Lead UX / UI designer
01.22 — 6.22
Big Game Golf App
Big Game had strong features but was too complex and clunky for most users.
At BeCurious, a New York based design agency, I Led UX for the Big Game Golf redesign, running the initial design sprint and co-building the UI foundation that transformed a complex golf app into a cleaner, faster, and more beginner-friendly product.
This section explains how I approached the UX work. If you’re skimming, tldr;
Through interviews, a focused design sprint, and a full redesign of the game creation flow, I removed friction, clarified complex betting rules, and built a modular system that made setup 40% faster and far easier to understand.
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Design Process
Before touching screens, we dug into user habits, pain points, and the messy complexity of the original experience.
Research & Alignment
Ran a remote design sprint to align the team and define core goals
Conducted 10+ interviews and usability tests across new and experienced golfers
Studied betting formats, golf rules, and player behaviors to understand real pain points
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Issues Identified
Game setup was slow and confusing
Betting rules were unclear and intimidating for new players
No clear hierarchy or guidance for first-time flows
High cognitive load during “Create New Game”
Scattered navigation and limited social engagement
No quick entry point for casual play
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UX Challenges
Big Game’s biggest hurdles were rooted in the product’s depth — dense rules, layered game logic, and a setup process that confused even experienced players.
Making a betting heavy experience understandable for new and casual golfers
Balancing depth for power users with simplicity for newcomers
Clarifying contest formats with multiple rules, variations, and dependencies
Reducing setup time without removing necessary options
Supporting flexible game creation where users can jump between steps without losing progress
Designing a system flexible enough to scale into other sports
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Approach
Prioritized the “Create New Game” flow as the core journey
Mapped dependencies and simplified betting logic with the client
Split features into MVP vs nice-to-have
Built prototypes for rapid feedback loops and structured client reviews
Moved into a full redesign with scalable components and a clean system for handoff
Create new game flow, wireframe
Create new game flow, final UI
Key Solutions
Create New Game Overhaul
Rebuilt the entire flow into a flexible, non-linear setup that cut setup time by 40 percent.
Added Favorites so users could recreate games instantly.
Quick Play
Designed a one tap e-scorecard for casual players who want to start fast with zero configuration.
Clear Contest Descriptions
Introduced simple, structured explanations of betting formats to reduce confusion and boost confidence.
Modular Home Screen System
Built widget based navigation to highlight core actions and allow future expansion.
Game Hub
Centralized all games, invites, and results into one intuitive space
Social Layer Enhancements
Auto chat creation for each game.
In chat betting to merge social behavior with gameplay.
Stats & Wallet
Created simple tools for friendly competition without financial complexity.
Metrics
→ 40% faster game setup
→ Higher user confidence during setup due to clearer contest descriptions and streamlined navigation (validated in usability testing)
→ Strong adoption and positive feedback for chat-based betting, cited repeatedly as a top engagement driver