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

GPS vs. Laser Rangefinders

  • GPS

  • Laser

  • Combo

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Slab said:
Combo (kinda) GPS on watch and GPS on the buggy, plus the GK's laser all par 3's each day and post that distance on each tee box which is a good aid

In theory the buggy GPS will have that days pin distances punched in so pretty accurate but occasionally mistakes happen so its worth double checking with eyeball to make sure flag is where the screen thinks it is
Front/back/middle is usually enough but can move the flag around on the watch to narrow down if I want

Lastly, at home course I enjoy trying to guess the distance just by eye while getting to my ball, rare to be more than a club out
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Especially when some poor visitor spends the first two holes trying to understand the discrepancy between the buggy and his rangefinder....only to realise the buggy is showing meters!!! :ROFLMAO:
 
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.
 
Exact yardage is a start
Where is the pin in relation to the front, middle or back? A long green can be 3 clubs difference front to back.
If the pin is 3/4s of the way to the back I'd club down a bit to avoid going over the back - worst place on many or our greens - or if it's 1/4 on then more club could be the way to go.
Where's the wind?
Upslope, downslope, slope on the green.....

Many things to consider before selecting a club but an accurate yardage can't hurt...
 
Neilds said:
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.
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I had started to type a reply but…..
Imurg said:
Exact yardage is a start
Where is the pin in relation to the front, middle or back? A long green can be 3 clubs difference front to back.
If the pin is 3/4s of the way to the back I'd club down a bit to avoid going over the back - worst place on many or our greens - or if it's 1/4 on then more club could be the way to go.
Where's the wind?
Upslope, downslope, slope on the green.....

Many things to consider before selecting a club but an accurate yardage can't hurt...
Click to expand...
Imurg has put exactly what was writing almost word for word and sums it up perfectly.
 
Imurg said:
Exact yardage is a start
Where is the pin in relation to the front, middle or back? A long green can be 3 clubs difference front to back.
If the pin is 3/4s of the way to the back I'd club down a bit to avoid going over the back - worst place on many or our greens - or if it's 1/4 on then more club could be the way to go.
Where's the wind?
Upslope, downslope, slope on the green.....

Many things to consider before selecting a club but an accurate yardage can't hurt...
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Sounds like a gps will suffice 😀
 
garyinderry said:
I have a mate who's currently off 11.9

Uses a watch only. Fairly regular occurrence is he says, 110 to the middle. I laser it at 92. He doesn't feel the slight wind behind and sends the ball deep into the green. 3 putts again.

Has never broken 80 in a comp. Fine margins.

Do I think he would benefit from a laser. Absolutely.

Will it be a deal breaker in him breaking 80? Hard to know but it might.
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Lend him yours if he’s not convinced!
In a social round.
 
First generation Golf Buddy. I only look at yardage to front edge. Voice turned off. Takes me 15-30 seconds to hit. Other guys I play with take longer with their $200-$400 Bushnell gizmos.
 
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).
 
Hobbit said:
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).
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I always got this argument from lads I play with when they saw I had a range finder. Yet walking toward my ball it’s a quick check of hole/green layout on my watch, so no time taken figuring out the lay of the land as I’m not at my ball by this point.

Get to my ball and whilst they’re playing quick zap with the laser (mine has pin lock that takes 3seconds), by the time they’ve actually hit their shot I’ve already got the club in my hand and working through my Pre shot routine and have hit it by the time they get to me. They couldn’t fathom how it was so quick until I explained the time it takes them to faff with their GPS moving pin position on in then working out carries and dealing what club, I’ve already got my yardage bang on and know my own club distances.

It’s like anything it can be as quick or as slow as the user makes it but you’re smart I find it speeds play up and like you say less shots hit as distances are accurate.
 
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Lucifer MorningStar said:
I always got this argument from lads I play with when they saw I had a range finder. Yet walking toward my ball it’s a quick check of hole/green layout on my watch, so no time taken figuring out the lay of the land as I’m not at my ball by this point.

Get to my ball and whilst they’re playing quick zap with the laser (mine has pin lock that takes 3seconds), by the time they’ve actually hit their shot I’ve already got the club in my hand and working through my Pre shot routine and have it it by the time they get to me. They couldn’t fathom how it was so quick until I explained the time it takes them to faff with their GPS moving on position on in then working out carries and dealing what club, I’ve already got my yardage bang on and know my own club distances.

It’s like anything it can be as quick or as slow as the user makes it but you’re smart I find it speeds play up and like you say less shots hit as distances are accurate.
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Spot on.
But some golfers are just slow at everything in life not just golf.⛳️
 
rulie said:
Par 3s are fun when all four players are measuring the distance and then comparing numbers! zzzzz…..
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One of our par 3’s plays quite steeply downhill to a reasonably small green. You can see quite clearly if the pin is front, middle or back. And for the avoidance of doubt the flags are coloured anyway. And almost all of my regular group know what they need to hit to a front, middle or back pin, the only adjustment being for the wind.

Doesn’t stop my BB partner from lasering it every time he steps on the tee, despite having been a member for 23 years.
 
Lucifer MorningStar said:
I always got this argument from lads I play with when they saw I had a range finder. Yet walking toward my ball it’s a quick check of hole/green layout on my watch, so no time taken figuring out the lay of the land as I’m not at my ball by this point.

Get to my ball and whilst they’re playing quick zap with the laser (mine has pin lock that takes 3seconds), by the time they’ve actually hit their shot I’ve already got the club in my hand and working through my Pre shot routine and have hit it by the time they get to me. They couldn’t fathom how it was so quick until I explained the time it takes them to faff with their GPS moving pin position on in then working out carries and dealing what club, I’ve already got my yardage bang on and know my own club distances.

It’s like anything it can be as quick or as slow as the user makes it but you’re smart I find it speeds play up and like you say less shots hit as distances are accurate.
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I'm not usually first to play the 2nd shot so while Fragger or CVG sort their lives out I've already zapped the flag and adjusted the pin position on the GPS to the right yardage.
Get to my ball, glance at the GPS and no time wasted at all.
 
Imurg said:
I'm not usually first to play the 2nd shot so while Fragger or CVG sort their lives out I've already zapped the flag and adjusted the pin position on the GPS to the right yardage.
Get to my ball, glance at the GPS and no time wasted at all.
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Are you suggesting Fragger has an issue with a lack of length?

😎
 
Imurg said:
I'm not usually first to play the 2nd shot so while Fragger or CVG sort their lives out I've already zapped the flag and adjusted the pin position on the GPS to the right yardage.
Get to my ball, glance at the GPS and no time wasted at all.
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Yes them pesky short hitters holding everyone up.😉
 
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