Leopold Rangefinder...how far?

[Gioguy21]

Guys, i know this is a bit weird to hear but here it goes. I was with my dad who has a leopold rangefinder and was beyond wrong on just about everytime he pulled it out. there was a hole, about 410 yards total, i hit a good drive that landed center cut fairway, 2 paces back from the 150 tag. the green was (from my guessing) downhill about 20 ft, 152 playing 145 (no wind). here he goes, whips out the leopold and it says and i won't lie, 187 to the pin. i pull my 8 iron to make a point and hit it to 15ft. has anyone else used one of these and found the yardages were completely unreal and seemingly made up? lol

edit: i was 15ft past the hole, one hop and checked on the green.

[mrt10x]

I have no experience with the Leopold, but have been using a Bushnell for at least 5 or 6 years now. The older versions liked to lock onto trees and other objects behind the pin. The newer versions have a pinseeker function that works really well. Bottom line is that unless there is a software problem in your dad's laser, it was 187 yards to SOMETHING, just not the pin :)

[Gioguy21]

I have no experience with the Leopold, but have been using a Bushnell for at least 5 or 6 years now. The older versions liked to lock onto trees and other objects behind the pin. The newer versions have a pinseeker function that works really well. Bottom line is that unless there is a software problem in your dad's laser, it was 187 yards to SOMETHING, just not the pin :)

...I should've told him that the pin was about 152 but his sanity was back by the 187 lol

[MrKadash]

Never had that problem with mine. One of the best purchases I ever made. The only thing it could be, barring an actual problem with the unit, is not hitting the flag.

[iacas]

Yeah, no problems with mine either. Perhaps the alignment is off or perhaps you didn't hit the flag.

Aim at a house or some large structure without things around it and see if the measurements are truly off or if it's just your technique.

[boogielicious]

Are you able to focus on something as small as a ball? I'm asking to see if it is helpful in determining your club distances at the range or on the course. One problem I have is with longer clubs, I have trouble seeing how close the ball lands to the marked distance signs. I guess my eyes aren't what they used to be. Unless it hits the sign, it could be +/- 10 yards.

Thanks,
Scott

[Yukari]

Hmmm. Could have a slight abrasion like the initial Hubble telescope. May need a corrective lens.
But seriously, I have a buddy who has one and he has no problem with it.

I'll stick with my GPS iphone.

[Gioguy21]

Are you able to focus on something as small as a ball? I'm asking to see if it is helpful in determining your club distances at the range or on the course. One problem I have is with longer clubs, I have trouble seeing how close the ball lands to the marked distance signs. I guess my eyes aren't what they used to be. Unless it hits the sign, it could be +/- 10 yards.

Well, i'll have to steal it one day from the old man...i don't think it can get that focused but then again i don't use rangefinders...i was taught on feel (as weird as that is) and judging those things around you....as off as they can be sometimes. i play most of the same courses i've always played so it's not really a big deal...i roughly know where i am and go from there...

[goblue107501]

More than likely, he was hitting a target behind the flag. I guess it is possible that the unit could be 'off'. With mine I use a common sense approach. If I am at the 150 marker and get a reading of 180, I will keep going until I get something that makes more sense. There is such a fine line between hitting a flag, and hitting a tree branch 30 yards behind the green.