Laser rangefinders first came into our golfing conscience in the 90s and these days they are very much part of the fabric of the game.
Slowly over time they have been accepted by the governing bodies and now they even feature in the Majors.
For the club golfer they are as much a part of our efforts as our clubs and, other than being able to use the slope facility, they can be deployed in all our rounds.
A golf rangefinder is a device designed to help us accurately measure the distance to specific targets, such as the flag, hazards, bunkers or other landmarks.
They provide precise distance readings which allows us to make better club selections and improve our overall game strategy.
They work by using a laser beam to measure the distance to a target. You point the device at the intended target, press the button and the rangefinder calculates the distance by measuring the time it takes for the laser beam to reflect back.
They are generally accurate to within one yard and are quick and easy to use.
There are so many options these days to accommodate all price brackets and they are so light and easy to fit in or on your bag that they are now just part of our pre-shot routines.
The downsides to a laser are that they require a clear line of sight to the target. So, if you are playing a shot over a tree, then you will have to work around the tree you won’t be able to get a precise reading.
How can a rangefinder help your golf?
1/ The obvious benefit is that it will make you understand your yardages with each club. Many of us think we hit the ball further than we do and this will very quickly make you understand how far we do actually hit. Every shot we hit will require an understanding of distance control and this is the best immediate feedback.
2/ A rangefinder will give you an exact distance whereas a GPS device is less precise and requires the data to be uploaded. So if you have a bunker or water to clear you can work it out in a matter of seconds. An early criticism of rangefinders were that they slowed down play but they are brilliantly quick and do quite the opposite. Think back 30 years to when we were using course planners and trying to locate a landmark from where to pace off the distance. This does it in seconds.
3/ They are communal in that when four of you are gathered on a par 3 tee we only need one player to zap the yardage and we can all choose our club. Likewise it works well when playing with a partner as there is no doubt over what lies ahead.
4/ They can be used everywhere on the course. Off every tee there will likely be some sort of hazard where a yardage will be handy eg a fairway bunker or run out and a quick laser of the tee shot will immediately feedback what club you will require. Similarly if you are laying up then you will be able to calculate a yardage and the correct club within seconds.
5/ When you improve your golf a great way to lower your scores is to work on your wedges. Some golfers seem to think that there is no need to know what distance you have in when inside 70 yards but there is a big difference between a 40-yard wedge and a 65-yard approach. Our eyes are generally good at gauging distances but a laser will tell us exactly what the shot is – and, more often than not, the shot will be a bit further than we imagined.
6/ Golf courses are laid out by architects to pull your eye to certain spots. Bunkers will be there more as a visual accompaniment to the hole rather than an actual hazard and there will often be some dead ground before the green. A laser will tell you precisely far you have in.
7/ The modern-day rangefinder now employs a slope facility so you will be able to factor in the changes in elevation. When you are playing a shot to an elevated or downhill green it is almost impossible to factor in what the actual yardage is. Now you can just play whatever the adjusted yardage is and hit the right club.
8/ Some users claim that they find it difficult to pick out the correct target as there will be lots of trees in the background and you pick up the wrong yardage. Or you find it difficult to hold it steady and can never pick up a reading. Now though many rangefinders employ a vibration when you hit the flag so you know that you have the right target.
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