GPS or Rangefinder (or course planner?)

I'm on the fence with this one.

Having never used a rangefinder or GPS I cannot comment. My track has only 150 yd markers, other than that, it's down to good old guesswork.

The golf tart inside keeps telling me I ought to try a GPS (for game improvement purposes you know) My high handicap tells me it would be a complete waste of money!
 
Well as I've taken it upon myself to be the resident Freecaddie cheerleader (no remuneration from the programmers involved)
I would first suggest that if you have an iphone/windows mobile phone or Java phone with inbuilt GPS then get freecaddie. www.freecaddie.com
I think I'm biased as a beginner golfer I started using GPS straight away as I had the phone to do it with, this was before actually discorvering that old schoolers frown upon such devices.
I've begun to use it less once i'm within the <100 yard range as i've begun to develop my feel. But anything that requires a full shot over 100 yards then it becomes invaluable to me as I defintely can't tell the difference by sight of 130 yards versus 145 yards (Can anyone?)
 
At my course there are only 150 yards markers. And its a green pole on one side of the fairway. So if you're in the rough on the other side its complete guesswork - always assuming the 150 marker is correct in the first place. As I'm still fairly new to the course I find my SC2.5 invaluable. This time next year I may not use it so much at home but for playing at another course it will help no end.
 
I have just been given a Sonocaddie v300 GPS and so far it is a very impressive device. I had considered buying a Rangefinder but having now used this device at 3 different courses I am very impressed with its usefullness. GPS certainly saves time in that the reading is instant. I have found some discrepancies between the markers on my course and the distances provided by the GPS but I will rely on the GPS.
 
At my course there are only 150 yards markers. And its a green pole on one side of the fairway. So if you're in the rough on the other side its complete guesswork - always assuming the 150 marker is correct in the first place. As I'm still fairly new to the course I find my SC2.5 invaluable. This time next year I may not use it so much at home but for playing at another course it will help no end.
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You make a good point here about assuming the 150 yard markers are in the right place. On my course I am convinced that some aren't, not unless I can hit a PW 150 yrds anyway! When I said I often go through the back, it is because I select a club based on where I am in relation to the 150 yard marker. For example, one par 3 is an elevated tee, about 160 yards. 150 is a 7 iron for me. However one onehot day I went for an 8 iron. I creamed it and it landed in teh wods, about 20 yards behind the green!

Often my 'eye' tells me I have the wrong club in hand, and I start doubting myself. One of 2 things then happens....I stick with 'too much club' and don't commit to the shot, or, I change club and swing too hard, thinking that I don't have enough club.
 
I think irrespective of GPS or rangefinder it is so much better to stand there with a club in your hand and the confidence you have the right one. From there its just down to making a good swing.

Either option is a goer for me and I think it does speed up play (certainly the GPS - only used a rangefinder on course once so can't compare fairly)
 
At my course there are only 150 yards markers. And its a green pole on one side of the fairway. So if you're in the rough on the other side its complete guesswork - always assuming the 150 marker is correct in the first place. As I'm still fairly new to the course I find my SC2.5 invaluable. This time next year I may not use it so much at home but for playing at another course it will help no end.
Click to expand...

You make a good point here about assuming the 150 yard markers are in the right place. On my course I am convinced that some aren't, not unless I can hit a PW 150 yrds anyway!
Click to expand...

Checked a few of the markers last week and found most to be out by only a few yards but one was 12 yards long (ie 162) and as this was on an uphill par 4 is it any wonder that most people come up short..
 
I keep reading these threads with interest. I have sort of convinced myself that the SC2.5 will be a great Xmas present. I may have to start negotiating soon. As for 150 posts - I find they do differ from hole to hole on our course and massively from course to course. Measurements can be to the front or to the middle of greens and sometimes this can be a difference of three clubs.
 
What? At 75 yards?
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No!(silly) we have markers at 100. Even a half blind 4-eyes can walk successfully from 100 to where the ball is. :cool:

But if we didn't have 100 yd disks I would struggle to "see" the difference between 70 and 80 yards.

Thankfully, once I get to 50 yards or so, the pin is crystal clear. :cool:
 
Well as I've taken it upon myself to be the resident Freecaddie cheerleader (no remuneration from the programmers involved)
I would first suggest that if you have an iphone/windows mobile phone or Java phone with inbuilt GPS then get freecaddie. www.freecaddie.com
I think I'm biased as a beginner golfer I started using GPS straight away as I had the phone to do it with, this was before actually discorvering that old schoolers frown upon such devices.
I've begun to use it less once i'm within the <100 yard range as i've begun to develop my feel. But anything that requires a full shot over 100 yards then it becomes invaluable to me as I defintely can't tell the difference by sight of 130 yards versus 145 yards (Can anyone?)
Click to expand...

Ah hem!!

Glad you're enjoying the Freecaddie! :D

120 yards and in I don't use the GPS, it's a feel shot anyway. Sometimes it's a low 5 iron to get under theoverhanging trees or stron wind, or wedge of some form depending on pin position, hazards etc. It's the 200 yards to 120 that the GPS comes into it's own for me. Providing of course that I hit the shot properly in the first place.

At least I can slyly look at the distance on the GPS, and then duff the shot! I'd look a complete pillock if I'd laser'd the pin and then stuffed the shot! :D

And for that reason GPS gets my vote. Laser range finders are great for good or consistent player. Just not for me, just yet.
 
Do you drive to the course?
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Yes, I drive to the course.

Can I read a number plate at 20 metres, sure.
I can see the flag at 70 yards (64 metres) but not exactly "crisply". I can see the flag at 200 yards, but it could be off the front of the green for all I know!

I could wear specs 0.25 stronger, but then the close vision is over-corrected....so the ball would look a bit "whoaa..."

- - - -

Just for a laugh at my expense....I was playing in a regional thing at a big, O-Qual' course. I decided to wear contacts (stronger) to improve long range vision. I could see a pitch mark on the green at 150 yards....but the close was well dodgy....I walked straight into one of those wooden surrounds (mini fence thing) around the tee. Not only did I go base over apex, but it flippin hurt.
 
I drove to Moorfields eye hospital once. Every car in the car park had a dent in it.

There is also a big line painted on the pavement from the tube station to the hospital for guys to follow.

Wonder if there there is a big line round Dave's golf course.

Seriously Dave, I wear contacts. Would be walking into doors without them.
 
Cheers guys. I do OK....it's just getting old I guess.

Anyway, back to the O.P. I really must put some cash away for one or the other.

I think a skycaddie will win, a range finder is like a single-eye binocular, and with glasses binoculars are rubbish as well.
 
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