Range Finders

Trekker09

Are they worth it and do they make a difference? What are the different types etc?

I know absolute zilch but was thinking of getting one, so any advice would be gratefully received. I tried searching but the interweb is so bad over here it kept freezing.

First Up

Trekker09 wrote: »

Are they worth it and do they make a difference? What are the different types etc?

I know absolute zilch but was thinking of getting one, so any advice would be gratefully received. I tried searching but the interweb is so bad over here it kept freezing.

Essentially two types; a laser that gives you the distance to any object or the GPS type that have courses pre-programmed and give you yardages from wherever you are.

Most people here seem to use and prefer the GPS ones; personally I use the laser as it is 100% accurate, more flexible (gives the distance to any object) and does not depend on your course being programmed. The pros (caddies) all use laser as far as I can judge.

John Divney

With the allowance of phone gps now (subject to local rules) you can use free aps like Swing by swing.

The gps golf clip on type start at plus 100 euro, you won't get a good laser one for less than 250-300

Had one but sold it, not really worth the money for me personally when I can Map any course from home through gps app if not already mapped, for nothing

denishurley

Has anybody any advice to offer re GPS watches?

Rippeditup

I use a Bushnell laser and love it.. Great for picking landing areas for tee shots and also to judge bunkers/water aslo. Mine has the pin seeker on it which allows me latch in on exact pin distances.

First Up

Rippeditup wrote: »

I use a Bushnell laser and love it.. Great for picking landing areas for tee shots and also to judge bunkers/water aslo. Mine has the pin seeker on it which allows me latch in on exact pin distances.

Same one as me and I find it great. Can't remember what it cost but well worth it. As someone mentioned on another thread, also very useful at the range, where the distance markets are often wildly inaccurate.

Rippeditup

First Up wrote: »

Same one as me and I find it great. Can't remember what it cost but well worth it. As someone mentioned on another thread, also very useful at the range, where the distance markets are often wildly inaccurate.

Exactly, I was using mine (with allot of strange looks) up at the SpaWell when trying to work out different distances for clubs.

scrubber72

Rippeditup wrote: »

Exactly, I was using mine (with allot of strange looks) up at the SpaWell when trying to work out different distances for clubs.

Just remember some ranges place markers at shorter distances due to the fact a range ball doesn't travel as far as a regular ball.

First Up

scrubber72 wrote: »

Just remember some ranges place markers at shorter distances due to the fact a range ball doesn't travel as far as a regular ball.

That might be a viable theory if all the inaccuracies were on the short side, but they are not. In any case the distance measures are most important for the shorter clubs, where ball quality makes least difference.

Trekker09

First Up wrote: »

Same one as me and I find it great. Can't remember what it cost but well worth it. As someone mentioned on another thread, also very useful at the range, where the distance markets are often wildly inaccurate.

I originally thought about getting one for the range so that I could have a more accurate measurement from my irons. Never really thought about the benefits of using it on the course.

First Up

Trekker09 wrote: »

I originally thought about getting one for the range so that I could have a more accurate measurement from my irons. Never really thought about the benefits of using it on the course.

I like the flexibility it gives to check distance anywhere on the course - distance to hazards, how far to carry a bunker, distance between a greenside bunker and the flag - that sort of thing.

GreeBo

Laser requires line of sight, important point for bond shots, doglegs etc

shane 007

GreeBo wrote: »

Laser requires line of sight, important point for bond shots, doglegs etc

I have a laser & have used the app based gps on phone, such as nrange & tour caddie which are handy as you can move the marker to discover certain distances.
Do normal gps units give you as the crow flies yardages or the distance round the dog leg as set out by the hole layout?

shane 007

Also what are the better GPS ones?

DuckSlice

I just got myself a garmin s1, haven't tried it out yet. I believe it gives you distances straight to the pin from where you are. I had the app on the phone but can't use that for comps, got this for 120 euro new. Ill report back when I have used it!

Webbs

I have the Garmin G3 and love its ease of use, obviously distances to centre of green but also basic distances to hazards and ability to move a target around for lay up distances.
Plus there is a green zoom function so you can then move the pin around on the green so can get front back and pin distances (obviously this is going to be a best guess, but unless your a scratch player then a couple of yards here and there isnt going to make much difference).
Can pick them up for £100 on various sites including Amazon

BoardsMember

I use the Bushnell Tour V3. Very happy with it. Easy to lock into the targets, I had reservations about this, standing there with shaky hands etc. It has now become a really nice part of shot selection & pre-shot routine.

The advantage over the GPS ones for me are a few: you don't get bad readings or no-readings/issues going from one hole to another etc; you can ping anything that you can see; it educates you about how far you hit each club/swing, I dont think the GPS is as good at this; you can use at range.

I have used both types and definitely found myself trusting the laser completely, whereas I was always a little unsure with the GPS.

Norfolk Enchants_

GreeBo wrote: »

Laser requires line of sight, important point for bond shots, doglegs etc

+1
This is often overlooked in some vain notion that laser is just simply superior, but the reality is the functionality of the better GPS systems is far superior to laser especially those systems that come with "hole by hole" maps and instantly show fixed points like bunkers, water hazards etc, while undoubtedly laser is more accurate, it can be clumsy and time consuming to use and has limited range of uses, if you want all round functionality than GPS is the way forward.

First Up

Norfolk Enchants_ wrote: »

+1
This is often overlooked in some vain notion that laser is just simply superior, but the reality is the functionality of the better GPS systems is far superior to laser especially those systems that come with "hole by hole" maps and instantly show fixed points like bunkers, water hazards etc, while undoubtedly laser is more accurate, it can be clumsy and time consuming to use and has limited range of uses, if you want all round functionality than GPS is the way forward.

The fact that the pros and their caddies seem to all use Laser has to be of some significance. Don't figure how you can acknowledge that Laser is more accurate but then say GPS is far superior, but each to his own.

DuckSlice

First Up wrote: »

The fact that the pros and their caddies seem to all use Laser has to be of some significance. Don't figure how you can acknowledge that Laser is more accurate but then say GPS is far superior, but each to his own.

They use it and it is more accurate. But they go around the course mapping hazards and points where they would like their tee shot to be etc etc. they can't use them in competition. Lasers would be fine for 80/90% of course. Take Carne for example half the time you can't see the pin unless you are in prime position and even then you might not see the pin. I play there 3/4 times a year which is why I went for GPS in the end. So I think it depends on the type of courses you play.

First Up

etxp wrote: »

They use it and it is more accurate. But they go around the course mapping hazards and points where they would like their tee shot to be etc etc. they can't use them in competition. Lasers would be fine for 80/90% of course. Take Carne for example half the time you can't see the pin unless you are in prime position and even then you might not see the pin. I play there 3/4 times a year which is why I went for GPS in the end. So I think it depends on the type of courses you play.

They don't use the laser in competition but they have gathered the key information with it. We can do the same during competition - same outcome.

The number of times I play a shot to someplace I can't see is very limited. If I can't see the target from where the ball is, I will go to somewhere I can and work it out from there. It usually involves just going slightly uphill for a moment or something like that.

Hitting a shot completely blind, while just relying on a GPS sounds a bit cavalier to me.

Mantis Toboggan

Any idea which is better the garmin s1 or g3?

Also how do they get away with charging so much for these products when you can download the app for free on smartphones?

DuckSlice

First Up wrote: »

They don't use the laser in competition but they have gathered the key information with it. We can do the same during competition - same outcome.

The number of times I play a shot to someplace I can't see is very limited. If I can't see the target from where the ball is, I will go to somewhere I can and work it out from there. It usually involves just going slightly uphill for a moment or something like that.

Hitting a shot completely blind, while just relying on a GPS sounds a bit cavalier to me.

That's why I said it depends on type of course. If you were to walk ahead in carne on 2/3 holes you would have to walk 100 yards to get the distance. Not so far on the other blind holes. I know lasers are more accurate. But not always the best. I'm just using carne as an example where a laser would not be great and slow play down a lot!

First Up

etxp wrote: »

That's why I said it depends on type of course. If you were to walk ahead in carne on 2/3 holes you would have to walk 100 yards to get the distance. Not so far on the other blind holes. I know lasers are more accurate. But not always the best. I'm just using carne as an example where a laser would not be great and slow play down a lot!

On courses like that (Lahinch comes to mind), I'm inclined to invest in a caddy!

DuckSlice

First Up wrote: »

On courses like that (Lahinch comes to mind), I'm inclined to invest in a caddy!

Are you a pro? you could just get a strokesaver.

Webbs

First Up wrote: »

The fact that the pros and their caddies seem to all use Laser has to be of some significance. Don't figure how you can acknowledge that Laser is more accurate but then say GPS is far superior, but each to his own.

Pros play a different game to us, so the importance of yardages is far more critical for them when walking the course prior to competition as opposed to us playing a game in the pouring rain on a sunday morning.

I personally prefer the ease of use of GPS with hole layout on it and am more reliant on front and back of green measurements than anything else.

If I can do as Langer talked about in an interview then granted Laser maybe the way to go.
''It was Monty who put that into circulation. He and I were playing together in the 1991 Ryder Cup at Kiawah Island. I remember it clearly: we were walking up the second fairway in a fourball match [against Steve Pate and Corey Pavin, which Colin Montgomerie & Langer won 2&1] and I was discussing yardages with Monty’s caddie, and in making fun of how precise I am, the caddie asked: “Would you like to know to the front or the back of the sprinkler head?” -

First Up

etxp wrote: »

Are you a pro? you could just get a strokesaver.

If that was the case, a strokesaver would make a range finder unnecessary too. I'm not a pro so I buy my own golf balls. Don't like losing them by not knowing where they might end up!

GreeBo

Lasers are definitely more accurate, though GPS tech is improving all the time, I think my Garmin is +-3M.

Comparing the downsides, a laser needs line of sight and a GPS is less accurate.

At my level, the couple of meters of accuracy is largely irrelevant. Having a direct, overhead view of the hole with all hazards is far more important to me, so I have a GPS.

I would use a Laser for distances within 100m, but I currently dont have one!

If I had to pick one, Id deffo go with GPS and maybe augment with a laser.

BraveDonut

Buddy Holly wrote: »

Any idea which is better the garmin s1 or g3?

Also how do they get away with charging so much for these products when you can download the app for free on smartphones?

Your phone already has the location technology built into it

First Up

GreeBo wrote: »

Lasers are definitely more accurate, though GPS tech is improving all the time, I think my Garmin is +-3M.

Comparing the downsides, a laser needs line of sight and a GPS is less accurate.

At my level, the couple of meters of accuracy is largely irrelevant. Having a direct, overhead view of the hole with all hazards is far more important to me, so I have a GPS.

I would use a Laser for distances within 100m, but I currently dont have one!

If I had to pick one, Id deffo go with GPS and maybe augment with a laser.

I think Bushnell now make one that combines the two technologies but I expect it is pretty dear.

DuckSlice

First Up wrote: »

I think Bushnell now make one that combines the two technologies but I expect it is pretty dear.

Yip I think it's over 450!

GreeBo

First Up wrote: »

I think Bushnell now make one that combines the two technologies but I expect it is pretty dear.

Yeah, expensive and tbh I didnt like the look of it.
Its big enough for a laser but also the screen was kinda crappy for the GPS, just monochrome Front, Middle, Back distances.

Swing and a miss I reckon!

TrapperChamonix

etxp wrote: »

They use it and it is more accurate. But they go around the course mapping hazards and points where they would like their tee shot to be etc etc. they can't use them in competition. Lasers would be fine for 80/90% of course. Take Carne for example half the time you can't see the pin unless you are in prime position and even then you might not see the pin. I play there 3/4 times a year which is why I went for GPS in the end. So I think it depends on the type of courses you play.

I was thinking about getting a GPS but when I looked at a Golf Buddy (not sure which version) in McGuirks the detail it showed was was just distance to bunkers and water.

Lots of links courses use grass hills and mounds to define the shape and distance you need to hit your drive. In the old Strokesavers these were marked but did not show up on the Golf Buddy. While the information it gave was of some use the information not available would have caused you problems on a number of holes.

So my question is this
What is the best GPS for playing links courses? What level of detail does it provide?

Tilikum

I did a load of research before buying either one. I went with the laser in the end, and I'm sorry I did. But I'm as lazy as fook, and wasn't even taking it out most of the time. If I could choose again I defo would have gone with the 'golf buddy world platinum'. Off my handicap I really think +2 or 3 yards means sfa.

My thoughts are - if you play the same course every week and never travel, get a laser. If you travel a lot and need to know where the trouble is.....get a GPS.

The pros caddies use both when mapping a course as far as I know. Let me put it to you this way.....I'm selling my laser at the minute.

BoardsMember

Tilikum wrote: »

My thoughts are - if you play the same course every week and never travel, get a laser. If you travel a lot and need to know where the trouble is.....get a GPS.

I think this is the most sensible advice on the thread.

charlieIRL

I have a sky caddie SG2.5 and only really use it when playing new courses (distances to hazards etc)
The subscription is up on it next month so thinking of getting rid of it and getting a Garmin S1 but I am not a big fan of wearing a watch when playing.

BraveDonut

I thought the same thing about wearing the (quite bulky) S1 watch.
Got used to it very quickly.
Its great for a quick glance from where you are currently standing and you're ready to go.

DuckSlice

charlieIRL wrote: »

I have a sky caddie SG2.5 and only really use it when playing new courses (distances to hazards etc)
The subscription is up on it next month so thinking of getting rid of it and getting a Garmin S1 but I am not a big fan of wearing a watch when playing.

You could just clip it to your bag? I wore mine for an hour the other day, haven't got to a course yet to use it. It's quite light and I think you would forget it's there tbh.

PARlance

Same here, I don't wear a watch normally, not a fan.
But you would hardly know it's there, it's light, got a rubber grip and once you have it on it's easy to forget about it.

Freemount09

I'd vote for GPS also.

I think the ease of checking the numbers at a glance while walking to your ball is a big plus over lasers.

If I was using a laser, I'd be consious of slowing up the group when getting to the ball, stopping, pulling out the laser, standing still and zapping the distance, then putting back the laser, all before pulling out a club (and duffing it 20 yds !), especially when your first to hit to the green.

Russman

FWIW I intend trying the Garmin S3 this year after having a laser for the last couple of seasons. Main reason is that its just too much of a pain to take out the laser and get the yardage, put it back in the case, then the bag, bla, bla. With the result I rarely if ever actually take out the laser anymore, unless its an away course. Slows play up too much IMO. If the GPS is a few yards out, it doesn't really matter tbh.


Couldn't resist these though.......:D:D

http://montescheinblum.com/blog/2009/07/30/stepping-off-putts/

http://montescheinblum.com/blog/2011/07/14/i-hit-5-iron-183-yards/

First Up

Freemount09 wrote: »

I'd vote for GPS also.

I think the ease of checking the numbers at a glance while walking to your ball is a big plus over lasers.

If I was using a laser, I'd be consious of slowing up the group when getting to the ball, stopping, pulling out the laser, standing still and zapping the distance, then putting back the laser, all before pulling out a club (and duffing it 20 yds !), especially when your first to hit to the green.

Takes me 8 seconds to get it out, take a reading and put it back.

josie19

First Up wrote: »

Takes me 8 seconds to get it out, take a reading and put it back.

Somebody timing you with a Garmin?

charlieIRL

that'll do, am sold!!

Are they still on offer in McGuirks / Halpenny?

BoardsMember

First Up wrote: »

Takes me 8 seconds to get it out, take a reading and put it back.

It was my concern too when I considered getting one, but the Bushnell Tour V3 get's it done really quickly. 5.5 seconds for me

bustercherry

Christ almighty. If your keeping up with the pace of the course, what odds does it make if takes a few extra seconds getting a distance with the laser? Still quicker than fcuking around with stroke savers, markers etc...

Slow play is a pain in the hole but FFS you'd think by the way some people are carrying on, the laser turns you into Kevin Na and GPS makes you Brandt Snedeker.

First Up

bustercherry wrote: »

Christ almighty. If your keeping up with the pace of the course, what odds does it make if takes a few extra seconds getting a distance with the laser? Still quicker than fcuking around with stroke savers, markers etc...

Slow play is a pain in the hole but FFS you'd think by the way some people are carrying on, the laser turns you into Kevin Na and GPS makes you Brandt Snedeker.

Quite right; if you are quick, you are quick with range finders too. If you are slow, you will always find something else to do before HITTING THE GODDAMN BALL!!!!

DuckSlice

charlieIRL wrote: »

that'll do, am sold!!

Are they still on offer in McGuirks / Halpenny?

Use the code igw20 will give u 20 euro off. It did for me last week anyway!

Russman

bustercherry wrote: »

the laser turns you into Kevin Na and GPS makes you Brandt Snedeker.

For anyone clued into the game and the players around them, the laser doesn't present a major problem. The danger is that so many players are caught up in "their routine" that adding another part to it will make them even slower and cumulatively it adds up.

If only everyone played like Brandt Snedeker eh !:)

First Up

Russman wrote: »

For anyone clued into the game and the players around them, the laser doesn't present a major problem. The danger is that so many players are caught up in "their routine" that adding another part to it will make them even slower and cumulatively it adds up.

If only everyone played like Brandt Snedeker eh !:)

If the group in front doesn't include Brandt Snedeker, there is a fair chance you will be waiting to hit anyway, leaving ample time to check the distance.

Russman

Slightly OT but not worth starting a new thread for it,

Anyone know if you should keep a Gramin S3 on charge when its not in use or is it best to disconnect once its fully charged ?