Is there a device that will let me measure how far a drive goes while on the course?

[BenSeattle]

Now and then I want to know how far I hit this last drive off the tee.   If there's a distinct landmark next to the tee markers (tree, bench, yardage sign) I can get to my ball and laser back toward the tee for an accurate measurement.  But this is rarely the case.  Usually I'm just shooting back into a grove of trees or the horizon. 

 

So is there a device that will allow me to get a good read on how far I hit that last one? A fellow told me that several years ago he had a gizmo that let you tap a button right at the tee and once you got to the ball down the fairway it would provide an accurate reading of how far the ball went.  

 

Any suggestions?

[Badknee]

Bushnell Phantom (gps). 

[ShortGolfer]

Garnin G10 (gps)

 

Measuring a shot.

[Greenie]

Most any gps for golf has that feature. I have the Bushnell Wingman and the Golfbuddy Voice.

[blades_are_life]

Google Earth mark a measure point at your current location on the tee then once you get to your ball.

[bvanlieu]

used GPS/golf apps on a phone app in the past but you have to remember to do things with it.

 

Last year got a garmin S series golf watch, and it does it automatically for last shot all the time, so you can always gap/see how far something.

 

As if I needed a reminder that I was 10y short of target as it was a hair fat, but the watch is a double check 😄 

 

 

[bcjim]

My Garmin watch does it.  No button pushing or scope needed. Just look at your wrist and it has a live display of how far you've walked since your last swing. It registers impact with no intervention. 

[Billy_shears]

I use arccos. You put sensors on each club and it’ll detect when and where you take a shot and with what club then it’ll show the distance of the each shot. It even keeps track of your score  and can send them to usga for you. It’ll also hide insight on your round about what helped and hurt you. I think it’s like $150 for the entire year. If you have certain golf clubs brands you can get the sensors for free and a trial. Then you pay the yearly subscription 

Edited April 30 by Billy_shears

[North Butte]

Almost any golf-specific GPS will let you do that, whether a standalone device or an app on your phone. Plus or minus the several yards of error typical to consumer GPS, of course.

 

For doing it with your laser, don't try to laser back to the tee with your ball. That almost never works. Laser a distant landmark (tree etc.) before leaving the tee, more or less in line with where you ball ended up. Then laser the same landmark again when you get to the ball. Subtract the two numbers. Much more reliable than hoping there just happens to be a landmark right next to the tee.

[Lasorcier]

I use a garmin golf watch (S62) and CT10 sensors and that is all automatic.

 

Knowledge of how far your clubs go on average is huge and directly leads to lower scores because it led to me rarely being short.  

[Ger21]

Golfshot App on my phone will do this.

[vamosjackets]

As others have said, Garmin watch (Approach S62 for me).  SwingU app will also do it, but you have to tap measure distance after you hit the ball and then it will start measuring. 

[phil75070]

Shot Scope shot trackers have that capability. A simple tap on the watch gives you the distance of that last shot.

[Socrates]

Be careful what you wish for.  Most guys get pretty disheartened when they find out how far they actually hit it off the tee.

[bcjim]

10 minutes ago, Socrates said:

Be careful what you wish for.  Most guys get pretty disheartened when they find out how far they actually hit it off the tee.

True.  And really seeing exactly how much wind, temperature, wer/dry turf, etc impact distance was really helpful.  Convinced me to stop wasting time with the back tees when the ground is saturated. 

[alittleoverpar]

30 minutes ago, Socrates said:

Be careful what you wish for.  Most guys get pretty disheartened when they find out how far they actually hit it off the tee.

 

I would have sworn that went 350....damn watch!  🤣

[Double Mocha Man]

3 hours ago, North Butte said:

Almost any golf-specific GPS will let you do that, whether a standalone device or an app on your phone. Plus or minus the several yards of error typical to consumer GPS, of course.

 

For doing it with your laser, don't try to laser back to the tee with your ball. That almost never works. Laser a distant landmark (tree etc.) before leaving the tee, more or less in line with where you ball ended up. Then laser the same landmark again when you get to the ball. Subtract the two numbers. Much more reliable than hoping there just happens to be a landmark right next to the tee.

 

Before GPS and lasers I just paced it off.  I practiced a 1-yard step, perfected it and then used it on the course on occasion. But you can't lose count when you get over 300 yards! Don't let anyone ask you questions or throw you off your count. 

[Ben B]

Well you have some options here....

 

Option 1:

 

If the course has somewhat accurate yardages and is well marked then you can do a little basic math if you piped it down the middle. If you didn't pipe it down the middle then you'd need to apply a little bit more advanced mathematics and use good ol' Pythagoras theorem. But that's a lot of math while drinking and playing golf....just saying.

 

Option 2:

 

In true WRX fashion you can just use the tried and true equation...

 

300 yards (because all of us WRXrs hit it at least 300) + the yardage you hit it past your buddies = total distance. 

 

NOTE: Yardage you hit it past your buddies can be stepped off or just estimated using multiples of 20 yards for pace of play.

 

Option 3:

 

When pipe it down the middle and your ball waves at your buddies ball as it does a "fly by", just tell one of your buddies to stay on the tee so you can laser back to him.

 

Option 4:

 

Use a GPS, Arccos, or something similar. But I'd recommend bringing an extra 12 pack of beer or maybe additional 5th full of your favorite whiskey so you can drink your sorrows away when you realize you only hit 260 yards after absolutely flushing it....no one needs to know it was downhill with a tail wind. 😉 

[Double Mocha Man]

8 minutes ago, Ben B said:

Option 4:

 

Use a GPS, Arccos, or something similar. But I'd recommend bringing an extra 12 pack of beer or maybe additional 5th full of your favorite whiskey so you can drink your sorrows away when you realize you only hit 260 yards after absolutely flushing it....no one needs to know it was downhill with a tail wind. 😉 

 

So true.  Don't ask, don't tell.   It can be so disappointing.

[Socrates]

45 minutes ago, bcjim said:

True.  And really seeing exactly how much wind, temperature, wer/dry turf, etc impact distance was really helpful.  Convinced me to stop wasting time with the back tees when the ground is saturated. 

I played a course in January (Mexico) and the course was always soft from overnight watering.  Damn disheartening to measure it off.  Sea level, no roll (heck barely bounced).  Even a few scant years ago I was much further down the fairway and now that yardage is just a faint memory.  Like the Jefferson's, "I'm movin' on up!"

[Mike_C]

46 minutes ago, Ben B said:

Use a GPS, Arccos, or something similar. But I'd recommend bringing an extra 12 pack of beer or maybe additional 5th full of your favorite whiskey so you can drink your sorrows away when you realize you only hit 260 yards after absolutely flushing it....no one needs to know it was downhill with a tail wind. 😉 

Downhill, downwind, and fast and firm fairway, and at least a 40 yard roll out.....you then realize your "Tour issue" driver head, TX-Flex $600 driver shaft that is tipped an inch, only gets you the same carry distance as a tour pro's weak lofted 5 iron.....

[BenSeattle]

All great advice so thanks to one and all.  NOT so thrilled to learn that is rather possible that I'm not carrying 8-irons 195 into the wind like I've been telling everybody.  ☹️