Does anybody have a problem using a range finder

[Golfchicago]

I don't have steady hands and have a problem using a range finder and I' getting one for christmas. Any tricks on holding the unit steady. One of my friends just told me he holds on to his hat while shooting the yardage. Do you do anything different?

[857 Pro-Ti]

No coffee in the AM Frank :tongue:

[Golfchicago]

No coffee in the AM Frank :tongue:

71034[/snapback]

Diet pepsi is my drink of choice, brother! :help:

[cpa49707]

The best solution is not to use one at all. leave the human element of assessing the situation and make a judgement in the game.

 

As you can notice I don't think they should be on the golf course my 2 cents

[Sam-Tee-Time]

If you ride in a cart, I've found that holding the rangefinder against the cart (the verticical bar that supports the roof) will stablize it.

[GolfSLO]

I'm with cpa, avoid the range finder altogether and keep "judgement" as a part of your game. When I throw a baseball I don't measure the distance to my target, when I shoot a basket, no measurment, when I make a pass, no measurement...

[Sakman]

I'm with cpa, avoid the range finder altogether and keep "judgement" as a part of your game.  When I throw a baseball I don't measure the distance to my target, when I shoot a basket, no measurment, when I make a pass, no measurement...

71106[/snapback]

 

You make a good point, but what about all the measurements that are already given to you on the course (200yds, 150yds, 100yds, etc.)? Granted, they may not be exact...and that's where the rangefinder comes into play.

[tpariff]

I usually hold my breath during the shot, or exhale just prior to shooting a yardage. After using it several times you'll become much better at "timing" the shot.

[857 Pro-Ti]

No coffee in the AM Frank :tongue:

71034[/snapback]

Diet pepsi is my drink of choice, brother! ;)

71039[/snapback]

Maybe it's the chemicals then :help:

[GolfSLO]

You make a good point, but what about all the measurements that are already given to you on the course (200yds, 150yds, 100yds, etc.)? Granted, they may not be exact...and that's where the rangefinder comes into play.

71108[/snapback]

 

yes, I make a lot of use the 100, 150, 200, 250 markers... I'm just not convinced that knowing exact yardage measurements really gets you closer to the pin or lowers your score.

 

It's kind of the same putting.... I don't measure my distance to the hole to determine how much takeaway to use... I just visualize the path of the ball and let it go. Just like throwing a ball, your body knows what to do - assuming you play and practice enough to teach it :tongue:.

 

I have to admit, I do kinda like the courses with yardages marked on the sprinkler heads... but I mostly use them after I guage the distance myself to see how close I came.

 

I guess I just prefer using and developing my senses instead of depending on technology... Just a personal preference. But using those scopes sure is tempting!

[kkhere]

call me a purist, but i too like to see the human element and don't want to see rangefinders used

[Golfchicago]

If you ride in a cart, I've found that holding the rangefinder against the cart (the verticical bar that supports the roof) will stablize it.

71070[/snapback]

Good common sense idea. I appreciate those who are purist but if the technology is allowed and my opponents are using it, then I feel like I should too

[Ken_In_CA]

I too have a rangefinder, and the reason that I need one (I think) is that I cannot tell distance. Must be the failing eyesight thing, oh well :tongue:

 

What I find most helpful is finding the distance to the bunker, tree, etc. I do use the markers on the course to the green, but sometimes, you just have to wonder if that's correct.

 

Ken

[ramsey_steve]

Just takes a little practice. Test different models, and maybe avoid those with higher magnification, if holding it steady is a problem.

 

Prohibiting use of rangefinders, GPS etc would be fine if golf courses han't let the genie out of the bottle by putting yardage markers out on the course, the pro shops weren't busy selling course yardage guides, and that pro's caddies weren't using them during practice rounds to construct their yardage data. For better or worse, that discussion is over, along with whether drivers should've been limited to 300cc's, etc, etc.

 

Speed of play has been a serious issue for a lot longer than these things have been around.. At most resort/daily fee courses you see players wandering around fairways with 3 - 5 different clubs in their hand (and still often not the right club) looking for a sprinkler head, 50 yards from where their cart sits parked.. Say hello to the 5 - 5.5 hour round.. Using a rangefinder is usually much quicker than that fiasco.

 

Here's an idea (that'll never fly), if you truly want to speed up play, get rid of cart usage on days when the course is too soft to allow them off the cart paths. Imagine that- People actually walking around a golf course.

[TheHomez]

I am suprised that your range finder is that shakey, but like a previous post steady it by using the cart.

 

I don't, and don't like to see a range finder used while playing. The reason is that it slows play, they are a good idea for new courses. If you normally play just at your home course, I think measurements should be taken when not playing and then put into your play book for reference. I use them very judiciously, I hate slow play and think that any round over 3.5 hrs is ridiculous.

 

 

Slow play obviously sucks but your comment does not really make any sense. How would range finders slow play time? Just like ramsey said its much faster for someone to use a rangefinder to get the yardage rather than walk all over the place looking for sprinkler heads.

 

Also, another reason why it might speed up play is that when the yardage markers on the course are wrong and you hit a good shot but misjudge the distance due to the markers you waste time and strokes chipping another shot onto the green.

 

For example this past weekend I played at a county course whose yard markers were horrible. For the Par 3, #9, the course maker said 138 to the pin, so I used an 8 iron and hit a perfect shot but the damn shot flew 30 yards over the green! That wasted so much time for me to go to the ball and chip it up and then putt etc. If I had a rangefinder, I would have known that it was about 110 to the pin and hit an easy pitching wedge onto the green. Much faster play.

[TheHomez]

By the way, i was curious as to why nobody has mentioned the Sky Caddie GPS? Is it because it works for only a limited number of courses or is it because its obsolete and can be inaccurate? If you don't know what it is click 'product find' they have it at golfsmith.com

[clinkinfo]

I am suprised that your range finder is that shakey, but like a previous post steady it by using the cart.

 

I don't, and don't like to see a range finder used while playing. The reason is that it slows play, they are a good idea for new courses. If you normally play just at your home course, I think measurements should be taken when not playing and then put into your play book for reference. I use them very judiciously, I hate slow play and think that any round over 3.5 hrs is ridiculous.

 

 

Slows play???? What are you talking about. They speed up play, no walking around, counting off yardage, etc. I don't understand how you could use a rangefinder and slow down play.

[clinkinfo]

call me a purist, but i too like to see the human element and don't want to see rangefinders used

71416[/snapback]

 

There were lots of folks like you that had trouble switching from persimmon drivers too.

 

I love the "human element" argument to this discussion. The "Human Element" is HITTING the shot not getting yardage information.

 

What exactly is the difference between having your caddie tell you the yardage to the pin, you step it off yourself or use a range finder...what's the difference? The outcome is EXACTLY the same (unless your caddie can't count).

 

The purist "human element" argument holds absolutely no water.

 

 

You hit the nail right on the head!

 

What are you all complaining about? Have you ever played with a good caddie? They give you the exact same yardage numbers! They give you even more information then the rangefinders! What are you doing when you walk off the yardage, getting the number? The only difference with the rangefinder is it's 100x faster then sitting and waiting for you guys to wander around looking for sprinkler heads.

 

As for this argument that you like to "feel" and "judge" the distance. Right, tour pros don't get the yardages either, they feel their distances. I think I overheard Tiger say "Don't bother giving me the yardage Stevie, this one feels like 213 to the pin" in the last tournament.

 

As for the original question, if you use it long enough you'll get good at figuring out what you are actually hitting with the rangefinder even when it shakes a bit. I normally use "scan" mode and some common sense. Since most of the other stuff you might pick up is behind the flag, the shortest yardage you pick up in scan mode is almost always the flag.

 

Good luck with it!

[jdaniel]

Wow, alot of "feel" players here. I use one, and two elbows on the steering wheel is the only trick I have. And lay off the sweet tea at lunch.

 

I find most of my playing partners are pretty close from a good ways out. They like to test themselves.

 

However inside of 80 yds. most guys are way off. as muck as 15-20 yds. at times.

 

So take it or leave it, I'm going to take it and keep it.

 

I'll use my feel on dodgey lies, up/down wind, up/down hill, and so on.

 

I find the rangefinder speeds up play, locks me in mentaly, and aids in adjusting my daily yardages based on weather and so on.

 

Also demoing new wedges and clubs are much clearer.

[baimo]

I used to have a tough time steadying my rangefinder and then I discovered Valium. Now I have no problem keeping steady and it also helps keep me relaxed during my swing. I don't even care if I shank it when I take enough of the stuff!