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Golf GPS Systems vs Laser Rangefinders

There is no reason for amateur golfers to continue to rely on on-course yardage markers in today’s world. Marking off the actual yardage from your ball to a yardage marker is inaccurate and time consuming. There are two distinctly different devices available on the market to help you determine yardage on the course; the golf GPS system and the laser rangefinder.

Which one is right for the beginner or high handicap golfer?

First, let’s take a detailed look at each.

Golf GPS systems utilize the same GPS satellite system that a car navigation system does. GPS coordinates must be mapped for each course that the manufacturer offers on the device. This is primarily done through the use of satellite images but Sky Golf, maker of Sky Caddie systems, prides itself on walking every course. The accuracy of a golf GPS system is usually within a few yards with the Sky Caddie systems claiming even better accuracy. Using these GPS coordinates, the device can tell you the distance from your ball to various points on the hole. The most basic of systems tell you the distance to the center of the green. Most tell you at least the distance to the front, center, and back of the green while some offer more including the distance needed to carry hazards. An overhead view of the hole is another feature on some systems. Most of the touchscreen models offer the ability to drag to any point on the hole and see the distance to it.

A laser rangefinder shoots a laser off an object to determine the distance to it. By far the biggest benefit of a laser rangefinder is its accuracy in measuring the distance to the flag. Several rangefinders boast of accuracy within one yard or less. A secondary advantage of some rangefinders is the ability to determine the slope from your ball to the target and factor it into the distance. So if the actual distance is 150 yards but the target is uphill, the device would also give a longer “play-as” yardage. Rangefinders are also able to lock onto targets other than the flag, although this can sometimes be trickier and take more time. The major drawback of a laser rangefinder is the fact that it cannot measure the distance to a target that it cannot see. So any blind shots are not measurable.

So which device is better for the high handicap or beginner golfer?

A golf GPS system is the best choice for the beginner or high handicap golfer. There are several reasons why.

  • The goal of a high handicap golfer is to hit greens in regulation – not to go for every flag. Many times holes are guarded by hazards and the safe play is an area of the green away from the hole. A golf GPS system that tells you the distance to the front, center, and back of the green will help you think of the distance remaining to the green as a yardage range instead of a specific yardage, helping you hit more greens.

 

  • Many golf GPS systems show an overhead view of the hole. Visualization is a crucial component of being a successful golfer. An overhead view of the hole is highly beneficial in utilizing course management to plan out your shots on each hole.

 

  • A golf GPS system is quicker than a laser rangefinder. Slow play is becoming an increasingly larger problem in golf. It takes time to zero in on a target with a laser rangefinder. A GPS will instantly tell you the remaining yardage to the green.

 

  • You can keep score and track stats on many golf GPS systems. In addition to determining yardage left to the green and hazards, many golf GPS systems allow you to keep score and track stats.

 

While hopefully someday your golf game will progress to a level that requires the accuracy of a laser rangefinder, it is simply not necessary at the high handicap level. The added benefits of a golf GPS system make it the easy choice for the beginner or high handicap golfer.

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9 replies on “Golf GPS Systems vs Laser Rangefinders”

i recently upgraded to a smart phone and the first thing I did was to download a free version of a golf app (GolfLogx). I would recommend to anyone who is considering buying a Garmin and has a smart phone (and a bit of data to spare) to try this for free. It was easy to use, gave me the yardage to doglegs, sandtraps and the front, center and back of the hole as described above. I wouldn’t worry about your course not being available. If they’ve mapped the courses I play, they probably have yours.

Earlier in the season I played with a gentleman who had a stand-alone gps (Garmin?) that he simply attached to the golf cart. I think I would go with that device as opposed to using the phone if I could afford it.

I agree Jon. I have used some of the smartphone apps, such as GolfLogix and TOUR Caddie, and they are phenomenal.

My problem is I always end up worrying about my phone during the round.

Great post. I have encountered hole has been moved on the green. how accurate will GPS in this case? Does GPS unit update the new location?

Hi KC,

Golf GPS systems only tell you the distance to the front, center and back of the greens, not the distance to the hole. I feel this is actually a good thing for high handicap golfers as it promotes hitting the center of the green and not aiming for the flag which can easily get you in trouble.

I am thinking of getting a rangefinder instead of a GPS b/c I feel like most GPS don’t have the courses I play, mostly city park courses. Do you think it is beneficial for a high handicap to get a rangefinder instead of a GPS in this situation?

Hi J D. Thanks for the comment.

I would do the research and be sure there is not a GPS you like that offers the courses. I firmly believe a GPS is the way to go for a high handicap.

If there isn’t a GPS that offers your courses, I would buy a rangefinder. A rangefinder is a better solution than nothing at all.

Great post! I am a fairly low handicap golfer and although there are some nice advantages to having a golf GPS system i prefer using a rangefinder as i generally find them much more accurate.

Thanks for the comment, Jack! I agree with you. A low handicap golfer has the skills to be more aggressive at the pins. The better accuracy of a laser rangefinder may be the best choice for a low handicap.

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