Are range finders worth the investment?

[spartanglfr]

Yes, it's an invaluable tool. Pga tour pros and/or their caddies use them to shoot yardages during practice rounds.

[Neurotica]

Yes and I feel naked without my Nikon.

 

Best long term benefit is knowing how far you actually hit your irons.

[Dakeys06]

Just bought my first one (Z6 Jolt) and it's already been one of the best investments I've made for my game. Speeds up play and you know exactly how far you are.

[hybrid25]

I have never owned a laser range finder, but I do own a GPS watch. As far as the rangefinder I definitely think they are worth it, and I can say that without even owning one. I get by with my GPS watch just fine but when I forget to wear it I feel like I'm at a disadvantage. If I didn't have a GPS watch I would definitely consider a rangefinder.

[joey2aces]

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1374416-how-much-did-getting-a-range-finder-improve-your-game/page__st__60__p__14860462__hl__rangefinders#entry14860462

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1464318-which-rangefinder-to-buy/page__st__30__p__15598902__hl__+rangefinders#entry15598902

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1489138-best-200-rangefinder/page__p__15584722__hl__+rangefinders#entry15584722

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1477622-should-i-buy-a-rangefinder/page__p__15536320__hl__+rangefinders#entry15536320

.

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1463860-rangefinders/page__p__15376048__hl__+rangefinders#entry15376048

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1457272-is-bushnell-still-the-best/page__p__15156254__hl__rangefinders#entry15156254

 

http://www.golfwrx.com/forums/topic/1447460-rangefinder-recommendation-question/page__p__15091800__hl__rangefinders#entry15091800

 

 

 

etc etc etc

[Boricua Golf]

I really think is a must, my scores have dropped since I purchased mine, having the "actual" yardage is the key, I have the Bushnell V3 with slope, love it...

[Shifty76]

Golfed for 20+ years without one and always chuckled at guys who would use them because I got pretty good at judging distances to the pin just based off the yardage markers on the course. My guess would always be within 5 yards of what they got on their rangefinders.

 

However, I recently moved to a course that has a lot of elevation changes and I've done a complete 180. Yardages that I'd figured were 150-160 were playing as much as 180-190 with the slope, which I never would have guessed. Also have several holes with long elevated greens where you can't tell if the pin is at the front of the back, and the rangefinder is invaluable in those situations.

 

I'm now firmly in the pro-rangefinder camp :)

[clos8]

Absolutely. Changes the way you play the game IMHO

[manku]

I'm in the minority, on this board at least, probably because I'm a 18 capper, but I don't think they're any better than a GPS watch - which is MUCH more convenient (I don't think anyone would argue that!).

 

Making solid contact and hitting it straight are the main challenges for any 15+ handicapper...the plus or minus 5 or even 10 yards that a rangefinder gives doesn't really matter when you chunk it 40 yards short or skull a wedge over the green!!!

[Londoner]

Yes. I've used gps for a couple of years. Now I've got my Bushnell i KNOW the distance, not best guess. As somebody else said. From 150 in its invaluable. Also great for checking distance to carry hazards or lay up distances. I wouldnt be without mine. Only regret is that i didnt go for a waterproof one.

[msoderma]

I'm in the minority, on this board at least, probably because I'm a 18 capper, but I don't think they're any better than a GPS watch - which is MUCH more convenient (I don't think anyone would argue that!).

 

Making solid contact and hitting it straight are the main challenges for any 15+ handicapper...the plus or minus 5 or even 10 yards that a rangefinder gives doesn't really matter when you chunk it 40 yards short or skull a wedge over the green!!!

I fully agree, "different tools for different fools". With a medium to high hcp the variance in length is too much to warrant the hazzle and pace-of-play issue of lasers, given the low cost & ease of use with modern gps watches. For lower hcp the approach precision comes more into play (even though we all basically should aim for middle of the green all the time...) and lasers become more fitting.

[8overpar]

I'd say yes. Precision Pro Golf was the first one I tried(vendor on here). Really needed one at the range because none of the original yardage plaques have survived from when the course opened.

 

 

 

$250 for a slope version and $200 for non-slope is cheap compared to the name brand things now.

[Londoner]

I'm in the minority, on this board at least, probably because I'm a 18 capper, but I don't think they're any better than a GPS watch - which is MUCH more convenient (I don't think anyone would argue that!).

 

Making solid contact and hitting it straight are the main challenges for any 15+ handicapper...the plus or minus 5 or even 10 yards that a rangefinder gives doesn't really matter when you chunk it 40 yards short or skull a wedge over the green!!!

I fully agree, "different tools for different fools". With a medium to high hcp the variance in length is too much to warrant the hazzle and pace-of-play issue of lasers, given the low cost & ease of use with modern gps watches. For lower hcp the approach precision comes more into play (even though we all basically should aim for middle of the green all the time...) and lasers become more fitting.

 

I dispute the idea that lasers give pace of play issues. I can zapp the flag in a fraction of the time some people take when looking at front, middle and back, then deciding which the flag is nearest. All to be up to 10 yards out anyway.

 

We should all always aim for centre of the green? Im afraid our groups course strategy takes rather more into considerations.

 

I agree though, if you havent got a clue on your distances neither will help, apart from eventually teaching you your distances.

[msoderma]

I dispute the idea that lasers give pace of play issues. I can zapp the flag in a fraction of the time some people take when looking at front, middle and back, then deciding which the flag is nearest. All to be up to 10 yards out anyway.

Good for you; the majority cannot, at least as far as I've noticed. Hence the on-average pace-of-play issue vs just using a middle-of-the-green GPS value.

I do think both variants are faster than pacing back and fro to distance markers and such, though.

We should all always aim for centre of the green? Im afraid our groups course strategy takes rather more into considerations.

By aiming for the middle of the green I refer to the various tests showing that scoring tends to improve if we remove the flagsticks before the approach shots... for average golfers, at least, of whom there are hardly any on this forum of course.

 

Disclaimer: I myself am a laser user since 11+ years, and do value the <150 distance certainity gotten before shots, and the subconcious feedback giving a better grasp on actual distances. Also, they are often superior measuring run-outs to doglegs & trees, IMO.

[Londoner]

I dispute the idea that lasers give pace of play issues. I can zapp the flag in a fraction of the time some people take when looking at front, middle and back, then deciding which the flag is nearest. All to be up to 10 yards out anyway.

Good for you; the majority cannot, at least as far as I've noticed. Hence the on-average pace-of-play issue vs just using a middle-of-the-green GPS value.

I do think both variants are faster than pacing back and fro to distance markers and such, though.

We should all always aim for centre of the green? Im afraid our groups course strategy takes rather more into considerations.

By aiming for the middle of the green I refer to the various tests showing that scoring tends to improve if we remove the flagsticks before the approach shots... for average golfers, at least, of whom there are hardly any on this forum of course.

 

Disclaimer: I myself am a laser user since 11+ years, and do value the <150 distance certainity gotten before shots, and the subconcious feedback giving a better grasp on actual distances. Also, they are often superior measuring run-outs to doglegs & trees, IMO.

I agree about the dog legs and other target areas.

The thing that has struck me since going to laser is that at least one of our group, all gps guys, always asks me what number ive got on par 3s.

[GordonBombay]

For a non-tournament golfer I think the app options on smart phones nowdays are good enough to get the job done. I can see how you would want a rangefinder for tourney prep, but I've always considered buying one but have never been able to justify it due to pretty good options on my phone for free.