Rangefinders

[iacas]

I don't have one, but I've looked at a few. I keep wanting the $500 ones, though. And that's too much to spend on a range finder.

I chose the third option above, but I'd like to find a good range finder for those times when you aren't in the middle of the fairway, are playing to a very deep green (which throws yardages off), play a new course, etc.

[MJonGolf]

I have become fairly adept at remembering to look for the yardage markers as I walk towards my ball. Although I have drooled over a few range finders leafing through catalogs or at the local pro shop. Could never decide which model to select.

[gas_can]

I think rangefinders can be a really dangerous thing, especially for beginners. Once people get a yardage in their head, they just reach for that club, they never take into account elevation change, wind direction or slope, they just pick the club that'll get them the yardage and hack away.

My home course has GPS from uplink (www.uplinkgolf.com) and it's pretty amazing to see just how innacurate the yardages can be even from the middle fo the fairway. I've seen as much as forty yards difference between course markers and the GPS system.

[iacas]

In the hands of an experienced player, though, a rangefinder can really just be good. "168 to the middle, 175 to the pin, but downwind so playing 168 or so, but a tick or two uphill, so I need my 170 club."

[iacas]

Nikon has a new product, seemingly, the 500 (http://www.nikonsportoptics.com/category.php?group=158). My friend works at Nikon and is getting a price for me. Might be worth it if I can pick it up cheap. Nikon's previous model, the 440, is still available and costs only $200.

The biggest problem I have with yardages is new courses. Often I'm not sure whether their yardages are accurate or not.

[gas_can]

I was watching golf channel academy live last night, and the pro they had on was saying that the new rangefinders coming out this year are also going to have clinometers built in as well to measure elevation changes.

Does the Nikon have one built in too?

[iacas]

I was watching golf channel academy live last night, and the pro they had on was saying that the new rangefinders coming out this year are also going to have clinometers built in as well to measure elevation changes.

Does the Nikon have one built in too?
No. Looks like I'm back up to $500, then. :-) In other words, just what I voted for above: too expensive. Everyone would have one if they cost $20, y'know?

[flap]

I have A Bushnell cost me 225.00 good up to 300 yds on a tree or person 200 on a flag which is all I need.They are excellent on par 3's or layups on par 5's

[skrumple]

i dont need one because I play the same course every day and if i havent played it I buy a yardage book. Anyway they are way to expensive I could just buy as new driver instead.

[iacas]

Incidentally, this one (http://thesandtrap.com/archives/accessories/bushnell_pinseeker_1500_wslope_review.php) has worked its way into my bag.

[Thrash13]

I just don't think a rangefinder is a necessary golf purchase for me. There are too many other things I would rather have and can't afford. :)

I'm kinda old-fashioned as well. I think golf is a lot more about feel than all the number stuff. But that's probably why I'm a 15 handicapper instead of 0-5 like some of you others here at The Sand Trap.

I guess I better catch up with the technology.

[rckymtnglfr]

I'm kinda old-fashioned as well. I think golf is a lot more about feel than all the number stuff.

I'm with you on this one Thrash. Besides, if you get used to using it, then play in an event that plays USGA rules, you legally can't use it. May be kind of tough reverting back to the old way.

[flap]

Well here is where we differ,I have a Bushnell and love it!!!It helps me play quicker and lets me think about nothing but the shot.Golf is hard enough I don't have a caddy that gives me front middle and back yardage and Bushnell gives me to the flag just fine.The USGA should come down off its high horse on this one cause one of the biggest course backups are people looking for yardage markers.It dont help the average golfer to have it to the exact yard but it will speed him up and anything that keeps pace of play under 4 hours i'm all for.

[aceadair]

I just rely on the old sprinkler head! It has worked until now and it will work just fine later! But I must admit they are a very nice luxery! I played at a course that had a GPS in the cart, Man I could get used to that!

[aceadair]

The USGA is just trying to preserve the game! There is no need to "rag" on them for not allowing rangefinders. The pace of play issue is not how people are looking for yards markers. It is people (that are 36 handicap) standing over the ball for more than 5 minuets and then banging the club after they hit a bad shot! Golf can be slow but not because people have to find there own yards. Its beacuse a 36 handicapper expects to hit every green and when he/she doesnt they spend an hour wining about the bad shot!

[Baynative]

I think rangefinders can be a really dangerous thing, especially for beginners. Once people get a yardage in their head, they just reach for that club, they never take into account elevation change, wind direction or slope, they just pick the club that'll get them the yardage and hack away.


Our pro says, "If you can put a bath towel on the range at 165 yards and hit it consistently with three different clubs you're ready for a range finder. Other wise find a swing and go enjoy it."

[bayareamtnbiker]

It only takes 5 seconds to lase the pin - easier than finding a marker sometimes.

[flap]

When you play Muni's as much as I do there are allways morons who beat the tag on the sprinkler head cause the skull they just hit flew the green and now it reads 1-9 for yardage and people will walk 25 more yards to see the next one and now it is a 4.5 hour round.I whip out my Bushnell and away I swing and I can afford it and I am worth it.

[Baynative]

Its beacuse a 36 handicapper expects to hit every green and when he/she doesnt they spend an hour wining about the bad shot!

Could slow play be the fault of teachers? I think beginners should be taught course management right from the start. I know some guys who are probably 20s or more and after they have put their drives in trouble they will try to go for the green between tree from 225 out of a bad lie. Most of their rounds are spent
looking for the ball and playing out of poor lies.

- On yardage, if they see a marker showing 160 they pull the club they 'think' they can hit that far on the range without considering the lie or the fact that they are in a divot, long grass, down hill to the pin -whatever. The club they try to hit is wrong more often than not, even if they do hit it.

I they had been taught to focus on score and play so they don't let bogey slip away, they'd have a much better time and play a quicker round also.

[NM Golf]

My rangefinder is an integral part of my equipment. I have grown to rely on it a great deal. I find that I use it a lot inside 100 yards so I get exact yardage for the wedge.

[shortgame85]

I received a Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 as a gift during the recent holidays. It is so easy to use, takes very little effort to get used to it as a part of a pre shot routine and it takes the guess work out yardage questions. Aside from the issue of cost ( because I wasn't going to spend $399 on one ), a rangefinder seems to be, so far, a great accessory for the course.

[sunchopper]

A little off topic on this one, but where can you find course yardage books? In the Clubhouse?

[gt6974a]

I'm younger but I more old fashion, probably b/c I learned from my father at a young age how to play golf. I'm kinda against hybrids and against range finders. I'm not saying it's cheating but it takes away from the game.

Kinda like that shitty movie Caddie Shack 2(1st one was quality) where he has that putter.

However, for 95% of golfers, if I'm off by 5-10 and they're exact, they still have to strike the ball, and I'll strike mine better anyway, so if I'm 5-10 off it's alot better for me than them.

[hypergolf]

I have caddies who will tell the distance so don't need one. All the courses are marked anyway. For $500 I would rather get something else...

[Baynative]

I'm younger but I more old fashion, probably b/c I learned from my father at a young age how to play golf. I'm kinda against hybrids and against range finders. I'm not saying it's cheating but it takes away from the game.

You are on point.

I've played with a half dozen, or so, people who fuss around with their range gadgets them mis the green with regularity.

I posted earlier that my pro says, "If you can put a bath towel down range at 165 and hit it consistently with three different clubs, you might be ready for a range finder. Otherwise, find a swing and enjoy the game."

BTW - if you feel hybrids are wrong, you probably don't use a titanium driver, right?

[stiffiron]

I have a rangefinder--one of the less expensive Nikons, and I find it great. What I find it especially good for is the shots that are less than 110 yards. Am I 80 yards from the flag, or 65? Is it 40 yards to carry that trap, or 50?

I find the sprinkler heads, and the tee-box yardages are fine for me for full shots. But I rarely find any yardages marked less than 100 yards from the green, and even if I do, those aren't yardages to the pin--they're to the center of the green. And from less than 100 yards, I'm going for the pin.

And whenever I play with someone who doesn't have one? They want to use it all the time! That's the best endorsement right there!

[Daverain1]

Just be aware that the ones will clinometers (slope-adjusted) are not legal for USGA play. The description for Bushnell Pinseeker 150 with slope includes the following:

Note: This item is non-USGA conforming due to its slope feature. If you're looking for a Bushnell rangefinder that is USGA-approved, please see the Bushnell Yardage Pro Pinseeker 1500.

[Fisherdude]

I'm younger but I more old fashion, probably b/c I learned from my father at a young age how to play golf. I'm kinda against hybrids and against range finders. I'm not saying it's cheating but it takes away from the game...

Well, I feel that a hybrid is still a legitimate golf club. After all, metalwoods go back more than 150 years. And, you hold it your hands and swing it. Unlike belly putters.

Don't get me started.

As far as the rangefinder, though, I'm with you all the way. I'm not entirely sure I like marked sprinkler heads. I kinda like the idea of looking at the target and thinking: "hhhhmmmm, based on the wind, and it's a little uphill, and how I'm swingin' today...feels like about a six iron.".

Erik, you're missing one choice on the poll: "When hell freezes over!".

[winders]

I don't get your guys (alleged purists) that think that range finders take away from the game. You are all to willing to use the latest drivers, square groove wedges, and golf balls though.

A range finder lets the average player get the same information a pro player gets from his caddy. Range Finders speed up play in my experience which always a good thing. The player still needs to make the shot....

Scott

[SubPar]

I have become fairly adept at remembering to look for the yardage markers as I walk towards my ball. Although I have drooled over a few range finders leafing through catalogs or at the local pro shop. Could never decide which model to select.

Relying on yardage markers is great if you are happy going for the middle of the greens. Once you get good enough to "flag hunt", you'll benefit from better data. Some greens are very large and there can be a difference of +/- 1 -1.5 clubs more depending on the pin placement. Some greens keepers are not very good at choosing the flag color… I have seen red flags that are almost dead center in the green

I have a range finder I bought for $250 many years ago, so I figure this B&L model must be going for under $200 now. It is spot on up to 600yds. I have checked it against known distances and GPS units and it is +\- 1 yd. The main benefit of carrying one is learning how far you actually hit your clubs. You also are able to check yardages to various hazards. I have used it to dial in may short game so I know what swing with a given club yields a predictable carry from 10-100 yds.

Given what we spend these days on greens fees and equipment, a range finder is a real bargain and no one should be practicing or playing without one, if they take the game seriously.

Here's one that costs under $180 (http://cgi.ebay.com/BUSHNELL-Rangefinder-Range-finder-carrying-case-strap_W0QQitemZ110091832527QQcategoryZ111289QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

[pinseeker]

I have a Nikon 440 that I find very useful for front/back/pin distances and more specific yardage on par 3's, and especially layups when necessary. I looked around quit a bit and finally settled on something lower priced and have been pretty happy with it. It takes a little bit to get used to as a flag stick on a horizon is difficult to hold the view finder on from 250yds, but once you get the hang of it it's very useful. I find it buids confidence in club selection, but you must take elevation and wind into account as has been mentioned.

[Philfest]

I don't have one, but I've looked at a few. I keep wanting the $500 ones, though. And that's too much to spend on a range finder.

I chose the third option above, but I'd like to find a good range finder for those times when you aren't in the middle of the fairway, are playing to a very deep green (which throws yardages off), play a new course, etc.
I had the Nikon 440 and I forgot it in my cart for 15 min's, went back that quick and it was gone!

It was agreat lit'l tool to speed things up, but it wasn't anywhere near the quality of the Pinseeker 1500 (no slope needed).

That's the one on my wish list.

[Philfest]

Well, I feel that a hybrid is still a legitimate golf club. After all, metalwoods go back more than 150 years. And, you hold it your hands and swing it. Unlike belly putters.

Don't get me started.

As far as the rangefinder, though, I'm with you all the way. I'm not entirely sure I like marked sprinkler heads. I kinda like the idea of looking at the target and thinking: "hhhhmmmm, based on the wind, and it's a little uphill, and how I'm swingin' today...feels like about a six iron.".

Erik, you're missing one choice on the poll: "When hell freezes over!".
OK Mr. Golf..... You're the golf man!

[Baynative]

A range finder lets the average player get the same information a pro player gets from his caddy. Range Finders speed up play in my experience which always a good thing. The player still needs to make the shot....

Scott


I wonder how many people carrying a range finder can dial up a yardage, make the necessary wind and elevation corrections and hit the ball consistently within ten yards of the exact yardage they are given.

I've only played with a half dozen people using range finders. But for the most part after they stand around squinting at a distant target they miss the green anyway. My take is that a good many range finder purchasers are either gadget junkies or just have money to burn.

[winders]

I wonder how many people carrying a range finder can dial up a yardage, make the necessary wind and elevation corrections and hit the ball consistently within ten yards of the exact yardage they are given.

I've only played with a half dozen people using range finders. But for the most part after they stand around squinting at a distant target they miss the green anyway. My take is that a good many range finder purchasers are either gadget junkies or just have money to burn.
Baynative,

How can it ever be bad to know the actual distance to the target??

Regardless of whether or not they can make an accurate shot, I don't see how it is bad for players to know the actual distance to the target. Most players have a general idea how long they hit each club in their bag (if they don't, the range finder will help them sort that out too). So using a range finder at least allows them a better chance to pick the right club. The range finder allows them to make their windage and elevation guesstimates based on the correct yardage.

I play to an 18 or so now and I can tell you that my range finder has helped me make more accurate shots. Yes, I still miss the green due to poor swings. but I am closer to the flag than I would be if I were still guessing at the actual yardage to the target.

Scott

[Baynative]

Ok, sounds good to me. Golf is about whatever works.

[Fourputt]

Baynative,

How can it ever be bad to know the actual distance to the target??

Regardless of whether or not they can make an accurate shot, I don't see how it is bad for players to know the actual distance to the target. Most players have a general idea how long they hit each club in their bag (if they don't, the range finder will help them sort that out too). So using a range finder at least allows them a better chance to pick the right club. The range finder allows them to make their windage and elevation guesstimates based on the correct yardage.

I play to an 18 or so now and I can tell you that my range finder has helped me make more accurate shots. Yes, I still miss the green due to poor swings. but I am closer to the flag than I would be if I were still guessing at the actual yardage to the target.

Scott


If it helps you make a more confident swing, then you are more likely to make a better shot, thus it DOES help even a bogey golfer. Like you, it doesn't mean that I'm going to make a great swing on every shot, but I am more likely to do so when I feel certain that I at least have the right club in hand.

And all the silliness about not adjusting for other conditions is just dumb. You have to make those adjustments when pacing from yardage markers, why would you stop doing it just because you have more accurate distance yardages from your rangefinder?

I'm going to like my Nikon ProStaff 440, I can see that already and I haven't even used it on the course yet. Like others have said, the short game from inside of 100 yards is where I expect to get the most value from it. :-)

[Matt P]

Ok, sounds good to me. Golf is about whatever works.

I agree, Golf is about whatever works, within limits...footwedge works, but probably beyond limit. Anyway, I would like to get one, although I will probably miss the green more often than not. I have a high handicap (I only really got back into golf played with my friends in high school last season) but I have been improving and one of my goals this season is to learn my club distances and I believe a rangefinder can help. Now if I can only convince my brother-in-law he needs to buy one. ;-)

[InTheTwenties]

I've been looking at a few and I've also considered skycaddie. But I heard that they are making a skycaddie version that will track your shots (to help zero in on club selection), and to keep your scores and track your handicapp. It shouldn't be that hard to create that version. A few lines of code, some memory...

When they start selling that one I will be getting one. For now, I'll use yardarge markers.



.

[golfchief]

I've been looking at a few and I've also considered skycaddie. But I heard that they are making a skycaddie version that will track your shots (to help zero in on club selection), and to keep your scores and track your handicapp. It shouldn't be that hard to create that version. A few lines of code, some memory...

When they start selling that one I will be getting one. For now, I'll use yardarge markers.



.

When is this new model coming out?

[joeb]

I rarely use mine to get a distance to a flag; trsuting the sprinkler heads more. Things such as elevation change/precip DO affect accuracy and sometimes it will pick out an object (like a tree) behind a pin unless the course has reflectors in the stick. However, the things are great off the tee (and for layups) to get distances to objects such as bunkers or to the end of the fairway and I love having mine for that use; especially at a new course. No need to buy anything fancy; you can get a perfectly good one for $150. If you want to bargain shop, look in hunting sites as the rangefinders for hunters are the same; just in camo.

[shortgame85]

I rarely use mine to get a distance to a flag; trsuting the sprinkler heads more. Things such as elevation change/precip DO affect accuracy and sometimes it will pick out an object (like a tree) behind a pin unless the course has reflectors in the stick. However, the things are great off the tee (and for layups) to get distances to objects such as bunkers or to the end of the fairway and I love having mine for that use; especially at a new course. No need to buy anything fancy; you can get a perfectly good one for $150. If you want to bargain shop, look in hunting sites as the rangefinders for hunters are the same; just in camo.

The Bushnell Pinseeker 1500, which generally sells for around $399, is designed to to read the distance to an area designated inside a circle in the viewfinder. A laser is shot to the object, bounces back and the measurment in yards or meters is determined and clearly diplayed. The Pinseeker 1500 can easily distinguish a flag from a tree or a sand trap and the flag need not have a relector on it. It is more accurate than any sprinkler head will ever be, unless the flag just happens to be placed precisely the distance from the point which the sprinkler head is located corresponding to the yardage mark on the head, which is highly unlikely. I've used the Skycaddie a couple of times and it is nice in some respects, but you must get a clean signal for the GPS to operate and you must have a subscription to a service. I'm not familiar with laser rangefinders other than the Pinseeker. But after reading reviews about it, as well as reading reviews about other distance measuring devices, I bought the Pinseeker. I can use it anywhere, it is tough, I don't need a signal from the sky or a subsciption to a service, just a line to the object to which I'm measuring the distance and a battery. It is very accurate. I don't use it on every shot, mostly on approach shots or determinig distance to an obstacle, but it has been worth every penny I spent on it. Oh, and did I mention that it is easy to operate? Just press one button twice; that's all there is to it. It's nothing fancy, just useful.

[M_Factor]

I am really interested in buying a range finder because I think it can help with yardages and club selection. Have you all seen the new :callaway: one in conjunction with Nikon http://www.callawayrangefinders.com/lr800.htm . However, I have a few questions as follows because I have never used one of these before:

1) Your on the driving range hitting balls. Can you laser in on your ball to see how far you hit a club?

2) You want to lay up on a Par 5 (hate doing that >:-O). Can you pick out a spot in the fairway and get a yardage or do you have to have somehting verticle (tree, etc.) to aim at?

3) Are they better if the flag does have a reflector?

I assume they are best used aiming at a flag for an approach shot or a Par 3 but I was just wondering about those other things. Thanks for any help B-)

[iacas]

1) Your on the driving range hitting balls. Can you laser in on your ball to see how far you hit a club?

Not really. Most ranges have enough signs and other things you can aim at that you can estimate pretty well. If you hit the ball a little closer to the 150 mark but between the 150 and the 173, you can guess it's probably about 158.

2) You want to lay up on a Par 5 (hate doing that >:-O). Can you pick out a spot in the fairway and get a yardage or do you have to have somehting verticle (tree, etc.) to aim at?

If by "vertical" you mean a little bump or swale in the fairway, that'll work. Or pick a tree that's off the fairway but at the same distance and hit it with the laser.

3) Are they better if the flag does have a reflector?

That would imply I've had trouble getting a flag to reflect back. I haven't. So if "works every time" could be improved, maybe they would work better with a reflector.

I assume they are best used aiming at a flag for an approach shot or a Par 3 but I was just wondering about those other things. Thanks for any help B-)

Yeah, don't aim at the flag STICK itself like some people do. It'll work, but not as well nor from as far away. Just hit the flag.

In some ways, it's really kind of amazing how range finders work, given the amount of "other" light out there.

[joeb]

I guess what is good about this site is the perspective of people with different experiences. I have not had the same success as Erik has with "working perfect every time". It is easier to aim at the flag, but that does not work if there is no wind or if the wind is at your back and the flag is blowing away from you. In those instances, if there are reflectors in the stick itself I have found them to be of much assistance.
I agree with him, however, concerning lay-ups; they are GREAT for that.

[golfchief]

I've also found if a group is in front of me to laser the person taking out or putting the flag back. yardage within a couple of feet is good enough for me.
Be ready though some people are pretty quick getting away from the green.

[Silvertree]

I am really looking forward to trying one.

[dubs7]

At my home club (Lakeview CC)they have a special for the igolf GPS caddie for $259.99. That includes free shipping, subscription to igolf.com, Lakeview CC already preloaded and an extended warrenty.

My question is...how does this one compare to the skycaddy or other similiar products?

Thanks

Don

[iacas]

At my home club (Lakeview CC)they have a special for the igolf GPS caddie for $259.99. That includes free shipping, subscription to igolf.com, Lakeview CC already preloaded and an extended warrenty.

My question is...how does this one compare to the skycaddy or other similiar products?

Thanks

Don
We haven't reviewed the iGolf units yet, Don, and I'm not sure we plan to. The SkyCaddie products certainly cost a bit more. There's usually a reason for that, but as you know, sometimes the reason is "because we can."

[P3R3]

Anyone have experiance with this one? Alot of the courses in my area are poorly marked, and I am sick and tired of hitting hazards which I don't know the distance on.

http://amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00005AXIY/ref=s9_asin_image_3/103-7189538-0317425?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=15PDSRHANZ7ZKG96EAKM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=278240701&pf_rd_i=507846

[dzclarkcpa]

I have had my rangefinder for a month now. And honestly, I can't imagine how I played without it. Granted, now I don't hit the ball any better, but at least I know when I fly it over the green, its because I hit it bad, not because i added bad.

I still use the GPS on the carts, or the sprinkler heads, to give me front, back, center, but nothing like knowing the distance to the pin.

Now, someone tell me how to stop feeling like an idiot when I know the yardage and still misclub!

[hurley9192]

I have the Bushnell 1500 tourney edition and it is awesome. I can laser off the front of a bunker and back of it, off trees, markers and the flag. I can laser to the bunker near the green and the flag and get a distance over the bunker to the hole. The slope edition gives extra info so it's not legal in a tournament.

As for the range, I can laser off my ball to get a yardage as well, which really helps. My wife bought me a new one on ebay for $308 in the box. It's worth it if you don't play a course with GPS and doesn't have the fees that the skycaddies have.

[pjs2004]

I think rangefinders/GPS are great! I've always been good at judging distances from course markings, but after I played a course that had GPS, about 5 years ago, I loved it so much I wanted it everywhere. It makes the round go a lot quicker. You take no time to figure out the distance, just time for wind and elevation. I researched it a little and decided on trying the Starcaddy GPS system with my PDA. One main reason I didn't like the laser rangefinders was line-of-sight. What happens when you can't see the flag? Another reason was you can't get distances to other objects, like traps, creeks, etc. Cost was another factor. The PDA GPS solution is $300-400, but you are getting a PDA as well!

I've since gone from Starcaddy to Intelligolf. Starcaddy worked well, but one thing I didn't like was having to buy the maps. They're $20 each and it's OK when you're just playing one or two courses on a regular basis, but I started playing lot of other courses and didn't want to keep buying maps. Also you can't change any of the coordinates.

With Intelligolf, you can set up the maps yourself and change any of the coordinates, if they aren't accurate, or if you want to add a distance to a trap or creek, etc. You can do this either on the course or from home using internet-based satellite maps. I set up a course map for a course I play most regularly, using the coordinate from Google Earth. I've since played the course about 10 times and the accuracy is always right on. In fact I've even found a couple of areas where the markers on the course are wrong.

Also, one of the best things about it is it's record-keeping. You can record exact distances (from GPS) for all of the shots you hit and then, later on, see what your average distances were, for all of your clubs.

To me the PDA/GPS setup is way better than the skycaddie thing for a couple of big reasons. One, you can do the record-keeping thing. Two, it costs roughly the same, but with the PDA/GPS you have a PDA that can be used for all sorts of other things. I also use my PDA/GPS for car navigation, and it beats having one built into the car because I can take mine into any car!

[hurley9192]

If you play a course on a regular basis where you have blind shots, the laser range finder probably isn't going to help as much. However, you can laser to trees, rocks, creeks and bunkers if you can see them. I went with the laser rangefinder because I don't play as hilly of a course where there are tons of blind shots. It's definitely cheaper, you can take it anywhere and don't have to subscribe to anything.

[RyanR]

My course has quite a few yardage markers on the sprinklers, but I have one for 3D archery and bowhunting so I just put it in my golf bag and it comes in handy! If you can find one used or something for not that much, they're a hoot to play with!

Good luck,
Ryan

[Billy_Baroo]

My courses don't have GPS but I carry a GolfLogix GPS unit from Garmin. I play a handful of courses regularly so I am not as familiar with any specific course as someone who plays the same course over 90% of the time. Yardage to the doglegs, front and clear of water hazards and bunkers, front, middle and back of greens. If you find yourself in the wrong fairway with trees blocking your view of the green, no problem.

[Kellfire]

Does anyone have any experience with the Bushnell X-500?

[flash]

Does anyone have any experience with the Bushnell X-500?

does anyone remember how to count their steps from any 100-150-200yd.marker.can't believe the amount of fools who think EXACT yardage makes them a player. guess I'm old school .If Jack.N. had one would he have won 43 majors. never know.christ I don't know why I keep posting to these hack sites

[iacas]

does anyone remember how to count their steps from any 100-150-200yd.marker.can't believe the amount of fools who think EXACT yardage makes them a player. guess I'm old school .If Jack.N. had one would he have won 43 majors. never know.christ I don't know why I keep posting to these hack sites

One of the pioneering things Jack did was to be one of the first to use yardage books, and incredibly accurate ones at that. So... if Jack had the exact yardages, I think he'd have won about 18 majors.

[golfchief]

does anyone remember how to count their steps from any 100-150-200yd.marker.can't believe the amount of fools who think EXACT yardage makes them a player. guess I'm old school .If Jack.N. had one would he have won 43 majors. never know.christ I don't know why I keep posting to these hack sites

You must be the fool, If Jack would have had the Technology He would have used it. If you think the yardage markers on all courses or correct than your a fool. May every golfer in front of you be eighty years old and feel they need to walk sixty five yards to the green from the rough and back on every shot to the green so they can shoot their 120 score.

If you feel this is a hack site just move on and have a good day.

[mtrevors]

I have a SkyCaddie SG-2 and I love it. Lots of sprinkler heads and markers in my area are off by 10+ yards which is an entire club to me. I'm thinking about picking up a Bushnell Pinseeker Slope Edition in the sprint because I believe it's the first range finder to take into account elevation changes. Not cheap either, $450... ouch... The things I do for my golf game

[Beach Golfer]

I don't use one for a variety of reasons:

1. They are too expensive.

2. I wouldn't trust them to be accurate.

3. Part of the skill of golf is to be able to figure out how far it is to the pin.

[golfchief]

I don't use one for a variety of reasons:

1. They are too expensive.

yes,but they will last for years and cheaper than buying a new driver every couple of years.


2. I wouldn't trust them to be accurate.

They are accurate to + - 1 1/2 yards.


3. Part of the skill of golf is to be able to figure out how far it is to the pin.

No skill required to figure out yadage only time consuming. pro's have most yardages in their book done from their practice rounds and years of playing the courses.

they use pinseakers and skycaddies on practice days to get yardages.

[Gapwedge]

I have had the Bushnell Pinseeker since the spring of this year and I can honestly say it has saved me a couple of strokes per round. Since it does not have the slope it is legal for USGA play. Saves time and give accurate info for distances to sandtraps, water hazards, and best of all the pin. You still have to adjust for wind, slope, etc.

[shake99]

Have a Bushnell and also a Sky Caddy love both

[rstyle]

For ll the perfectionists and that think yardage to the pin should be one of the unknowns and true experience of golf........................

I played round in Panther's Lake (Orange County National) in Orlando a few days before the Q school tournaments.
Ran into two caddies that were mapping the course for their players for the upcoming tournament. Guess what they were using! Range finders and a little gadget that they put on the green and gives them the slope. One of the guys would wait for players to finish a hole and while waiting for the next group to shoot at the green would crawl all over the green taking notes while placing this little round gadget that gave him direction and degree of slope. At the TEE they would write down dist to first tree, last tree, to the trap, to the mound etc. It was actually interesting talking to them

So..........when you see the player or the caddy take out that little notebook during the tournament................guess how all those distances ere obtained!

Jack N may have won more tournaments but they did not have rangefinders then

[907golfer12]

I got a :callaway: LR800 for my birthday (yesterday, turned 15) and so far it is great

[rstyle]

Happy Birthday,
great present!!!
Give me an update after you use it a few times since I am leaning towards that one because of size. price etc.

[907golfer12]

Happy Birthday,
great present!!!
Give me an update after you use it a few times since I am leaning towards that one because of size. price etc.

Well I have now used it in 6 rounds, and can safely say that it has helped shave some strokes off my handicap. at the end of august I was an 18 and now I'm a 13.4. Living in Alaska I can't practice on grass, so I know that practice hasn't shaved it. Just yesterday I shot a +4 (76) and that was because I had the exact yardage and hit a lot of shots nice and tight and 1 putted for a
lot of pars! :-D

[Linkster]

rangefinders are great! but you still have to hit the ball.

[jonjones]

rangefinders are great! but you still have to hit the ball.

VERY true. That being said, I carry a Pinseeker 1500 TE AND a GolfLogix8 GPS.

[Smallville]

I have used a Bushnell for years and recently got the GolfLogix GPS. Used both in my first round with the GPS but as soon as I am comfortable knowing where the GPS is measuring (when it says 153 to the dogleg, is it in the middle of the fairway or on the closest part of the dogleg?), I'll probably replace the Bushnell with a small pair of binoculars just to get the pin positions.

[Baynative]

rangefinders are great! but you still have to hit the ball.

That brings me back to what our pro said when asked about rangefinders during a clinic. --- "If you can put a bath towel on the range at 165 and hit it consistently with a couple of different clubs, you're ready for a range finder." His unmentioned follow up was probably going to say - if you can't hit the towel, maybe some lessons would be a better use of your money-

[Fourputt]

That brings me back to what our pro said when asked about rangefinders during a clinic. --- "If you can put a bath towel on the range at 165 and hit it consistently with a couple of different clubs, you're ready for a range finder." His unmentioned follow up was probably going to say - if you can't hit the towel, maybe some lessons would be a better use of your money-

I strongly disagree with his opinion. I may not control my distances perfectly, but knowing that I have the right club for the shot when I address the ball goes a long way toward greater confidence, and being confident in my club choice removes at least one doubt that might affect my swing. You don't have to be a PGA pro before accurate distance information can help to improve your game. :doh:

And the head pro at my home course agrees with me.... :whistle:

[Baynative]

And I agree with you and your pro. Anything in this game that gives you confidence and aids concentration is a good thing.

That said: Given the inconsistency of my game, the only way a range finder would help is if I carry it in my left pocket and it helps me get my weight transferred to my left side.

[juanrjackson]

check these out. I think they are Chinese.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGITAL-7-x-GOLF-RANGE-FINDER-GOLFSCOPE-SCOPE-w-Case-US_W0QQitemZ300268495354QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300268495354&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

[JessN16]

check these out. I think they are Chinese.

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIGITAL-7-x-GOLF-RANGE-FINDER-GOLFSCOPE-SCOPE-w-Case-US_W0QQitemZ300268495354QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item300268495354&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A570|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
I think those are just fancied-up versions of those rangefinders that have a set of lines that you line up to the flag and it approximates your distance.

I actually used to use one of those things for some time and it's decently helpful on a course with no markers whatsoever, but it's only good from 180 in and it's often off by as much as 20 yards. Save your money.

BTW, I just bought a Bushnell for $140 this past week and love the thing. So did the other guys in my group.

Jess

[bcp]

That brings me back to what our pro said when asked about rangefinders during a clinic. --- "If you can put a bath towel on the range at 165 and hit it consistently with a couple of different clubs, you're ready for a range finder." His unmentioned follow up was probably going to say - if you can't hit the towel, maybe some lessons would be a better use of your money-
I disagree. Even if you are not able to accurately hit to a given distance, you have a much better chance when you know your correct yardage. While many variables exist that must align to hit an accurate shot, at least you can eliminate one by knowing your yardage.

[Baynative]

... if you are not able to accurately hit to a given distance, you have a much better chance when you know your correct yardage. .

As I said earlier; I am in favor of anything that provides confidence. If interpreting yardage from course markings is not sufficient, then I won't argue whether the money spent on a range finder is justifiable.

[hamletsdead]

I have one in my bag all the time, but usually only pull it out on those courses where distance markers are irregularly placed. There's one course I play that has no markers inside 100 yards, so it comes in real handy when you're thinking sand wedge vs. gap wedge and don't feel like guess-timating.

[Fourputt]

As I said earlier; I am in favor of anything that provides confidence. If interpreting yardage from course markings is not sufficient, then I won't argue whether the money spent on a range finder is justifiable.

I spend too much time in places where there are no course markings, or at least far enough away from them that my estimates can be quite a bit off. That's one thing that has become apparent to me since I started using my Bushnell. I can be 30 yards to the side from a sprinkler head and estimate the gain or loss on the arc (using the hole as the center of the circle), then take a sighting with my rangefinder and discover that my estimate was off by as much as 10 yards. And I've always been very good at estimating distances just by looking at the 150 markers when I'm more or less on a good line to the hole. But the farther off to the side I am, the worse my judgment becomes.

I've also found my Bushnell to be valuable in determining layup distances. I use it to both measure for a layup to a good club distance from the green, and to be certain that the club I have in hand won't get me into trouble by hitting too far. I like the flexibility of being able to measure from any point to any other point at need, and not be at the mercy of the programming of a GPS.

[jaragon126]

So iacas, you prefer rangefinder or GPS units?

[iacas]

So iacas, you prefer rangefinder or GPS units?

Isn't it pretty obvious? I only have one in my sig, after all.

[1UnderU]

I'm in the market for either a Range Finder or a Slow Motion Vid camera to tape the swing. I have a feeling the cam is a better investment for my game. I don't have much trouble with distances, most of the time its not that hard to find markers. Plus everytime I play w/ someone who has a ranger finder I usually know the yardage before they do, just be estimation and looking at a marker. By the time they take it out, line it up etc, I'm saying about 125 right, and they usaully concur.


On another note, I played last weekend with a guy who used his range finder on the fringe! Like under 10 yards, said he was a big follower of Dave Pelz and had his wedges/chips dialed down within a .5 yard. I thought he was nutz because I'm more of a feel player but hey, they guy shot a 85 to my 89. To each his own.

[gnu155]

I have the ViewTI Golf app on my Iphone. It works pretty good. gives me the same yardage as the course carts with the GPS built in.

[jaragon126]

Isn't it pretty obvious? I only have one in my sig, after all.

Sorry, I made the newbie mistake of not reading before posting! :8)

[bogeyhitter25]

Most courses I play have tons of yardage markings. But it'd be so cool to get one. Even if it is just a cheaper one.

[JoelDuffer]

The USGA is just trying to preserve the game! There is no need to "rag" on them for not allowing rangefinders. The pace of play issue is not how people are looking for yards markers. It is people (that are 36 handicap) standing over the ball for more than 5 minuets and then banging the club after they hit a bad shot! Golf can be slow but not because people have to find there own yards. Its beacuse a 36 handicapper expects to hit every green and when he/she doesnt they spend an hour wining about the bad shot!

O.K This one made me mad. Unless you are naturaly gifted, a lot of us (36 hdcp'rs) started with a high hdcp. I hope that I never run into the likes of you on a course. "To the moon with you". Snobs like you grind my @%$. Maybe your efforts would be put to better use helping high hdcp players with the game instead of beating us up. (I'm OK now, I have vented, sorry.)

I would like to have a range finder so I could find my club/yardage average. That way I "wont" beat up on sprinkler heads.(or other peoples heads) OOps there I went again)
2 cents & change.
JDB

[jaragon126]

Funny story yesterday while I was inside the golf shop paying for my round ... a guy walks in with a SkyCaddie GPS unit & was asking around if anyone knew how to work them. I guess he couldn't get the thing to recognize the course he was at or it wasn't showing the greens properly or something was wrong.

That made up my mind for me that if I ever do get a distance measuring device I'm going to get a rangefinder rather than a GPS. The rangefinders don't require you to pay a subscription fee and you don't have to bother with trying to download new courses & all that jazz. A rangefinder is just one up front cost, no subscriptions, and it'll work on any course you can ever go to.

A buddy I was playing with had a rangefinder that he used occasionally during our round ... not on every shot. Looked pretty cool, although he dropped it a while back so it's a bit broken. He's definitely going to be getting another one versus a GPS unit though. He said that when he does find a yardage marker on the course, the marker is pretty close (probably within 1-4 yards) to what his rangefinder tells him so it's not like the course yardage markers are wrong. I guess it just saves you the hassle of having to look for markers & walk off yardages - which saves time ... but unless everyone on the golf course is using them to save time then you still have 5-6 hour rounds :-)

At this point, it's all about the cost. I know that getting a rangefinder is probably not going to help me play golf any better ... it's more like a new toy that'll be fun to play with. As some of my other posts have mentioned though, I'm playing crappy golf right now so maybe the money that I would spend on a rangefinder is better used for lessons at this point? :-)

[golfbarefoot]

I could be wrong, but I'm fairly sure the USGA only allows rangefinders for competition that do not factor in slope/elevation etc, so definitely Che k before you invest in an expensive new one you mentioned coming out this year with additional functionity.

[jaragon126]

Ya definitely golfbarefoot, if I do get one it's going to be one without slope/elevation. I think iacas uses the Leupold GX-I, and on the Golfsmith website it says that one is "Tournament legal". The Leupold GX-II says it can measure "uphill/downhill angle, temperature and elevation" which I believe is a no-no for competition. The GX-II doesn't say anything about being "tournament legal" so I take that to me that it is NOT legal :-)

Some of the other rangefinders on Golfsmith's website are confusing though. They say that they measure slope, but they also say they are "USGA legal".

[Topanga]

I don't use a rangefinder, maybe I'm more of a purest but I think it takes away from the game. I've found my distance preception has become good over the years. I estimate the yardage and confirm it with a marker and it's usually darn close, of oourse wind and elevation will always come into play.

But this is just me, alot of my friends use them and love them. I say what ever makes you enjoy the game more go for it. For me it's using my eyes.

[jaragon126]

I definitely think it's good to be able to get yardages on your own without the use of tools, but it's fun to play with new gadgets :-)

I don't ever find sprinkler heads with yardages on them ... either there is no yardage or it has been broken off. So I usually use the 100,150,200 yard stakes on the sides of the fairways to guess where I'm at. Where things get tricky for me is when I'm in the trees & am not very close to the stakes on the sides of the fairways.

[Topanga]

I agree, I'm a techy also, I'm always switching out clubs, trying new shafts, different length putters etc I've used rangefinders and they are fun and "maybe" help my score. I just enjoy the game more without it. I do think they're a great idea on some courses where they're mounted in the cart. You can choose to use them or not but it does speed up play

[jaragon126]

I can see where it speeds up my process of looking for yardages ... but I still have to wait for the other people in my group to golf as well as the other thousands of people on the course that are golfing, so unless EVERYONE on the course used a distance measuring device I don't think I'll see my weekend 5-6 hour rounds get any shorter just because I use a rangefinder.

[iacas]

I just replaced the battery in my GX-I today. Have had it nearly two full golf seasons on the original battery.

[jaragon126]

Stop rubbing it in iacas ... you are going to force me to get the GX-I some day soon!! :-)

For tonight though, I get to go spend $165 on a lesson at GolfTec :-(