Luke is an avid weekend-warrior golfer from the East Coast who plays golf more than he cares to admit.
Many golfers focus on hitting long, but if you want to win, what you need most is accuracy. Let’s dive into how to use a golf rangefinder to win your next round.
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What Is A Rangefinder?
A rangefinder uses technology to improve your game. Range finders help golfers determine the distance to their target.
The device emits a laser beam at your target, which bounces off a reflective surface and back to the device. The information that reflects back to the rangefinder is used to calculate the distance to your target.
Good, modern rangefinders use pin-seeking technology. This means you can lock onto your target with the press of a button. It eliminates some of the fussiness of other technology options. Even if your hands are shaky (you should have brought a jacket), the rangefinder still gives solid results.
Sometimes you need more than one measurement. Maybe you want to reach the pin, but you also don’t want to hit the sand trap if your shot is off. Use scan mode for measuring distances of several objects at once.
Rangefinders have gotten more compact with each new design. Most current models fit easily in your golf bag. Some also have cases or integrated magnets to stick on your cart easily.
How To Use a Golf Rangefinder
Using a laser rangefinder is pretty straightforward:
- Choose your target. It may be the flag, the edge of a hazard you want to avoid, or an ideal place to land your ball.
- Find your target in your rangefinder’s viewing screen.
- Activate your rangefinder. You will probably press a button to do this.
- Read the results.
Laser rangefinders work best on reflective surfaces. Many golf courses have added reflective material to the flags to help players read the distance to the pin accurately.
If you’re hitting up or down a hill, such as from an elevated tee box, you’ll also want to calculate slope.
The slope of your shot can have a significant impact on how far your ball will go. If you’ve ever hit a fantastic drive off of an elevated tee box, you’re familiar with this concept. Likewise, we’ve all been disappointed trying to play up a steep fairway.
To include slope in your measurement, start by aiming the rangefinder at the ground. Then aim at your target. The rangefinder will give you two readings: the distance and the distance adjusted for slope.
How Does Using a Golf Rangefinder Improve My Game?
We’re glad you asked!
Your golf game will improve with consistency. That’s the biggest reason people head to the driving range instead of right to the course to play.
When you practice that stress-free swing, you get a good idea of what to expect from each of your clubs. The range even has markers set out to show you the distance of your shot.
Once you understand how far your five-wood or your seven-iron shot travels, hit the fairways.
Your first drive put you nicely out in the middle of the fairway. So, how far does your next shot need to go? Can you make it to the green? Which club will get you there?
As you close in on the green, a rangefinder can become a game-changer. Even with markers on the course, it can be tough to gauge distance.
Your rangefinder can give you accurate yardage. And since you know what your clubs can do (because you’ve practiced!), you can pick the best club for your next shot.
You can take things up a notch from there. Are you a golfer who aims for the green, or do you aim for the pin?
Many golfers don’t go for precision unless they are within twenty yards or the green. You can find the distance to the fringe with a rangefinder, the edge of the green, or the pin. You can also see how much room you have before your ball rolls off the back of the green.
When you know your club’s capabilities and know the distance to your ideal landing, your score will improve.
Check Out Our Favorite Golf Rangefinders
We have put together a list of our favorite golf rangefinders. If you’re considering adding one to your bag, take a look at these options.
Precision Pro Golf NX9 Golf Laser Rangefinder
- Is accurate to +/- 1 yard
- 400-yard range
- Has adaptive slope tech to read elevation. It also has a button to turn this feature off, which you’ll need to do to use it in tournament play.
- Can stick to your cart with a built-in magnet
- Is shock-proof
- Easy viewing with a 22mm viewfinder
- 6x magnification
- Water-resistant
- Free lifetime battery replacement
TecTecTec VPRO500 Golf Rangefinder – Laser Range Finder with Pinsensor – Laser Binoculars – with Battery
- Accurate to +/- 1 yard
- 540-yard range
- Pinseeker technology lets you overlap measurements. So you can see how far the flag is, but you can also see how far the sand trap is.
- Easy to keep in your pocket at about 4 inches long and 6.5 ounces
- 6x monocular lens
- Water-resistant
- An adjustable focus so you don’t have to grab your reading glasses
- 7-degree field of view
- Target lock technology
- Continuous scan mode lets you pan from one target to another
ACEGMET Golf Rangefinder, USB Charging Range Finder Golfing, 650 Yards Golf Range Finder, Flag Lock, and Pulse Vibration Laser Rangefinders, Fast Focus and Continuous Scan Golf Rangefinder with Slope
- Accurate to =+/- .5 yards
- 650-yard range
- When you lock onto your target, vibration feedback lets you know you have the target locked
- Up to 20 degrees of slope compensation
- One-button design that you can operate one-handed
- Powersave feature turns off after 6 seconds of inactivity
- A lithium-ion battery can charge by USB cable
- 6x magnification
- Adjustable for nearsightedness
- 18-month guarantee
- Just over 7.5 inches long, 10.5 oz
Callaway 300 Pro Slope Laser Golf Rangefinder Enhanced 2021 Model
- Accurate to +/- 1 yard
- 1000-yard range
- Pin locking up to 300 yards away
- Precise slope measurement
- 6x magnification
- Vibrates to confirm target lock
- Highly visible slope on/off switch for tournament play
- Rain and fog-resistant
- Pans multiple targets
- Magnetically stores on your cart
Gogogo Sport Vpro Laser Rangefinder for Golf & Hunting Range Finder Gift Distance Measuring with High-Precision Flag Pole Locking Vibration Function︱Slope Mode Continuous Scan
- Accurate to +/- 1 meter
- 650-yard range
- A cost-effective rangefinder that is packed with features
- Flagpole lock to 150 yards (pole) or 250 (flag) with vibration confirmation
- Slope function has an on/off switch for tournament play
- Continuous range reading
- 6x magnification
- Fine focus adjustment
- One year warranty
- It runs on 3 AAA batteries
Without a doubt, you can step up the accuracy of your game with one of these options.
It’s Time To Play A Round
Now that you are familiar with how to use a golf rangefinder, get out there and play!
When you finish your round, come back and check in with us at Our Golf Clubs. We’re constantly adding the latest information and golf advice. Improve your game and have a great round with Our Golf Clubs!
