range finder

[rapper]

I am a 20 handicap just had my first feel of success,just won rabbits section in our local presidents day,these range finders seem to be much more in use than ever,i wonder if anyone can advise me of what to spend my hard earned money on,to improve my game,i dont want to go down the download for i phones,HELP please,or will it be money wasted?

 

[jammydodger]

Just hang on a wee while and the laser v gps crowd will be along to start the usual debate.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Have a search through the threads on here. Many a word written on the pros and cons and the various options. For my money Sky Caddy is great. I've the v5.0 but the basic 2.5 is just as good

 

[level5s]

I have a SC 2.5 which is good but having now played a few new courses with it I feel it is let down by the lack of a hole overview.
Now these courses had a few blind shots (both tee and fairway) so the old stroke saver was useful for this, whilst the SC was quicker at giving a distance.

 

[Imurg]

i wonder if anyone can advise me of what to spend my hard earned money on,to improve my game, will it be money wasted?

A lot depends on your budget.
The colour screen, hole-overview models are quite expensive but they tend not have yearly subs.
Skycaddie SC2.5 is a black'n'white screen, gives yardagesto everything and is cheaper. There is a 30 quid a year subscription.

Waste of money? No
It certainly wont make your game worse by knowing how far you've got to go to the green. If you take the time to learn how far you hit each club things can only improve by using one of these.
Rangefinders (lasers) can be pretty good too. Biggest downside with these is you have to be sure that you're aiming your laser at the right thing and if you havn't got line of sight then its useless. You can't get a distance to carry a bunker you can't see - but with GPS you can.

 

[Macster]

I think the GPS v Rangefinder debate entirely depends on one thing, - that is how often do you play other courses ?

I thought long & hard, and decided that as I dont venture away from my own course that often, all I wanted to know where exact distances to the pins.
I'm rarely in a situation where I cant see the green, and if I cant, then its unlikely I can hit it anyway, rendering both GPS or RF useless anyway.

However, for most 2nd shots, I can see the flag, and I merely want to know the distance to it, to give myself a fighting chance of getting closer.

Sure, some may say that I dont hit my irons 'that accurately' to make a difference, but knowing the distance makes me more confident of the iron I choose, and the shot I play.

Maybe off 20, you're not that 'consistent' yet, but hey, thats up to you, its your dosh.
I would have thought that £200 on lessons might be a better investment at your stage perhaps.