GPS v Laser rangefinder

Alex1975 said:
Laser.... faster than GPS every time and its actual data.
Click to expand...

How is laser faster than GPS? I walk up to my ball, flick my wrist over and I have a number. I'm not stood there aiming a laser at a flag for 10, 20, 30 seconds?

Imurg said:
Unless you can't see the base of the flag and you think its at the front when its at the back...
Aim for and hit the front and you may have a 30 yard putt..just aiming for the middle could still see you having 15 yards to go...
Click to expand...

Yes, that is a valid scenario I guess, albeit quite a remote one for most people seeing as courses will employ different coloured flags for where the pin is located on the green.
 
I pretty much always am quicker than people using GPS who seem to have to wait for it to make its mind up.

Laser... blip 147 to the flag, want it to fly 140, pull club... go!

GPS - stop, wait for it to catch up, it offers you front middle or back, you cant clearly see as your not looking though a scope, make a guess.

I think people will say that its horses for courses but I just think laser is fact and as long you dont always try carry the number your given, ie you take into account the landing conditions then laser is better and faster.
 
Val - I wish others were as quick as you. Walk to ball, get laser out of bag, hold laser up, steady hand, hold, hold, put laser in bag, ponder, choose club. Takes 10-30 seconds with most people. Full GPS can be similar although the figures are there instantly. Watches give far less info, don't give pin positions but they are instant and for most amateurs it is enough. Personal choice and it is each to their own but watches are much quicker in 99% of situations. Doesn't mean better but certainly quicker.
 
woody69 said:
How is laser faster than GPS? I walk up to my ball, flick my wrist over and I have a number. I'm not stood there aiming a laser at a flag for 10, 20, 30 seconds?



Yes, that is a valid scenario I guess, albeit quite a remote one for most people seeing as courses will employ different coloured flags for where the pin is located on the green.
Click to expand...

yeah but I've seen many debate coloured flags (eg) fronts in middle
 
I love these discussions.

Most people on here zap the flag, get a reading telling them it's 183 yards so they pull out a 7 iron and come up 30 yards short.

Forum distances have a lot to answer for :whistle:
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Lord Tyrion said:
Doesn't mean better but certainly quicker.
Click to expand...

Very true. But if you get an exact yardage AND you can hit that distance, chances are you will take fewer shots long term so overall you will get round quicker :thup:
 
drive4show said:
I love these discussions.

Most people on here zap the flag, get a reading saying telling them it's 183 yards so they pull out a 7 iron and come up 30 yards short.

Forum distances have a lot to answer for :whistle:
Click to expand...


Who are these most people? I mean really, you play with lots of people who dont have any idea about there own yardages in a game scenario?

Are you sugesting we abandon the whole thing and just guess and randomly pick a club based on what it looks like? Shall we get golf clubs to remove distance markers cos "most people" cant hit the correct yardages anyway.... Really?
 
drive4show said:
Very true. But if you get an exact yardage AND you can hit that distance, chances are you will take fewer shots long term so overall you will get round quicker :thup:
Click to expand...

You do realise your quote directly contradicts the one you made before it? I do get your point though. I suppose an interesting experiment would be to play with a partner who has one type of device, you have another and gauge the differences in speed and accuracy. No doubt laser is more accurate but is the difference with that final shot enough for the amateur level. Low single figure hc perhaps yet but for those middle and above maybe not.

I don't think there is a great fight to be had here. The differences seem pretty clear, you pays your money you take your pick.
 
Alex1975 said:
Who are these most people? I mean really, you play with lots of people who dont have any idea about there own yardages in a game scenario?

Are you sugesting we abandon the whole thing and just guess and randomly pick a club based on what it looks like? Shall we get golf clubs to remove distance markers cos "most people" cant hit the correct yardages anyway.... Really?
Click to expand...

Maybe you are better than the 'average' player on this forum ;)
 
Having read the GM article on the latest distance measuring devices this month, I think that this is now the first time that, if I was going to opt for one, I would go for a laser and that is simply on price. I really do think that, at the top end of the market, golf GPS devices have overpriced themselves. The latest Skycaddie device is over £300 plus a subscription if you want all the bells and whistles. You can buy a decent touchscreen smartphone for that money. You could opt for the basic model and get front, middle and back readings but I want more info than that. Even a mid range model is £200.00 plus. At least with a laser you can get a distance to anywhere and there are very good branded ones for £180.00.

Would love a new GPS but I want more detail than basic readings and could never justify the prices of some of the latest models.
 
Alex1975 said:
hehe no idea... whats the average? In reality though I do tend to know my yardages on a good shot though.

I wonder what the average handicap is on the forum?
Click to expand...

Average? Very difficult to say as there are quite a few complete beginners and many relative newbies mixed in with lots of seasoned campaigners. As a rough guess, I would put average handicap maybe low 20's?

Now not being judgemental in any way but do you honestly think those guys can hit the ball an accurate distance on a consistent basis?
 
drive4show said:
Average? Very difficult to say as there are quite a few complete beginners and many relative newbies mixed in with lots of seasoned campaigners. As a rough guess, I would put average handicap maybe low 20's?

Now not being judgemental in any way but do you honestly think those guys can hit the ball an accurate distance on a consistent basis?
Click to expand...


Nope.... But you cant stand over a shot and say "I am going to fat this so ill take an extra club". You have to pick a club based on a realistic best case scenario. Even when I was a 19 h/c I knew what yardage a good shot was for each club. What your talking about it lying to yourself. I have never hit a 7 iron 180 yards... today is the day! If that's how you play then no need for any measuring device.

At a guess I would say the average is lower than 20 something as forums tend to be frequented by the extremes.
 
Probably like the majority on here I've played hundreds of rounds and never once can I genuinely say I have finished a round thinking one of my playing partners have slowed the round down by using either GPS or Laser.
At times it feels like we should be running round 18 holes or finishing before we started!
 
I have a laser and last year I bought a basic GPS (Skycaddie AIRE) which gives front, middle and back distances. I find using both has definitely improved my course management. Too often in the past with just a laser I would 'chase' front or back pins and end up with difficult up and downs.

For this reason I believe a GPS is a better option for higher handicaps, aiming for the middle of the green is always good, and better to be there than short or long of a front or back pin and off the green.
 
merv79 said:
I have a laser and last year I bought a basic GPS (Skycaddie AIRE) which gives front, middle and back distances. I find using both has definitely improved my course management. Too often in the past with just a laser I would 'chase' front or back pins and end up with difficult up and downs.

For this reason I believe a GPS is a better option for higher handicaps, aiming for the middle of the green is always good, and better to be there than short or long of a front or back pin and off the green.
Click to expand...

There is no such thing for you with your short game :ears:
 
Laser more accurate (as long as the person holding it knows what they are doing) but I simply can't figure out how anyone can say Laser is quicker than a GPS watch? For a start, the watch is on your wrist, so you simply walk upto the ball and look at your watch and it gives you the distance you want (it gives you front/middle/back and anyone who is on the ball would have worked out what distance they were after as they approached the ball and looked at what was in front of them). The laser you have to get out of the bag and line up etc and then put back on bag/trolley

On top of that, you can look like a complete tool with your laser when you then chunk it 10 yards............
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Vistaget
  • Poll Poll
GPS vs. Laser Rangefinders What Do You Actually Use on the Course?
3 4 5
Replies
86
Views
4K
TigerBear
TigerBear
W
Vale Do Lobo - Ocean or Royal
Replies
8
Views
1K
Bratty
Bratty
T
Disability discrimination?
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
5K
Lord Tyrion
Lord Tyrion
Reemul
Dentist Issue
2
Replies
29
Views
5K
The Squirrel
The Squirrel
S
Project Management Tool
Replies
5
Views
261
harpo_72
harpo_72
Top