Constantly have to put phone into scanning mode

Even following all the steps, the phone still seems to wake up in my pocket, and then the iPhone just reads the nfc tag as a link, and the club doesn’t get scanned.

It seems like the phone is easily disturbed while in the pocket. Not sure by what, either thin pocket lining that makes the skin on my thigh activate the screen on my phone, or thin fabrics making light shine through to the sensor.

Either way, the app leaves scanning mode while the phone is still in my pocket, and the clubs don’t scan properly. Only after jiggling my phone in my pocket and trying to scan several more times does it work.

Thank you for sharing your experience with the latest release. Your observations are very helpful. I understand how this workflow can feel confusing at first, so let me explain exactly how TAGS work and the intended workflow for both in-hand and in-pocket scanning.

1. Phone in hand/phone holder/cart

When your phone is in your hand or in a holder, make sure you don't cover the camera during a round, as the proximity sensor will detect it and automatically start SmartLock mode. Tap"Start Scanning" and scan your TAGS as usual.

2. Phone in pocket

If you put your phone in a pocket, do not tap "Start Scanning" (important!). Tapping it will turn off SmartLock when you put it in a pocket.

Simply put your phone in your pocket, and SmartLock mode will be automatically enabled.

You can now scan TAGS while your phone is in your pocket.

3. Checking distances or taking out the phone

If you take your phone out of your pocket to check distances or for other reasons, SmartLock will automatically be disabled.

To re-enable SmartLock, simply put the phone back in your pocket without tapping "Start Scanning", and it will be activated automatically.

If you still experience any problems, please create a support ticket, and we'll help you individually to make sure everything works as expected.

I hope this clarifies the workflow and how TAGS are intended to function.

The Apple Store redirect needs to go away, especially if you have the Golf Pad app open already.  Obviously if you are using Golf Tags you know how they interface and don't need to be directed to get an app you are currently trying to use.  It's complete nonsense when that event gets triggered and multiple steps are required to get back on track.  

The whole idea is that we as players want less interaction with the phone while playing.  I don't think most golfers are interested in troubleshooting tech while on the course.   I agree with Steve that this behavior is a step back and needs to be made more efficient in it's operation.  

Just before I played my last round, I went ahead and downloaded the latest version on my Apple phone. A month ago I was playing around and had to remind myself that I needed to do the two finger swipe to go into scan mode. Now when I do the two finger swipe, I get a message saying that I just need to click the button that says enter scan mode. I do that and I can scan the club without a problem. I put the phone in my pocket then. On my next shot, I pull the phone from my pocket, it automatically goes into scan mode, but when I scan the tag, it tries to redirect me to the App Store. I’ll wait a few seconds and clear that, then I click the enter scan mode at the top of the screen and I’m able to scan the tag.

I understand that your developers were probably trying to get rid of the two finger swipe on Apple phones, but I think the release was not quite baked yet. I agree with the previous comment about this being twice the work and always having your phone in your hand.

Ideally, I would start a new game. Enter scan mode, then put the phone in my pocket and scan my tags while the phone is in my pocket. I’ve never got that to work and this latest release seems to be a step in the wrong direction as far as I’m concerned. 

I’m sure your developers will figure it out sooner or later, I just hope they do before I’m forced to go find me another golf app, or while I’m still young enough to play golf, lol.

Hi, Bry and Jon! Thanks for sending the details about the TAGS scanning issue. We’ve shared them with our engineers, and they’re looking into it. They’ll add extra logs in a future update to help pinpoint the problem. We’ll keep you posted!

Jon - that's what I'm talking about - same issue.   It just takes itself out of scanning mode.   I can't believe that golf Pad support has no idea what I mean.   That leads me to think it needs better testing the software in real life conditions.  Can't there be a better way to hold it in scan mode once I put it there or until a press something to take it out?

I've had similar problems. When the phone is securely in my pocket, quite often it will leave scanning mode. Not sure if it's my thigh that's "touching" the screen through my pants, or something else that tricks the sensor into thinking it's not in my pocket anymore.

It's easy to see, because my phone will then just read the NFC tag, and my phone will show the link of the NFC tag instead of the scanner doing it. 

What I'm saying is that it takes itself out of scanning mode all the time.  It's in my pocket not registering the scans, so I pull it out and notice that it's out of scanning mode.  I have to constantly press the start scanning button and it's beyond annoying.   Once its in scan mode, isn't the point that I shouldn't have to touch it again?

Hi Brian! Yes, we've recently updated how TAGS work in the app. For now, just start a new round as usual and keep your phone in your pocket — Scanning mode will turn on automatically. Then, scan a TAG.

Note: if your phone is locked, the TAGS won't work. When you take your phone out of your pocket, the app will automatically turn off Scanning mode and show the main scorecard screen.

If you still encounter problems while scanning, please send us a support ticket describing the issue in more detail. We'll be happy to investigate further!