Are Rangefinders contributing to slow play?

[mike oakville]

 Are Golf Rangefinders a factor in slow play? Unlike a gps watch which just needs to be glanced at to get an approximate distance. I have been noticing some novice golfers getting so engrossed over every shot that it may be leading to slowing down the game. I appreciate that a novice will be looking for anything to improve their handicap, but wonder if the hype of Rangefinders is over done?

[boogielicious]

55 minutes ago, mike oakville said:

 Are Golf Rangefinders a factor in slow play? Unlike a gps watch which just needs to be glanced at to get an approximate distance. I have been noticing some novice golfers getting so engrossed over every shot that it may be leading to slowing down the game. I appreciate that a novice will be looking for anything to improve their handicap, but wonder if the hype of Rangefinders is over done?

Like any learned skill, rangefinder use takes a bit of time to become proficient. But this skill is picked up pretty quickly. In the long run though, once learned, it is faster that pacing off distance from markers. I usually do it only if the distance is not obvious and when I first get to the ball. Takes a few seconds at most and my playing partners are still walking to their balls.

[David in FL]

The need/desire to know your distance to the pin, the green, a cross hazard, or any number of other features has always been an important part of the game.  Rangefinders speed that process up dramatically.  As such, I believe that they also contribute to overall faster play.

Slow play is caused by slow players...

[RandallT]

I’ll bet you could make a case for this with anecdotes, but I agree with the previous responses thus far: my hunch is that with just a slight bit of effort, the rangefinder can help pace of play more than it hurts.

The people who are slow with rangefinders are perhaps just slow, no matter what method they use. 

Edit: I’ll add a poll.

[billchao]

2 minutes ago, RandallT said:

Edit: I’ll add a poll.

Beat you to it 

I agree with @David in FL.

[RandallT]

1 minute ago, billchao said:

Beat you to it 

I agree with @David in FL.

Oops! Did I override?? Oh well you can fix my mess if I goofed it up!  Gotta cook breakfast

[No Mulligans]

I think rangefinders increase the pace of play (help players play faster).  Where is that choice on the poll?

Edited December 2, 2017 by No Mulligans

[WUTiger]

1 hour ago, boogielicious said:

Like any learned skill, rangefinder use takes a bit of time to become proficient. But this skill is picked up pretty quickly. In the long run though, once learned, it is faster that pacing off distance from markers. ...

In our best-ball foursomes, the last person to hit generally will lase the pin distance on par 3 holes for the others. On the net, it speeds up play.

7 minutes ago, David in FL said:

Rangefinders speed that process up dramatically...  

Slow play is caused by slow players...

If the slow people are not talking on their cell phone between shots, they're processing e-mail, or leaving their wedge back at the last green. Many slow people are simply not in the golf zone mentally - don't blame rangefinders.

[billchao]

2 minutes ago, No Mulligans said:

I think rangefinders increase the pace of play.  Where is that choice on the poll?

The first two choices reflect that position.

[No Mulligans]

1 minute ago, billchao said:

The first two choices reflect that position.

What?

Increase pace of play, that means players play faster, right?

[billchao]

1 minute ago, No Mulligans said:

What?

Increase pace of play, that means players play faster, right?

Oh sorry I got confused. You want "no".

Blame it on @RandallT if you don't like the options 

[David in FL]

14 minutes ago, billchao said:

Oh sorry I got confused. You want "no".

Blame it on @RandallT if you don't like the options 

Yeah, where's the "not just no, hell no!" Option?  

[RandallT]

 

12 minutes ago, billchao said:

Blame it on @RandallT if you don't like the options 

Exactly!

@No Mulligans I almost included another “No” that said pace was overall faster.

Then I chastised myself for overthinking the no opinion. I kinda wanted all no’s to be lumped together and people could write their opinion in a post.

Plus I was in a hurry! 

 

[Club Rat]

I agree with @David in FL although there are many other contributing factors which has been discussed in other threads about "Slow Play"
Can it sometimes contribute, yes, maybe, no, or not really.

To single out the use of using "Range Finders" is ridiculous as contributing to slow play IMO.

Before yardage devices became popular, players depended on other course markers, IE; sprinkler markings, yardage stones, etc.
If comparing time of play before yardage devices became popular, use of any yardage device helps speed up play.
 

 

[MarvChamp]

3 hours ago, mike oakville said:

I have been noticing some novice golfers getting so engrossed over every shot that it may be leading to slowing down the game.

Maybe this is a key thought. Do "novice" golfers or maybe HHC like me really need the most accurate distance reading? My GPS phone app gives me what I need at a glance. I tried a good rangefinder when I returned to golf an year and more ago, and I was slow in mastering it. My more masterful friends, all mid to low-HC, don't take long with it at all. The rangefinder became helpful on the range to establish my average distances for clubs. Anyway, I think all this was discussed before...Rangefinder users love them and don't slow play when they use them. Regards, -Marv

[phillyk]

23 minutes ago, Club Rat said:

Before yardage devices became popular, players depended on other course markers, IE; sprinkler markings, yardage stones, etc.
If comparing time of play before yardage devices became popular, use of any yardage device helps speed up play.

This.  GPS vs range finders is based on who wants what information, and they both take a couple seconds to get the information you want.  But both are better, for pace of play, than having to use sprinkler heads and walking the distance out to those heads.

[Lihu]

5 hours ago, mike oakville said:

 Are Golf Rangefinders a factor in slow play? Unlike a gps watch which just needs to be glanced at to get an approximate distance. I have been noticing some novice golfers getting so engrossed over every shot that it may be leading to slowing down the game. I appreciate that a novice will be looking for anything to improve their handicap, but wonder if the hype of Rangefinders is over done?

No, they're using the magnification to watch birds or something, and your poll is obviously biased.

[rehmwa]

I'm ok with the options on the poll.  though I'd just answer "NO" instead of "no, but...."