laser rangefinder question

[Artimas]

I want to measure my different iron yardages. Is it possible to reasonably use a laser rangefinder to measure how far away a cluster of 10 or so balls is on a range? I assume the actual balls are too small to measure, but what about getting a reading from the ground where the cluster is?

Any other tips on how to do this is appreciated.  The distance markers at my range are not very accurate.

Thank you.

[Moppy]

I never have luck shooting at grass. I try to find a tree near my ball to shoot to get a distance on a shot. It does help to shoot the flags or signs at the range too.

My rangefinder does have a threaded hole to put it on a tri-pod. That might work. I might try that at the range because I already have a quality tri-pod and the Bushnell laser rangefinder. I wouldn't buy them to try it though.

[boogielicious]

I want to measure my different iron yardages. Is it possible to reasonably use a laser rangefinder to measure how far away a cluster of 10 or so balls is on a range? I assume the actual balls are too small to measure, but what about getting a reading from the ground where the cluster is?

Any other tips on how to do this is appreciated.  The distance markers at my range are not very accurate.

Thank you.

If the range is flat, I think it is difficult to get an accurate measure. I tend to use the flags or distance signs instead and choose a club to get close to them.  I range find the signs.

Also, remember the range balls don't fly as far.

[billchao]

If the range is flat, I think it is difficult to get an accurate measure. I tend to use the flags or distance signs instead and choose a club to get close to them.  I range find the signs. Also, remember the range balls don't fly as far.

I do the same thing. It's still hard to judge dispersion, though. You can get a general idea and that might just be good enough. I find it's hard to pinpoint a flat spot on the ground with a rangefinder most of the time. @Artimas , what I have managed to do once in a while is to go out when the course is slow and find an open hole to practice on. I don't like to spend too much time in any one spot because I don't want to tear up the course, but 5 or 6 shots will give you some idea of your shot tendencies. Just walk out to your balls, chart them, and use your rangefinder to shoot your bag for the yardage. Don't forget to fix your divots :-)

[Fourputt]

I want to measure my different iron yardages. Is it possible to reasonably use a laser rangefinder to measure how far away a cluster of 10 or so balls is on a range? I assume the actual balls are too small to measure, but what about getting a reading from the ground where the cluster is?

Any other tips on how to do this is appreciated.  The distance markers at my range are not very accurate.

Thank you.

Shooting the ground is inconsistent and inaccurate.  To be sure you are getting a good reading you would need something like a pile of balls, and I son't think that's a likely situation.  If there are signs for distances, shoot them, then adjust for that.

[Golfingdad]

Shooting the ground is inconsistent and inaccurate.  To be sure you are getting a good reading you would need something like a pile of balls, and I son't think that's a likely situation.  If there are signs for distances, shoot them, then adjust for that.

Yeah, totally agree.  Our hands are just not steady enough, nor the lasers precise enough, to overcome the super tiny angle difference.  You can get wildly different readings without really moving at all.  If the above suggestions don't work, try and get creative and look for things on the side of the range that look like the same distance and shoot those, like a tree or one of the posts holding up the big net, or that type of thing.

[rdsandy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artimas

I want to measure my different iron yardages. Is it possible to reasonably use a laser rangefinder to measure how far away a cluster of 10 or so balls is on a range? I assume the actual balls are too small to measure, but what about getting a reading from the ground where the cluster is?

Any other tips on how to do this is appreciated.  The distance markers at my range are not very accurate.

Thank you.

Shooting the ground is inconsistent and inaccurate.  To be sure you are getting a good reading you would need something like a pile of balls, and I son't think that's a likely situation.  If there are signs for distances, shoot them, then adjust for that.

For long distances maybe inaccurate, but many times at the cart while waiting for someone in our group to hit, I pull the rangefinder and shoot the flag then my ball up ahead. Using high powered advanced math I determine the distance my ball is from the flag. Then when I get to my ball I re-shoot the flag and the actual distance is no more than 1 or two yards off. The ground distances I shoot are anywhere from 15-50 yards. Ground sloping away from you makes it harder to do. You need to move the reticle to a spot that has a hump. This exercise lets me have more time to think about the shot instead of which club I'm going to use.

[WUTiger]

Our practice range has a very wide hitting levels - about 100 yards left to right.

If no one else is on the range, I shoot across the day's teeing area level to calibrate my wedges.  I use my rangefinder to calibrate my partial wedge shot

distances. I put my golf bag ( // ) down just to the right of where I'm hitting from ( x ). Then, after hitting the shots I walk out to each ball and shoot back to the golf bag to get my distances.

__________________________________________________________

.........................................................o....o.

x .....................................................o....o

// ....................................................o

__________________________________________________________

[iacas]

For long distances maybe inaccurate, but many times at the cart while waiting for someone in our group to hit, I pull the rangefinder and shoot the flag then my ball up ahead. Using high powered advanced math I determine the distance my ball is from the flag. Then when I get to my ball I re-shoot the flag and the actual distance is no more than 1 or two yards off. The ground distances I shoot are anywhere from 15-50 yards. Ground sloping away from you makes it harder to do. You need to move the reticle to a spot that has a hump. This exercise lets me have more time to think about the shot instead of which club I'm going to use.

I agree. I can often shoot "the ground" or the ball or something relatively flat and get a pretty accurate number. I've done what you describe several times.

[Artimas]

Thanks for the replies. I have been thinking about getting a rangefinder to supplement the GPS app in my phone.  One of the things I was hoping was to use to make my decision was how helpful it would be for dialing in my club distances.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get one, as the other advantages seem substantial enough and it seems likely I'll be able to measure my club lengths at least to some reasonable number using the laser.

Thanks all.

[rdsandy]

Thanks for the replies. I have been thinking about getting a rangefinder to supplement the GPS app in my phone.  One of the things I was hoping was to use to make my decision was how helpful it would be for dialing in my club distances.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get one, as the other advantages seem substantial enough and it seems likely I'll be able to measure my club lengths at least to some reasonable number using the laser.

Thanks all.

There is no substitute for a laser rangefinder as far as accuracy is concerned. Plus or minus 1 yard. For convenience, not so much, that's where a GPS is better, a talking one even better. The other advantage to a GPS is late in the evening or in the other fairway, over a hill etc. where you can't line of sight the flag. That being said I only use a rangefinder. I have a free GPS app on my phone but never turn it on.

[No Mulligans]

Thanks for the replies. I have been thinking about getting a rangefinder to supplement the GPS app in my phone.  One of the things I was hoping was to use to make my decision was how helpful it would be for dialing in my club distances.

I think I'm going to go ahead and get one, as the other advantages seem substantial enough and it seems likely I'll be able to measure my club lengths at least to some reasonable number using the laser.

Thanks all.

If it's dialing in club distances you want, I think Game Golf would be better (and less expensive).  It will be all done for you and recorded for you, no need to remember or write anything down while on the course.  And, your data will be based on actual rounds.

[sjduffers]

I see so many people holding a rangefinder one-handed. It may work to laser a tree or a flag, but it won't if you are trying to measure a small target, and a patch of grass with very little angular difference from the patch 10 yards in front of it or in the back of it, qualifies as a small target.  Follow the proper practice that also applies when holding a camera (e.g. DSLR) of making a tripod with your forehead (top of the eye sockets) and both hands and you can get real steady and measure very small targets (for example a tee marker in the form a ball, bigger than a golf ball, but not that much, from 200 yds).

However, until you get the proper practice with the new gizmo, it is best to measure something that you have an idea how far it is (e.g. the 150 yds marker) and confirm that you are within reasonable distance, for example 137 yds or 154 yds, and not something really abnormal such as 112 yds or 189 yds.  This applies when on the course too, as you might be able to catch a branch overhanging at 90 yds when the hole is really 150 yds away.

The idea to target something bigger and close by on the range (sign, flag, net pole, etc...) is a good one, until you are used to measuring things.

I have no problem measuring patches of ground, unless the ground runs downhill from me, but the key is to also know which portion of the viewfinder of the rangefinder you must aim.  The reticle showing the target may actually be larger than what the laser is painting, much like the reticle inside the viewfinder of a camera can be larger than the autofocus sensor that is underneath it (and/or not 100% aligned with it). and you don't gain that knowledge until you've experimented with your particular device and confirmed targets for a distance you already know, more or less.

[danL]

Have you considered a GPS range finder app for your phone? My flags aren't accurate either, but I'm able to see where I'm at and the flags. Click the flags and it tells me how far they really are. I can then use that to judge actual shot distance.