GPS vs Range Finder

[redhead]

Which one are you using? Why?

[fcm]

[b][size=4]I have a garmin S3 gps watch....so far its works fine....besides giving you the distant to the green.....it keeps score....tells you how far you hit the ball.....plus other features....[/size][/b]

[3sip]

V3. I've used different gps systems and apps but I find it easier to use a range finder. I like to shoot different targets while playing. I never fully trusted gps and it's accuracy. I know I can touch some point on the screen and get a yardage but I prefer to shoot it. Has to do with seeing and trusting for me.

[KjBowen]

Lasers are super accurate and quick but they are a one trick pony.

GPS
Keeps score
Gives you front, middle and back yardage
Distance to dog legs and hazards
Flyovers

GPS is better IMO

[BillyZ2]

to me, there's nothing easier than a GPS watch. just a quick glance at your wrist and you have your distance. I'm a 15 handicap so a couple yards play doesn't hurt me any. besides, I find it very accurate.

[Graymulligan]

I recently swapped me s3 Garmin for a Leupold, and the experimentation 3 rounds. While the laser is nice for being exact, I found the hassle of having to grab it, shoot my target and put it back was a pain compared to simply looking at my watch. I also had issues with yardage through trees or around a dogleg, and uphill shots where the on wasn't readily visible.

So I exchanged the laser for an s6,and I couldn't be happier.

[DrCRHop]

GPS, Golfshot. Because I'm too cheap to buy a rangefinder.

[GWD]

Whoa!....wrong forum. I give it...3...2...1....

I use a Bushnell Pro X7 w/Jolt (non-slope).

BTW: There is a LOT of information on this topic in the [b]GPS/Range Finder/Moble Apps[/b] forum.

[Dugal190]

Z6 Jolt, the only knock I have against GPS is that they lag sometimes.

[VNutz]

Both. Used a rangefinder for the past 4 years and loved it. Picked up one of the Golf Buddy $15 deals this winter and it's been a big help. Gives measurements to certain spots the rangefinder might not pick up. And if I need a quick number and not something precise it's perfect. Any iron approach generally gets the rangefinder though.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

Both. Gps is superior for front, center, back and blind shots. Laser is superior for pin distance, particularly important on huge deep greens,distance to specific targets, layups etc.

I find I use gps 8 out of 10 times over laser. I like having both.

[jdl]

I have both, like the GPS to easily see distances to hazards off the tee, figuring out the right club to use. Then for approaches, break out the range finder to get the exact distance to the flag.

[geoangus]

I own a Callaway uPro, great unit that has been dumped by Callaway, so I'm in the market as well. Having used the lasers of friends, the one thing about GPS I prefer most is knowing the front and back yardages. Many times with laser, I hit what I thought was the appropriate club, only to be a tad long, or just short and in a bunker. If the GPS tells me the back of the green is 140 and there's a bunker long, I know to take the club/swing that keeps me under 140.

[phil75070]

I, too, liked the idea of front and back yardages and distances to and to carry bunkers, etc. However, even the best GPS units have an accuracy of +/- 3 yards or so, which is half a club. The distance could be right on or off by that tolerance. That doesn't affect many shots until you "just" have to carry a bunker, for example. Most bunkers guarding greens I can get a good reading on the far lip, my "need to carry distance", with my laser which will be accurate within .5 to 1 yard.

[Boricua Golf]

I have used different Apps and range finders, but as of lately, I have been using Golf Pad GPS and it is really good, they have a free version (tracks GIR/putts.score and handicap) and a paid version ($10 per year) that tracks pretty much everything else, club distance/left or right miss, sand up and down, etc...give it a try...

[redhead]

How good is the GPS? Particularly for unknown small/public courses? Or, for courses outside U.S. or Europe? How updated are they in terms of tee box/pin placement, etc.

Could you please explain to me, I am a bit stupid on this technology stuff.

[avgjoe]

I use both... glance down at a voice+ on mute for general numbers (F/M/B) and shoot a 1500 or V3 jolt when I want specific numbers. usually forget to use the laser. and I was originally a laser-only guy

[highergr0und]

Laser kills GPS. Be pin high every time without having to guess. GPS is nice for hazards and shot placement on courses you're unfamiliar with.

[BillyZ2]

[quote name='highergr0und' timestamp='1441833882' post='12289486']
Laser kills GPS. Be pin high every time without having to guess. GPS is nice for hazards and shot placement on courses you're unfamiliar with.
[/quote]But for most golfers who are high handicap players, plus or minus 3 yards is really insignificant when all they are trying to do is hit the green. for most golfers a GPS works just fine.

[gopherguts]

Laser kills GPS. Be pin high every time without having to guess. GPS is nice for hazards and shot placement on courses you're unfamiliar with.

But for most golfers who are high handicap players, plus or minus 3 yards is really insignificant when all they are trying to do is hit the green. for most golfers a GPS works just fine.

 

Seems like you'll be looking for a rangefinder soon,,,,,,, :D

 

 

BillyZ2

 

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[gopherguts]

[quote name='KjBowen' timestamp='1441677211' post='12278496']
Lasers are super accurate and quick but they are a one trick pony.

GPS
Keeps score
Gives you front, middle and back yardage
[size=6][b]Distance to dog legs and hazards[/b][/size]
Flyovers

GPS is better IMO
[/quote]

Keeps score ???

Been using a rangefinder for about 4 years now - currently the Z6.

The ONLY thing I'd like that the rangefinder doesn't give me is the distance to HIDDEN hazards. Bunkers and water hazards that can't be seen from the tee. Doglegs usually have some defining object on the corner that can be shot with the laser.

Yardages to front and back don't bother me. The flag tells me where it is, I can shoot the front edge of the green and when then pin is back I won't be taking any more club than the exact yardage to the pin to protect against going over the back.

Also, the rangefinder can stay in my golf bag and is therefore always available. The GPS has to be charged every couple of rounds and too often I'd leave it at home,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[cristphoto]

I use a laser with total confidence. That said I'm in a golf league and a few guys have the GPS units. A couple watch models, one pocket model, and one that clips on to a hat brim. When we have a middle pin and we're close to the center of the fairway the GPS guys get readings within maybe 2,3 yards of my laser. Where the larger disparities start are on front or back pins ( since a middle flag is close to true center but a front or back pin will never be true front or back edge). This often is compounded if we're on the edge of the fairway or rough. I'm still getting a good yardage to pin but sometimes the GPS program doesn't adjust fully.

[highergr0und]

Newer GPS may give you better approximation of the flag. My old school neo gave me front, middle, back and wasn't overly helpful, especially courses with huge greens.

I think I'll try a few GPS phone apps

[dmartin]

same old you want within 1/2 yard or 10ish yards... You choose

[High Plains Driver]

I use both, but the laser gets used more often.
From 210, +/- 3-5 yards isn't critical. However, on par 3's (especially with larger greens) and approaches in the 125 yard range and in, you can't beat a pin sheet and a laser.

[wrigley]

Use a Skycaddie mu home course that I've played about a thousand times. Saves me time looking for a sprinkler head and is especially useful on dog legs. Lasers are more popular amongst my friends.

[Buzzkill]

[quote name='BillyZ2' timestamp='1441677531' post='12278536']
to me, [b]there's nothing easier than a GPS watch.[/b] just a quick glance at your wrist and you have your distance. I'm a 15 handicap so a couple yards play doesn't hurt me any. besides, I find it very accurate.
[/quote]

Yep!

[i*windows]

I have a Garmin G6, and its really great. I get the distances, nice map of the holes, I can get distances to any point on the course, just from a point and click. This device has saved me at least 4 shots a round and could be my best investment

[kiwihacker]

[quote name='i*windows' timestamp442307315' post='12315360']
I have a Garmin G6, and its really great. I get the distances, nice map of the holes, I can get distances to any point on the course, just from a point and click. This device has saved me at least 4 shots a round and could be my best investment
[/quote]

+1 I too have the Garmin G6. In addition to everything you have said this thing is very accurate. I also have a Bushnell V2 Rangefinder and find that the G6 distances are very consistent with the laser. If I could only have one the G6 GPS would be my preference.

[HoffTTM]

Also have a G6, there are quite a lot of courses with blind shots/bunker lay ups that just aren't all that easy to measure with lasers. Watching the Walker Cup drilled this home, even with their lasers they are so slow and walking 50-60 yards to be able to laser the shot. Lytham is a relatively straightforward course in terms of the visuals as well.

I don't feel I need the added precision I would get from a laser at my level, maybe its different when you can consistently control the difference between 153 yards and 156 yards.