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Tagged "GPS"

GPS vs. Laser Rangefinder

Knowing your yardage is important in golf and it is now easier and more accessible for everyone, not just the pros, to find exact distances.  Rangefinders are becoming more and more mainstream in the golfing community, the only trouble is figuring out which one to get.

GPS Rangefinders




1. More Information

GPS rangefinders give the most information.  Usually they show the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green plus the distance to a few hazards.  This information can be really helpful when the green is out of view or when trying to avoid hazards near the green.

2. Shot Distance Measurement

Many GPS rangefinders can track the distance between shots as you walk to your ball.  This can help you know how far you hit each club and overtime help you remember your yardage on each club and gain better club selection.

3. Cost

GPS rangefinders are usually less expensive than laser rangefinders.  This can be great for new golfers or people who only golf on occasion.



1. Does Not Measure Everything

The GPS rangefinders cannot give you the distance to everything like big trees in your way, extra hazards, etc.  Many give distances to a few hazards on the course but it cannot give the distance to all of them.  The laser rangefinders can give the distance to anything as long as it is in one’s line of sight.

2. Does Not Give Exact Distance to the Flag

The GPS rangefinders do not calculate the exact distance from your ball to the flag.  It only gives your distance to the front, back, and center of the green.

3. Can Only Be Played At Certain Courses

The GPS rangefinders can only be used on the courses that the GPS has preprogrammed on it. Fortunately, there are tens of thousands of courses to choose from world wide on most GPS rangefinders; however, if the course you wish to play on is not included on the list of preloaded courses then your GPS band is pretty much useless.


Laser Rangefinders


1. Accuracy

Laser rangefinders are much more accurate, most will get you the correct measurement within a yard, some even claim to be accurate to 1/2 or even 1/10 of a yard. This can ease your mind when you are picking a club by knowing that the flag is actually 126 yards away and not 118 yards away. Laser rangefinders are the best in accuracy.

2. Able to use Anywhere

Laser rangefinders work on any course because they focus in on a target to get a measurement.  This leaves no limit to the golf course you could play.  You can also check the distance to bunkers, water hazards or trees by pointing the rangefinder at it.

3. Advanced Target Lock Function

Many laser rangefinders have a target lock function, where the laser latches on to the object and reads the exact measurement to that object.  This is useful to make sure you’re getting exact measurement to the flag and not the trees behind the green.  The fact that the laser goes to the flag and not just the center of the green is very helpful, especially if it is an oddly shaped green.


1. You Can Only Shoot What You Can See

If the green is around a bend, or out of range then you can’t use the rangefinder to get your yardage to the flag.  It only works if the target is in sight.

2. Price

Laser rangefinders are a bit more expensive than GPS rangefinders.  However you can still get all the features and accuracy for only $200 dollars on a good rangefinder.  

3. No shot distance measurement

Laser rangefinders cannot tell you exactly how far you hit your shot. The only way one could get their yardage on a shot is measuring the distance to the flag at the tee-box and then again at your ball and subtracting.

To check out our GPS rangefinder click here.

To check out our Laser rangefinder click here.

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