What are Golf Rangefinders & GPS Devices?
Finding a great new driver or putter can be exciting, but the best gear purchase of the year in golf might actually be a distance-measuring device. Golf Rangefinders & GPS devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are packed with technology that can really help change your game. Each one gives precise, instantaneous readings to the green, water hazards, fairway bunkers, trees and other obstacles, helping golfers decide what club to pull for every shot they face in a round.
Choose from a wide selection of the best golf rangefinder brands in the market including:
What are the Differences Between Rangefinders vs. Golf GPS Devices
There are two primary types of measuring devices—GPS units and hand-held laser rangefinders. With Golf GPS watches and devices, you only need to step up to your ball and look at the device to see the yardages you have left to the front, middle and back of the green, as well as to hazards you may face along the way. What you won’t see is the exact yardage to the intended target, such as the flag or a specific tree. If that’s your preference, you’re better off getting a laser rangefinder.
The biggest difference among golf rangefinders is that some of them include the popular “slope” feature, which calculates elevation change for uphill or downhill shots and adds that into the equation when giving you a yardage, while others don’t.
Are Golf Rangefinders Legal to Use?
The Rules of Golf, as governed by the United States Golf Association (USGA), state that rangefinders are legal during tournaments provided the slope setting is turned off. Switching in and out of the slope mode is as simple as pressing a button or flipping a small switch. To be clear, there are also other distinguishing features to set apart the golf GPS units and laser golf rangefinders.
Most importantly, adding a golf GPS device or laser rangefinder to your golf-gear arsenal can boost your confidence, speed up play (no need to walk off yardages to the 150-yard marker, sprinkler heads, etc.) and help you shoot lower scores. Whether you’re in the market for your own device or want to get one for the favorite golfer in your life (they make great presents), you can find all the best options at Golf Galaxy.
