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GreenKeeper Setup

GreenKeeper V4 is the essential tool for configuring your course's gameplay elements. It defines out-of-bounds areas, hazards, tee positions, pin placements, scorecards, and ratings. This is where your course transforms from a visual model into a playable GSPro experience.

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GreenKeeper Setup - Course Configuration

Home > Guides > Building GSPro Courses > GreenKeeper

Overview

GreenKeeper V4 is the essential tool for configuring your course's gameplay elements. It defines out-of-bounds areas, hazards, tee positions, pin placements, scorecards, and ratings. This is where your course transforms from a visual model into a playable GSPro experience.

What GreenKeeper Does:

  • Sets course metadata (name, designer, par, yardage)
  • Defines out-of-bounds (OOB) boundaries
  • Marks water hazards and penalty areas
  • Places tee boxes and aim points
  • Creates pin positions and green conditions
  • Generates scorecards with ratings and slopes
  • Runs flyover benchmarks for performance testing

1. GreenKeeper V4 Introduction

GreenKeeper Intro and Best Practices (Theory) (Legacy)

📺 GreenKeeper Intro and Best Practices (Theory) (Legacy)

Legacy video providing foundational GreenKeeper concepts. While V4 has improved workflows, the core principles remain valuable.

GreenKeeper Best Practices:

  • Work methodically through each hole
  • Save frequently (crashes can happen)
  • Test in GSPro after every few holes
  • Use accurate measurements from satellite imagery
  • Verify all markers are on playable surfaces
  • Double-check hazard boundaries

GreenKeeper V4 - Installation

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Installation

Installing the GreenKeeper V4 plugin into Unity.

Installation Steps:

  1. Download GreenKeeper V4 from OPCD Discord
  2. Import Unity package into your project
  3. Verify GreenKeeper menu appears in Unity
  4. Check for any dependency errors
  5. Restart Unity if necessary

Compatibility:

  • Requires Unity 2018.4.36f1 (OPCD standard version)
  • Works with OPCD Base Project V4
  • Must have course built and scene loaded

2. Loading and Base Configuration

GreenKeeper V4 - Loading Up Your Course

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Loading Up Your Course

Opening your course in GreenKeeper and initial setup.

Loading Process:

  1. Open your course scene in Unity
  2. Go to Tools > GreenKeeper > Open GreenKeeper
  3. GreenKeeper window appears as floating panel
  4. Course is automatically detected from scene
  5. Navigate between holes using hole selector

GreenKeeper Interface:

  • Hole selector: Switch between holes 1-18
  • Category tabs: Base, OOB, Hazards, Tees, Pins, Scorecard
  • Save/Load: Persistent course data
  • Benchmark: Performance testing tools

GreenKeeper V4 - Base Course Info

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Base Course Info

Setting up fundamental course information.

Base Information:

  • Course name: Official name as it appears in GSPro
  • Designer: Your name or team name
  • Location: City, State/Country
  • Year built/modified: Course vintage
  • Course type: Private, Public, Resort, Municipal
  • Description: Brief course history or characteristics

Metadata Tips:

  • Use proper capitalization
  • Be concise but descriptive
  • Include renovation dates if significant
  • Match real course info if it's a replica

3. Out of Bounds (OOB)

GreenKeeper V4 - OOB

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - OOB

Defining out-of-bounds areas for each hole.

OOB Fundamentals:

  • OOB = stroke and distance penalty (re-hit from previous location)
  • Typically white stakes or boundary fences in real golf
  • Should align with course design and safety

Setting OOB Boundaries:

  1. Switch to OOB tab in GreenKeeper
  2. Select hole number
  3. Click "Add OOB Area"
  4. Use polygon tools to draw boundary
  5. Verify boundary is on terrain surface
  6. Test by hitting shots toward OOB line

Common OOB Areas:

  • Property boundaries (roads, neighboring properties)
  • Between holes (to prevent playing wrong hole)
  • Environmental hazards (cliffs, extreme rough)
  • Clubhouse/parking areas

OOB Placement Checklist:

  • ☐ All holes have appropriate OOB defined
  • ☐ OOB boundaries are visible and logical
  • ☐ Adjacent hole boundaries prevent crossover
  • ☐ OOB aligns with real course (if replica)
  • ☐ Tested with ball landing near boundaries

4. Hazards

GreenKeeper V4 - Hazards

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Hazards

Marking water hazards and penalty areas.

Hazard Types:

  • Yellow stakes/lines: Lateral relief (drop with 1-stroke penalty)
  • Red stakes/lines: Lateral water hazard (multiple relief options)
  • Penalty areas: General areas with drop options

Marking Hazards:

  1. Go to Hazards tab
  2. Select hole and hazard type
  3. Draw polygon around hazard perimeter
  4. Ensure polygon covers water surface and edges
  5. Set drop zones if custom relief is needed
  6. Test penalty scenarios

Water Hazard Best Practices:

  • Include entire water body and banks
  • Extend slightly beyond visible water edge
  • Consider ball roll-in areas
  • Mark streams, ponds, lakes consistently
  • Define bunkers as non-penalty hazards

Hazard Checklist:

  • ☐ All water bodies marked
  • ☐ Hazard type matches real course rules
  • ☐ Drop zones placed for challenging hazards
  • ☐ Boundaries are accurate and fair
  • ☐ Tested with shots into each hazard

5. Tees and Aim Points

GreenKeeper V4 - Tees and Aim Points

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Tees and Aim Points

Placing tee markers and setting aim direction for each hole.

Tee Setup:

  1. Switch to Tees tab
  2. Select hole number
  3. Define tee sets (Championship, Back, Middle, Forward, etc.)
  4. Place tee marker for each set
  5. Set aim point/target line
  6. Record yardage for each tee

Tee Placement Guidelines:

  • Place on flat tee box surface
  • Face toward intended fairway line
  • Standard spacing: 15-25 yards between tee sets
  • Verify tee is on terrain (not floating/sunken)

Aim Points:

  • Set directional target for camera orientation
  • Typically aims down fairway center
  • For doglegs, aim at apex or layup zone
  • Adjust for strategic tee shot preference

Tee Sets Naming:

  • Black/Championship: Longest, hardest
  • Blue/Back: Strong players
  • White/Middle: Average golfers
  • Gold/Senior: Shorter, senior-friendly
  • Red/Forward: Beginners, juniors

Tees Checklist:

  • ☐ All 18 holes have all tee sets placed
  • ☐ Tee markers on flat surfaces
  • ☐ Aim points set correctly
  • ☐ Yardages measured and recorded
  • ☐ Tested each tee in GSPro camera view

6. Pin Placement and Conditions

GreenKeeper V4 - Pin Placement and Conditions

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Pin Placement and Conditions

Creating multiple pin positions and green speed conditions.

Pin Positions:

  • Most courses support 3-6 pin locations per hole
  • Vary difficulty (front, middle, back)
  • Consider green contours and slopes
  • Maintain minimum distance from edges (typically 12 feet)

Placing Pins:

  1. Go to Pins tab
  2. Select hole number
  3. Click "Add Pin Position"
  4. Place pin on green surface
  5. Name position (Front Left, Back Right, etc.)
  6. Repeat for all desired positions
  7. Set default pin for typical play

Green Conditions:

  • Stimp speed: Green speed (8-13+ typical range)
    • 8-9: Slow (wet, soft conditions)
    • 10-11: Medium (normal play)
    • 12-13: Fast (tournament conditions)
    • 13+: Very fast (championship/major)
  • Firmness: Affects bounce and roll
  • Moisture: Wet greens hold shots better

Pin Placement Guidelines:

  • Avoid extreme slopes (max ~3-4% at pin)
  • Vary difficulty throughout round
  • Front pins easier to hit but harder to hold
  • Back pins require precision but safer landings
  • Side pins create angle strategy

Conditions Checklist:

  • ☐ 3-6 pin positions per hole
  • ☐ Pins placed on playable surfaces
  • ☐ Variety of easy/medium/hard placements
  • ☐ Green speed set appropriately
  • ☐ Default pin selected
  • ☐ Tested approach shots to each pin

7. Scorecards and Ratings

GreenKeeper V4 - Scorecards and Ratings/Slopes

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Scorecards and Ratings/Slopes

Generating scorecards with yardages, par, and USGA ratings.

Scorecard Elements:

  1. Hole numbers: 1-18 (Out 1-9, In 10-18)
  2. Par: Standard strokes for each hole (3-5)
  3. Yardage: Distance from each tee set to pin
  4. Handicap: Hole difficulty ranking (1=hardest, 18=easiest)
  5. Totals: Front 9, Back 9, Total

Par Guidelines:

  • Par 3: Up to 250 yards
  • Par 4: 251-475 yards
  • Par 5: 476+ yards
  • Adjust for elevation and forced carries

Course Rating and Slope:

  • Course rating: Expected score for scratch golfer (e.g., 72.5)
  • Slope rating: Difficulty for bogey golfer (113 = average)
  • GreenKeeper can calculate estimates
  • USGA official ratings require on-site evaluation

Handicap Allocation:

  • Rank holes 1-18 by difficulty
  • #1 handicap = hardest hole (typically long par 4)
  • #18 handicap = easiest hole (typically short par 3/4)
  • Consider length, hazards, OOB, green difficulty

Scorecard Checklist:

  • ☐ All yardages accurate from tees to pins
  • ☐ Par assigned correctly based on length
  • ☐ Handicap rankings logical and balanced
  • ☐ Course rating calculated
  • ☐ Slope rating assigned
  • ☐ Front/back/total verified

8. Finalizing and Testing

GreenKeeper V4 - Finishing Up - Benchmark and Save

📺 GreenKeeper V4 - Finishing Up - Benchmark and Save

Running final checks and saving course data.

Final Steps:

  1. Review all GreenKeeper tabs for completeness
  2. Run flyover benchmark test
  3. Check performance metrics
  4. Save GreenKeeper data
  5. Export course file

Flyover Benchmark:

  • Automated camera flight through course
  • Measures frame rates on each hole
  • Identifies performance problem areas
  • Target: 60+ FPS minimum, 90+ FPS ideal

Performance Troubleshooting:

  • If FPS drops below 60:
    • Reduce vegetation density
    • Optimize tree LOD levels
    • Simplify distant background meshes
    • Check for unnecessary objects
    • Review post-processing settings

Saving GreenKeeper Data:

  • GreenKeeper saves to .gk4 file in project
  • Backup this file regularly
  • Save after every major change
  • Version your files (Course_v1.gk4, Course_v2.gk4)

Loading Your Course into GSPro

📺 Loading Your Course into GSPro

Testing your course in GSPro for the first time.

Loading Process:

  1. Build course file from Unity
  2. Copy course files to GSPro courses directory
  3. Launch GSPro
  4. Select your course from course list
  5. Play a few holes to test

First Playtest Checklist:

  • ☐ Course loads without errors
  • ☐ Tee markers and aim points correct
  • ☐ Hazards trigger properly
  • ☐ OOB boundaries work
  • ☐ Pin positions visible and accurate
  • ☐ Performance acceptable (smooth gameplay)
  • ☐ Scorecard displays correctly

Common First-Load Issues:

  • Course not appearing: Check file location and naming
  • Missing textures: Verify material references
  • Performance lag: Run benchmark, optimize meshes
  • Incorrect yardages: Remeasure in GreenKeeper
  • Hazards not working: Check polygon boundaries

9. GreenKeeper Tools

📺 GreenKeeper Tools

Advanced GreenKeeper utilities and workflows.

Additional Tools:

  • Collider inspector: Verify terrain collision meshes
  • Bulk editing: Update multiple holes simultaneously
  • Data export/import: Transfer settings between courses
  • Validation tools: Check for common errors
  • Measurement tools: Precise distance calculations

Next Steps

Once your course is configured in GreenKeeper and tested in GSPro, you're ready to move to the finishing and publishing phase.

Up Next:

See Also:

Part of the Building GSPro Courses complete guide series

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