Are you interested in knowing about golfing and golf rangefinders, or planning to buy one? Here are some of the most frequently asked questions!
What Is A Rangefinder?
Over recent years, thanks to the introduction of technology, the way we play golf have drastically changed, adding new gadgets and tools every day. While golf has always been regarded as a game only meant to be played outdoors with classic equipment, it is never too late to add gadgets that can enhance your gameplay to the next level.
Rangefinders have helped amateurs all around the world revolutionize the way they play golf, converting a task that took minutes into a matter of seconds. With the press of a single button, golfers can now track and know the distance to the pin and the yardage to various other reasons the course within a few seconds, through the lens of a range finder.
Now, golfers, whether they’re professionals or they are amateurs, don’t have to play the frustrating and never-ending game of having to look for yardage markers or rough estimates. Just put the rangefinder to your eyes, press a button or two, and have the yardage displayed to you right in front of your eyes, making your shots better than ever.
You can not only be confident in your yardage measurement but you can also have a calculated value delivered to you that offers unprecedented confidence to your swings.
Why Do I Need A Rangefinder?
When you’re out on the golf course, you cannot always rely on your rough estimates or analytical guesses from yardage markers when you’re composing your swings. Or maybe the weather could be foggy or cloudy, hampering your vision and making your shots miss because you could not have a perfect estimate of the distance between yourself and the pin.
Now, if you have a rangefinder, you could have simply pointed it towards the pin and you’d have been swinging the shot in the next minute. Now that is a convenience you need to have! Furthermore, you cannot always rely upon estimates and guesswork when you’re competing against other golfers, even the tiniest of mistakes can cost you the entire game.
Guessing incorrect yardage can also affect your game in other ways. If you’re thing you’re not gaining the right distance, you might just have been guessing the wrong distance to the pin, almost an illusion. Not all distances are linear straight lines. Many of the fairways can have slopes that naturally add to the distance the ball has to travel, making guesswork even more inaccurate and unreliable.
This is exactly where a Rangefinder would come in, helping you stay consistent in your gameplay by delivering effective and reliable results using the latest technology.
How Does A RangeFinder Work?
Rangefinders work by providing an accurate distance between the person using the rangefinder and the location or object they are aiming at, drastically improving golf performance. Normally, golf rangefinders employ laser techniques to determine the distance between the user and the spot they are targeting. The laser is bounced back and the recorded distance is displayed.
Another technique that is being used by modern rangefinders is GPS location tracking in which a GPS device that is connected with satellites gives distances with pinpoint accuracy. However, most golfers prefer laser rangefinders over GPS rangefinders as they are more accurate and convenient to use. They also offer a straightforward approach that works with a single button.
GPS devices, on the other hand, offer a technological advantage as they offer other interesting features such as scoreboards and club selection to attract a broader range of customers. Both of these rangefinders require excellent maintenance and care as they are fragile items. Leaving them out in the open sun, chaotic weather or the trunk of a car can damage them.
Is It Legal To Use A Rangefinder?
Under the USGA, a golfer cannot be allowed to use any sort of rangefinder or electronic measuring device, suggesting that no one can use equipment to gauge or measure distance during his game. However, this is only for USGA-moderated tournaments and competitions. USGA has allowed clubs and courses to give golfers the freedom to use rangefinders during their golfing sessions.
At the same time, players can also share these devices with other players around them and can collaboratively measure the distance to improve general gameplay as well. However, all of this usage is subjected to the policies and rules set by the club or the course. So, just in case you’re in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask before bringing your trusty companion there!
Should I Prefer A GPS Device Or A Laser Rangefinder?
Both of these Rangefinders come with a different set of characteristics, GPS ones might make laser rangefinders outdated but laser rangefinders outperform GPS rangefinders in some areas. Laser Rangefinders, due to their mode of operation, offer more accurate and reliable results than GPS devices, making golfers prioritize them moreover GPS models.
Laser rangefinders can also be used for a variety of other sports including hunting, archery, or even bird watching; allowing a versatile usage that would make sure that your investment is worth it. They are also easier and convenient to use. Just point and press a button to find the distance from whatever location or object you’re aiming at.
However, GPS devices are not behind in any way. They offer impressive accuracy as well while providing a range of other features as well. GPS rangefinders, however, are not affected by any object that might hamper or hinder the path of the laser from a laser rangefinder, leaving you to only select the spot from the device.
What matters most, in the end, is what you’re looking for. Both of the rangefinders contain a long list of features and it is never wrong to search and read up on your next big purchase.
Do Professionals Use Rangefinders?
As USGA and PGA have officially banned the use of rangefinders during tournaments and competitions to test the skills and endurance of professionals players, they never use it on their tours. However, players are free to use them during their practice rounds or any competition where they might be allowed to use them, including friendly matches as well.
Most professional players use rangefinders to gain exact estimates for the courses and holes they are planning to use, annotating them to be used later in their competition. So, professionals might not use them in front of everyone during tournaments but many professionals are using them in their practice sessions to increase their performance levels.
What should I Look For In A Rangefinder?
A reliable and trusty Rangefinder should perform its fundamental purpose perfectly: providing accurate readings of yardage distances to its users. So, when you’re looking for a rangefinder, search and choose models that are known and trusted for delivering accurate results and measurements.
Be mindful that not all distances are straight lines and can have slopes as well. A rangefinder that calculates slopers as well can be a better option than one that simply provides a linear distance. Scan speed is also a considerable factor when making a rangefinder purchase. The better the rangefinder, the quicker it would track the target and deliver results to you, all due to its processing speed.
Just like you’d look for binoculars, choose a model that offers clear and crispy images with high-quality optical lenses with a good magnification to help you determine your targets. Out on the course, you can never predict what the weather might be. Having a rangefinder that is waterproof can be an important protection to your gadget.
Beyond everything else, a rangefinder needs to have enough battery to last you a few whole rounds of golf, and maybe one more after those two. In short, research before you’re buying one!
How Much Do Rangefinders Cost?
Do not fret, golf rangefinders do not cost you an arm or a leg to add to your golf kit, and we’re sure you can find one that matches your need at a fair price. Like all other items, the price of a rangefinder would depend on what features it is offering, the brand, the performance, the quality, and a number of other factors.
What you’re going to get is mainly what you’re looking for, and golf rangefinders can cost anywhere from $100 to $900, depending on what you want to get.
Just don’t forget that you need to take a look at all the qualities and traits of the rangefinder you’re looking to buy before you get one! The price for a rangefinder would mainly depend on the components it has, the brand that is selling it, and the model. On average, you should expect a good rangefinder to cost between $150-500.
Just remember, a higher price does not mean better quality. The best product is the one that would offer more features, durability, and performance for a better price.