How to keep ****s from stealing your rangefinder

[Frankensteins Monster]

Used a Dremel and put my name on it. Left it in a cart by mistake and nobody turned it in.

[hybrid25]

23 minutes ago, Frankensteins Monster said:

Used a Dremel and put my name on it. Left it in a cart by mistake and nobody turned it in.

I just don't understand how some people think what they find on the golf course actually belongs to them? One brother cheating the other brother. 

[lchang]

I’ll just tell a feel-good story to make us feel a tiny bit better about the world:  I got a call because I leave my first name and phone number labeled on my rangefinder. I’d left it in the cart and the kid working the barn called so I could retrieve it. 

[lchang]

I’ll just tell a feel-good story to make us feel a tiny bit better about the world:  I got a call because I leave my first name and phone number labeled on my rangefinder. I’d left it in the cart and the kid working the barn called so I could retrieve it. 

[hybrid25]

5 minutes ago, lchang said:

I’ll just tell a feel-good story to make us feel a tiny bit better about the world:  I got a call because I leave my first name and phone number labeled on my rangefinder. I’d left it in the cart and the kid working the barn called so I could retrieve it. 

That's the way it should be always. It is refreshing to hear a story like this.

[CaymanS]

I left mine in a cart on the east coast, flew home to California and realized I did not have the rangefinder.  Called the course, someone turned it in and they mailed it to me at their expense.

[CDLgolf]

I never use the case it came with. I use one of the pockets in my bag.

[cristphoto]

These two courses noted for their honesty should be named so we can play them (or refer them) as a reward.  I had something similar happen to me a couple years ago. I left my Pebble Beach windbreaker in the carts basket at a course and was half way home when I realized what I did.  Since I'm in Maryland it couldn't be easily replaced. I turned around and went back to the course and the cart boy had placed it in their lost items basket.  I referred this honesty to the manager and gave the kid a decent tip. 

[OBbogey5]

Depending on the state in which you reside:

 

1. Get a visual on shady X prior to theft 

2. Immediately fire a warning shot

3. If you’re not declared town sheriff, you know what to do.. YOU know what to do

 

Or, keep rangefinder in the golf bag zipper pocket, unless you’re in a cart and on the first tee.. then it goes in the cart cubby. 

[Abh159]

I'm fortunate to have never misplaced mine (currently knocking on my wood desk), but I did take a sharpie and write my name / phone number on it just in case that were to ever happen. As far as taking precautions to prevent people from stealing it.... I just put it in the zippered rangefinder pocket in my bag, only take it out for the shot, and then put it right back in the pocket. I know it's not 100% effective but if someone wanted to take it they would at least have to know exactly what pocket to look in, spend time unzipping the pocket, and then reach down into it to grab it. 

 

I now the OP learned his lesson the hard way, but I feel like just clipping the rangefinder and case onto your bag is similar to setting the empty box from the 70" TV you just bought out on the curb. Might as well hang a sign on your house that says "I have nice things please rob me."

[Kid B]

I need to know what the censored word in the title is.

[Sean2]

Nothing like the honor and integrity of the game. When playing I keep mine in a pouch on my push cart...you can't see it unless you make a very concerted effort. 

[sabram]

They should add a couple features that mobile phones have. Locks that are opened by your finger print and gps locator chip

 

[Londoner]

On 12/30/2020 at 11:34 PM, jordan2240 said:

Not to hijack this thread for a different subject, but all I'm saying is that, if your course has clear 150 markings, I'm betting most weekend golfers would find that using a rangefinder doesn't help their game all that much.  Reason - we don't hit the ball a consistent enough distance.  Sure, pros and very good golfers would benefit because they can hit the ball more precise distances.  I have a rangefinder, and I haven't completely put it to bed, but I've found recently that it doesn't really benefit me all that much on courses that have clear 150 markings, if at all.

 

We have clear 150 markers. We also have several raised greens up to 3 clubs deep. RF lets us know front, middle, back with certainty. 

I play off 11 and my yardages are pretty solid.

[cristphoto]

On 1/18/2021 at 2:27 PM, OBbogey5 said:

Depending on the state in which you reside:

 

1. Get a visual on shady X prior to theft 

2. Immediately fire a warning shot

3. If you’re not declared town sheriff, you know what to do.. YOU know what to do

 

Or, keep rangefinder in the golf bag zipper pocket, unless you’re in a cart and on the first tee.. then it goes in the cart cubby. 

 

I'd personally go with the James Bond briefcase used in From Russia With Love.  

[halliedog]

For those who leave them in carts/at the range/etc...  I did that once (luckily got returned) and since then came up with a way to avoid this in the future.  Once I get to the first tee the range finder comes out of the zippered bag pocket and car keys go immediately in that spot.  Upon completion of round I can't leave the course without keys, so they don't come out until range finder goes back in.  I haven't forgotten it in 5+ years since.

[hybrid25]

On 3/14/2021 at 1:34 PM, halliedog said:

For those who leave them in carts/at the range/etc...  I did that once (luckily got returned) and since then came up with a way to avoid this in the future.  Once I get to the first tee the range finder comes out of the zippered bag pocket and car keys go immediately in that spot.  Upon completion of round I can't leave the course without keys, so they don't come out until range finder goes back in.  I haven't forgotten it in 5+ years since.

I do the same thing. It works. For a guy that left his entire bag still on the cart and drove home, I have to find ways to help this tired mind out.

[golfjam]

Never had it stolen but my friend lost his and only his carrying case was left in the cart. I just leave mine in the bag to be safe.

[tsecor]

i saw someone try to steal my G425 hybrid the other day....caught him red handed......course kicked him out for life.....

[LeoLeo99]

1 hour ago, tsecor said:

i saw someone try to steal my G425 hybrid the other day....caught him red handed......course kicked him out for life.....

 

How did that go down?  At a private club?

[tsecor]

43 minutes ago, LeoLeo99 said:

 

How did that go down?  At a private club?

yea...walked out of the bar area as i was finishing my burger, so the guy taking it out of my bag.....had to look twice to make sure it was mine.....said "hey what the hell are you doing"?   he didnt say anything.....went in to tell the pro shop manager who actually saw it through his window.....the pro said "is that your club"? and the guy said no....and he admitted trying to steal it since 2 people saw him.   They booted him for life.......we'll see

[Pepperturbo]

Lots of shady people happen to play golf.  They cheat too.   I have my Garmin Approach Z82 in its own non-logo carry case clipped on my golf bag.  It has a progressive slid-clip tightened down, so it won't fall out and others can't see what's in the bag. 

 

You bet your bippy, I keep an eye on my bag.  If I am on the practice green it's kept nearby in my sight line.  But if a thief wants to steal something they will.  Most courses have posted signs they are NOT responsible for bags left unattended.

[hybrid25]

It wasn't a rangefinder, but somebody left their smartphone in the cart compartment. It was in a black case jammed way back into the compartment out of sight. The only way I knew it was there was a friend of the person's phone called the number. When I heard the strange ring tone it took me a few seconds to figure things out because it wasn't my phone/tone, and I couldn't see where the sound was coming from. In the end, I called an owner's contact and they got a hold of them. Turned it in to the pro shop, and everything is good!

Edited March 29, 2021 by hybrid25

[BlueFab5]

Tile tracker 

[braincramp52]

On 3/25/2021 at 1:45 PM, tsecor said:

yea...walked out of the bar area as i was finishing my burger, so the guy taking it out of my bag.....had to look twice to make sure it was mine.....said "hey what the hell are you doing"?   he didnt say anything.....went in to tell the pro shop manager who actually saw it through his window.....the pro said "is that your club"? and the guy said no....and he admitted trying to steal it since 2 people saw him.   They booted him for life.......we'll see

One of the advantages of being a lefty is no one wants my $%&! 😅

[MagTag_Golf]

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https://www.etsy.com/MagTagGolf/listing/1099928448/hand-stitched-leather-rangefinder-airtag?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1636051034478

[865golf]

On 12/24/2020 at 7:42 PM, EricWGolf said:

• Step 1: Buy Rangefinder
• Step 2: Buy Sharpie
• Step 3: Use Sharpie and write name and phone number directly on Rangefinder in prominent location 
• Step 4: Keep Rangefinder in zippered bag pocket
• Step 5: Profit?

This is exceptionally good advice.  I have my name and phone number written all over my rangefinder - it looks like a graffitied wall .  I also have my name on my bag - not because I'm a great golfer, but because I'm a criminal lawyer who has represented thieves multiple times and they all have told me they won't steal stuff that has a name on it - they can't sell it, can't use it, so it's worthless to them.  I also don't use headcovers that come with a club because they are just advertisements to thieves.

 

Step 5: Profit?  That comes from representing idiots. Steal a $400 rangefinder, pay a lawyer $3,000 to represent you in court.

[shoot4par]

On 3/14/2021 at 1:34 PM, halliedog said:

For those who leave them in carts/at the range/etc...  I did that once (luckily got returned) and since then came up with a way to avoid this in the future.  Once I get to the first tee the range finder comes out of the zippered bag pocket and car keys go immediately in that spot.  Upon completion of round I can't leave the course without keys, so they don't come out until range finder goes back in.  I haven't forgotten it in 5+ years since.

 

Do something very similar. Its just having some sort of routine and keeping organized in the cart or walking. That being said I have a magnetic pocket on the front of my bag where I keep the keys. So rangefinder comes out of the magnetic pocket,  keys go in, watch and wallet go in the valuables pouch.  If I walk keys will go with the wallet.