Range Finder vs. GPS

[tony@CIC 15,273]

I've been using a free app on the phone that basically gives yardage to the middle of the green. That would normally be sufficient for me, especially with some other landmarks around. However, I recently won a gift card to PGA Superstore, and considering I just refreshed all of my clubs, I couldn't think of anything to buy except for a rangefinder. I must say that I quite enjoy having it. I didn't realize how useful it would from the teebox. Knowing the distance to carry fairway bunkers, or the distance to a tree to try to cut the corner on a dogleg. Even used it on people a few times to see if it was safe to hit. On par 3s, the slope feature is particularly useful, especially since I play some courses that have dramatic elevation changes and your not sure if its a 6 iron or an 8 iron hole. And as mentioned, its great to have on the range. My home course has a nice driving range, but the yards are all measured from the sidewalk near the hitting area, and of course they move the hitting area up and down a good 50 yards or so to keep the grass fresh. So the flag marked at 150 could easily be 100. Knowing exactly what distances the flags are really lets me dial in my distances. Especially since I just got new clubs. I dont think its a must have, but it is a nice luxury item. 

Glad your happy with it. I always compare golf accessories like a range finder to air conditioning: you got along fine before you got it but once you get it you can't live without it

[Letthebigdogshunt 59]

Range finders are fine on an open course, but if you have doglegs or are blocked by trees and the green is not available visually they don't work. The GPS units are not accurate to the yard on the green but I find them accurate enough for the average golfer. If it is a few yards off most golfers don't hit the exact yardage anyway. even when I was playing to a mid single digit handicap I could not hit the exact yardage I wanted most of the time. Even the pros when they have a yardage don't hit it stiff every time. That being said, if you want a RF or a GPS find out what all the pros and cons are before you buy either one. There are a lot of reviews out there about what the good and bad is about each type of equipment. I like the GPS because it gives me the general yardage I need immediately. 

[boat22 21]

I like the rangefinder. It is very useful when laying up on par 5s and playing strategically to your numbers for approach shots. If you have your yardages dialed in, it is nice to know the exact numbers that you're playing to, especially when you get close to the green.

[boat22 21]

12 minutes ago, Letthebigdogshunt said:

Range finders are fine on an open course, but if you have doglegs or are blocked by trees and the green is not available visually they don't work. The GPS units are not accurate to the yard on the green but I find them accurate enough for the average golfer. If it is a few yards off most golfers don't hit the exact yardage anyway. even when I was playing to a mid single digit handicap I could not hit the exact yardage I wanted most of the time. Even the pros when they have a yardage don't hit it stiff every time. That being said, if you want a RF or a GPS find out what all the pros and cons are before you buy either one. There are a lot of reviews out there about what the good and bad is about each type of equipment. I like the GPS because it gives me the general yardage I need immediately. 

This is also a good point. I think there are definitely advantages to both an kinda depends on the course you are playing. 

[Middler 1,681]

I've used GPS for years, to me a rangefinder is a nice to have, but not necessary. Rangefinders don't work without line of sight, GPS always works. Rangefinders take longer to get a reading IMO with other players using them. Rangefinders may/not give you a distance for hazards or doglegs, a GPS always will. If money was no object I'd have both, but I prefer GPS.

[TCUFrog 355]

4 hours ago, Letthebigdogshunt said:

Range finders are fine on an open course, but if you have doglegs or are blocked by trees and the green is not available visually they don't work. The GPS units are not accurate to the yard on the green but I find them accurate enough for the average golfer. If it is a few yards off most golfers don't hit the exact yardage anyway. even when I was playing to a mid single digit handicap I could not hit the exact yardage I wanted most of the time. Even the pros when they have a yardage don't hit it stiff every time. That being said, if you want a RF or a GPS find out what all the pros and cons are before you buy either one. There are a lot of reviews out there about what the good and bad is about each type of equipment. I like the GPS because it gives me the general yardage I need immediately. 

I disagree. I like having the exact number to the pin even if i'm not going to hit to that exact number it gives me confidence to go after it vs having to guess. Also when you're playing on a course with large greens the difference between the middle and the back pin locations can be a full club length. For Dog legs I use the arccos app on my phone to calculate the distance and get a recommendation of what to hit.

[Letthebigdogshunt 59]

22 hours ago, PowerFadetoaslice said:

I disagree. I like having the exact number to the pin even if i'm not going to hit to that exact number it gives me confidence to go after it vs having to guess. Also when you're playing on a course with large greens the difference between the middle and the back pin locations can be a full club length. For Dog legs I use the arccos app on my phone to calculate the distance and get a recommendation of what to hit.

That is why everyone has an opinion they get to agree or disagree. If you need exact yardage then you have the  correct device. Have you ever thought about one of the hybrid range finders that have both GPS and RF? 

Edited May 22 by Letthebigdogshunt

[Middler 1,681]

23 hours ago, PowerFadetoaslice said:

I disagree. I like having the exact number to the pin even if i'm not going to hit to that exact number it gives me confidence to go after it vs having to guess. Also when you're playing on a course with large greens the difference between the middle and the back pin locations can be a full club length. For Dog legs I use the arccos app on my phone to calculate the distance and get a recommendation of what to hit.

GPS gives you front, middle and back yardages - so it's easy to judge what distance to play for unless you can't see the pin. I can't remember the last course I played where I could not see the pin on approach - tee yes, approach no. And many of the greens I play have a two or more club length distance front to back, one club length would be very unusual IME. I can't remember the last approach I hit around a dogleg...tough course you're playing.

[golfbumHK 7]

Been a user of rangefinder. it's pretty accurate unless of course you have aimed in the wrong spot.

If it does give readings which your hunch thinks it's weird and incorrect, re-set and re-focus. 

Out of focus or when cross hair hits other than your main target, will give you a questionable readings.

Haven't used GPS so I can not comment on this.

[SRL 4]

The S62 got me to move away from Rangefinder and phone setup, I found everything was getting a little clunky with my routines

Check phone app for yardage off the tee, click track club, get to ball, choose what I hit, check yardage on phone to bunkers, front middle and back, pull out range finder, see yardage to the pin (Which then auto puts me in hit it at the pin mode) hit shot, chip and putt, put scores in on my phone, repeat. 

The watch has allowed me to trust the process and not go pinseeking, I am habitually looking at bunker yardages at a glance and front middle back easily. If its a big green I will move the pin. My distance control is good enough to need yardages, but I haven't felt myself missing a rangefinder. 

I then input club selection at the end of the round or at home. 

No phone, 30 second routine at most and the benefits of a smartwatch!