Range finder improve your handicap

[DKENT]

I was just wondering if purchasing a range finder has improved your game noticeably enough to affect your handicap. I would love to hear as I am thinking of getting one and wonder if this is an added benefit.

[Hateto3Putt]

Yes.

[misplacedtexan83]

It helps you not guess anymore.

[Poor Posture]

Knowing the exact yardage doesn't hurt, that's for sure.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='DKENT' timestamp='1443206494' post='12367152']
I was just wondering if purchasing a range finder has improved your game noticeably enough to affect your handicap. I would love to hear as I am thinking of getting one and wonder if this is an added benefit.
[/quote]

Yes it can unless you're one of those people that can eyeball distance very well. It can help you play faster as well since you're not looking for markers, which isn't bad either.

Look at this thread because you may want to evaluate GPS v Laser.
http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1235082-gps-vs-range-finder/

[Gumby82]

Yes, but only when coupled with knowing how far you actually hit your clubs.

Gc2 testing and my range finder has helped my game plenty.

[i*windows]

absolutely, literally shaved shots of my rounds

[Boricua Golf]

Of course, now granted you hit the right shot, and like others here have stated, if you know your distances with your clubs, it will take the guessing out of the equation, I don't owna range finder, I use "Golf Pad GPS" app and it works for me, plus it is free...lol, I have played with guys that have the actual range finder and my app is 1-2 yards off (more or less), just a thought...

[Gumby82]

[quote name='Boricua Golf' timestamp='1443527662' post='12382904']
Of course, now granted you hit the right shot, and like others here have stated, if you know your distances with your clubs, it will take the guessing out of the equation, I don't owna range finder, I use "Golf Pad GPS" app and it works for me, plus it is free...lol, I have played with guys that have the actual range finder and my app is 1-2 yards off (more or less), just a thought...
[/quote]

Yep I have hole 19 app and still use it for certain things like making out a course to see stuff I can't see. But the range finder gives me the absolute confidence that I have the right club in my hand all things being equal. With the app I still occasionally doubted it plus it only gave me front middle and back of the green.

[sea-golfer]

Yes, I went from a 10 handicap, down to currently a 4.5, range finders are so helpful when you miss the fairways. And I still miss 50 percent of the times on average so if still could reach in regulation this gives you that confidence instead of guessing.

[LAslicer]

[quote name='DKENT' timestamp='1443206494' post='12367152']
I was just wondering if purchasing a range finder has improved your game noticeably enough to affect your handicap. I would love to hear as I am thinking of getting one and wonder if this is an added benefit.
[/quote]

It helped me tremendously. It really helped me learn how far I actually hit each club. I rarely have an issue deciding what club to hit anymore. I can just look at the gps, get the number, pull the club, and hit. It does also speed up play a good bit.

[oskaru]

If the information it gives you is helpful, then yes. If you are unsure about your yardages or have a lot of front-to-back dispersion then you probably won't benefit as much. In the latter case having a range finder might just make you overthink your game and slow down play.

[highergr0und]

No single equipment purchase instantly helped my game so much as a laser. If you can reasonably control your distance and are finding yourself often far away from the pin short or long, the laser will knock a few strokes off your score. I still like GPS for hazards and what not.

[MountainKing]

I'm one of those dorks that uses a gps and a laser, gps generally on the tee and a laser in the fairway. I like my tech. Anyway, if having a laser has taught me anything it's that I'm horrible at estimating yardage to something when I'm nowhere near a yardage marker. When it's playing slow I'll often go and figure it out on my own and I'm generally a good 10 yards off.

On another note, I do play with a guy who is within 3 yards every time once he finds a 150 marker or some reference point to work off of..really annoying.

[BlackDiamondPar5]

[quote name='MountainKing' timestamp='1443812327' post='12401622']I'm one of those dorks that uses a gps and a laser, gps generally on the tee and a laser in the fairway. I like my tech. Anyway, if having a laser has taught me anything it's that I'm horrible at estimating yardage to something when I'm nowhere near a yardage marker. When it's playing slow I'll often go and figure it out on my own and I'm generally a good 10 yards off.

On another note, I do play with a guy who is within 3 yards every time once he finds a 150 marker or some reference point to work off of..really annoying.[/quote]

I also play with a guy that I swear has a bionic eye and seems to know yardage within about 3 regardless of the course.

Yeah and I'm also a tech dork that has a gps watch and laser

[jonkevin]

Yes, not only because it helps to know your exact yardage to the pin. I also use it to range the end of a fairway on a dogleg, trees or landmarks to help decide what club to use to lay up with to get to the yardage I want, how far to clear hazards, etc...

It's probably the best investment I've made for my game

[deadsolid...shank]

[quote name='MountainKing' timestamp='1443812327' post='12401622']
I'm one of those dorks that uses a gps and a laser, gps generally on the tee and a laser in the fairway. I like my tech. Anyway, if having a laser has taught me anything it's that I'm horrible at estimating yardage to something when I'm nowhere near a yardage marker. When it's playing slow I'll often go and figure it out on my own and I'm generally a good 10 yards off.

On another note, I do play with a guy who is within 3 yards every time once he finds a 150 marker or some reference point to work off of..really annoying.
[/quote]

I'm jealous of those guys who can "eyeball" it and be so close. My eyesight is so crappy, I'll look at a shot, think its maybe 50 yards, laser it and find out its 70 or 75. Up until about four or five years ago, my now almost 80 year old father in law could just look and be within a few yards from anything inside 200 yards.

So I'm a tech geek also, both laser and GPS. Garmin S6 watch from the tee and Bushnell from the fairway (or more likely, the rough or the trees).

[R Hagan]

For the longest time I was against using a laser on the course. I really enjoy using a yardage book and pacing off my yardages.

But I got one this summer and where it's helped me the most is on the driving range. It's a lot easier to practice half wedge shots when you know exactly how far your target is.