Range Finder

Birdietime

Hi Folks,

Im playing alot of golf at the minute, after coming down to 7 from 9 in the last couple of months, i play in a regular fourball with good single figure golfers and they rave about their range finders, reckon they would knock off a shot or two... i have always gone by fairway markers and guestimations when it comes to my wedges from 100 and in.... any thoughts good/bad? ? ?

ernieprice

I played in the Tullamore Pro Am a few weeks ago and our Professional used one. He swears by it. His logic is that most amateurs nearly always come up short of pins as they never know how far exactly a pin is on a green. I found it really helpful when he would tell us that "you have 132 yds to pin". Once you know how far you hit each club then it has to be an advantage.

newport2

Birdietime wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Im playing alot of golf at the minute, after coming down to 7 from 9 in the last couple of months, i play in a regular fourball with good single figure golfers and they rave about their range finders, reckon they would knock off a shot or two... i have always gone by fairway markers and guestimations when it comes to my wedges from 100 and in.... any thoughts good/bad? ? ?

I have a Bushnell and a Skycaddie in my bag. Cannot imagine playing golf without one or the other.

Think about it, many greens are 2 clubs deep. So say a 7 iron to the front and a 5 iron to the back, but I don't know where the flag is.........
Imagine playing the 12th at the European like this (127 yards deep, say wedge to front, 3-wood to back!! Play for the middle, leaving yourself a possible 150 foot putt!)

Put it this way, (aside from your wallet) it won't do any harm

sodbuster77

I don't use any DMD's and have dropped from 8 to 4 since May. In the long run I don't think they will make any differance to your handicap. Don't get me wrong, I think they are a very handy device and if I was to win one I would definately use it, but I would rather invest €250 in a new driver that gave me an extra few yards off the tee.

ssbob

Played golf with Pinseeker last week who recently got down to scratch and he reckoned using the Bushnell Rangefinder was one of the main things that helped him, again I found it very handy when he was able to give me a yardage.

Also found it handy when he gave me accurate distances for my drives:D

cackhanded

Got myself a Bushnell last month and I can't stress how invaluable it has already become. The best thing about it is the confidence it gives you - once you know the exact yardage, you just choose the appropriate club and hit it without worrying if you're going to come up short / go over the back. The idiot on the other end of the club still has to hit the ball to that yardage though:D.

mag

i have a wee gps thing that attaches to my trolly which is great. only thing is that some courses are mapped wrongly as theyre dependent on people mapping them.
think i might get a laser but was put off getting one before as wasnt keen on messing around with trying to point at flags, etc... is it handy enough to do?

mike12

They are a big help espically if you are a bit off line when it is a best guess where u are in realation to the fairway markers, a big plus of a range finder is u also have a close up look of the green so u can see where the slopes are very handy when playing a new course.
I do think the lower/more consistant u are with you irons the bigger the adavantage as u get exact distances to the flag.
Mike

newport2

mag wrote: »

i have a wee gps thing that attaches to my trolly which is great. only thing is that some courses are mapped wrongly as theyre dependent on people mapping them.
think i might get a laser but was put off getting one before as wasnt keen on messing around with trying to point at flags, etc... is it handy enough to do?

Yep easy. But if you're getting a Bushnell, make sure it is one with Pinseeker on it. My first one didn't and was far more difficult to use.

redzerdrog

newport2 wrote: »

Yep easy. But if you're getting a Bushnell, make sure it is one with Pinseeker on it. My first one didn't and was far more difficult to use.

how much would 1 of those cost?

newport2

redzerdrog wrote: »

how much would 1 of those cost?

Golfstoreeurope.com has them from €223. (phone ahead and make sure they actually have the one you want in stock before ordering, see other thread!!)

You'll pick one up cheaper on ebay if you want.

Jul3s

Birdietime wrote: »

Hi Folks,

Im playing alot of golf at the minute, after coming down to 7 from 9 in the last couple of months, i play in a regular fourball with good single figure golfers and they rave about their range finders, reckon they would knock off a shot or two... i have always gone by fairway markers and guestimations when it comes to my wedges from 100 and in.... any thoughts good/bad? ? ?

If the benefits of a rangefinder have to be explained to you, then I'd say you absolutely do not need one.

redhill

if ur going for a Bushnell go for the 1600 model rather than the V2.
it has 7x magnification (the V2 only has 5) and this makes a big difference if you actually use them.it is also held horizontally like binoculars rather than vertically (V2). this gives more stability in getting readings.
Three of my fourball have a V2,one has a 1600, all the V2 guys would switch if given the choice.
if u search Ebay etc you can pick one up for around 200 sterling or so

It is invaluable for wedge shots, if u have an accurate yardage and also know how far u hit each wedge it can be invaluable

cackhanded

redhill wrote: »

if ur going for a Bushnell go for the 1600 model rather than the V2.
it has 7x magnification (the V2 only has 5) and this makes a big difference if you actually use them.it is also held horizontally like binoculars rather than vertically (V2). this gives more stability in getting readings.
Three of my fourball have a V2,one has a 1600, all the V2 guys would switch if given the choice.
if u search Ebay etc you can pick one up for around 200 sterling or so

It is invaluable for wedge shots, if u have an accurate yardage and also know how far u hit each wedge it can be invaluable

+1 to this advice. A week after I got my V2 I played with a guy who had the 1600 - much easier to use and quicker to get a reading, especially in strong winds from 150 - 200 yards out.

BoardsMember

Nearly all low golfers use them. All pros work on the basis of perfect knowledge regarding yardage. So get your yardages sorted out on your wedges, and get the device right for you.

Myksyk

Had the Sureshot gps and it was great. Recently broke it and got the Golf Buddy Platinum which is excellent. All the courses preloaded, full maps of every course, moveable pin, distance to any spot on the course and automatically recognises what course you're on and what hole you're on. Also easier to mark and measure distances for shots which can be done without leaving the course programme you're in ( which wasnt possible with the Sureshot). Great tool to have and really raises your awareness of your club distances over time. Wouldn't be without it.

Adiaga 2

Anyone seen or used the Garmin S1 Approach gps watch? Doesn't have the bells and whistles that most gps units have - just gives distances to front, middle and back from anywhere on the course. I like the simplicity of it. Never owned a gps unit or rangefinder but played with a guy who had a sky caddie recently and found it great.

redzerdrog

which would people recommend a golf buddy or a bushnell pinseeker?

veetwin

I have the Bushnell and have played with lads who have used various types of GPS systems. I would have the Bushnell any day of the week.

The GPS has questionable accuracy, has a battery that is liable to run down mid round if you forgot to charge it, you may need to download courses you intend to play and rely on yardages supplied by these clubs. Some GPS require an annual fee and/or charge for extra course downloads. GPS are great for giving front middle and back readings to the green but the rangefinder gives you the exact yardage to the pin which is far more useful in most cases. You could be 180 yards out and have a reading to the centre but not have a clue if the pin is right at the back another 30 yards on.

Rangefinders are reliable and only need a battery change once a year. They will work on any course without any setup. I have mine a month and find it invaluable even on my own course.

kyleman

Adiaga 2 wrote: »

Anyone seen or used the Garmin S1 Approach gps watch? Doesn't have the bells and whistles that most gps units have - just gives distances to front, middle and back from anywhere on the course. I like the simplicity of it. Never owned a gps unit or rangefinder but played with a guy who had a sky caddie recently and found it great.

just wondering did anyone here see the Garmin S1 Approach watch