I ditched the Rangefinder -- and played much better

[dlygrisse]

Most amateurs would probably be better served by a device that just gives middle of the green distance. Most aren't consistent enough to need yardage down to one foot accuracy and most would score better not shooting for the pins anyway.

 

Until an amateur has achieved a certain level of proficiency in their distance control, they should generally be shooting at the middle of green anyway.

 

I've got a laser and a golf buddy gps unit that gives front middle and back. Even as a near scratch player, Most of the time I just use the golf buddy if I know the course and the pin positions or I have a pin placement sheet for the day.

 

Laser is still extremely useful on an unfamiliar course or a course with giant greens.

 

I have one of those small Garmin GPS devices I have clipped to my bag, F/M/B is usually good enough for me, I do have a laser in my bag I will pull out if I am unsure, but yeah...I'm not really good enough to need to know exact yardage anyway. Plus I just find that lasering every shot to just be a PITA. probably used mine twice per round that last few times I have played, mostly on Par 3's. The GPS I just glance at as I am pulling a club.

[dlygrisse]

I will say I learned to play on a course that had a bush planted next to the fairway at 100,150, and 200, when we got those disks in the middle of the fairway we thought it was really high tech. :) Sprinkler heards......we were just happy if they worked and they watered the fairways. LOL. But I think they OP is right in that exact yardage when it is windy is pretty useless, that's when hitting shots becomes much more important. If you don't know what I am talking about come play a round of golf in central Kansas, I have seen days when the flagstick is bending sideways. 150 yards might mean a 3 wood or a SW.

[Chowdah86]

Played a round yesterday afternoon. REALLY windy day here in Pittsburgh as a big storm was blowing into town -- but wanted to work on hitting better shots into the teeth of the wind. Really struggled after making four straight pars. Realized that I was relying too much on rangefinder distance -- that frankly didn't matter when hitting into a 2 club wind. So I put it away. Played a total of 30 holes and after putting the rangefinder away, I proceeded to play one of the best rounds of the year and finished the last 21 holes under par.

 

Our club has yardage markers at 100, 150, 200 and 250. It is my home course, and I play it several times a week. Maybe that is why it wasn't such a big deal to do away with the laser -- but I really think for us amateurs, the exact number gets in the way.

 

Was it just a fluke? Not sure, but curious whether anybody else has had a similar experience.

 

 

Never used one myself. I do occasionally use a GPS app on my phone. Its great for club choice off the tee when Im at a new course. If its a dogleg, i like to know how much room I have for the tee club. Or if there are bunkers or a hazard out there. Its also great for club choice when laying up short of a hazard on a par 5. I prefer to play using the yardage markers at my home course though. Less fumbling and BS. Par 3s are a gamble without the GPS or range finder, but im usually with someone who has one :).

[Event^Horizon]

Played a round yesterday afternoon. REALLY windy day here in Pittsburgh as a big storm was blowing into town -- but wanted to work on hitting better shots into the teeth of the wind. Really struggled after making four straight pars. Realized that I was relying too much on rangefinder distance -- that frankly didn't matter when hitting into a 2 club wind. So I put it away. Played a total of 30 holes and after putting the rangefinder away, I proceeded to play one of the best rounds of the year and finished the last 21 holes under par.

 

Our club has yardage markers at 100, 150, 200 and 250. It is my home course, and I play it several times a week. Maybe that is why it wasn't such a big deal to do away with the laser -- but I really think for us amateurs, the exact number gets in the way.

 

Was it just a fluke? Not sure, but curious whether anybody else has had a similar experience.

 

I found just the opposite. Best golf equipment purchase I made was a rangefinder. It has saved me many strokes.

 

Also, on occasion, I find the markers in the fairway aren't always accurate. For example, on one hole I am standing next to the 150 yard maker, I laser the flag, which is in the center of the green, and I get 138. I hit the 138 club, and yep, 138.

 

Whatever works best for you go with it. If it's not using a RF that's cool.

[NoTalentLefty]

I use gps but I try not to limit my club selection to it. Things I need to add in is wind, my game that day, and my strength . I get into bigger problems if I listen to others on what club they are using.

[Circaflex]

I am not so sure I agree with ditching it completely, but I know for shots that are about 80 yards and in I just go for feel. I no longer sit there trying to get an exact yardage, I seem to chip, pitch and half shot a lot better from that distance and in now.

[Cwing]

I think I play better with my gps. With a finder, I tend to try to hit the perfect distance.

[Opinder]

I thought golfer doesn't have time for looking distance yards, maths and winds... Easy Par 3 for distance yards central by green

 

 

For tournament golf before day practice golf use rangefinder distance yards and write note book....etc

 

100,150 yards markers for front green.

 

 

 

 

[buckeyefl]

Played a round yesterday afternoon. REALLY windy day here in Pittsburgh as a big storm was blowing into town -- but wanted to work on hitting better shots into the teeth of the wind. Really struggled after making four straight pars. Realized that I was relying too much on rangefinder distance -- that frankly didn't matter when hitting into a 2 club wind. So I put it away. Played a total of 30 holes and after putting the rangefinder away, I proceeded to play one of the best rounds of the year and finished the last 21 holes under par.

 

Our club has yardage markers at 100, 150, 200 and 250. It is my home course, and I play it several times a week. Maybe that is why it wasn't such a big deal to do away with the laser -- but I really think for us amateurs, the exact number gets in the way.

 

Was it just a fluke? Not sure, but curious whether anybody else has had a similar experience.

 

The exact number, just like markers at various yardages, is only for reference and a starting point.

[kozubs]

Don't forget the biggest advantage of a range finder is on the range dialing in distances. That's the reason I bought mine but if course I use it on the course

[Invisible-z]

I suppose the most important numbers are the front and back of the green.

 

The rest are just placement

[aliikane]

Rangefinder is the best and definitely saves me strokes. GPS is ok but definitely not as accurate. I seem to get weird numbers occasionally.