GPS vs. Laser Rangefinders What Do You Actually Use on the Course?

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Just wondering — within what distance to the pin do you usually start pulling out the rangefinder?

Around 170yds on approaches shots unless it’s a long par 3 then I’ll use it on the longer shot to

 

[Backache]

That makes total sense. Out of curiosity, how often do you usually get out to play during the winter? And with temporary greens, what part do you find most challenging?

This winter the weather has been appalling and I've a knee injury so very little. Normally a reasonable amount.
If the pins aren't on a regular green GPS is not a lot of use.

 

[Orikoru]

If you don’t mind me asking, what didn’t work for you when you tried a rangefinder before? And if you were to consider one again, what would matter most to you?

Got too drawn in to aiming at the pin. Often if it was a front pin and I lasered it, I'd be tempted to go down a club and then end up hitting short of the green. I worked out that you hit more greens if you just aim between middle and back every time and don't worry about where the flag is.

In addition, my home course has colour-codes flags for front, middle & back (red, yellow & white) and that's more than enough information for me.

 

[sunshine]

Do you use slope at all, or mostly play without it? How often does it matter for you?

I would never use slope, because it’s cheating. I know that only applies in competition rounds, but what’s the point in using it for casual rounds.

It’s a bit like using an illegal driver for casual games and then switching to a conforming driver for competitions.

 

[garyinderry]

Do you use slope at all, or mostly play without it? How often does it matter for you?

Used it maybe a few times when I first got the range finder just to see the effect. Other than that I just leave the function off.

There's a piece of plastic that you push into the range finder that disables it. Once that went on its stayed there.

 

[Backache]

I would never use slope, because it’s cheating. I know that only applies in competition rounds, but what’s the point in using it for casual rounds.

It’s a bit like using an illegal driver for casual games and then switching to a conforming driver for competitions.

I think there is a point in that it teaches you the best estimation of distance change so that you can estimate for competition rounds.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I would never use slope, because it’s cheating. I know that only applies in competition rounds, but what’s the point in using it for casual rounds.

It’s a bit like using an illegal driver for casual games and then switching to a conforming driver for competitions.

I’m the opposite I’ll always use it in a practice round before a competition. It’s not cheating at all it’s giving you insight in to course layout and how it can affect club choice. No different from a yardage chart bought in club shops that shows the slopes to aid club selection.

Then in comps I have it off knowing that 160yds I laser see yesterday may be playing 150 so it’s a smooth 8 iron or it could be 170 so it’s nearer a smooth 6iron depending on the angle of the slope it was. That is much quicker than waiting for someone to use their gps work out what they think it is and then coming up way short and repeating their process all over again.

It’s simply playing smart and doing proper homework before a competition round.

 

[jim8flog]

For those who use lasers, do you then select a club based on the exact yardage to the pin, or do you factor in the green and where you want to try and land the ball? I have never really understood the use of lasers as I want to hit the green and not the pin.

Back when I was mid single figure generally speaking with any club less than about a 7 iron I could reasonably guarantee where to land the ball within a a few yards at worst. Firing at the pin was common practice for me back then but knowing where on the green you want ball to finish was and is the most important factor.

These days, in the main, I just aim to be on the green in roughly the right area.

 

[jim8flog]

Par 3s are fun when all four players are measuring the distance and then comparing numbers! zzzzz…..

One of my biggest "oh no"s is seeing players who have played the course for decades laser a par 3.

 

[jim8flog]

It’s amazing how many people say lasers delay play. They delay the time to take the shot but if the outcome is good they may actually speed up play by needing less shots to complete the hole(s).

Realisticly though knowing the yardage is one thing being able to play to it us another.

I have mate who lasers everything (we are all waiting for it to come out for a putt).
He can be stood on a distance plate with the flag in the middle of the green and will still laser it but has the sort of ability that the ball can finish anywhere on the green if he hits it in the first place.

 

[clubchamp98]

One of my biggest "oh no"s is seeing players who have played the course for decades laser a par 3.

I do this
Mainly because if I can’t see the bottom of the flag our GK has a habit of putting the wrong colour flags out in winter.

 

[KenL]

One of my biggest "oh no"s is seeing players who have played the course for decades laser a par 3.

 

[Burnsey]

I wear and watch, carry a laser and had a trolley with GPS and still not made my mind up

New trolley does not have GPS, so down to two devices and when it's an open fairway, I don't bother, but tend to use the laser if judging hazard distances. For greens, I tend to focus on the back distance.

If only one, it'd be my rangefinder.

 

[jim8flog]

I do this
Mainly because if I can’t see the bottom of the flag our GK has a habit of putting the wrong colour flags out in winter.

We have 4 par threes
You can see the flag position on the 2nd whilst walking up the first fairway
On the 10th flag position can be clearly seen when you are on the 9th green and generally from the 10th tee.
13th and 15th can be seen clearly from their respective tees.