I downloaded both dwmap and route course to my new Fenix 5x, but after reading the descriptions of both I can't figure out what's the difference between the two or which I should use for what situation, or does it matter? Do they both do the same thing?
dwmap is an app that gives you navigation on the watch, and you don't need that when you've got a 5x.
Route Course is the one you want to use. It is basically the "route planning" component from dwmap on the web and the "transport mechanism" from dwmap that gets a route from the web to the watch. Once you've got the route on the watch, you load it as normal for your ride/run.
There you go - Routecourse how to video
https://youtu.be/qPa7k1SJz9M
Exactly yes, thanks for that TomasMelbourne. routeCourse gives you all the benefits of the https://dynamic.watch platform for broad route import flexibility, mobile Planner, wireless downloads, etc, but lets you use the built-in map and activity features of this watch with the downloaded routes (courses).