I have had one for a few years now. The jolt is a nice feature. Easy to scope out anything in the distance - bunkers, trees, etc. for layups and tee shots. Battery seems to last forever also.
I would avoid getting one with the slope feature - they are not allowed in tournament play and it kinda seems lame; you gotta leave some of the challenges to yourself out there!
and that was even better than a range finder. Constant GPS yardages to front back center whenever I glanced down. I assume there are apps like it on all smart watches, and that would seem to be an easy alternative (and I would say better user experience) at a comparable price point, even if you only use the watch for golf.
rangefinder, and i have the gps (the little square one)
I use the rangefinder more often because the gps is just a pain in the ass to charge. However, in my opinion, whichever you're looking for, you cant go wrong with Bushnell. My rangefinder is an older one and they replaced it once when it broke.
Gives you a lot of great features...stabilizes the image to do away with shaky viewfinder images for distant flagsticks...vibration when locked on... adjusts for up and down hill slopes....crystal clear optics... compact size, smaller and lighter than Bushnell I had before, and slips easily into your pocket.
Downside: it’s expensive.
I got it as a Christmas present.
is what I have used for 4 years...get the batteries from Amazon because the CR2s are $21 for 2 at CVS while you can get an 8 pack for $13.99 from Amazon for an "off" brand.
Rangefinder people seem to slow the game down and I haven't noticed them sticking it next to the pin any better than non rangefinder people.
Seems a bit pretentious to me.
Garmin watch you take a glance you get your range you hit.
I need a tool that tells me left or right because I'm pretty good at getting pin high but usually left or right of the green. If they would only make them wider my gir stats would go way up.
Rangefinder people seem to slow the game down and I haven't noticed them sticking it next to the pin any better than non rangefinder people.
Seems a bit pretentious to me.
Garmin watch you take a glance you get your range you hit.
I need a tool that tells me left or right because I'm pretty good at getting pin high but usually left or right of the green. If they would only make them wider my gir stats would go way up.
I like a rangefinder and have used one for years until it died (Bushnell Patriot v2). Haven't used one in the past few years and found myself using my buddy's once in a while, but I have an Apple Watch and think it may serve the purpose equally as well with front-middle-back yardage to greens.
The range finder requires no subscription, which is awesome (unless one gets a real fancy one)! However, in my short research, many Apple Watch apps require a subscription for use and not sure I want to dole out $50 a year (or however much) for something a rangefinder can do OR the free app via iPhone (18birdies).
Rangefinder people seem to slow the game down and I haven't noticed them sticking it next to the pin any better than non rangefinder people.
Seems a bit pretentious to me.
Garmin watch you take a glance you get your range you hit.
I need a tool that tells me left or right because I'm pretty good at getting pin high but usually left or right of the green. If they would only make them wider my gir stats would go way up.
The idea is get to your ball, measure the distance, pick your club and be ready when it is your turn. We have friends that use the Garmin watch. It is good, but they are lucky to be between 5 to 10 yards accurate. Some will compare their watch with my range finder and then can adjust from what the watch says.
If you try to walk of the distance from a sprinkler head it takes longer time than just shooting it with the rangefinder.
My point, the rangefinder does not slow down play, it should speed it up. The problem is people don't get ready while others are hitting..
I love the jolt so you know you are locked on the pin. If you are looking features like slope, there are additional models Bushnell offers.
Bushnell V4 - ( New Window )
Link - ( New Window )
I think using the slope is unfair and usually leave that mode off but the rangefinder is great, highly recommend.
I would avoid getting one with the slope feature - they are not allowed in tournament play and it kinda seems lame; you gotta leave some of the challenges to yourself out there!
Totally get that. But ideally when golfing I like to leave the phone in the bag and get away from it for 4 hours.
I use the rangefinder more often because the gps is just a pain in the ass to charge. However, in my opinion, whichever you're looking for, you cant go wrong with Bushnell. My rangefinder is an older one and they replaced it once when it broke.
I tried using an app on my phone, but on most days I could barely see it, even with the brightness turned up all the way.
Downside: it’s expensive.
I got it as a Christmas present.
Rangefinder people seem to slow the game down and I haven't noticed them sticking it next to the pin any better than non rangefinder people.
Seems a bit pretentious to me.
Garmin watch you take a glance you get your range you hit.
I need a tool that tells me left or right because I'm pretty good at getting pin high but usually left or right of the green. If they would only make them wider my gir stats would go way up.
Rangefinder people seem to slow the game down and I haven't noticed them sticking it next to the pin any better than non rangefinder people.
Seems a bit pretentious to me.
Garmin watch you take a glance you get your range you hit.
I need a tool that tells me left or right because I'm pretty good at getting pin high but usually left or right of the green. If they would only make them wider my gir stats would go way up.
So would 3-putts *grin*
The range finder requires no subscription, which is awesome (unless one gets a real fancy one)! However, in my short research, many Apple Watch apps require a subscription for use and not sure I want to dole out $50 a year (or however much) for something a rangefinder can do OR the free app via iPhone (18birdies).
Any thoughts on Apple Watch as a golf tool?
A Garmin watch is foolproof and a no brainier and works without making you think.
Rangefinder people seem to slow the game down and I haven't noticed them sticking it next to the pin any better than non rangefinder people.
Seems a bit pretentious to me.
Garmin watch you take a glance you get your range you hit.
I need a tool that tells me left or right because I'm pretty good at getting pin high but usually left or right of the green. If they would only make them wider my gir stats would go way up.
The idea is get to your ball, measure the distance, pick your club and be ready when it is your turn. We have friends that use the Garmin watch. It is good, but they are lucky to be between 5 to 10 yards accurate. Some will compare their watch with my range finder and then can adjust from what the watch says.
If you try to walk of the distance from a sprinkler head it takes longer time than just shooting it with the rangefinder.
My point, the rangefinder does not slow down play, it should speed it up. The problem is people don't get ready while others are hitting..