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Is it worth buying a golf rangefinder?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 16, 2026

Accuracy, accuracy, accuracy! That is the single biggest reason to choose a laser rangefinder over GPS device. Every major rangefinder on the market, from Bushnell to Nikon to Shotsaver, is accurate to within a yard, and some promise accuracy to the half or even tenth of a yard!

Do I really need a golf rangefinder?

A golf rangefinder is essential for improving your game. In case you are new to the world of golf, let us explain what a golf rangefinder does and some of the reasons why you should be using one to level up your golf game. Golf rangefinders are designed to help the golfer estimate distance and accuracy of their shot.

Do beginners need a rangefinder?

Does a Beginner Need a Rangefinder? Yes, a beginner needs a range finder. A range finder will save a novice player a significant amount of time with club selection because they accurately read the distance between the ball position and the total distance to the pin.

Do golf pros use rangefinders?

While professional golfers still cannot use rangefinders in most competitions, they do use them during practice. For best performance during competition, training should closely relate so the athletes get the best transfer from training.

How important is a rangefinder?

Carrying a rangefinder helps you eliminate uncertainty about distances when shooting rifles or bows. When you know the actual distance to the target, you'll have more confidence in taking the shot or you'll know that it's too far away to risk it.

32 related questions found

Can I use my phone as a rangefinder?

Caddieye is the first rangefinder available, which works in conjunction with your smartphone and which is designed for sports. The device is attached to the phone's back cover, after which it is ready to be used. Rangefinder includes a separate battery, so it doesn't consume power from phone.

Can you use any rangefinder for golf?

The answer is, yes, you can use a single laser rangefinder for both golf and hunting, if you are careful to choose a laser rangefinder that has the appropriate features and menu options for both golf and hunting. Not all laser rangefinders offer this versatility, however, so you need to read the specs, carefully.

How do PGA players know yardage?

The yardage book are ubiquitous on the PGA Tour. Players and caddies carry them in their pockets and consult them before each shot. They show yardages to various targets on each hole, different points of elevation, and a close-up of the green that shows detailed contours and yardages.

Are Golf GPS Legal?

Yes, Golf GPS Watches are legal to use golfing as long as you don't use the the features mentioned above. These include slope, plays like, wind information and of course swing metrics. The Garmin S60 for example can offer golfers so many premium features that are not legal to use in golf competitions.

Can PGA players use a rangefinder?

Under the Rules of Golf, players are able to use laser rangefinders and GPS units in competition, provided they only provide pure distance to the hole. The PGA of America decided, then, to allow the 156 professional golfers in their championship to use laser rangefinders during the championship itself.

Is a rangefinder with slope worth it?

The slope function on a rangefinder helps determine the exact yardage needed for a shot when accounting for the elevation difference from the fairway to the hole. Advanced golfers love having the slope function for shots inside 150 yards due to the precision of the readout.

Is a golf rangefinder cheating?

A golf rangefinder, or any distance measuring device, is not cheating and legal to use in golf tournament play under rule 4.3 except when specifically banned by a 'local' course rule. The 'slope' function on specific golf rangefinders can never be used however and must be switched off.

How many golfers use rangefinders?

It's hard to say “no” to a convenient device that makes getting the distance you need fast and accurately. In fact, a poll done in 2012 revealed that about 69 percent of golf players that participated in the poll use a rangefinder.

Do pro golfers putt with a different ball?

Unless the one-ball Local Rule is in effect, the substituted ball could be any brand. On the putting green however, when you mark and lift your ball, you must replace that same ball to finish out the hole.

Are Golf Apps legal?

The short answer is YES, GPS devices and rangefinders are legal for tournament play. This means that even professionals should invest in the highest-rated golf GPS to take their game to the next level. In the past, electronics were not allowed in the golf course.

Which rangefinder do the pros use?

The #1 Rangefinder in golf for over a decade

The Darrell Survey, one of the most respected research firms in golf, has confirmed once again that Bushnell is the rangefinder of choice for more professional tour pros and caddies than any other.

How do you walk off golf yards?

Measure the length of your stride with a tape measure or ruler to determine what kind of stride -- bigger, smaller or regular -- you need to adopt on the golf course to walk off yardages. Use your adjusted stride so each step corresponds to 1 yard.

Do PGA players talk to each other?

Most players have a bit of a chat with their playing partners during a round. If they are buddies, they may talk a lot, it just depends on the pairings.

Why do pro golfers carry a notepad?

That would be an example where a competing golfer would look into his or her notebook and see that they have a note written that says missing long on the green is a bad miss, and so they will know to not hit a club that has a chance of going long.

Is there a difference between a hunting rangefinder and a golf rangefinder?

First off, a golf rangefinder uses nearest or first target priority mode. This is the internal function of the rangefinder to find the nearest object (usually a pin) by ignoring distant distractions such as trees, other golfers, and even animals. A hunting rangefinder uses distant target priority mode.

Are golf and hunting rangefinders the same?

Golf rangefinders have specific features like flag lock to help with golf. The slope function can also be shut off for tournament play. Hunting rangefinders are smaller for portability and often cheaper. They're also camo or neutral colors while golf rangefinders are usually brighter.

Are all golf rangefinders the same?

Different models will boast 1,000-yard-plus maximum ranges, but the most important figure to consider is the maximum range at which they'll lock on to a flag or other specific golf feature. As with all electronics, you should read and compare the specs to make sure you're paying for what you want and need in a device.

How accurate is a rangefinder?

Laser rangefinders let you take measurements both indoors and outdoors with 1 mm per kilometre accuracy. Professional construction laser rangefinders can measure distance of up to approximately 150 metres. Long-range rangefinders can measure distance of up to 1500 metres.

Is there an app for a rangefinder?

Hole19 is a rangefinder app that will help you play better golf. With features like a GPS rangefinder, live scoring, and stats tracking, this all-in-one golf app is excellent to help you improve. The app makes it simple to check your distances, set your target, and view your scorecard.