Laser or GPS?

3 jabber

Active member
Joined
Jul 12, 2024
Messages
301
Visit site
I've always used a laser but if it's wet it doesn't always pick up the distance. I've got a cheap GPS watch that is so old it can't be updated so I've bitten the bullet and bought a decent one in a black friday sale. Quite looking forward to trying it as it has loads of features like shot and stats tracking as well as a really smart looking watch face for normal wear.

Anyone got a decent one and if so, do you find it easy to use all the features or are they just too much faff?
 

HPIMG

Active member
Joined
Jul 12, 2022
Messages
354
Visit site
I use the garmin s70 and a laser the garmin is good for easy yardages but if I could only have one it’s 100% a laser and not ever close.
 

Burnsey

Active member
Joined
Feb 25, 2024
Messages
316
Location
North West UK
Visit site
Love a laser, but tend to focus on the flag, so always check the trolly gps for hazards and front and back of green distances too.

I'd probably go laser if I had to choose one.
 

chrisd

Major Champion
Joined
Sep 22, 2009
Messages
24,975
Location
Kent
Visit site
Love a laser, but tend to focus on the flag, so always check the trolly gps for hazards and front and back of green distances too.

I'd probably go laser if I had to choose one.

If I play away from my home course I tend to use both for the same reason as you. At home, I've played there for nearly 25 years, so I don't have to worry so much about front and back. However - I'm useless at guessing yardage !
 

Backache

Assistant Pro
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
2,646
Visit site
I have both but use my GPS at least 90% of the time and only really use the laser for very large greens.
 

harpo_72

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Feb 20, 2013
Messages
6,071
Visit site
I use both. But mainly use my watch and the laser pops out for the times when I look at the distance and think really??!?
 

Orikoru

Tour Winner
Joined
Nov 1, 2016
Messages
27,887
Location
Watford
Visit site
I've always used Hole19 on my phone. Accuracy is perfectly fine for my level, gives me yardages to all hazards, lay-up distances, front back and middle of green, all on a nice Google-earth style view of the hole which is handy if you've never played it before. I don't know why more people don't just use that to be honest instead of spending a couple of hundred on a device that has far less detail on the screen.
 
Last edited:

KenL

Tour Rookie
Joined
Dec 3, 2014
Messages
7,593
Location
East Lothian
Visit site
I've always used Hole19 on my phone. Accuracy is been perfectly fine for my level, gives me yardages to all hazards, lay-up distances, front back and middle of green, all on a nice Google-earth style view of the hole which is handy if you've never played it before. I don't know why more people don't just use that to be honest instead of spending a couple of hundred on a device that has far less detail on the screen.
Is it free? Does it drain the battery?
Thanks.
 

Orikoru

Tour Winner
Joined
Nov 1, 2016
Messages
27,887
Location
Watford
Visit site
Is it free? Does it drain the battery?
Thanks.
I pay a subscription for Premium which is £40 a year, but that is optional, you can use it for free. Premium just gets you HD maps and more stat recording options as I use all of that as well.

I'm sure the battery question depends what phone you have. I have a decent Samsung so mine is fine.
 

PJ87

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Messages
22,237
Location
Havering
Visit site
I pay a subscription for Premium which is £40 a year, but that is optional, you can use it for free. Premium just gets you HD maps and more stat recording options as I use all of that as well.

I'm sure the battery question depends what phone you have. I have a decent Samsung so mine is fine.

For £68 (with voucher)one off you could get


Then you don't need to fanny about with your phone 🤳
 

Morfeen75

Active member
Joined
May 25, 2024
Messages
385
Location
Surrey
Visit site
I'm a laser fan. I hate wearing a watch while playing golf. I find it easier to ping a flag or a tree that gives me the exact number. I also like the courses that have the laser target reflector on top of the flag pole. Great addition.
 

Neilds

Assistant Pro
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
4,630
Location
Wiltshire
Visit site
I’ve never understood why people use lasers. Ok, it gives you the distance to the flag but, unless you can slam dunk the ball straight into the hole, what real use is that information? I use gps and that means I know the distance to the back of the green which I find is a more accurate reference for my perceived distance with each club (how many come up short?). I also know the distance to carry hazards and what shot to hit to leave a good distance in. Lasers are very one dimensional imo
 

KenL

Tour Rookie
Joined
Dec 3, 2014
Messages
7,593
Location
East Lothian
Visit site
I’ve never understood why people use lasers. Ok, it gives you the distance to the flag but, unless you can slam dunk the ball straight into the hole, what real use is that information? I use gps and that means I know the distance to the back of the green which I find is a more accurate reference for my perceived distance with each club (how many come up short?). I also know the distance to carry hazards and what shot to hit to leave a good distance in. Lasers are very one dimensional imo
I use my Nikon laser mostly but also carry a simple gps for the odd occasion where I can’t see the pin or hazards.
 

PJ87

Journeyman Pro
Joined
Apr 1, 2016
Messages
22,237
Location
Havering
Visit site
I use my Nikon laser mostly but also carry a simple gps for the odd occasion where I can’t see the pin or hazards.

I do the same. My watch gives you the option to press the screen to "move the pin" ( never get it to work too fiddly) and trying to see bunker carry is same

Got a GPS for £60 so yes watch says front middle back but laser can give the full picture of just how far it's on etc

Couple times this week I've seen a white flag (back) white distance said x but laser said it's more middle. Adjusted club selection and got it closer
 

Slab

Occasional Tour Caddy
Joined
Nov 20, 2011
Messages
11,791
Location
Port Louis
Visit site
Never used laser so not sure if I'm missing out on anything but my garmin s42 GPS is well used and has enough extras for me, the buggies also have GPS so between them I'm covered
 
Top