rangefinder for a bad golfer

[esayers]

My laser rangefinder , pin caddie 2 , has been my best golf purchase yet. I'm not a good golfer 96 is about avg. So I debated to get one . wondering if I could benefit from it. The answer is a definite yes. First I learned my yardages for 6-pw and am very confident in them. Second it magnifies the green so you can see if the pins front , rear etc. Third I use it to check hazard carry distances. I usually change clubs about 6-7 times due to the info it gives per outing. Ive kept my stats for the year . and after getting it my gir on par three went from 30 % to finish the year at 50%. I posted this because if your not a very good player and thinking about getting one . I say go for it , its expensive but I can't imagine playing without it now.

[mvmac]

I've been using the Bushnell Tour X for about a month and loving it. Yes good ones are expensive but you use it on every hole and they'll last a long time.

[ZappyAd]

I got a Nikon coolshot 20 recently and find it useful.  It doesn't have as many features as more expensive models but it does the job.  It took a bit of practice to keep it steady - was a bit worried the first time I used it that it would be worthless as I was shaking it around so much but with a bit of practice it is fine.

[alleztom]

Another benefit for me (mid 80s to low 90s golfer), is its use inside 100m (110 yards). To stand over a wedge shot and 'know' the distance to the flag, or the middle of the green,  removes doubt and makes it so much easier to commit to a shot, rather than doubt whether it's 70m or 80m.  Doesn't mean I always get it perfect, but it takes away a lot of doubt.

[DaveP043]

I also use a Bushnell, and I like the way it works.  One caution, its easy to focus on the pin distance, but I don't always try to hit the ball exactly to the pin.  For most players, middle of the green distance is a much better goal, because it takes out more of the potential problems.  I'd rather be 5 yards past a front pin than 5 yards short of it in the front bunker.  Similarly, I'd rather be 5 yards short of a back pin than over the green, facing a tough downhill chip.  Exact yardage is good at any level, but that's only one tool to use in selecting the best shot.

[saevel25]

I use the Bushnell Tour V3. I've had it for about 2 years now. I use it every time I play. They are pretty rugged to. I like rangefinders because you can hit different spots. Some GPS don't give you all the bunkers or hazards. I just find rangefinders to be much more versatile. 

[dave s]

First off, range finders (laser variety) aren't for bad or good golfers.  Anyone can benefit from this useful tool.  Here are some ways I use my Bushnell V2:  Played an unfamiliar course last weekend.

Came up on a long-ish par 4, dogleg right.  Standing on tee box, I shot a couple of trees on the far side of fairway to see how much room I had at the turn of the dogleg.  Tree on left was 180+.  Middle tree 185 and the farthest right tree that was in a good target area for driving was 195.  Teed up a driver, and hit a cut past the tree furthest right and hit through the fairway by 2 feet.  Not knowing how big, or more importantly, how FAR those trees were could have resulted in a bad choice from the tee box.  I was originally thinking 3-wood.  But then again, judging distance accurately with my eyes isn't that great.  The Bushnell doesn't lie.

Guys in front of our group were literally all over the place off the tee.  With two carts and four players, they were all over the fairway.  A couple of times, I simply measured a cart for distance and waited to hit.  Once, the carts were 230 from me so I was good to hit.  Great tool to keep us from hitting into those in front of us.

Par-3 tees were all over the place last weekend.  Each time our group arrived at whichever tee box we were assigned that day, I'd shoot the guys on the green to get accurate yardage.  Tees they had us using didn't match the card.  One was a ~200 yard par-3.  The tee box that was open for us was only 168 to the guy putting the flag back in.  Big difference that was accurately charted using the Bushnell.

Lastly, the biggest advantage for me personally is knowing exact distances to pins inside 100 yards.  From my experience, MOST players UNDERestimate how far the short shots are, take a swing and end up short of their intended target.

Can't say enough good about the laser equipped yardage tools.  Buy one.  You won't regret it.  I've had my Bushnell for 3 seasons and don't see it wearing out or breaking down anytime soon.  It's just too simple of tool to fail, I believe.

dave

[rkim291968]

3 hours ago, dave s said:

First off, range finders (laser variety) aren't for bad or good golfers.  Anyone can benefit from this useful tool.

Took the words right out of my mouth (pen out of my hand, keyboard out of my reach, ...)

Quote

Can't say enough good about the laser equipped yardage tools.  Buy one.  You won't regret it.  I've had my Bushnell for 3 seasons and don't see it wearing out or breaking down anytime soon.  It's just too simple of tool to fail, I believe.

My 1st el cheapo one failed after 4 years of constant usage.   I probably need to clean lenses to get back in shape but was too lazy to open it up.  Besides, it was showing a lot of wear and tear.   I took over my wife's Bushnell range finder that she had for a few years but seldom used (she relies more on a golf GPS).   That one has another problem which I found a workaround.  I have to take out the battery after each use, otherwise, the battery expires after a few weeks.