Course mapping

🏌️ Step-by-Step: Make Your Own Yardage Book in Google Earth

Step 1 — Set Up the Course

1. Open Google Earth Pro on your computer.

2. Search for your golf course and zoom in to a top-down view (no tilt).

3. Create a new folder in the left panel:
• Right-click “My Places” → Add → Folder → Name it “My Yardage Book – [Course Name]”.

Step 2 — Mark Key Points

1. Click the Placemark (pin icon) to drop markers for:
• Tee box center (and maybe back tees if different)
• Front, center, and back of the green
• Fairway landing zones (where your drives might finish)
• Hazards (bunkers, water, trees)

2. Name them clearly, e.g.
• “Hole 3 – Tee”
• “Hole 3 – Fairway LZ (260y)”
• “Hole 3 – Green Center”

Step 3 — Measure Distances

1. Click the Ruler tool (ruler icon).

2. Select Line and make sure yards are selected.

3. Measure:
• Tee → Landing Zone → gives carry distance.
• Landing Zone → Front/Center of Green → gives approach distance.
• Tee → Front of Hazard → gives carry needed to clear trouble.

4. Write these down or type them in each placemark’s “Description” box.

Step 4 — Measure Landing Zone Width

1. Use the Ruler tool again.

2. Draw a line across the fairway at the landing area (rough-to-rough).

3. That number = fairway width at your landing distance.
• Example: “Width 32 yards at 265 carry.”

4. Do this for 1–2 alternate landing zones if you’re planning different club options.

Step 5 — Mark Lay-Up Areas (for Par 5s or Tight Holes)

1. Pick a good lay-up distance (like 100y or 80y from green).

2. From the green front, measure backward that distance (use Ruler tool).

3. Drop a new Placemark there called “Lay-up Zone (100y)”.

4. Measure width here too — helps you see how much room you have to lay up safely.

Step 6 — Add Notes for Strategy

• Note ideal target line (e.g., “Aim at right edge of fairway bunker”).

• Note bailout area (“Left side safe, right water”).

• Note preferred club (“3-wood 240y to wide part”).

Step 7 — Save and Export

1. When finished, right-click your folder → Save Place As… → choose .KML or .KMZ file.

2. You can reopen it in Google Earth anytime or share it.

3. Take screenshots of each hole view and add your notes — this becomes your yardage book.

Step 8 — Use It for Practice and Tournaments

• Review your hole notes before rounds to visualize targets and safe zones.

• During practice rounds, verify your Google Earth numbers with a rangefinder or GPS and make small corrections.

🏌️ Printable Yardage Book Template

Hole #: ________ Par: ___ Yardage: _______

Fairway Details

Green Details