Preference for Judging Distance?

[RX Phoenix]

I recently played in a tournament and had a caddie, and I asked if I could use my SkyCaddie and was told YES, no problem, but that I probably wouldn't need it as the caddie would give very accurate yardages.

For the most part this was right, but there were several times when playing from the rough that the caddie had trouble getting right yardage and I was able to use the GPS. He was actually grateful that I helped him out, otherwise I would have misclubed and embarrassed him.

If I had my preference I would use a caddie, but this is very rare in the states now, Spyglass and Pebble have them available as do some private courses, but its no longer common, too bad because it really is a different golfing experience!

[gogolfing]

Has anyone had any experience or heard much about the new Bushnell V2 Pinseeker? It is small and sleek, but was wondering about your thoughts on it; I know it is new, but was wondering if anyone in the business may have seen or used it yet.. I'm tossing up between the V2 and a SkyCaddie. Any help/suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers

[RX Phoenix]

gogolfing . . . I would say both have their advantages. With the SkyCaddie you have to download or delete the courses (holds max of 10) but with the V2 you can play anywhere at any time. What happens with the V2 when you don't have line of sight to the pin . . . with the SkyCaddie that's no problem, you can be down in a gully, or behind mounds or trees, you always can get accurate distance. Also SkyCaddie can be mounted on cart or push cart and yardage can be seen at a glimpse, no need to pull out the V2, look, focus, etc. so it's easier to use.

V2 may be more useful in that it can give readings off of any feature, so you can get more detail. But I find too much detail can really detract and distract. I wear glasses so I don't like looking in binoculars, it's difficult, so that's another possible issue. Either way you will get accurate yardage and enjoy your round of golf much more.

[Lost Ball]

Lost Ball has a very good sense of distance thus needs nothing more than the markings on the course and my own two eyes.

[mikelz]

I just dropped by because Lost Ball was listed as the last to post.

[MasterOfTheBogey]

Course Markings are good enough for me. Worked for my father and my fathers' father, so I dont think I will be hurting to much without a gps. Plus I dont need a 400 dollar gps to tell me I am 163 yds. from the hole when I can walk it out from a 150 marker.

[Crafty]

My dad has a laser range finder that he uses at the course. I don't use it, but it still helps me get better because I work on stepping off a distance, play in the pin position, then give my dad a number. He'll then measure it with the laser finder. I was surprised how much I improved over a season. At the beginning, I averaged roughly five yards off the measurement. By the end of the season, I had gotten it down to about 2 off on average. 9 feet can make a huge difference.

[Leek]

I actually have both and I like the rangefinder better. Honestly, I find most often I don't use either. I keep the rangefinder clipped to my bag and most rounds I don't even take it out of its case.

[ChiChiIsMe]

I use the course markings. It never fails I'll step it off and be at say 135 and then my buddie with his sky caddie says 133......as I always tell him, when I can dial my irons in to +/- 1yd from outside of 100yds I'll get one........

[Masa]

I broke down and bought a SkyCaddie SG 2.5 today. I received a giftcard from a relative for getting accepted into graduate school to get a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering. Since my bag is pretty much set for clubs the SkyCaddie was about the only thing I really wanted. I ended up getting the last 2.5 that was in stock. I've loaded it up but unfortunately it's supposed to snow tomorrow . Hopefully I'll get to play next week and try it out. Before this I just used course markers and/or asked the guys I was playing with. I'm hoping this will help me because I find myself hitting the wrong club a little too often for my liking.

[patrick_the_pup]

Course markings. I havent reach the level to be that precise with my distances yet :)

[YogiTKE]

Are you kidding me?? A range finder AND GPS????

How about you get a P.S. with a total station out on the course the day before to mark off every 5 yards with orange marker paint in a radius from the hole?

[golf_junkie27]

I generally look for yardage markers but am in the market for either a Sky Caddie or the one that Gary McCord, endorses.

I played with two guys that were using a rangefinder and it seemed to take forever. I was beginning to think that they were taking pictures at Christmas.

[ShotCaLLa]

I am a traditionalist, don't think I will ever change.

[Dent]

I like to use course markers to keep it classic. I feel with range finders and GPS it brings too much electrical technology into the game. In a way It kind of takes the fun out of it.

[Big_M]

I like to use course markers to keep it classic. I feel with range finders and GPS it brings too much electrical technology into the game. In a way It kind of takes the fun out of it.

I'll tell you what takes the fun out of it...

Last week I played a course that has GPS on the carts. I however was walking, and I just happened to not download the course before I played (meaning I couldn't use my GPS). Well, apparently this course figures everyone should ride.... they had NO 100, 150, or 200 yd indicators. Only an occaisional sprinkler head was marked, and some were marked but not readable as the little plates were jacked up. It was a total pain in the ASS. Sometimes I had to walk 50 yards up the fairway just to get a yardage. You can say whatever about being a traditionalist or whatever, but having a GPS makes the game so much easier. I walk to my ball, look at my yardage to F,C,B or whatever my target area is and I select the right club. I admit, on courses that are well marked it can be unnecessary, but on other occaisions (new or poorly marked courses, or courses with many lay-up type shots) they are very nice.

[VALSALVA]

I am one of 13 lucky people who are testing NASA's SGPS system. This proprietary SuperGPS system allows me to incorporate the Earth's magnetic field into my yardage calculation - makes a BIG difference!

J/K...I'm a traditionalist now and into the foreseeable future.

[Dent]

I'll tell you what takes the fun out of it...

That is really a huge pain in the ass. Did'nt they have coloured OB stakes to indicate yardage also? If they are like 25 yards down i just take a look at the colour and take a good educated guess.