If you ask an old school golfer about rangefinders, most of them will have no clue what to tell them. Rangefinders are relatively new in this sport and they have been accepted as a helpful tool in tournaments. Their main role is to help you determine the distance between the ball and the next hole.
Back in the day, golfers had no access to such tools. These days, while you may not always need one to train or play with your friends, they make good options if you plan to become serious or improve your skill. They can help you determine distances by eliminating guesswork.
A proper rangefinder will not just tell you how powerful your hit should be. Instead, it will also help you determine the perfect club for the next hit. When guesswork is involved, you choose the club keeping your fingers crossed. With such a device, you know for sure that you are using the right size.
Now, what is the best golf rangefinder on the market? There are plenty of options out there. They pretty much do the same thing, but small details make the difference in accuracy, power, lifetime and so on. Before moving on to the main products on the market, you should know what to look for in such a device.
Knowing the differences between the two main types of rangefinders will lead you in the right direction.
No matter what type of game you are playing (training or an actual competition), this handheld device will most likely tell you precisely how far the flag is. The range varies from one device to another though, but as a general rule of thumb, most laser rangefinders can easily go beyond 400 yards.
They also help you save some time, as you no longer need to measure yardages by eye but determine the right distance within seconds only.
Many professionals use laser rangefinders prior to the game as well. Basically, they have a few practice rounds, so they try to check for elevation changes and figure out what kind of clubs they should use. You simply get a hand in assessing the terrain.
There are plenty of positive golf laser rangefinder reviews out there to convince you, but how does it actually work?
There are a few different technologies in laser rangefinders, but most of them run with the same operating principles. You look through the rangefinder, locate the hole and push a button. The unit will emit a pulse of light. The beam is quite wide. Once the target is hit, the light will hit the device back. The time to travel is measured and split in two. Knowing the traveling speed, the device will determine the precise distance.
It is not a new process, as many professionals in constructions use similar technologies for precise measurements. The laser travel at the speed of light, so the process should take a second or two.
Are there any problems? If there are obstacles between the ball and the hole, you will not be able to measure the precise distance, as the pulse of light cannot travel.
There are lots of GPS golf rangefinder reviews as well, mostly because this option is not to be overlooked either. They are more convenient because they do not look like cameras. Instead, many of them are handheld or even wearable – watches, small devices with clips and so on. As for handheld devices, they usually look like smartphones, so they are compact and easy to carry around.
GPS rangefinders come to solve a common problem of laser alternatives – the possibility to determine distances even if there are obstacles in front of you. Simply put, GPS top golf rangefinders will give you distances even if you cannot see the flag – even if it is on the other side of the hill. In fact, some units can even provide a map.
Basic GPS devices will display the distance to the front, back and middle of the green, but more advanced units will also provide extra info – for example, the distance to a bunker.
They seem perfect, but are they? Just like laser rangefinders, GPS options come with a minus or two. They are not perfectly accurate. They will give you an idea about the distance, but they will not be able to tell you precisely what to do – just close enough. At the same time, they come with most golf fields in the world as presets. If you choose to play on a new field, it may not be there, so you cannot get any help.
Now, how do you choose the best rangefinder golf? You have two options – each of them with multiple bells and whistles – that work in two completely different ways. To keep it simple, you should do it with your needs in mind. What do you need to push your game further? What are the golf fields like? Where do you normally play?
A laser rangefinder might be ideal for professionals who need perfect estimates. On the other hand, newbies can just as well work with a GPS option. After all, if you are new, you cannot really tell the difference between 120 and 144 yards, can you?
Now that you know what you need, what are the best golf rangefinders out there?
Gogogo Sport's best golf rangefinder for the money will bring you everything you need, without the fancy bells and whistles that only add to the price. It is suitable for both golfers and hunters. It is based on laser technology, so distance measurements are extremely precise.
You have new functions like angle range compensation, pin seeking, flagpole locking vibration, continuous reading and even speed measuring. It goes up to 650 yards and the accuracy is as low as a yard.
You have 6x magnification. When it comes to the flagpole locking feature, it only works to 150 yards. Other than that, the package is full and also includes a carry bag.
Pros
Cons
Bozily's release has become one of the best golf rangefinders when it comes to reviews and ratings. It comes with a pin seeker than does half the job for you, but it also vibrates once it finds the flag and locks it in – up to 250 yards.
Its accuracy leaves no room for mistakes, as it is digitally enhanced. You benefit from 6x magnification, while the laser range can go up to 1,000 yards.
The slope on and off technology is ideal for training, but also some tournaments – not every official tournament accepts it though, so double check upfront. Moreover, you have continuous scannning.
Pros
Cons
Bushnell is a leading name in the golf industry and its best golf rangefinder has easily acquired lots of fans overtime. Not only does it give you everything you need, but it also comes with a proprietary application to help you on the course, boost your skill and improve your game.
The package is quite complete. You have the actual rangefinder, a protective skin, a carry case and a CR2 battery. The laser can range up to 1,000 yards. As for its accuracy, it is down to one yard only, so it basically tells you what club to use too.
The laser itself has rated in the class A category. The average power output is under 0.5mW. Another helpful feature is the possibility to seek the pin and get a short vibration once found and locked.
Pros
Cons
The best golf rangefinder from Wosports aims to impress with its multifunction features. Basically, you got all the functions you need. You can check the range, angle and slope. You can correct distances, measure the speed and even lock the flag once located. What else can you ask for?
Its range is not the best in this segment, but it is still good enough – 650 yards. Just like in any other model, flag locking has a shorter distance – around 180 yards. The unit is precise though, whether you measure distances or angles.
The rangefinder is solid and features a compact design and a comfortable grip. It comes with a cleaning cloth and a bag too.
Pros
Cons
In a world that seems to be dominated by laser rangefinders, Bushnell has also developed a GPS rangefinder that will most likely make the difference. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity for Wi-Fi updates on courses, as well as a long battery life – up to a couple of rounds before charging.
There are over 36,000 preloaded courses on this rangefinder, spread over 30 countries. The interface is intuitive and simplistic. It can recognize the course and will advance holes by itself.
The rangefinder can identify up to four hazard distances per hole, but it also comes with a clip holder for easy attachment, a proprietary application and an integrated BITE magnetic mount.
Pros
Cons
As a short final conclusion, it is up to you to decide on the best golf rangefinder out there. Their functionality principles are similar, not to mention their features. However, as you can see from their reviews, each unit has some individual specifications to be unique. At this point, it becomes a matter of personal needs and preferences.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
