Golf Technology: Laser vs. GPS

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By John C

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  • 25 Replies
  1. John C

    John C
    Hopkins, MN

    What technology (if any) are you using to get yardages on the course?  Do you prefer laser rangefinder or GPS?  And if GPS, are you using a watch or a handheld device?

    Personally, I'm currently using a Bushnell Tour V3 laser rangefinder.  Before that I used a GPS handheld from Sky Caddie.

    Thanks.  J.A.C.

  2. Greg B

    Greg B
    Gilbert, AZ

    I personally like the Bushnell Tour V3 Laser Rangefinder myself.  Even on courses that have GPS, I find that the laser if far more accurate, sometimes as much as 7 yards.  I used to use a cally GPS and liked it because it gave a birds eye view of the hole but ever since I switched to the Tour V3, I am much happier. 

  3. Tyson F

    Tyson F
    Liberty, IN

    I use the SG5 from SkyCaddie.  Others in the group have laser range finders.  None of us have any issues with the GPS being off in yardages.  I move the cursor for hole location to an approximate area and am always within 2 yards of what the guys with the range finders get.  Some holes for them are hard to hit the stick, so they turn to me for what the yardage is and it's never been an issue in distance.  I wear glasses and have a real hard time with range finders, so I will always use the GPS over one. 

  4. Trevor S

    Trevor S
    Calgary, AB

    I also use the Bushnell Tour V3.  I have played many rounds with guys using the Garmin watches and what I like is I can quickly shoot a bunker or the corner of a dogleg.  Most of the time they are asking me for certain yards.

    I switched from using free apps on my phone.  I will never go back to a GPS style.

  5. I personally use a laser range finder. It wasn't really a choice, but rather a gift from my father in law. My playing buddy uses the GPS watch so I have the luxury of both. The GPS watch is nice because it'll give you a reading to the front, middle and back of the green which is what I prefer. The range finder just confirms where on the green the flag is (sometimes it's hard to tell from the fairway).

    Both has it's pros and cons... another use for the laser is I like to measure the distance to hazards off the tee to help with club selection. Also, I think it's just a matter of personal preference... you can get around the golf course with either. 

  6. Sam E

    Sam E
    San Diego, CA

    I used to use laser, but last year I got a GPS watch as a gift and have been using it ever since. You don't get exact yardages to the flag, just front back and middle of the green, but its a lot more convenient since you just look at your wrist.

  7. PRO V

    PRO V
    golf course

    have both and Leupold with pin seeker technology is by far the best.  

  8. Ben A

    Ben A
    Los Gatos, CA

    I have used all sorts of things over the years. I used a Skycaddie, which was just ok, I used a Sonnocaddie, which I felt was much better, then I changed to my phone and have tried a lot of phone GPS apps along with my laser. 

    I am set on my Golfshot GPS app for score-keeping and general distance and shot mapping. It has a nice feature that lets you flyover a hole and uses your measued shots or inputted distances for recommendations on which clubs to use. I use my laser (Leupold GX-4i2) when I am going for the flag. I love both and don't feel I can live without either of them. 

  9. Dino J

    Dino J
    Burnaby, BC

    I have been using the Bushnell V3 Jolt version. I used to use a handheld GPS (on the mobile phone). I much prefer the Laser rangefinder. It is far more accurate ... pinpoint accurate. I find it makes a difference off the tees (Par 3's) allowing for the discrepancies in the tee box location and pin placement. I also like it because of the ability to zero in on the pin from the fairway with little room for guessing (ie: middle green, back or front) as many times I have found pins improperly flagged. With the rangefinder, I know exactly what it is and can commit to my club and shot with the only variable really being things like wind speed/direction. Also, I don't have to worry about software uploads of various courses, etc. which is a big plus.
  10. tdogg21

    tdogg21
    Chambersburg, PA

    I use the Bushnell V2 and my friend just switched from a GPS to a V3.  We both felt the laser was much more accurate.  I also just played last weekend at a course with a GPS cart and one of the guys in my group had a GPS watch.  There were times when his watch, the cart, and my laser were all totally different.  It's hard to say which one was correct, but if I had to bet, I would put my money on the laser being the most accurate the most amount of time.

  11. Blake B

    Blake B
    Harbor Springs, MI

    Last year I took my first dive into the range finder game and ended up with the Bushnell Tour V6. I don't mind pulling it out of the case that I have hooked to my bag for yardage each time, after all, I have to go to the bag each shot anyways. It has proven to be extremely accurate and very easy to use. 

    The only reason I did not go to the watch game is because I cannot have anything on me other than my golf glove. Watches, wedding ring, anything else is removed while playing. 

  12. Spudstarch

    Spudstarch
    Walnut Creek, CA

    They both have their merits depending upon conditions. I only have a range finder and there are times when I wish I had GPS.

    Like playing a new course. ("Who put that creek there")

    Or in the fog.

    Or on blind shots around corners or severely up hill.

    But most of the time, the above can be avoided with just a little planning ahead before the round.

  13. Mike O

    Mike O
    TOPEKA, KS

    I have a Skycaddie SGX and love it. Never had a problem yet and is within 2 yards of the other gps and range finders in my group. 

  14. Bob T

    Bob T
    East Otis, MA

    I prefer a handheld gps.  It's quick and accurate and effortless!!!  No wasted time!!!

  15. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military

    Leupold... Supports military and Police, so they get my money.

  16. SGB

    SGB
    Leesburg, FL

    Sky Caddie SGX here. Have owned (and sold) my Bushnell as I prefer to see the hole layout, hazards, depths of greens, etc. I would have to consider a GPS watch once some of those handheld features are in the watches. 

  17. Carl T

    Carl T
    Little Rock, AR

    I use both. I use a Bushnell Yardage Pro which is really a range finder made for hunting. The disadvantage is that sometimes it is hard to get a bead on the flag at long distance. It is less of a problem at 150 yards on in. I used to have the Sky Caddie GPS but got tired of paying the yearly fee when other vendors provided 30K plus courses free. I bought a Bushnell GPS watch which I have found can be off as much as a club length on certain holes at my home course. What I like about it is that it gives me a yardage to hazards and bunkers which is very useful. If your course provides a daily pin location then the GPS watch gives you the front, middle and back of the green distance and you just have to fill in the gap with the daily pin location chart. This is useful for those 160 and longer shots into the green but when I get inside 150 I use my laser to give me the exact yardage to the pin. Of course you always have to consider the intangibles such as elevation, wind, temperature, green speed and slope before any shot.
  18. Matt W

    Matt W
    Troy, IL

    I have used a Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 for almost 10 years and can't imagine using GPS. Used them at courses that have them on the carts and they're not bad, but will stick with my rangefinder. Interested in trying some of the newer generation rangefinders.

  19. Jon S

    Jon S
    Collinsville, CT

    Military

    Laser will always be the best method for accurate yardage.  GPS has a good margin of error that in golf could make the difference between one club or another.  You will never see a golf pro relying on a GPS device.  What the GPS device is good for is quick yardages to several points on the course where close enough is good enough.

  20. I use a Golf Buddy. I don't use the watch band, just carry the device in my pocket. steve b
  21. Basically, I use both....I have a Bushnell Laser for exact yardage on pins or objects, however if I have a blind shot or need distance estimates I use GPS Sky Caddie...

    They both have their pros and cons...

    IMHO

  22. george t

    george t
    Old Lyme, CT

    I have one of the original uPro GPS, and it has worked very well for me.  My game isn't pro level, so +/- 5 yards is okay for me.    But support for the unit is gone, and with it, my ability to download any new courses.  My only concern with a laser is will I be able to pick up targets like the edges of bunkers, ponds, creeks, etc.  The GPS gives me those carry distances, I need to know that a laser can too.

  23. Dino J

    Dino J
    Burnaby, BC

    george t said:

    I have one of the original uPro GPS, and it has worked very well for me.  My game isn't pro level, so +/- 5 yards is okay for me.    But support for the unit is gone, and with it, my ability to download any new courses.  My only concern with a laser is will I be able to pick up targets like the edges of bunkers, ponds, creeks, etc.  The GPS gives me those carry distances, I need to know that a laser can too.

    Hi George, I use the Bushnell Tour V3 Jolt version and I do use it on occasion to measure bunkers, ditches (forced carries), etc. Of course, the more frequent courses that I play, I will have remembered most of those numbers, but on a new course, it is extremely helpful. It may not be as quick as a GPS map, but I ne3ver have to try and get software updates, etc. as the laser rangefinder just locks in and gives me my distance.
  24. Matt D

    Matt D
    Mahwah, NJ

    I have the Nikon coolshot AS. I used to have the sky caddie GPS but I just didn't like how you had switch the hole on it so that's why I switched to the Nikon.

  25. Mike M

    Mike M
    Hamilton, OH

    A specific model of the Nikon you are using?   I have a Lot of Nikon gear and know they make great stuff, and the 40i I looked at was very light.

    Thanks,

    Mike 

  26. CoolAid1914

    CoolAid1914
    Grand Prairie, TX

    I have always used laser rangefinders, started out with a Nikon LR500 but currently use a Bushnell Pin seeker PRO 1600. GPS is nice put for purposes of practice and knowing EXACT yardages laser is the way to go for me.

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