Range Finder

[Micky P]

What do you think about range finders?
i am not sure about them as i think it is a game aid like a belly putter.
although i have got myself a second hand one as i have been trying to find out how far i hit with each club
i.e i have played with some one who is a 12 handicap and we was teeing off on a down hill par 3 and i pulled out a 9 iron and he said "i will eat my hat if you make that i would use a 7)
now dont get me wrong i am not a big hit my any means but i made the shot so i had a beer off him rather then see him try to eat a hat.

so i have got myself one so i can range my clubs
i wish i could use my driver as well as a 9 iron

 

[HomerJSimpson]

I tend to prefer GPS as I play my second shots from a lot of unusual places and ca't always see the woods for the trees. Personally I think either are a godsend on a new course where it can be hard to know exactly what you have in. Even on my own track, the GPS comes into its own more from around the 120 mark and in where I can decide which club to use with a definite idea of distance and knowing my own yardages

 

[connor]

ive never used either personally. Not sure if i would want to be seen using one and run the risk of topping the next shot haha. Might get one in a few years IF i get better at golf although quite interested by the watch i think its a bit more discreet.

 

[dave]

ive got one and i find it invaulable, distance to the pin for me at least is more useful than front middle or back, i suppose thats because the strongest part of my game is from about 120 in, im not hitting long irons into greens that frequently and need to know the front yardage to carry X hazard. Took me a little time to narrow down yardages as i got it at the same time as new clubs, i knew how far i had to hit just didnt know which club went that far

 

[Mike_j_golf]

Almost all golf used to be played with a caddy that gave you yardages so i don't see how you put them in to the same bracket as belly putters.
I have one and find it great standing at the 150 marker and knowing its actually 176 to the flag makes club selection so much easier they are well worth the money.
Mike

 

[Slicer30]

Got a skycaddie 2.5 for £100 in october for my birthday.

Great job especially on the second shots as Homer says as before I was always trying to work it out from the 150 marker or the nearest marking on the card.

If you have a good idea of your yardages then in tandem with a GPS it can make a huge difference as you are more confident that the club you selected is the right choice.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I much prefer laser range finders, distance is not advice remember!

I think the additional info from a GPS with a hole layout would clutter my mind.

All I need is a yardage number to tell me what club (so I dont over or undershoot the green) and a target to aim at in the distance (ie a tree or a post etc).

I also use it a lot in practice rounds or on short 3 hole courses, I see I need to use it as a safety thing. The holes are often very close together and I can hit the ball pretty solid. If I got the wrong club and overshot a 100 yard hole with a tee close by I might injure someone!

 

[USER1999]

I have a lazer and a gps. They both have their uses, but I am tending more towards the lazer for 170 and in, and the gps for longer shots, par 5 lay ups, etc. If I was choosing one, I'd probably opt for the lazer.

And no, it's not cheating. Estimating yardages by pacing from course markers, and deciphering the hyroglyphics on a course planner will eventually give you the same information. It just takes more effort, and I can't be bothered. golf is meant to be fun, not an exercise in orienteering combined with mathematics.

A belly putter is just plain wrong though, true enough.