Time for a laser?

[Hobbit]

I've had one before but gave it up and went back to a SkyCaddie. Increasingly, I'm finding that I'm hitting the yardage I think I need into greens but I'm on the wrong part of the (huge) greens we've got. Twice yesterday, on the par 3's, I thought I needed to hit it about 190yds, and got the ball where I thought it needed to be only to find it was at least 10yds too long.

1 two for the 5th or 6th week running, which is nice for the account, but its getting frustrating. I'm taking the yardages off the SkyCaddie for the middle of the green, then adding or subtracting what I think I see in front of me.

So, the question is do I get another laser and persevere or do I settle for what's fairly decent anyway?

Anyone tried both and favoured the laser?

 

[BTatHome]

Having had both in the distance past, and just recently had both on the bag again I can certainly see the positives for each ... a quick gLance at the GPS screen being its most obvious advantage. I certainly don't go for the speed issue as it really is about 15 seconds for me to grab the laser and target it.

So having spent quite a few rounds with both just last month, it's now the laser for keeps. I can target most items that I need (yes I know if I can't see the bunker behind some trees then it's an issue) and the accuracy on our larger greens is well worth it for me.

The biggest plus? .... not having to charge the laser all the time!

 

[fundy]

no brainer for a good golfer playing on a course with big greens, get a laser. From 150 yards out it can be very hard to judge how far from the middle of a green a pin is, let the laser do the work rather than guessing!

 

[FairwayDodger]

I've recently got a laser for the first time and already don't know how I managed without it!

 

[Qwerty]

Ive had both Bri' and I much prefer the laser.
I think It really proves its worth from about 130 and in especially on larger greens.
Ive really knuckled down on my wedge distances and I've found that the laser can sometimes get you that bit closer the to pin which for me is sometimes the difference between a birdie and par or par & bogey.

If I'm having a good day I'll find I'm setting up far more birdie opportunities by knowing the exact yardage to the pin.

 

[Junior]

I use a laser, which as FD says, I wondered how I did without. I also have a garmin watch (a very old first generation one that just gives yardages to the front , middle and back). I use both, which might be over kill, but, if you dont have direct line of sight to the flag and are on an another fairway, the watch is handy

 

[Deleted member 1147]

I'm one of those who use both - I find the laser invaluable for say 6 iron and in where I have more control of distances, and use the Garmin DMD thingy for longer shots and sorting out where hazards and the like are, especially off the tee.

 

[freddielong]

I have to be honest I hate using a laser it just doesn't give me enough info. I have a garmin g5 and a bushnell pro 1m and the bushnell has hardly been out of its holder this season.

 

[AmandaJR]

I use both but mainly the laser at away courses with greens I don't know. Ours used the red, yellow, white flag system plus they aren't huge greens. Those that give no clue about pin position and have greens large enough to mean a different club front to back - then a laser is invaluable..

 

[Crawfy]

I use a laser and a Garmin s1 watch.

I use the watch for general distance to middle of green >150y as I am just aiming to hit the green at that distance if poss.

Under 150y (deffo everything <125y) I revert to the laser as with these shots, I'm aiming to get into a putting opportunity.

The laser is excellent if you have your wedge distances measured out. That has been one of the biggest changes in my game to get me into single figures

 

[Khamelion]

As a 21 handicapper I use my laser to get the distance of the trees behind the green so I know how far I've got to walk to find my ball after I've bladed the wedge approach, also useful with the magnification to see if the lass in the half way hut is packing up or not and whether we need to get a step on to get our burger order in.

It's also a handy bird watching tool, the red kites we have flying around Whickham are spectacular when viewed close up.

 

[Hobbit]

As a 21 handicapper I use my laser to get the distance of the trees behind the green so I know how far I've got to walk to find my ball after I've bladed the wedge approach, also useful with the magnification to see if the lass in the half way hut is packing up or not and whether we need to get a step on to get our burger order in.

It's also a handy bird watching tool, the red kites we have flying around Whickham are spectacular when viewed close up.

You need counselling! BTW, got some dates for rounds at my place... I'll pm you and stu.

 

[Foxholer]

I use a laser, which as FD says, I wondered how I did without. I also have a garmin watch (a very old first generation one that just gives yardages to the front , middle and back). I use both, which might be over kill, but, if you dont have direct line of sight to the flag and are on an another fairway, the watch is handy

This is indeed the best setup. And as Fundy posted, Laser is the definitely the better option near the green - especially with big greens.

 

[Imurg]

Big greens or not being able to see the bottom of the pin.....invaluable having a laser.
I use both. GPS from distance - knowing a pin is 237 yards away when its 210 to the front probably won't change my shot much - and last from about 180 in, where knowing that distance could change the shot..

 

[ManinBlack]

I use a laser and a Garmin s1 watch.

I use the watch for general distance to middle of green >150y as I am just aiming to hit the green at that distance if poss.

Under 150y (deffo everything <125y) I revert to the laser as with these shots, I'm aiming to get into a putting opportunity.

The laser is excellent if you have your wedge distances measured out. That has been one of the biggest changes in my game to get me into single figures

Same here 100%

 

[SteveJay]

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but it is connected.

How do you guys accurately determine your wedge/iron distances? I know a launch monitor would do it but I don't have access. A range is inaccurate and with c**p balls.

I was thinking about on the course or practice area, but need something to measure with (maybe a surveying wheel, tho heard they don't go well on grass) but guess you really need to measure flight distance as roll will vary (green, fairway, or for me, rough ).

any tips?

 

[fundy]

Not wanting to hijack the thread, but it is connected.

How do you guys accurately determine your wedge/iron distances? I know a launch monitor would do it but I don't have access. A range is inaccurate and with c**p balls.

I was thinking about on the course or practice area, but need something to measure with (maybe a surveying wheel, tho heard they don't go well on grass) but guess you really need to measure flight distance as roll will vary (green, fairway, or for me, rough ).

any tips?

I do mine on a launch monitor every now and again. Like to check them occasionally when out on the course too. If hitting in to greens it easy enough to measure off the pitch mark to just get a carry number

 

[Deleted member 16999]

At my level on my course I find the GPS and coloured flags enough, winter or away courses I use both.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

You need counselling! BTW, got some dates for rounds at my place... I'll pm you and stu.

I'm happy to help if you ever need a 4th player&#128540;

 

[Region3]

For measuring distances without a GPS or laser, measure your stride. Just a normal one, don't stretch it out trying to make it a yard.

Mine is 2.5' so I know that every 6 steps (at a normal walk) is 15' or 5yds.