My Bushnell rangefinder grew legs and left my cart when I went to the john at the turn. M*@$@)(&@)#&!

I guess the way to go is a GPS watch to make sure that doesn't happen again. What do folks use? Garmin? Golf Buddy? I'm not afraid to spend SOME cash, but I don't want to take a loan out. Thanks!

I personally use Garmin and always been happy with them. Went from s3 to x40 and now using the s60. Lots of options to choose from but which is best will depend on what kind of features you're interested in. Not much experience with other brands, except for a short stint with the Bushnell neo xs. Functionally it was fine but the course update procedures were horrible. You could only update one course at a time, and it was a pain to figure out if any course updates were needed. With Garmin the updates are pushed out in bulk.

I've got the Garmin S20 it does everything I want it to. I don't really care about the other features, it tells me how far I am accurately to the Front, Middle, Back. If I want to know how far the layup or hazard is, it tells me that too. It keeps my score. It's pretty basic black/white screen but it works well. There are times I wish I had bought a rangefinder instead, though.

S20/40/60 depending on your budget. Sad days when ppl are stealing right out of someones bag. We hear it daily at our store.

I used the S20 the last couple years and it's fantastic. I only sold it because I got an Apple Watch and downloaded the Golfshot app to go with it. I promise you the Garmin S20 will be a great watch. You can move the pin locations, the yardages are pretty solid, keeps score, it's really...handy!

I've owned a S20, Vivoactive 2 and 3 and they're pretty good for yardages. The only problem is their software and battery over time. I play around 70+ rounds a year and battery will drain at least 50% faster after one year. I use GPS almost daily for running, cycling etc and probably charge every other day. Plus touchscreen will go crazy and little glitches here and there. Got fed up and finally got an Apple Watch 5. The apps so far disappoints, tried 18 birdies and Hole 19 and didn't like them very much.

Another vote for s20. Gives me the basics I want, awesome battery life-easily get in 36 holes or more with plenty of battery left (even after 4-5 years)

All good feedback. I guess I'm battling with the features. Do I even need them? I guess when I got my rangefinder, I shot a target, got a measurement with slope and I went. I guess the more basic GPS would be the same, right?

I had an S60 and it was a great watch. The only issue was that after about 2 months of use, it stopped taking a charge. Garmin was great about returning it. Hopefully just one bad occurrence as my golf buddies have them with no issues. Lot of great features, but a bit pricey.

> @tbowles411 said:

> I guess when I got my rangefinder, I shot a target, got a measurement with slope and I went. I guess the more basic GPS would be the same, right?

With the laser, you can pick any target you can see. With the GPS, the unit determines which targets are available (and it doesn't matter if you can see them). The simplest will only give distance to the green: specifically the middle, front, and back. Other than that, there is no standard to what might be available. Some others may or may not have additional distances, such as: clearing bunkers or hazards, not going through doglegs, or layup distances. The most advanced may allow you to use a touch screen to get a distance to any point on the hole.

So if you only want distances to the green, go with the lower cost units. But if there are certain types of distances you are interested in, you need to pay attention to the details of the particular units.

I use the Skycaddie Linx GT. Lots of folks here are not fans of paying an annual fee but I have been using sky caddie electronics for years and have been very satisfied. The watch can be used stand alone and allows pin movement and distances to intermediate targets. You can pair with your phone and have access to the all of the screen based gps unit functionality and you can track shots by tagging (great stat features). Use it as basic or as advanced as you choose.

I’ve used the Bushnell Excel for the last two years and am happy with it. Very accurate unit. Excellent battery life and a decent set of features. It even pairs with a smartphone and becomes more powerful. Bushnell is probably coming out with a newer model since I believe I’ve seen these on sale for about $150.

I bought the Golf Buddy WT6 for under $100 on Amazon.

Front/middle/back was the only feature I wanted. The distances have been accurate at the handful of courses I've played.

I had the Golf Buddy Voice previously, but it similarly walked off and I purchased the watch in replacement.

He uses an S2, but damn, guys look at him like he has carbon paper in his pocket...:(

I use a Garmin Fenix 5X for more than golf, but I really like it for golf. My only gripe is that Garmin Connect has separated out the golf feature so it is a standalone app, meaning that if I use the app and my watch to keep score it records the round twice. The only reason to use the app is that I can record FIR, putts, etc. I have not dived into the watch feature to use all that I probably could so it might cover all the bases but,,,..

> @tbowles411 said:

> All good feedback. I guess I'm battling with the features. Do I even need them? I guess when I got my rangefinder, I shot a target, got a measurement with slope and I went. I guess the more basic GPS would be the same, right?

Well that's what they try to sell you on. Will it really help your game? I don't know. Rangefinders have improvements, but it's not like a cheaper accurate one doesn't give you the right distance. I do think the hybrid ones would be nice since it shows the front/back of green instead of just the flag. GPS watches do just that. I think a cheaper one works just great. And if you don't think it's fancy enough, you can buy a better one.

I have a Garmin S1, a Garmin S6, and a Bushnell Laser with slope adjustment option.

The 1st time I play a course I use the Bushnell to get front/back distances for bunkers and hazards.

After that I will use the S1 in North America and the S6 in Europe.

Front, middle, and back distances work fine for me.

I use my Samsung galaxy watch linked to my phone via gold pad gps.

Get GPS plus I can track each shot and analyse my game after the round.

Touch the screen when I take a shot. Select what club I used on my phone as I'm walking to the next shot. Nice and easy and cheap (I use a smart watch anyway) the golf pad app subscription is really cheap.

I can see where my misses are with each club. Proximity to the green. Average club distances for gapping etc.

> @"Mr. Grumpy" said:

> I use a Garmin Fenix 5X for more than golf, but I really like it for golf. My only gripe is that Garmin Connect has separated out the golf feature so it is a standalone app, meaning that if I use the app and my watch to keep score it records the round twice. The only reason to use the app is that I can record FIR, putts, etc. I have not dived into the watch feature to use all that I probably could so it might cover all the bases but,,,..

I use the Garmin Fenix 5x plus and the battery life is unreal. Granted I bought it because I could use it for runs/walks and golf. Played my member guest two weeks ago and after 3 1/2 rounds still had 57% battery life!

> @"Jack Pearsall" said:

> He uses an S2, but ****, guys look at him like he has carbon paper in his pocket...:(

Hey JP, the S2 works just fine, just like my Rolodex.

I've been using bushnell for a few years starts with the neo xs, passed that on to a buddy and now have a ion2, both have been great the ion 2 has great battery life and weighs next to nothing on the wrist, plenty of great options out there.

I have a Garmin S60. Battery life isn’t the greatest. Recently picked up a Garmin Fenix 6 Pro and it’s superb.

> @bosgolfer said:

> I have a Garmin S60. Battery life isn’t the greatest. Recently picked up a Garmin Fenix 6 Pro and it’s superb.

You can use these for golf??

Sure can. Courses are already loaded. Just no touch screen like the S60

I just got the Garmin Vivoactive 3. It’s like the budget Fenix, especially since they dropped the price with the VA4 now out. Easy to use, enough battery life, and I can use it for running and golf. Also lighter than a lot of options out there.

I didnt know the vivoactice 3 did golf? I had one but moved to x40

I have the garmin but it is not as accurate as a range finder.

> @pencilholder said:

> I just got the Garmin Vivoactive 3. It’s like the budget Fenix, especially since they dropped the price with the VA4 now out. Easy to use, enough battery life, and I can use it for running and golf. Also lighter than a lot of options out there.

Agree I'm a big fan of my VA3 in spite of its quirk's. A periodic reboot seems to keep it operating well. Battery is decent,about 50% after 1 round, and it's light. Also great for tracking walks, hikes and bike rides etc.

> @sheppy335 said:

> I didnt know the vivoactice 3 did golf? I had one but moved to x40

The watch can hold one course, the rest are stored/downloaded on the phone. With Bluetooth you just sync with the phone, so assuming you have a cell signal or WiFi on your phone, you don’t have to plan ahead to get the course you’re playing. Gives front/middle/back, yardages to hazards, and yardages to pre-set locations on the green. Not the best out there, but a good balance given everything else it can do.

> @Hertsjoatmon said:

> I use my Samsung galaxy watch linked to my phone via gold pad gps.

> Get GPS plus I can track each shot and analyse my game after the round.

> Touch the screen when I take a shot. Select what club I used on my phone as I'm walking to the next shot. Nice and easy and cheap (I use a smart watch anyway) the golf pad app subscription is really cheap.

> I can see where my misses are with each club. Proximity to the green. Average club distances for gapping etc.

I also have a Samsung Galaxy Watch S3 and Golf Pad and really like it. Touching the screen when taking a shot using the app also keeps the score as well as tracking the shots. It also tells you how far your last shot went. The app also has a 'virtual caddie' function which suggest clubs on the watch and is actually quite accurate.

There are also some other decent golf apps available for the Samsung. Myroundpro does the same as Golf Pad but with more statistics and you can also choose clubs on the watch by twisting the bezel rather than having to get out your phone.

With the new S4 just launched you can pick up an S3 for less than a Garmin S20 and also have the smartwatch features if you want them. The only downside to the Gear watch is the weight which is heavier than an S20, although I don't find it a problem.