slugger
Tour Rookie
and would that not mean you're not allowed to use ProV1s 
GPS v Rangefinder ???
- Thread starter Macster
- Start date
I do think its a very narrow minded argument unless like others have muted your committee are only going to allow one make of ball etc. My club have had it as a local rule for ages and everyone is happy. I use mine all the time and noone bats an eyelid
RGDave
Money List Winner
Not being allowed to use them in comps is one of the reasons I haven't got one. I'd like one, oh yes, and would be straight down the shops if allowed to do the distances on a weekend with one in my bag.
As I mentioned in another post earlier, not all distance markers are correct, especially the 150 posts which get moved around quite often (by course elves presumably).
Our 100 disks are hopeless compared to a GPS and quite often I can't get a distance at all in the 170-220 range because the "small tree" or "gap in hedge" doesn't even exist any more.
oh, and b.t.w. our course is completely re-doing them this year.
As I mentioned in another post earlier, not all distance markers are correct, especially the 150 posts which get moved around quite often (by course elves presumably).
Our 100 disks are hopeless compared to a GPS and quite often I can't get a distance at all in the 170-220 range because the "small tree" or "gap in hedge" doesn't even exist any more.
oh, and b.t.w. our course is completely re-doing them this year.
John_Findlay
Tour Winner
Ok. I'm firmly in the Laser Rangefinder camp, having used one for 4 years.
A) It's accurate to inches. GPS is lucky if it's accurate to miles. I've played with guys who have them and they're pants, especially for greens that are 50 yards long. Those damned Russians and their calibration. Do satellites tell you where the pin is?
B) Yes, you can't see round corners. So what? Play on a proper course. Likewise if it's windy just rest it on your golf bag. Problem solved.
C) You can use it on the range as well as every course on the planet at no extra expense. Ooh. Frugal.
D) Contrary to popular belief you can bounce a laser off any obstacle to get a yardage to carry bunkers, mounds, burns, trees, clubhouses, squirrels, other golfers. It'll tell you how far not to hit it as well as how far to carry if you know how to use it. Mine even allows for slope, though highly illegal.
E) Name a pro caddy that uses GPS. Take your time. No seriously.
F) Case dismissed, m'lud
A) It's accurate to inches. GPS is lucky if it's accurate to miles. I've played with guys who have them and they're pants, especially for greens that are 50 yards long. Those damned Russians and their calibration. Do satellites tell you where the pin is?
B) Yes, you can't see round corners. So what? Play on a proper course. Likewise if it's windy just rest it on your golf bag. Problem solved.
C) You can use it on the range as well as every course on the planet at no extra expense. Ooh. Frugal.
D) Contrary to popular belief you can bounce a laser off any obstacle to get a yardage to carry bunkers, mounds, burns, trees, clubhouses, squirrels, other golfers. It'll tell you how far not to hit it as well as how far to carry if you know how to use it. Mine even allows for slope, though highly illegal.
E) Name a pro caddy that uses GPS. Take your time. No seriously.
F) Case dismissed, m'lud
RGDave
Money List Winner
Sorry to be a little dim, but could someone explain (briefly) how a laser rangefinder works?
I'm guessing you look "down/through" it and pinpoint a target "visually" with a cursor/cross-hair...
Sounds very clever.....and might be better for me as a) some courses I play are not on skycaddie and b) there's no subscription.
Is hard to "get" the pin, or does one aim at the flag or something. Apparently, some flags have reflectors?
Lots of questions...sorry.
I'm guessing you look "down/through" it and pinpoint a target "visually" with a cursor/cross-hair...
Sounds very clever.....and might be better for me as a) some courses I play are not on skycaddie and b) there's no subscription.
Is hard to "get" the pin, or does one aim at the flag or something. Apparently, some flags have reflectors?
Lots of questions...sorry.
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
Contrary to popular belief I am actually in neither 'camp' but have used both methods....
If you're going for GPS just choose a Sky Caddie as they are the most accurate but remember you have to pay a subscription and some courses (including a couple of Open venues) are yet to mapped....
The rangefinder to have is the Bushnell V2, which I am currently using, works by getting your circle which you can see (like when you look through binonculars) and pressing the button when if it on the flag, tree, person in front, bunker or whatever you want to aim at and it tell you how far it is to that point....it's not difficult and after a couple of holes from first using it it's easy peasy.... if you can't see the flag from where your ball is you move sideways until you do and then see how far it is....I haven't been unable to get a distance yet from not being able to see the flag from my ball....
The great thing is with either you get an exact yardage to a point where you want to hit it too.....I played yesterday and was on a par 3 with a large green...the yardage marker in the tee said 169 but the actual to the flag was 181...that's at least a club difference if not 2....
Get whatever you want but personally I would go for the V2 until the next Sky Caddie model comes out in time for Christmas........
If you're going for GPS just choose a Sky Caddie as they are the most accurate but remember you have to pay a subscription and some courses (including a couple of Open venues) are yet to mapped....
The rangefinder to have is the Bushnell V2, which I am currently using, works by getting your circle which you can see (like when you look through binonculars) and pressing the button when if it on the flag, tree, person in front, bunker or whatever you want to aim at and it tell you how far it is to that point....it's not difficult and after a couple of holes from first using it it's easy peasy.... if you can't see the flag from where your ball is you move sideways until you do and then see how far it is....I haven't been unable to get a distance yet from not being able to see the flag from my ball....
The great thing is with either you get an exact yardage to a point where you want to hit it too.....I played yesterday and was on a par 3 with a large green...the yardage marker in the tee said 169 but the actual to the flag was 181...that's at least a club difference if not 2....
Get whatever you want but personally I would go for the V2 until the next Sky Caddie model comes out in time for Christmas........
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
I have no problem with the rangefinders as such its just that if you are unable to see the target, either blocked or in a dip for example, they can't give you a reading.
If there is a ditch that you know is there but its in a slight dip/dead ground, how do you know how far it is to carry it if you use a rangefinder?
I'll admit, if you shoot for the flag then a rangefinder will give you that exact yardage and if you're good enough then that's great. personally I'm generally happy to shoot for the centre of the green. That way if I over or under club I should still make it.
If there is a ditch that you know is there but its in a slight dip/dead ground, how do you know how far it is to carry it if you use a rangefinder?
I'll admit, if you shoot for the flag then a rangefinder will give you that exact yardage and if you're good enough then that's great. personally I'm generally happy to shoot for the centre of the green. That way if I over or under club I should still make it.
RGDave
Money List Winner
Sam...that is top mate! Thanks so much.
I like the idea of the pinseeker thing on Bushnell. I'll give you an example. The other day (at Royal St. David's) the chap I played with had a Callaway uPRO GPS. It helped us no end (of course, as expected). BUT on the last hole we had some work to do to sort out the distance. We "assumed" the pin was middle, then both went down 2 clubs for the wind. The hole (18th) is a par 3 at about 185-190. uPRO said 187, we both went down 2 clubs and ran out of green into the deep stuff off the back. Truth is, the flag was well front, a Bushnell would have read 170 or something and we'd have hit 7 irons (I guess). Both our shots were dead straight, we could have both been putting for birdie instead of wrestling the 18 inch rough for a scrambled bogey.
I think my mind is made up.
I realise that "most folk" can probably establish if the pin is front or back, but with my poor long-range vision, I reckon a reading with a Bushnell is better than a GPS, especially if you can't see the cup.
Helpful post, cheers.
I like the idea of the pinseeker thing on Bushnell. I'll give you an example. The other day (at Royal St. David's) the chap I played with had a Callaway uPRO GPS. It helped us no end (of course, as expected). BUT on the last hole we had some work to do to sort out the distance. We "assumed" the pin was middle, then both went down 2 clubs for the wind. The hole (18th) is a par 3 at about 185-190. uPRO said 187, we both went down 2 clubs and ran out of green into the deep stuff off the back. Truth is, the flag was well front, a Bushnell would have read 170 or something and we'd have hit 7 irons (I guess). Both our shots were dead straight, we could have both been putting for birdie instead of wrestling the 18 inch rough for a scrambled bogey.
I think my mind is made up.
I realise that "most folk" can probably establish if the pin is front or back, but with my poor long-range vision, I reckon a reading with a Bushnell is better than a GPS, especially if you can't see the cup.
Helpful post, cheers.
Not wishing to be contentious and just asking but if the hazard is sunken etc how can you get an accurate reading by aiming at something or somebody nearby. Doesn't that defeat the purpose
SammmeBee
Journeyman Pro
Aim at it or a tree that is near to it or the people in front when they are crossing over the bridge.....
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
I can see arguements for both, I just think I would find a SC easier and quicker to use, especially since my iron play really isn't that accurate, or consistent that I need measurement to the inch (or yard really).
Do you use your range finder for putts?
Do you use your range finder for putts?
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
A visable laser line coming out of the centre of the putter would be awesome!
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
They sell them in AG.
RGDave
Money List Winner
Hmm, I was thinking this.
Skycaddie says it's 160, so you think "x" iron but then Laser reads 154.....so you drop down.....and mess it up trying too hard!
I'm not so sure I'd want to know "exact" t.b.h. - too much indecision possibly. A proper shot will always be on the green even if it was too much club and you might have gone down with a different reading.
There are tees on my course (par 3s particularly) where I could look at the pin and pace off the stone, but I don't bother.
We have a 110 yard par 3 at mine and sometimes they put the tee miles forward (no flippin' joke) and it messes with my noodle. Is it 80 is it 90? once I paced it and it was 76
As the pro walked across to say hello (not to me, to the vice pres')....I asked if we (as a club) were moving towards Pitch and Putt, Mickey Mouse style.....Neither were very impressed.....and even less so when I bladed my vokey SW onto the next tee (about 140 yard away).
I'm not good enough to say I hit my x club xx yards but I know what my average is having measured it out on the practice ground (into and downwind) so when I get a reading I know what club I should be hitting. If that gets me into a 10 foot radius of the pin then SC has done its job for my level of accuracy and skill
USER1999
Grand Slam Winner
10ft, wow, accuracy.
I went down the practice ground last night with a 5i, and was hitting anywhere between 70 yards and 180 yards distance, with a dispersion of about 50 yards left to right.
I am hoping the Brabazon is actually far wider than it looks on telly.
How the heck I play off 11 is a mystery to me.
I went down the practice ground last night with a 5i, and was hitting anywhere between 70 yards and 180 yards distance, with a dispersion of about 50 yards left to right.
I am hoping the Brabazon is actually far wider than it looks on telly.
How the heck I play off 11 is a mystery to me.
viscount17
Money List Winner
we have one of those par 3's too. Off the whites 137 but the tee can move right forward to about 85 when the societies are about on a Friday. The greens quite deep, some pin placements can shorten or lengthen that by about 15 yards.
It does have slight drawbacks though, a ditch just in front for the duffed tee-shot, followed by a pond to just short of the fringe, oh and a lake for the pull/hook, a ditched wood for the push/slice and another lake if you're too long.
followed a 4-ball last night - they lost a ball in every one of the hazards.
It does have slight drawbacks though, a ditch just in front for the duffed tee-shot, followed by a pond to just short of the fringe, oh and a lake for the pull/hook, a ditched wood for the push/slice and another lake if you're too long.
followed a 4-ball last night - they lost a ball in every one of the hazards.
haplesshacker
Money List Winner
Not just play off 11, but win off 11 as well.
