Yes, the number of benefits can help you save shots as early as your next round. Having access to exact distances to pins, distances to certain hazards, and other key information you can find with your golf rangefinder is a game changer!
Have you considered purchasing a golf rangefinder?
You are probably trying to figure out the pros and cons to help you determine if this is the right move for your game and your budget for golf.
I went through this same thought pattern about a year ago. You weigh the pros and cons and decide if it is going to make a difference for your golf game.
I already owned a GPS golf watch, but ended up adding the golf rangefinder to my list of tech related golf items to help me improve my game.
After 10 rounds with my rangefinder, I am thrilled that I made the purchase.
Golfing is a great way to relax and have fun with your friends or family. It’s also a sport that can be quite frustrating when you’re not getting the results you want.
One way to help improve your game is by using a golf rangefinder, which allows you to measure the distance of objects in front of you. If you find yourself struggling on the course, it might be time for an upgrade! The pros have exact yardages from being able to play multiple practice rounds on a course prior to their tournaments rounds.
They learn all of the finer details and also have a caddie to help them in the process. The caddies often walk off yardages and give them distances to the front, middle, back and even directly to the pin. They know carry distances to and over hazards and have every detail they need.
With a rangefinder, you can have similar information!
Update: The professionals and their caddies have a great deal of information on a course, play multiple practice rounds and walk a great percentage of the course prior to ever teeing it up in an official round. The rangefinder gives you just some of the information that professionals have at their fingertips from their prep work. I would highly recommend the rangefinder to take your game to the next level.
Should I Use A Golf Rangefinder?
Below, I will answer each of the following questions related to the golf rangefinders to help you answer your question of if you should use a golf rangefinder!
- What are the benefits of using a rangefinder?
- How much does it cost to buy a rangefinder?
- What is the best type of rangefinder for me?
- How do I use my new golf rangefinder?
- Are the professional golfers allowed to use a rangefinder?
1. What are the benefits of using a rangefinder?
The benefits of the golf rangefinder are the following:
- Exact yardages to the pin location.
- The ability to measure to the front and back of hazards
- The ability to measure the length you are from a set of trees.
- Helps you stay in your routine and have key information.
Overall, having key information such as the exact yardage to the pin location is essential to reach your full potential in the game of golf. Guessing on distances to pins or relying on the yardage on the scorecard can make golf difficult.
Consider the following situations:
Have you ever hit the shot that you thought was perfect only to have it fly 15 yards over the green? You may have had the wrong yardage.
Or the perfectly struck shot that somehow comes up short in the bunker? Yes, you guessed it, probably the wrong yardage again.
Or you stand over a shot questioning in your head if the yardage on the scorecard is actually accurate. As a result, you make a tension filled swing and hit the ball poorly, resulting in a bogey or worse!
Additional situations:
You stand on the tee box and can see the 410 yards par 4, slight dog leg right. There is a bunker on the corner protecting the right side. You hit your driver and end up in the bunker. Upon getting to your ball, you realize your hit your ball 250, but you needed a 260 yard shot to clear the bunker, this is something you aren’t capable of yet.
If you had the yardage from your rangefinder you could have played safely to the left and had a bit more yardage into the hole, but at least you would be hitting your second shot from the fairway.
Resource: Are golf rangefinders worth it?
2. How much does it cost to buy a rangefinder?
The cost for a rangefinder is going to vary from $100 all the way up to $700. The features and accuracy will range from one rangefinder to the next. I went middle of the road with my purchase and have the ability to measure distance and it also calculates the slope as well.
I have found my device to be accurate when comparing the distances of other golf rangefinders for those playing in my group and compared to my golf GPS watch. At the end of the day, I can stand over the shot with confidence that I have the right distance and can make a free and easy swing. Knowing that if I hit the ball solid, the shot will end up in a quality place. That is all we can ask for in golf!
Resource: Golf rangefinder vs Golf GPS Watch: Which one is better?
3. What is the best type of rangefinder for me?
The best type of rangefinder for you is the one that meets your needs. If you are a beginner, an entry-level model would work just fine because it will have all the features and functions necessary to make accurate readings on targets from close distances.
If you are looking for something more advanced, consider a premium level golf laser range finder with additional accuracy and features that you may need to play
If you are a middle of the road golfer, there are some options as well. A golf laser rangefinder with slope will be able to calculate elevation changes and give you an accurate reading from a distance.
Some of the features I think everyone should consider is the slope feature.
While you may not be able to use it in some tournament play, if you are playing earlier in the week on a practice round, you can measure a certain distance and write in your notebook. Having a general idea of how much uphill or downhill a shot from the general area where you expect your approach shot to be from will be helpful on the tournament day!
Resource: Carry distance in golf (complete overview)
4. How do I use my new golf rangefinder?
The rangefinder is a great addition for any golfer. It can be simple to use. First, make sure that the batteries are in and then turn it on. Hold your rangefinder up to your eye like a scope; you will need both of your hands at this point. Once you have done so, select an object or pin and do not move the rangefinder from this position so you can get a reading off of that object. If you have it in slope mode, it will give you the actual distance and account for the slope as well.
How to Use Your Golf Rangefinder – Quick Guide:
- Ensure there is a battery
- Turn the rangefinder on
- Hold it up to your eye like a scopre, using both hands
- Find your object or pin and hit your measurement button
- Repeat as needed
Resource: How to take your game to the next level! (5 Tips)
5. Are the pros allowed to use a rangefinder?
No, the PGA Tour does not allow rangefinders. You will find caddies that use the rangefinders as they are now allowed in practice rounds.
Rangefinders are not allowed for tournament play, as some feel it would give players an unfair advantage as they already have a caddie. I could see this changing in the coming years as a way to help speed up play. Golfers have detailed notebooks on every detail of the course. Why not just allow them to use a rangefinder?
The pros can use rangefinders in practice rounds as long as the rules of competition permit them to do so. On many of the made for television charity events you will see the players using their rangefinders for distances.
Other Benefits of the Rangefinders
When you are practicing at the driving range, you can use your rangefinder to see if the yardages posted on the range are actually accurate. When practicing 50-100 yards shots, you can better dial in your distances and develop a feel for the different yardages you might face on a golf course.
Where To Buy A Golf Rangefinder?
The best option to purchase a rangefinder is amazon. There are many options out there and all price ranges. The most popular rangefinder currently is the Bushnell Brand, check current price here.
You can also get a cheaper option such as the Nikon Rangefinder (check price here), which has all of the same specifications but will cost less.
The rangefinder I purchased is the Callaway model. It has met my expectations and needs on the golf course. Check price here.
Final Determination On Which Features You Need?
The Selection Process: The first thing to keep in mind when looking for your rangefinder is the following. Number one, what features do you want? Next, what are you looking to spend on the rangefinder? Lastly, how do you want it to look?
Rangefinders can be broken down into three different categories. The first category is just for distance measuring and will give a readout in yards or meters without giving any data about slope. These would work well if your plans are to keep it simple and only need the yardage. The second category is for advanced players that want more than just the yardage and slope. These rangefinders will give you pin-adjusted distance, digital inclinometer with adjustment for uphill/downhill angle, and a steady feature(which can be useful ) as well as many other features like water or certain batter life.
Final Thoughts: Should I Use A Rangefinder?
Yes, in fact I would recommend a rangefinder and a golf GPS watch. Why not have every little detail you can find to help you make the right decision and to free up your swing? A great golf swing never happened with some doubt as you stood over the golf ball.
Resource: Are golf GPS watches worth it?
Free your mind and your swing and give yourself the information you need to be successful!