Do you use a rangefinder?

[Zeph]

A rangefinger is definitely quicker than pacing off yardages. I've been using one this season and now can't imagine playing without it. Course markers are not always accurate, and they give you the distance to the middle of the green or front of the green, not to the flag. Checking the course guide, pacing off a yardage marker, checking the course guide again, trying to find out where the pin is positioned. Try that vs picking up the rangefinder, shooting the flag, done.

I often use it to pick out obstacles or stuff. Seeing if I can carry some water with the driver or the distance over greenside bunkers.

Does it take away something from the game? Not at all, just the boring stuff about pacing and looking in a book to find the most accurate distance. Being 140 yards from the flag doesn't mean I'll just pick up my 7i and hit it. Still have to factor in where I want to land the ball and that kind of stuff. A rangefinder provide information available to everyone, but it does it better and quicker than all the alternatives.

It also give me confidence. I know the distance to the flag, so I can pick my club and know that if I hit it good, it will land where I want it to.

I used my Leupold GX-I in 25 mph wind today and didn't have any trouble shooting the flags. Being windy actually makes it easier, since the flag will wave and be easier to shoot.

[1par2win]

This is an example of my experience with a laserfinder.

Last Sunday I hit my drive on the left hand side of the fairway just inside the 150 marker. I walk up and see that the hole is playing uphill maybe a club worth and there is a little breeze in my face. I pull out my laserfinder that is clipped on to the handle of my push cart. I shoot the flag, 162. Given the uphill terrain, the breeze, and the yardage I pull a 5 iron. I hit the shot and pushed it just a tad and am 15 feet below the hole. From the time I got to my ball, assesed the conditions, got my yardage, and hit my shot was about 45 seconds. It's really boils down to having a good routine.

What I found with my laser is although it doesn't make me a better ball striker it does give me the confidence in knowing just how far the flag is. Knowing that yardage it's now an indespensable part of my routine. I don't use it when I'm 200+ out but when I am within 150 it has made a huge difference in club selection. It does take a bit of practice to be able to get the yardage quickly but once you get the hang of it it's really an easy tool to use. If there is wind and it's more difficult to hold it steady I just hold down the button and go into scan mode. The laser picks up eveything and once it flashes from 206 to 162 you have your number. It's really that easy.

The other comment I would make is when I was looking at buying one of these (this was 3 years ago) I found that many of the laserfinders were shaped rather funny making the job of keeping the unit stable more difficult. I found one (Bushnell Yardage Pro, I think it's called) that was smaller, fit in my hand like I thought it should, and was about $60 cheaper than other models I was looking at. After 3 seasons of use it has been one of the best decisions I have made as far as equipment is concerned. So my advice to anyone looking to get one would be;
a) Look for the ergonomic factor. If it feels funny in your hand or it requires two hands just to keep it stable you may want to look for another model. Im my case the device is only slightly larger than my hand and has a molded case that fits your fingers perfectly. I don't understand why they would design something that was broad and flat?!
b) Consider how you are going to carry the device. Conveince is going to be the key in getting the most out of it. Mine hangs on a clip that I put on the handle of my Sun Mountain V2 push cart. It's located right there next to my hand when I approach my ball.
c) Be patient when you first aquire one. They do take some practice and getting the knack down doesn't happen right out of the box. When I bought mine it was in the middle of winter so on my walks I brought it along and just started to shoot various targets on my walks. Then when spring finally arrived I went on my usual "boot camp" golf trip (involves 3 days of golf from sun up to sun down in Springfield MO. One year we got in 135 holes in a 3 day period!) I used the device and after a couple of rounds I had it down fairly well and haven't looked back since.

As far as the GPS vs Laserfinder argument is concerned I think it's stupid as both have advantages and disadvantages. Find something that works for you and just hit the damn shot. At least that's my take.

[Fourputt]

Many current GPS allow you to point to any location on a hole, so that's really not a disadvantage any more.

Which does you no good if the object you want to pinpoint isn't shown on the graphic. Or if your GPS doesn't do that. Whereas all lasers can give an exact distance to anything you can see. The laser is still a more versatile tool.

[jamo]

Quick laser question- (sorry if this is dumb but I have never used one) Can you shoot a laser at a point on the ground and get a reading?

[iacas]

Quick laser question- (sorry if this is dumb but I have never used one) Can you shoot a laser at a point on the ground and get a reading?

Yep, you can.

[chilly]

Which does you no good if the object you want to pinpoint isn't shown on the graphic. Or if your GPS doesn't do that. Whereas all lasers can give an exact distance to anything you can see. The laser is still a more versatile tool.

Debate could go on forever, I was just pointing out that many GPS do have the ability to point to objects on the hole.

Is there a lazer made that can measure something that isn't in line of sight?

[VMAN]

Is there a lazer made that can measure something that isn't in line of sight?

Yes, though they are quite expensive, heavy and do tend to damage the course.

[Zeph]

Is there a lazer made that can measure something that isn't in line of sight?

How would that work?

[Fourputt]

Debate could go on forever, I was just pointing out that many GPS do have the ability to point to objects on the hole.

Silly question, but I find that to be much less of a problem than trying to guess with GPS which doesn't give the distances for what I need to know. Which is why I have and use both. I use my GPS a lot, but I also cover the gaps with my laser. I also use the laser for verification when I really need to be sure that the number in the GPS is right (believe me, it isn't always).

[sean_miller]

Are people actually arguing which is better: GPS or a laser rangefinder?

They both have their merits and limitations. It's mostly a matter of personal preference.