Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Deb
At the early time of golf, you watched that golfers discussed with their caddies on exact yardage of the target, numbers of pins, slope, and other required information of the golf courses. With technology development, you don’t need to depend on anybody for that type of information. Now golfers can get it through a small device, like a laser rangefinder, or GPS Watch. As many designs of distance-measuring devices and working systems are available, most golfers become confused about choosing them for golfing because they do have not enough knowledge on golf GPS vs. laser rangefinder. We all know we have to calculate lots of things to improve the skill level to play golf. So we try to describe both GPS and golf rangefinder functions, the most used gadgets on the courses that will help you pick the best one that suits you.
Table of Contents
Golf Laser Rangefinder
The rangefinder is a device through which you can get the target distance data to set its eye-piece. Usually, this distance-measuring gadget uses military, hunting, and shooting games, but it also operates in golf. When you get your target pin’s precise yardages and slope angles, it helps you lower your scores on the golf game. However, the slope measuring function of the laser range finders is not allowed by the USGA. So you have to switch off this function of your device in any golf tournament. Besides, you can also measure the distances to hazards, bunkers, etc., around the golf course, which also helps you play better golf.
Pros
- Slope-adjusted distances
- Extremely accurate reading.
- Quicker distance measurement to hazards.
- Simple to operate.
- Easy to carry on golf bag.
Cons
- Pricey.
- Require a complete line-view of the target.
- Use the laser technology confidently.
- Weather-sensitive.
Golf GPS Watch
Golfers can use the smartwatch that uses the GPS (Global Positioning System). You have to download the thousands of golf course maps to play golf through golf GPS apps utilizing an internet service. It will give you the exact distance of every pointed target you want to know their position when you will find at the course. Besides, you can save the data of your approach shots, downhill shots, swing metrics, and your club yardages on your golf watches used in the golf practice. However, you will need smooth satellite signals on an internet connection on your innovative look.
Pros
- Faster use.
- Accurate yardage.
- Not slow down the play.
- Shot-tracking.
- Post data analysis.
- Sky-view hole layout.
- Fitness information
Cons
- Need preloaded course data.
- A little tricky to use.
- Require satellite receivers.
- Inconsistency while not a smooth net connection.
Golf GPS vs. Laser Rangefinder – Which one works better?
The innovative and remarkable golf technology of these two handheld units can change the player’s performance drastically. But due to many options for both GPS and golf rangefinder, novice golfers feel indecisive while thinking which distance-measuring device will be perfect or both of them. We make a comparison between these two distance-measuring devices. It will help beginners to decide on GPS and rangefinder.
Price
While thinking of any sophisticated and innovative device, the price comes first because everybody can spend it differently. The average cost for a GPS used in the golf courses ranges from less than $100 to $350. If you have a limited budget, then go for a cheap one. It will not so vary from an expensive one. You will get more or less all the required advanced features need to get the course’s data. However, you will not get extra options like the pricy GPS watch. For buying a rangefinder used for golfing, you have to pay from $ 200 to$500. Like GPS, you also sacrifice some advanced facilities with a cheap rangefinder. You can pick any designs that fit your budget but ensure the facilities are mandatory for your golf.
Functions
These distance-related data-providing devices have more or less the same capabilities, measure accurate distances and slope angles of target pins, distance to hazard and distance to bunker, and a function to save on it that vary for the price tag. The data you hold on your gadget while playing helps you analyze later to determine your swing speed. If you choose a GPS, you have to download the course through a subscription on your smartwatch device brand’s website. After that, you can see all the information while playing in the green. In the case of a rangefinder, you don’t need to download any course data, but you should know your device’s operating system. If you can’t set the eye-piece and laser correctly, you will not get accurate yardages. The inaccurate yardages badly affect your ball’s swing path on a practice session to improve golf or scores on any tournament.
Usefulness
Both are useful for your game because you will not strike with guesswork; your targeted pin’s exact distance helps you hit the golf ball more confidently, which will lower your scores. Both GPS and rangefinder allow you to play with complete pin distance information, the position of the course’s hazards, and the slope of your targeted areas. The difference between them is one has preloaded data, and another has no preloaded information about the course.
The difference-making feature of GPS and Rangefinder
Rangefinder
With a golf rangefinder, you can measure the distance between you and the pin through a laser beam. But with a GPS, you get the space range to the front, mid-point, and back of the green. However, some highly-defined models have a manual function to measure the position distance between two objects. Yet, you can’t use the slope feature while participating in a tournament, and you can get the height distance between you and your targeted pin. This data helps you get your golf club’s exact yardage, which will be a significant issue in improving your handicap.
On the other hand, you can only get all the information with a GPS if the golf course has a database. Besides, if you forget to update your smartwatch that provides data at the green and has a problem with the internet connection, you will not get any information through your GPS.
GPS Watch
When you wear a golf watch with a GPS on your wristband, it will give you all information when playing in hurricane weather. We all know rangefinders are sensitive to water and rain. Besides, while a strong wind blows over you, you can’t focus on the target patently. Not only this but there are also have some blind holes for creating doglegging tee shots on which you can’t concentrate with your rangefinder. The bird-eye view of the entire course map on your watch allows you to strike the ball for these kinds of unsighted holes. It will be a great advantage of a GPS tool for a regular golfer because he doesn’t play with guesswork for the spots he can’t see with an eye. Another issue is to miss the flag while making a single shot that you will get with a rangefinder if it has not had an advanced setting to locate beside the target. But you can get the yardages of the objects like trees behind the green with your smartwatch having GPS. You can also use your GPS watch on and off the course where the rangefinder has no utility outside the golf course.
Considering these issues, GPS is better than having only a rangefinder.
Should you buy both products or not?
From the above discussion, you understand the necessity and functions of both devices, golf GPS and golf rangefinder. And also see both’s roles are more or less the same. Still, some beginner golfers are wondering they require both or not. Considering their query, we suggest you have not bought both distance-measuring products for golf if you are on a limited budget.
If you can carry both a GPS watch and rangefinder, you can get both the bird-eye view and the golfer-eye view of every target. However, it will be expensive where any single device can help you get the target gap from your standing position. Anyway, if you get a GPS or a rangefinder as a golf gift from your friend, then buy another one and use both gadgets at a time will be great for your golf.
We think you get your answer about carrying these two same accessories at a time is required or not.
Are they legal for a golf tournament?
The rangefinder and GPS watches are legal in golf tournaments if they have no slope measuring function. If the device has this operating system, It must have to switch off function. Before participating in a match, you must stop the slope measuring button of your rangefinder or smartwatch. The slope measuring tool is illegal for any golf tournament according to the USGA rules.
GPS or Laser – Which is more accurate?
Conclusion
Now, you get most of all information that a GPS watch and rangefinder offer you in your golf and an in-depth comparison between these two fancy devices. So which one you will carry entirely depends on your preference and ability to the expanse. But you must choose one of them because knowing the accurate distance before making a correct approach shot can change the scores of almost all golfers who use them. With improving global science, every single handheld device used for golf is changing day by day. So we hope that you will stay with us to keep updated statistics.