter the player name or part of the player name in the search box and click OK to jump directly to the first matching name in the list.  To go to the next matching name in the list, click the magnifying glass.
  
• Or type the first few letters of the player name with your keyboard.  You will be taken to the first matching name in the list.
  

• Create a new Guest or online aG Data member.
  
• Select an existing online aG Data member on the cloud. 
  
• After creating a new member or logging in an existing member, click OK to return to the Player List screen.
  

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Add Player

Select an existing member 

• To select an existing member on your Simulator, click the + sign next to your member name or double click on that member in the Members list.
  
• Your member will be selected for play and be listed in Today’s Group.
  
• If your member is an online aG Data member:
  

• A world with slash icon will display next to your member name in the Members List.  
  
• After logging in your member, a world icon will display in Today’s Group indicating your member is logged in.
  
• Shot, swing video and balance data will be uploaded to your online locker at the aG Data website when your online member is logged in.
  
• If your online member has data that was not previously uploaded to aG Data, you will be asked if you wish to upload your data when logging in your member.
  
• You may also be prompted to enter a password when logging in your online member.  To avoid entering a password for future logins:
  

• Be sure your online member is logged in and in Today’s Group
  
• Choose edit online member at the upper left
  
• Check the Remember Password? option 
  
• Click OK to save your changes
  
• When selecting your member in the future, they will automatically be logged in -- you will no longer be prompted for a password.
  

• Note:  You must be connected to the internet to login an aG Data member.
  

Click the + sign next to your member to select them for Play

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Add Player

Create a new member

• To create a new member, choose the create member button at the upper left.
  
• Enter a member name and then select either Guest or aG Data.
  
• A Guest member is an offline member. No data for this member will be uploaded to aG Data.
  
• An aG Data member is an online member. When creating a new aG Data member:
  

• Complete the password, confirm password and email fields. 
  
• Data will be uploaded to the aG Data website when your online member is logged in.  
  
• Note: You must be connected to the internet to create or login an aG Data member.
  

• Click OK to create your member and move them to Today’s Group for play. 
  

aG Data Member is logged in

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Add Player

Select a member on the cloud

• To select a member on the cloud, choose create member at the upper left.
  
• Enter the name of your member that exists on the cloud.  All members that exist on the cloud are online aG Data members.
  
• If prompted, enter your member password.
  
• Note: If you have shots, videos or balance data on the cloud, you will be prompted to download your data when going to the Range. This allows you to sync all your data located at your online locker (at the aG Data website) to your local online member. 
  

Download data from the cloud to sync your member to your online locker

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Add Player Options

• Create Member (top left) - Enter a player name to create a new member or login an existing online aG Data member on the cloud.
  
• Edit Online Member (under create member) - Allows you to edit the email or password of the highlighted logged in online member.
  
• Member Stats (under edit online member) - Displays cumulative statistics for the selected member.
  

• See Member Stats for more information about cumulative statistics.
  

• Delete Member (under member stats) - Permanently deletes a member from the simulator software.
  
• Skill Level (under delete member) - To set the skill level, your golfer must be in the Today’s Group column. Note: If you turn ON the handicap option at the Scoring screen, you will be prompted to turn OFF the skill level for your golfer.   
  

• See Skill Level for more information about the skill level features.
  

• Get Online Members (under skill level) - Retrieve members from the online server.
  
• Swing Profile (under get online member) - Increase or decrease the distances of the golf ball flight for Drivers / Mid-Irons / Wedges.  The default swing profile is: 5-5-5. Note:  To display the swing profile button at the Add Player menu, set the swing profile option to on and visible at the Utilities screen.
  
• Copy Member (under swing profile) - Copy the selected Guest member to a new member. You are not allowed to copy from an online aG Data member. The following data will be copied to the new member:
  

• Clubs
  
• Member Stats
  
• Range and Club Fitting shot data
  
• Balance data
  
• Lessons
  
• Swing Videos
  
• Note: When copying a Guest member to a new aG Data member, you may be asked  to upload existing shots, videos, and balance data to the cloud. This allows you to sync all data for your new member to your online locker at the aG Data website.
  

• Today’s Group (right column) - All players selected for round play.  Add or subtract players by using the   + / - located next to the member name or double click on the member name. 
  

• aG Data members that are logged in display a world icon  next to their name.
  

• Remove All Active Members (under Today’s Group) - Click to remove all members in Today’s Group.
  
• OK - Return to the Player List screen.
  

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Add Player

Member Stats

Click the member stats button at the Member Login screen to view cumulative statistics for the selected  member. Cumulative statistics are calculated for both offline rounds and online tournaments.

For all 18-hole, front 9 or back 9 rounds played, the game calculates cumulative statistics providing totals, averages, and percentages. Non-18 hole rounds do not affect cumulative statistics.  Note: Only a complete set of front 9 or back 9 holes will add to the total cumulative statistics.

Cumulative statistics are also displayed after the round statistics at the end of an 18-hole, front 9 or back 9 round or online tournament. 

Cumulative Statistics Categories

• Birdies per round: Total Birdies divided by total rounds played. 
  
• Eagles per round: Total Eagles divided by total rounds played. 
  
• Pars per round: Total Pars divided by total rounds played.
  
• Scoring average per round: Total Strokes divided by the total rounds played.
  
• Scoring relative to par: Total Strokes relative to total par.
  
• Longest drive: Longest Drive for all rounds played.
  
• Driving Accuracy: The total number of fairway hits for par 4 and par 5 holes divided by the total number of par 4 and par 5 holes for all rounds times 100 for a percentage.
  
• GIR Accuracy: Total GIR divided by total holes for all rounds played times 100 for a percentage.
  
• Putts per round: Total Putts divided by total rounds played.
  
• Putts per GIR: Total Putts per GIR divided by total GIR.
  
• Sand saves: Total Sand Saves divided by total Sand Hits for all rounds played times 100 for a percentage.
  
• Scrambles: Total Scrambles divided by total Non-GIR holes times 100 for a percentage.
  
• Ball Striking: The Driving Accuracy plus the GIR Accuracy times 100 for a percentage.
  
• Holes Between Eagles: Total holes divided by total Eagles for all rounds played.
  
• Par Breaking: Total Eagles plus total Birdies divided by the total number of holes played times 100 for a percentage. 
  
• Driving Average: The total driving distance for par 4 and par 5 holes divided by the total number of par 4 and par 5 holes for all rounds. 
  
• Mulligans per round: Total Mulligans divided by total rounds played.
  
• Removed Strokes per round: Total Removed Strokes divided by total rounds played.
  

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Add Player

Skill Level

What is Skill Level? 

Skill level is a feature within the aboutGOLF Simulator Software which allows you to affect more distance and better accuracy of any shot, or make putting easier. When skill level is set to zero, the distances and accuracy will be equal to playing outside where there is no such feature as Skill Level. 

Why Does This Feature Exist in the aboutGOLF Simulator?  

Simply put: for fun. It’s fun to play a round with a 4 year old who will be rewarded with shot distances and accuracies equal or better than yours, and if grandpa is in the group, he can get back that lost distance.

When the simulator is used for Team Building exercises, the raw beginner feels a part of the team as it competes with other teams in a Closest to the Pin contest. You can’t believe how excited a three year old will get when he makes a hole in one. So, Skill Level is a feature intended to make the experience in the simulator more fun.

How Does Skill Level Work?  

One of the first things you learn from the training document is how to create or Add Players. In fact you will be greeted with Add Player before going to the range or to a round. One of your options under Add Player is Skill Level. Once in Skill Level you are able to create a player’s skill level according to levels of Experience such as Youth, Novice, Amateur, Scratch or Senior. Each experience level has a pre-determined amount of skill level ‘boost’ providing for more distance, more accuracy or to make more putts.

You can also utilize the pre-determined levels by entering a player’s handicap, or you can customize a player’s levels using the customize button. A player’s Skill Level, by default, is set to zero. So unless you purposely change a player’s skill level every player will be set to play at a level of zero.

Skill Level Options

To set a skill level for your member or to turn off the skill level option, click on one of the following options:

• Experience
  
• Handicap
  
• Custom
  
• Off
  

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Challenge Games

To play a challenge game, select close to pin challenge or long drive challenge in the Scoring list at the Player List screen, then choose Next to go to the challenge setup screen. Note: Your license key must include the challenge game product to play a challenge game.

• At the challenge setup screen:
  

• First, select the course to play by clicking on the course graphic at the left.
  
• Next, set the shot limit, skill level, scoring, mulligans and fairway required options at the right.
  

• Note:  The fairway required option only displays for long drive challenge games.
  

• Finally, select the challenge game you wish to play in either the Challenge Options or Saved Custom Challenges menu box, then choose Load or Tee Off.
  

• Clicking Load will take you to the Create Custom Challenge screen where you have the option to edit your round before play.
  
• Clicking Tee Off will take you directly to the challenge round.  
  

• You also have the option to create a custom challenge game from the setup screen. 
  

• To create a new custom game, click the Create Custom Challenge button at the lower left.
  
• To play an existing custom challenge game, select the game in the Saved Custom Challenges menu box and click Load or Tee Off.
  

• See the aG Challenge Games manual for additional information about challenge games.
  

Challenge Setup Screen 

Closest to Pin Game

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Custom Stroke Play

For  custom stroke play, select custom stroke in the Scoring list at the Player List screen, then choose Next to go to the setup screen.  Note: Your license key must include the custom stroke game product for this option to display in the Scoring list.

• At the custom stroke setup screen:
  

• First, select the course by clicking on the course graphic at the left.
  
• Next, set the gimme, auto continue, auto gimme,  skill level, and mulligan options at the right.
  
• Finally, select the custom stroke game you wish to play in either the Custom Stroke Options or Saved Custom Rounds menu box, then choose Load or Tee Off.
  

• Clicking Load will take you to the Create Custom Round screen where you have the option to edit your round before play.
  
• Clicking Tee Off will take you directly to the custom stroke round.  
  

• You also have the option to create a custom round from the setup screen. Note:  Your license key must include the challenge games product to use this feature.
  

• To create a new custom round, click the Create Custom Round button at the lower left.
  
• To play an existing custom round, select the round in the Saved Custom Rounds menu box and click Load or Tee Off.
  

• See the aG Custom Stroke Play manual for additional information about custom stroke games.
  

Custom Stroke 

  Setup Screen

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Course Screen

• To setup game options before playing a game round, click the Customize or Next option at the bottom right on the Player List screen.  
  
• You will be taken to the Course screen.
  

Course Options 

• Course (top right) - Click on the course graphic to select a course to play. Note: All archived courses will display last in the course list.
  

• Course Hole Information (under the course graphic) - Displays course information for the hole highlighted including:  top view, hole number, par, tee yardage, and men/ladies slope values.
  
• Holes to Play (next to the course graphic) - Options are: all 18, front 9, back 9, custom. 
  

• Note: If custom is selected, you must select one or more holes to play for the round.
  

• Pin (under holes 1 – 9) - Available pin locations are:  novice, intermediate, advanced.
  
• Game Play Options (under and next to the pin option) - Set the following options: ground, sky, green stimp, wind direction, wind speed and time.
  

• Note:  You can set the default green stimp value in the StimpMeterDefault.txt file in the Friendly Software\World Tours Golf\aG Simulator folder.
  

• To continue setting up game options, click Next (bottom right) to go to the Scoring screen.
  

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Scoring Screen

At the Scoring screen, you have the option to setup the following Scoring Options:

• Scoring (mid top) - Scoring type options are: stroke, closest to pin, long drive, match, scramble, and stableford.  Note: For match and scramble play, select at least 2 players and choose the Team for your players.
  
• Handicaps (next to the scoring option) - Handicap options are: off, absolute, relative. When handicaps are on, you have the option to enter a handicap for your player when choosing stroke, match or stableford scoring types.
  

• Absolute - Will apply the handicap values to all golfers.
  
• Relative - Will subtract the difference from the best member’s handicap from all the golfers selected for play.
  
• Note: If a skill level has been set for any of the golfers selected for round play, you will be prompted to turn OFF the skill level option if you turn handicaps ON.  The game allows either handicap or skill level mode to be on for a round – but NOT both.
  

• % (below handicap option) - The % value selected will be used to calculate the final handicap value for the golfer in the round (based on the golfer’s actual handicap and whether absolute or relative handicaps are selected along with whether the course rating & slope value is used).
  
•  Course Rating & Slope (below % option) - Select yes or no to apply this value to the handicap. The course rating indicates the difficulty of the tees selected for a "0" handicap (scratch) golfer. If the course rating is above par, then it plays tougher than average. The slope rating is how much harder a set of tees plays for a 20 handicap ("bogey") golfer than a scratch golfer. These values are pre-set.
  

Scoring Screen Handicaps are On

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Scoring Screen

Scoring Options:

• Gimme (top left) - Gimme options are: off, 3 ft, 6 ft, 9 ft, 12 ft.
  

• If game units are set to meters, the gimme options are: 1m, 2m, 3m, 4m.
  

• Auto continue (under the gimme option) - Select from the following options: 
  

• off, instant, 1 second, 4 seconds, 7 seconds, 10 seconds, 15 seconds.
  

• Auto gimme (under the auto continue option) - If you want to limit manual putting, turn on auto gimme.  Select from the following options:
  

• Off - Turn auto gimme option off.
  
• 1 stroke - The game automatically takes a 1 stroke gimme if your ball lands on the green within gimme range. 
  

• If your ball lands within a 2 or 3 stroke gimme distance from the pin, no auto gimme will occur. However the 2 or 3 stroke gimme will be available from the options - scoring menu, the post shot menu, or by clicking the “i” key.
  

• 2 stroke - The game automatically takes a 2 stroke gimme if your ball lands on the green outside the gimme range and 60 feet (20 meters) or less from the pin. 
  

• If a 2 stroke auto gimme is selected, and your ball lands within gimme range, the game automatically takes the 1 stroke gimme and adds 1 stroke to your score.
  
• If the ball lands further than 60 feet (20 meters) from the pin (3 stroke gimme), no auto gimme will occur.  However the 3 stroke gimme will be available from the options - scoring menu, the post shot menu, or by clicking the “i” key.
  

• 3 stroke - The game automatically takes a 3 stroke gimme if your ball lands on the green more than 60 feet (20 meters) from the pin.
  

• If a 3 stroke auto gimme is selected and your ball lands within gimme range, the game automatically takes the 1 stroke gimme and adds 1 stroke to your score.
  
• If a 3 stroke auto gimme is selected, and your ball lands outside the gimme range and 60 feet (20 meters) or less from the pin, the game automatically takes the 2 stroke gimme and adds 2 strokes to your score.
  

• Note:   Auto Continue must be on to turn on the Auto Gimme option.
  

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Scoring Screen

Auto Gimme Schematic

Scoring Options:

• Mulligans (under the auto gimme option) - Select Yes / No to turn on / off the Mulligan option.
  
• Auto drop (under the mulligan option) - Select Yes / No to turn on / off the auto drop option.
  
• Auto concede (under the auto drop option) - Options are: off, bogey, double bogey, triple bogey, double par, 10 strokes.
  
• Driving Range (mid bottom of screen) - Click to go to the driving range to take warm up shots before a round.
  
• Tee Off (bottom right) - Click to begin round play once all your game options have been setup.
  

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Driving Range Before Round

To access the driving range before going to a round, click on the Driving Range button at the Scoring screen. The driving range allows you to try out different golf clubs to help you determine which club is the best fit for you.  After taking your shot, you can review the shot information in various formats on the post shot screens.  

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Driving Range Before Round

Using Range Before a Round

• At the range, take your shot using the currently selected club, or select a different club in your bag by clicking the CLUBS button in the lower right of the screen.
  
• After taking your shot, the post shot screen will display. You have the option to save your shot, replay your shot, hit again, select the next player up (if you are playing with more than one member), or continue.  
  
• Choosing continue will return you to the scoring screen.
  
• Back at the scoring screen, choose TEE OFF begin your round.
  

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Play Round

After choosing Tee Off, you are taken to the game where the players in your group take shots until all holes are completed.  At the end of the round, the scorecard is displayed, or for challenge games, the winner and final results are displayed.  For some scoring types, the round statistics are also displayed at the end of the round.

• Before starting a round, set your options at the Utilities screen. 
  
• In the round you have the option to:
  

• Click the helicopter button at the top right to play a flyby and see an overview of the hole. 
  
• View the top view, wind speed and direction, and lie to help with aiming your shot.
  
• Play advice for the hole (if available).
  
• Choose round settings at the options menu.
  
• Send a 3Trak shot sample.
  
• Drop your ball to a new location.
  
• View the player’s scores on the scorecard.
  
• Aim your shot.
  
• Turn the grid on/off and set the grid type for your player.
  
• Change the hitting location and shot type.
  

• After taking your shot, the Round Play Post Shot menu is displayed.
  

Game Round 

Options Menu Displayed

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Play Round

Top View

The top view displays an overview of the course hole to help you with your shot.  

• When the top view option is on at the Utilities screen, a graphic of the course hole will display. 
  
• The top view is displayed as an aerial 2D view of the course hole. 
  
• Click on the top view to see an enlarged image of the course hole layout which will allow you to:
  

• View obstacles
  
• Choose aiming direction
  
• View yardages
  

• After the ball is hit, the top view will track the ball movement and ending ball location. 
  

Click to Enlarge the Top View

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Play Round

Camera View

The camera view allows you to move the camera around the course hole to view any angle or location. You can also  use game quick keys including A, S, W, Z, U and D to move the camera left/right, forward/back, and up/down.   Click the H key to turn on hyper-mode to move the camera at a faster speed.

• To select the camera view:
  

• Click on Options at the bottom of the screen.
  
• Click Shot then View.
  
• The camera view menu is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
  
• Move the camera forward, backward, right or left by using the arrow keys on the Move graphic at the left of the menu.
  
• Adjust the pitch of the camera by selecting and moving the Pitch graphic. This option will adjust the height and angle of the camera.
  
• Rotate the camera position by selecting and moving the Rotate graphic.
  
• To move the camera view above the current player’s position, select and scroll the HEIGHT graphic.
  
• Select ACCEPT to accept and display the new camera view or select reset to revert back to your original camera view.
  
• During round play, to reset the camera view, click the R key.
  

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Play Round

Send 3Trak Sample

3Trak allows you to send your shot to aboutGOLF for further investigation.  Send your shot from the 3Trak post shot screen, or from the Options menu during range or round play.

 3Trak Post Shot Screen

• After taking a shot during range or round play, click the 3Trak button on the post shot screen.
  
• Choose Save Sample at the upper left of the screen.
  
• Enter a name for your shot and click OK.
  
• Choose Yes to send your shot.
  
• Your shot sample will be sent to aboutGOLF for review.
  

Send 3Trak Sample at Options Menu

• On the range or round toolbar, click the Options button.
  
• Choose Shot - send 3trak sample.
  
• Enter a name for your shot and click OK.
  
• Choose Yes to send your shot.
  
• Your shot sample will be sent to aboutGOLF for review.
  

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Play Round

Drop Ball

The game provides the option to take a penalty stroke and drop the ball in a new location for the following reasons: 

• The ball is hit into an unplayable lie resulting in a forced drop situation.
  
• The ball is hit into a free drop area, such as a cart path, resulting in an optional drop situation.  Free drops do not add a stroke to the score.
  
• The user chooses to take a drop at the start of a shot for some reason, such as to avoid a hazard, resulting in an optional drop situation.
  

Drop Ball Considerations

• The game determines the new ball position and the round continues if the dropped ball location does not end up closer to the hole, in an unplayable lie, or in an invalid swing location. 
  
• If the ball comes to rest in an unplayable lie during a drop, the game will allow the user to drop the ball again. 
  
• After coming to rest in an unplayable lie 2 times, the game will place the ball at the release location of the second drop. 
  
• If the ball came to rest in a free drop area, the user will be allowed to use this location or drop again (if they have not tried 2 times).  
  
• When choosing to drop the ball after landing in an area with no valid swings, the game will not automatically place the ball if the ball lands in an unplayable lie 2 times. Instead the game will continue to prompt to drop the ball until it lands in a valid location.
  

Auto Drop 

Turn On the Auto Drop option at the Scoring screen if you would like the game to automatically select a drop location after hitting the ball out of bounds or into a hazard (unplayable lie).  *Note:  The Auto Drop option is not available for Scramble play.

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Play Round

Aiming Your Shot

For each shot, a default aim direction is selected by the game. The default aim location is a starting point, and does not take into account wind conditions, obstacles, and lie. Use the top view, lie and wind meter to help you decide how to aim your shot.

To change the aim of your shot:

• Click on the Aim button on the bottom toolbar.
  
• Select the right or left arrow keys to change your aim.
  
• Click Accept to accept the new aim or Reset to return to the original aim location. 
  

Lie

The lie graphic at the lower left of the screen above the toolbar displays the terrain for the ball location. The lie graphic will be updated after a player hits a shot. The lie information should be used along with the Elevation Change information (Elev.) displayed in the upper left of the screen to make aim adjustments. For example, if the current lie is in the rough or in a sand trap, the shot should be aimed farther than if the shot were from the fairway, as it requires more power. 

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Play Round

Putting Tools / Grid

During a round, there are several tools that will help you with your putting including:

• Change from full mode to putt mode when your ball is close to but not on the green.
  
• Turn the flag on or off.
  
• Use the grid to understand the slope of the green.
  

Change from full to putt mode

When the ball is close to but not on the green, you will see a red “Full” swing warning.  This warning is to remind you to hit a chip/full shot instead of a putting shot because the ball is not on the green.

If  you prefer to take a putt shot, click on the shot type option.  You will see the hitting location change to putt.

               Default Shot Type = Full                                                                 Click to change Shot Type to Putt

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Play Round

Turn Flag On/Off

When your ball lands on the green, you will see the flag display if you are more than 10 feet from the cup.

You can turn off the flag to help you putt:

• Choose Options - Shot
  
• Click Show Flag 
  

To turn on the flag again:

• Choose Options - Shot
  

• Click Show Flag
  

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Play Round

Grid  

Click the grid button to select the type of grid to display on the green, or to turn off the grid. The grid is used to view the elevation on the green (or close to the green) in relation to the ball location. 

When the ball is close enough to the green for the grid to display, the elevation of the ball will be used as a reference point unless the ball is above or below the surface of the green in which case the elevation of the pin will be used as the reference point. The lie image should also be used to obtain specific information about the ball’s current position. 

Spectrum Grid

Color variations (cool/warm) indicate the elevation of the green compared to the ball location. Cool colors (blue) indicate lower elevations while warm colors (red/orange) indicate higher elevations. Green colored areas indicate the same elevation as the ball location.

Line Grid

Marbles travelling on lines indicate the slope.

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Play Round

Change Hitting Location 

Both the shot type and hitting location are displayed at the bottom right of the screen. When the ball is on the tee, fairway, rough or sand, the shot type will be set to Full.  When the ball is on the green, the shot type will be set to Putt.  You have the option to toggle between Full and Putt mode anywhere on the course by clicking on the shot type option.

Full Shot Type

Hitting Location = Tee

Putt Shot Type

Hitting Location = Medium Putt

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Play Round

Shot Type Selections

Shot Type = Full 

Shot Type = Putt 

Shot Type = Full (ball on Approach) - Click to change to Putting Mode

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Round Play Interface

• Top left:
  

• Score relative to par, player name, par/shot # (The current shot # is outlined in white), hole #, distance, elevation +/-.  
  

• Note: When your ball is on the green, the game shows you what your score will be if your ball lands in the cup.  For Example:  If your current score is 1 under par, For Par will display.
  

• Top Middle – Club Data (club icon):
  

• On - Display Measured Club Speed and other club data.  
  

• Note:  Measured Club Speed requires a club sticker.
  

• Off (X) - Do not display club data. 
  
• C - Display Calculated Club Speed but exclude other club data.
  

• Note:  Calculated Club Speed does not require a club sticker.
  

• Top Middle - 3-Trak Light Indicator (stop light image):
  

•  Green - System armed - Optimal ball placement.
  
•  Yellow - System armed – More than one ball at tee area or not optimal ball placement.
  
•  Red - System NOT armed, ball not placed in tee area.
  

• Top right:
  

• Row 1: Timer,? (Help), - (Minimize Game), X (Exit Game).
  
• Row 2: Home icon (Return to Main Menu), < (Go Back to Previous Screen), Flyby icon (Play a 3D fly through tour of the hole from the ball to tee).
  

• Right:
  

• Hide UI - Hides all ui information on screen.
  
• Call Aide - Notify aG Control attendant for help. (See the aG Control manual)
  

• Bottom right – Shot Type:
  

• Click to change the hitting location/lie. 
  

• Note: Use this option to change the hitting location when on the fringe but want to putt.
  

• Midway left – Hole Overhead View:
  

• Click on the hole view to get an expanded overhead view. 
  

• Note: Turn on/off the hole view by changing the Top View option at the Utilities screen.
  

• Bottom left:
  

• Wind Gauge - Speed and direction of wind. 
  
• Lie - Lie (terrain type) of players’ ball location.
  

• Bottom – Toolbar Options : 
  

• Advice - Click to hear advice for the current shot / ball location.
  
• Options - Set game options.
  
• Score - View scorecard at any time.
  
• Aim - Use arrows to adjust aim and avoid obstacles or to change the default aim of your shot.
  
• Grid - Change grid options.
  
• Clubs - This option only displays if the Round Club Selection option is set to on or required at the Utilities screen.  Note:  The Clubs option is off by default.
  

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Round Play Post Shot

After taking a shot at in a game, the round play post shot menu displays:

Post Shot Data

o    At the upper left of the post shot screen, the following is displayed:

o    Score Relative to Par - The total score for the round relative to par - or for a Match game, the Match score.

o    Player Name - The current player up for the shot.

o    Par - The par value for the course hole. The current shot is outlined in a white box.

o    Hole Number - The course hole selected for play.

o    Distance to Pin - The total distance to the pin.

o    Elevation - The elevation variance from the current ball location to the pin.

o    At the upper right of the post shot screen, the following is displayed:

o    Up Next - The next player up will be displayed.

• For a Match, Scramble or Stableford game, the Up Next option is not displayed.
  

o    When the Up Next option is displayed, the Lie for the ball location and the distance to the pin are also shown.

o    At the top middle of the post shot screen, the following shot information is displayed:

o    Total - Total shot distance including air, bounce and roll.

o    Carry - Distance the ball travels in air.

o    To Pin - The distance between where the ball landed and the hole.

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Round Play Post Shot

Post Shot Data

• To view extra shot data items, click the down arrow button at the top middle of the screen. 
  
• Once you select to display extra shot data items, they will continue to display for your member after each shot until you complete your round.  If you no longer wish to see extra post shot data, close this menu by clicking the up arrow button.
  

• The following extra shot data items will be displayed as the default:
  

• Club Speed - Speed of center of clubface at impact.
  
• Ball Speed - Ball speed at launch.
  
• Vert Launch - Initial vertical launch angle of ball relative to ground.
  
• Backspin - Ball’s rotation rate at impact.
  
• Horiz Launch - Ball’s initial horizontal launch angle (‘R’ight or ‘L’eft).
  
• Sidespin - Ball’s horizontal spin rate at impact (‘R’ight or ‘L’eft).
  
• Flight Time - The time in seconds that the ball is in the air.
  
• Apex - Highest point of the air portion of shot.
  
• Offline Distance - Ball landing distance off-line relative to target line (‘R’ight or ‘L’eft).
  

• To select different extra shot data items to display, click the pencil icon at the top right.  
  
• Shot data display can be set differently for each member, and data items selected are saved for that member.
  
• You can choose from 0 - 9 items to display. 
  
• Additional shot data items to choose from include:
  

• Classification - Classification of a shot’s shape: straight, pull, push, fade, draw, hook or slice.
  
• Smash Factor - Ratio of ball speed to club speed, impact efficiency measure.
  
• Ball Offset - Distance the ball is hit off center of the club head. 
  

• A T value indicates the shot was toward the toe while an H value indicates the shot was toward the heel.  
  
• 3Trak uses the center of the club sticker for measurements. 
  
• Be sure the club sticker is centered on the club head to ensure the reported offset is consistent with the center of the club.
  

• Vert Attack - Vertical angle the club head is moving at impact.
  
• Horiz Path - Horizontal angle the club head is moving at impact ('i'n or 'o'ut). 
  

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Round Play Post Shot

Post Shot Toolbar

Toolbar options - reads left to right:

• 3Trak - Go to the 3Trak screen.
  
• Save Shot - Click to save the shot just taken to replay later.
  

• Replay - Replay the current shot with several view options including: Forward, Reverse, TV Camera, Reverse Ball Cam, Ball Cam.
  

• Mulligan - Take a mulligan without adding a stroke to your score.  
  
• Gimme - Click to take a 1, 2, or 3 stroke gimme.  This button only displays if your ball is on the green and the Gimme range has been set. When the player’s ball lands on the green, the following gimme options will display on the post shot:
  

• Gimme - The ball has landed within gimme range on the green.
  
• 2 Stroke Gimme - The ball has landed on the green but outside of the gimme range and 60 feet (20 meters) or less from the pin.
  
• 3 Stroke Gimme - The ball has landed on the green more than 60 feet (20 meters) from the pin. 
  
• Note: For the Scramble scoring type, the number of gimme strokes added to the team score is based on the player with the closest ball to the cup.  
  

• Rehit - Click to rehit the ball with a penalty stroke. This button displays when the ball has been hit into a hazard or unplayable lie or out of bounds.
  
• Drop - Click to drop the ball with a penalty stroke. This button only displays when the ball has been hit into a hazard or unplayable lie. Note:  When the ball has been hit onto a "free drop" area, no penalty stroke will be given.
  
• Continue - Click to exit the post shot screen and continue the game.
  

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Shut Down

To Exit the Simulator Software:

• Choose X at any game screen and answer Yes to the Exit message.
  
• You will see the message:  “Shutdown under way. Please wait before turning off the computer.” 
  
• Once this message goes away and you exit to the Windows desktop, it is safe to turn off your computer.
  

To Shut Down PC :

• Start Menu > Shut Down.
  

To Turn Off Projector(s):

• Aim projector remote control at front of projector.
  
• Press Power Button.
  
• Press Power Button again to confirm shut down.
  

Important Note: It is critical to wait for the Simulator Software to fully exit to the Windows desktop  before attempting to turn off the computer.  Otherwise, there is a risk your installation may become corrupted. 

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Shut Down

Exit Simulator Software

Click X at top right of screen                                                                         

Choose Yes to exit

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Appendix A - Club Data

Integrated with the aboutGOLF 3Trak technology, measured club head data applies the same level of accuracy for ball tracking to the club head. 

• When Club Data Mode is on, you will see the following Club Head data in the simulator software:
  

• Club Head Speed
  
• Ball Offset
  
• Vertical Attack
  
• Horizontal Path
  

Set Club Data Mode

• Set the club data mode at the top middle of any game screen by clicking on the club icon.
  
• The default Club Data Mode = On. The club face will appear to the left of the 3Trak logo.
  

• The Measured Club Speed and other club data will display when Club Data Mode is On.
  
• The Measured Club Speed requires a club sticker.
  

• If Club Data Mode = C, the Calculated Club Speed will display but other club data will not display. 
  

• The Calculated Club Speed does not require a club sticker.  
  

• If Club Data Mode is Off (X), no club head data will display.