Which Distance Measuring Device Should I Buy?

The choice of which measuring device to use has become markedly more difficult over the past few years. as the amount of choice has grown enormously. There are now three distinct categories of measuring devices all offering the user something slightly different. Let’s dive in and have a look at the features and benefits of each category, so you can decide which style of device is going to be best suited to your needs.

Laser Rangefinders
The laser rangefinder continues to be the top pick for the lower handicap golfers. Even if they do use a GPS watch or device, it is generally in addition to a laser rangefinder rather than instead of it. The main reason for this is that the better player will usually have superior control of distance than higher handicappers, so exact yardages become more important. The laser rangefinder allows the golfer to laser any visible target for an exact yardage to that point.

This is obviously of significant importance when trying to land next to the flag, but it is also a great asset when picking certain points of a hazard that you may want to fly the ball over or, you may want to know the distance to a run out on a dog leg hole. Laser Rangefinders are incredibly accurate, and most will give you an exact yardage to within 0.5yards. It is important when choosing a laser that you select one that locks on to the flag, particularly if your hands are a little shaky. Without this feature it can become too easy to laser something behind the green instead of the pin, resulting in a shot that flies over the green into deep trouble.

Many of the lasers that are available today have a slope function built into them. Having this feature can have a huge effect on the club that you choose at it factors in any elevation changes and recalculates the yardage the shot is actually playing. You would be surprised just how much difference a slope makes. Although this feature is not legal for use in competitions, it is easily switched off and there is nothing to stop you from writing down the elevation changes to use in a competition at a later date.

Some of the higher-end lasers are now classed as hybrid devices. Some will have images of the hole you are playing superimposed inside as you look through the glass whilst others have the usual GPS information such as distance to the green front, middle and back displayed in digital figures on the outside of the laser.

Laser Rangefinders

Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Slim Golf Laser Rangefinder
Premium Next Day

~~£399.00~~ £299.00

Garmin Approach Z82 Laser/GPS Rangefinder
Black Email me when back in stock

~~£599.00~~ £479.00

GPS Watches
The GPS watch is by far the most convenient device to use, if you don’t mind wearing a watch whilst you are playing. They have now become the most popular distance measuring device in the game and the one that the majority of mid and high handicap golfers use.

There is no need to download anything, the GPS watch will automatically detect which golf course you are playing at, and you are good to go. Depending on the watch you choose the functionality can change dramatically. The entry level watches will give you accurate distances to the front, middle and back of the green and will usually allow you to cycle through and get the distance to a few pre-determined hazards or bunkers. As the cost of the GPS watch increases so does the level of functionality. More hazards are added and the ability to drag the flag to a certain point on the green is also brought in.

The higher end watches are essentially the same as the lifestyle watches that have become so prevalent in our everyday lives but have full golf features on there as well. Many of them will now offer the same slope function as the lasers allowing you to factor in elevation changes into your club selections.

There is no doubt that the GPS Watch is a strong choice for most amateur golfers.

GPS Watches

Voice Caddie G3 Golf GPS Watch
Black Premium Next Day

£169.00

SkyCaddie LX5 GPS Golf Watch
Next Generation Smart Watch Premium Next Day

£249.00

Garmin Approach S62 GPS Golf Watch
Black Ceramic Bezel with Black Band Premium Next Day

~~£479.00~~ £419.00

Voice Caddie T8 GPS Golf Watch
Black Email me when back in stock

£269.00

GPS Device
The GPS Device was the first kind of distance measuring device to be produced as so it is something of a surprise to say it is now the least popular. Usually around the size of a smart phone they offer incredibly detailed maps of the hole that you are playing, and also allow you to zoom in on the green to see any severe slopes that may be waiting to snaffle your ball.

Perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks of the earlier GPS devices was the need to link it up to your computer to download the course you were due to play. That is not the case anymore as they come preloaded with over 35,000 courses and automatically update via Wi-Fi should any changes have been made to the course.

They provide a stunning visual experience that really allows you to plot your way around the course, especially useful if it’s a course you have never played before. They are now touchscreen and allow you to drag the cursor to any point on the hole you are playing to get an accurate distance. These devices are best used when you are playing using an electric trolley as they have attachments available that allow the GPS to be safely housed and easily accessible as you play.

There are also some smaller GPS devices that work in the same way as a watch but are designed to be clipped to your golf bag. These are an ideal choice for golfers that don’t like to wear a watch when playing, and only require basic yardages.

Most of them now come with a free one-year subscription when you purchase them, but some of them do require a yearly subscription from year-two onwards. If you are looking for a incredible detail with extreme ease of use then the GPS device could well be the one for you.

GPS Devices