Choosing Between GPS and Rangefinder – What's Better for a New Golfer?

[BogeyMan7]

Thanks so much for all the responses, everyone!
I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. It’s been super helpful hearing how different golfers approach using GPS and rangefinders—it’s given me a better perspective on what might work best for my game as I keep learning. Love how helpful this community is!

#GreenSideTalk

[Nave]

I have both. A GPS watch and a rangefinder. I mostly use the rangefinder.

I got the Gogogo Sport Vpro GS24 five years ago for only $45 and it has served me perfectly so far.

My Garming GPS watch was an impulse purchase that I regret. When it comes to real accuracy and reliability the rangefinder wins hands down.

[2-PuttMcGee]

If you’re just starting out and want something simple that helps you learn the course, go with a GPS. It gives you front, middle, and back distances plus hazards, so you can focus on strategy instead of exact yardages. It’s quicker to use and great for building awareness of how far you actually hit each club.

If you’re already hitting the ball fairly consistently and care about precision, a rangefinder is the better choice. It gives you exact flag distances and helps tighten up your approach shots. Think of it this way — GPS teaches you how to think your way around the course, while a rangefinder helps you dial in your shots once you’ve got a feel for your game.

OR

If you're like me, you have both and have a lot of explaining to do with the Mrs 😄

[WUTiger]

Season 1: Rangefinder / Season 2: Add GPS

In early going, rangefinder will help you gauge distances on your shots inside 100 yards, especially your partial wedges. This will help you get up-and-down if you miss the green.

Also, GPS can be problematic if you play a cramped course where the holes are packed together tightly (like, they needed 15 more acres to make things work). On such a course if your shot lands on the edge of the No. 13 fairway, GPS may accidentally give you distance to adjacent No. 10 green. A problem in the St. Louis area with a couple of courses built on 100 acres or less. One such course, originally a small 9-hole track, was expanded it to 18 holes without adding any extra acreage.

On such bad reads, it's easy to come up 30 yards short or long on your approach.