At what point does a range-finder or GPS actually help?

[sean_miller]

So what penalty applies for using a distance measuring device during a casual round for handicap purposes where there isn't a local rule allowing rangefinders? Should every round played with a rangefinder at that course be treated as a practice round?

[iacas]

Originally Posted by sean_miller

So what penalty applies for using a distance measuring device during a casual round for handicap purposes where there isn't a local rule allowing rangefinders? Should every round played with a rangefinder at that course be treated as a practice round?

They're perfectly legal for handicap rounds.

[sean_miller]

Originally Posted by iacas

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

So what penalty applies for using a distance measuring device during a casual round for handicap purposes where there isn't a local rule allowing rangefinders? Should every round played with a rangefinder at that course be treated as a practice round?

They're perfectly legal for handicap rounds.

Why legal for handicap rounds and not for a tournament? Or is it that most tournaments say no way to rangefinders?!?

Just wondering if there are other rules that only apply to tournaments and/or league play.

[Beachcomber]

I use Golfshot on my iPhone. It is a great app. It is $30, but I like it better than a Skycaddie as I don't have an annual subscription to tool around with. I highly recommend it to anyone who has an iPhone or Android smartphone.

[Kobey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean_miller

Why legal for handicap rounds and not for a tournament? Or is it that most tournaments say no way to rangefinders?!?

Just wondering if there are other rules that only apply to tournaments and/or league play.

Here is the answer from the USGA site.

Quote:

Q. Is it legal under the Rules of Golf to use a Rangefinder or other Electronic Distance Measuring device?

A. The use of a distance-measuring device is a breach of Rule 14-3, which states that during a stipulated round, the player shall not use any artificial device or unusual equipment for the purpose of gauging or measuring distance or conditions which might affect his play (Rule 14-3). The USGA Handicap System requires players to post scores made when a device which measures distance only has been used (regardless of whether the Committee has adopted the Local Rule described below). Scores made while using a device which measures other conditions which might affect play (e.g., wind speed or the slope of the ground) are not acceptable for Handicapping purposes. Please refer to Section 5-1 of the USGA Handicap System Manual regarding acceptable scores. USGA Handicap Home Page The Committee may, by Local Rule, permit the use of devices that measure distance only (i.e., the device may not be used to measure other conditions such as wind-speed or the slope of the ground). (Rule 14-3 Note and Decision 14-3/0.5)

So that brings up another question.  Do golf GPS's show terrain features and elevations?  If so, they might be illegal for handicap rounds.

[Hackforfun]

I have a rangefinder and find it very useful. I have asked to get a simple GPS from the wife (Neo or similar) for Xmas.

As I'm getting better in the 8I and down range I'm looking for a quick and easy way to work out my lay up club on longer holes and my best tee club for short par 4's to hit my ideal approach shot range. Anything that helps me plan to stay out of partial wedge range for my approach or stop me from leaving a low percentage longer club in the better. I can do it with my range finder but a GPS will probably be quicker and easier.

[Fourputt]

Originally Posted by Kobey

Here is the answer from the USGA site.

So that brings up another question.  Do golf GPS's show terrain features and elevations?  If so, they might be illegal for handicap rounds.

No golf GPS that I ever heard of gives anything but the distances.  Some do show the location of features, but not elevation change - that is, they may show a graphic image of mounds or trees, but you can still only measure the distance to the feature.  There are some laser rangefinders which do measure slope as well as distance, and those are not allowed for any official round, handicap or competition.

[Kobey]

Originally Posted by Fourputt

No golf GPS that I ever heard of gives anything but the distances.  Some do show the location of features, but not elevation change - that is, they may show a graphic image of mounds or trees, but you can still only measure the distance to the feature.  There are some laser rangefinders which do measure slope as well as distance, and those are not allowed for any official round, handicap or competition.

Thanks, I've never used one so I didn't know what information they give.

[ApocG10]

I like my callaway range finder. It doesnt affect pace of play, its very accurate, and it was fairly cheap compared to some others. I prefer it to gps.

[Blacksheep]

To answer the op question. Once you have a consistant swing and distance with your clubs then a lazer becomes very useful. I bought a cheapo at wal mart for $100 . It is made for hunting but a lazer is a lazer and it gives me the info i need .

[BuckeyeNut]

Yep...the hunting lasers work too.  The only downside is they struggle to lock-in on the pin.  Background trees and ground can be a problem......

[mdl]

I've found they're pretty much totally unnecessary on courses you know well.  For me at least, on the group of courses I play regularly, I know distances to and over the bunkers and hazards, at least close enough to know which club I should hit to stay safe or clear them.  And I know the greens well enough to know which are the long ones, when I need to club up given the color of the flag that day, and so on.  I never end up asking for help from a guy with a laser in my group on those courses.

On new courses, they're super helpful, and I definitely have played a few rounds on courses I didn't know that well where I felt lucky to have a guy with a laser in my group that day.  Still not necessary for distance to the center of the green, as on holes with middle flags when there is someone with a laser in my group my walked off estimates are never more than a couple yards off from distance to the center.  But on new courses you don't know how long the greens are or how far it is to hazards and bunkers, so that kind of info can be super useful.

[Paradox]

I keep wavering back and forth between wanting a laser so I can know the distance to anything in play or if I just want a simple neo+ to get frond middle back readings.  In between those I run the gambit of "I want this..nah I don't need that much" "But this one has these benefits..but I don't need that much".

[ndb8fxe]

I normally play courses I have not played before.  I use Golflogix on my Iphone 3.  I believe it provides great information that I would otherwise not have.  If I had a "home" course, I wouldn't use it nearly as much.  I find at some courses that from the tee box I wouldn't even know which way the hole bends without the gps diagrams as many scorecards don't show diagrams.  I'm positive is shaves many swings off my scorecard, however it doesn't matter because I guess I'm cheating using it on the phone.  All my scores are invalid.

[AmazingWhacker]

Originally Posted by Roblar

Thanks to everyone for all the posts so far -- I've enjoyed reading them, and I feel like I've learned a bit.

It seems like most people find three main advantages to a range-finder / GPS:

*learning the yardage for your clubs

*confidence - being *sure* of your yardage on a shot (to hazards, greens, flags, OB, etc.)

*figuring out yardage at a new course - especially one not well marked for yardages

That's a pretty good list.  I would add:

*It's a neat gadget.

I can't aim closer than +- 25 yards but I got a range finder for Christmas.  It has helped me learn the distances of my clubs.  I don't think it's saved me any strokes, though.  It's cool to walk out to your drive and laser the tee box to see how far your drive was.  I was shocked at how far I do not hit it, lol.

[BuckeyeNut]

At what point does a laser rangefinder help?

ANSWER: when you put one in your hand and use it.............

[Patch]

I think that until the golfer knows what their consistent yardages are with their various clubs, yardage tools are just a novelty item. 

I have a Lazer, and a GPS in my bag, but seldom use them on the course. 98% of the time I use them just during practice sessions.

8 minutes ago, Patch said:

 

 

Edited May 19, 2018 by Patch

[RWC]

I've used my GPS unit primarily to track the distance I hit each club. Tracking all my shots on the course over a season has given me a pretty good idea of how far I hit each club (min - avg - max).