my findings on gps/rangefinders

so i recently was looking to change my technology regarding rangefinders and golf gps, these are my findings from over the years.

i originally started off with the first skycaddie and immediately noticed that my scores were better and the game more enjoyable with the added information. as my handicap lowered i decided a rangefinder was gonna be beneficial. here is where the story gets interesting, i loved knowing the exact distances and shooting targets but honestly it didnt improve my game. i actually found myself more in troubled situations due to firing at the pin and exact yardages. one thing i did love was the slope factor which to me was a clear advantage over the gps. but i stuck with the rangefinder as the gps market seemed up and down. i also play a ton of new courses and ones with blind shots or questionable views which made the rangefinder pretty much useless.

well this year i began to look to change due to the positive reviews of the sx500 and other units out there. after some thought i spoke with a buddy of mine who works at a golf shop and informed me that i would hate the g8 due to its size, the g80 is only slightly bigger and the launch monitor is intriguing but not a total need. after some discussion we figured it would be between the sx500($400) or the bushnell hybrid($350) with bushnells app(free with purchase) downloaded to show the entire hole. but last minute we decided to switch and try the bushnell phantom($90) and if i didnt like it i would get a full refund so i figured what the hell.

2 rounds so far and it has been great, i do love the front middle back yardages so im shooting at a bigger location (i know its mental), it also gives hazard yardages with measured with the rangefinder were only couple yards off. even on the front middle back yardages i could guesstimate where the pin was and have a yardage in my head and when shot with the laser we were only 0-3 yds on average off. to me this is nothing and i find it hard to believe that an amateur like me (9.3 hcp) will find that as a negative. also the app gave me yardages and the view of the entire hole so i knew what to expect. needless to say not giving the tech full credit but i did shot my 2 lowest scores of the year and found myself in favorable positions on my misses. but for $90 i still baffled how good this is when compared with the app, not sure if i would like it as much if i didnt use the app. i pretty sure the sx500 is better and gives you a ton of information but i dont think it is $300 plus yearly fee better.

i know some will prefer a rangefinder and might get more out of it and vice verse. try both and see which one will help out your game the most