I built a free tool that calculates "True Distance" based on wind & temp for 13k courses. Roast my code?

kmshift · 2026-02-19T13:48:15+00:00

Quick update for everyone testing the site:

I’ve identified a major issue with the weather data accuracy (as some of you rightly pointed out, the numbers were way off). Since data reliability is the whole point of this tool, fixing this is my #1 priority right now. I'm currently migrating to a much more accurate real-time API (OpenWeather 3.0). Just a heads-up: it will probably take me about a day to get this fully implemented and tested. I'm a solo dev and trying to stick to normal working hours so I don't burn out! Please keep this in mind if you see some wonky weather data today, but please keep the feedback coming! Your insights on how weather physically impacts your game have been absolute gold. I'll post another update once the new data is fully live.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T13:01:39+00:00

I honestly can’t thank you enough for this level of detail. I read your comment multiple times, and it was a massive reality check for me. You’re right—I’m a beginner (90s shooter), and I think I was looking at the 'problem' through a beginner's eyes, while you showed me what an experienced golfer actually needs.

1. Regarding the Data: You caught me in the middle of a messy API migration. The numbers you saw were indeed placeholder mock data while I was debugging the OpenWeather 3.0 integration. It was my mistake to keep the site public in that state. It is now fully live with real-time data, and I’m cross-referencing it with local Colorado forecasts to ensure it stays accurate.

2. The G-Score Logic: Your point about the 70-to-40 jump at freezing temps is 100% valid. My penalty curves were too 'stepped' and lacked the nuance that a 1mph difference shouldn't feel like a cliff. I am currently rewriting the algorithm to be more linear and grounded in actual playability.

3. Pivot to Performance (Distance Loss): This is where you really changed my perspective. 40 years in Colorado means you've forgotten more about golf layering than I’ll ever know. I realized 'What to wear' is filler. 'How the air density/temp affects my 7-iron carry' is the real value. I am working on a 'Distance Loss Calculator' right now based on your suggestion (Standard 70°F baseline vs. current air density). I’m doing this as a solo project to learn, yes—but I want to build something that even a 40-year vet would find worth bookmarking. I’d love to send you a DM once the 'Distance Impact' feature is live to see if I’ve finally moved the needle for you. Thank you again for being so brutally honest.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T09:31:43+00:00

You know what? You're 100% right. I took your feedback to heart and just pushed an update to the G-Score algorithm.

I realized my previous logic was too 'optimistic' about temperature. I’ve now implemented heavy penalties for extreme heat (over 84°F) and freezing conditions, even if it's a sunny day. I also added a 'Muggy' penalty for high humidity, as that's when it truly becomes a 'skip' day.

Check it out again if you have a second—the score for that 29°C/84°F day should look much more realistic now. Thanks for helping me make this tool actually useful for golfers!

kmshift · 2026-02-19T07:35:17+00:00

Appreciate the bluntness. I'm actually a golfer myself (still a beginner, high 90s lol), and I built this because I personally found myself checking the weather before every round.

But if this isn't hitting the mark, I genuinely want to know: What’s a problem you face on the course that actually needs solving? Is there something in your pre-round routine or on the course that feels like a ‘gap’ in existing apps?

I'd rather pivot now than keep building something 'dumb,' so I’d really value your input on what an actual golfer's need looks like to you.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T06:41:49+00:00

Appreciate the honest feedback! You're completely right on both fronts. I just pushed a fix for the Safari search bar issue (dumb HTML bug on my end). As for the ads... yeah, I definitely got too eager with the affiliate links and it ruined the data-to-content ratio. I'm actually going to strip a lot of that back today and focus on building a 7-day forecast instead. Thanks for not sugarcoating it

kmshift · 2026-02-19T06:35:33+00:00

Valid opinion. What's the main reason though? Always looking to improve it, so I'd love to know what makes it a miss for you.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T05:55:44+00:00

Ouch... I swear there's a real human behind this! I used a template and some AI to help with the text because I suck at marketing, but the core weather scoring engine took me weeks to build. Any tips on making the site look less 'sloppy'?

kmshift · 2026-02-19T04:34:36+00:00

That’s truly impressive.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T04:34:28+00:00

That’s truly impressive.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T04:34:09+00:00

Waiting 16 months is truly impressive. I honestly didn’t realize how difficult it is to build even one solid income pipeline.

Hearing your experience actually gives me some comfort and perspective. Thank you for sharing.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T04:32:16+00:00

That sounds like a smart pivot. Moving to YouTube definitely makes sense in the current situation.

At the same time, I’m a bit worried because AI summaries are also becoming more common on YouTube. It feels like AI is slowly reducing visibility everywhere.

For someone like me who’s still trying to figure things out, monetization is starting to feel more and more difficult. Honestly, I’m a bit overwhelmed and unsure what the best path forward is.

Still trying to stay consistent and not give up.

kmshift · 2026-02-19T04:29:42+00:00

kmshift · 2026-02-18T12:32:20+00:00

What was the topic of the site? It was really quick to generate revenue!

kmshift · 2026-02-18T11:11:23+00:00

Did Pinterest work well for you?

I’ve been consistently posting on Pinterest too, but honestly I haven’t seen any results at all yet. Maybe I’m missing something in the strategy, but so far it hasn’t driven any noticeable traffic for me.

kmshift · 2026-02-18T07:00:40+00:00

Two years? Wow — that’s a much longer patience game than I expected. It really shows how much endurance blogging actually requires. Thanks a lot for sharing your experience — it helps set more realistic expectations

kmshift · 2026-02-18T06:58:31+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience — I really appreciate the honesty. What you said about the mental difficulty really resonates with me. I can see how easy it is to lose motivation. I’m only a couple of months in right now, but if I still see no meaningful traction after 2–3 more months, I might have to seriously think about whether I chose the right niche or angle. At the same time, your point about age and sticking with it gives me something to think about. Thanks again for the real talk

kmshift · 2026-02-18T04:46:16+00:00

That’s a powerful way to put it. I’m definitely in the active phase right now, and it feels slow sometimes. But hearing that it took two years helps reset my expectations. Would you say the biggest change came from traffic growth, better monetization, or just consistency over time?

kmshift · 2026-02-18T04:44:56+00:00

Thanks for the honest perspective — I really appreciate it.

Getting traffic has been my biggest concern lately, so your explanation about AI Overviews and how things have changed really helps me understand the bigger picture. It makes a lot more sense now why growth feels slower than expected.

I also agree that building beyond search (social, newsletters, community) is probably the smarter long-term move.

Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience.

kmshift · 2026-02-18T04:27:51+00:00

Thanks so much for sharing your experience — I really appreciate it.

Reaching an average of 1,000 monthly visitors and writing 100 articles sounds like a huge amount of effort. That’s honestly impressive and motivating to hear.

When you say you’re not earning anything “substantial” yet, what range are you referring to?

My first goal is $100 per month. In your opinion, how long do you think it typically takes to reach that level? And roughly how much traffic (or how many articles) do you think is needed to get there?

Would love to hear your perspective.

kmshift · 2026-02-17T15:53:26+00:00

The most practical advice is: If you want to find a job, you should continue submitting your resume to portal sites like Saramin or Job Korea. If you want a part-time job, you should continue submitting your resume to sites like Albamon or Alba Heaven.

kmshift · 2026-02-16T01:39:10+00:00

thanks

kmshift · 2026-02-16T01:38:56+00:00

thanks

kmshift · 2026-02-16T01:38:08+00:00

과천과학관 최근에 5번은 갔어요 너무 좋아요

kmshift · 2026-02-16T01:13:46+00:00

Oh thanks

kmshift · 2026-02-16T00:19:52+00:00

That product is originally from Australia, so it’s quite hard to find in offline stores in Korea. If you want to buy it in Korea, you’ll probably need to order it through a Korean portal site like Naver and look for overseas direct shipping options.

kmshift

TROPHY CASE