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The other day I heard a golf announcer admit that he would be lost without his laser.

How does that work, and what's the best way to measure distance at a reasonable price?

And are such devices frowned on by golfing buddies?

- k

Can't use in tournaments... shouldn't use if playing a "game" with other golfers, as any distance tool other than a yardage book is against the rules. Now, if just a "friendly" or alone, feel free.

Yes, inexpensive models are available. Bushnell is headquartered here in OP, KS - they have preowned models at their outlet store. Check out their website - URL?

Kevin

I use a Bushnell but it is used 75% on the range. I do know most of "My Spots" on my home course and use my range-finder only on the course when I'm out in the evening alone.

You will find that any distance over 120 yards or so it is very difficult to hit a flagstick with them. Your hands just cannot stay still enough. You aim at the people putting out in front of you (bigger target).

On our range I just went out one evening when it was closed and walked out to each of the little greens and shot back to a couple of targets I left in the teeing area.


brianf

Jan 1, 2006...your prayers will be answered. Laser devices will be allowed...

BrianF, What you say is true if you stand up and don't rest your hands on something to steady them. I use my golf bag for surport, and it's not hard to get a reading to 190 yards or so off the flag.

Kevin: sorry, but it is not against the rules to use a laser range finder. You can use one any time other than in a USGA tournament. You can use a laser to develope and maintain a handicap. Totally legal. And the USGA just make them legal for tourniments if the home course okays it.

I use mine all the time to get distances to the corner of a dogleg, bunkers in the fairways, distance to the far side of a bunker guarding the front of the green, yardage needed to carry a lake, distance to the flag, not just the distance to the middle of the green. You can use it on the range to dial in the exact distance you hit each club in your bag. And no one complains when I use it, in fact, most other golfer are asking me to check the yardage for them when they find out what I'm doing for my shots.

Can anyone recommend a good, relatively inexpensive one? If I knew of a good model or two, I could keep my eye out for a used one, perhaps at ebay.

BTW, where do you buy these? I've never seen them in a pro shop or Walmart.

- k

I usually steady my hands against the windshield support or use whatever club is in my hand for support. If the flagstick is out of the hole, I will use of the players on the green to measure against.

I heard that use of a rangefinder was just made legal but it's not to take effect until January 2006.

You guys must have the yips with your lasers. I don't have any problem picking targets out even up to 300yds. I use mine a lot at the range picking out flags, mounds, poles, etc.

I also pick off the guys in the group ahead of me as they replace the stick. By then, I've already picked out the fornt and back of the green including bunkers, etc.

Worthwhile investment. Go to Bass Pro Shops or any other hunting shop or online site and sdave yourself about $50 over the same thing from a golf store or site.

Leaning on the roof strut of the cart helps for sure. I usually just aim at the guys putting out though.

I never use it during a proper round though. I've played our course so many time I really don't even look at sprinkler heads anymore.

Most of my use is on the range.

brianf

This is so true!!!!!!


brianf

Played twice last weekend on a "nice private" course that had the "Laser Link" system. It's basically nothing more that a small screw on reflector (or the club can buy all new pins), on the top of the pin that the handheld laser unit can sense. My partner (brother), had purchased the unit for about 250.00, a lilttle expensive, but boy was it nice. We 'd drive up to the ball, he'd shoot the distance before I could get out and get to my bag. I'd guess that it would speed up play by 10 to 15 minutes per round depending on if you're the type to wander around and search for the yardage markers. It's my understanding also that the "reflector" will work/help on the Bushnell and Nikkon laser devices as well. I do think that the "Laser Link" hand unit only works with the pins that have a reflector and couldn't be used to determine hazard distance. Anyway, I thought it was great and will be on my Christmas list....probably go with the Nikkon unit based on what I've read.

oneputt... Well, since the USGA doesn't allow them, and they do make the rules, then I would say they are "illegal" - in terms of golf anyway.

If your club or group says they're okay, then great. But most clubs - at least where I'm from - play by USGA rules for all events, thus no range finders.

Maybe some areas / clubs are different than others.

Kevin

Not to get in the middle of this, but yes they do make the rules, and as of January 2006, it's allowed (below). There are several 'local' and/or tournment specific rules that are within the rules, (use of one type of ball comes to mind), and can be specified at the event.

I certainly fall in the category of "recreational", and have never actually played with a caddy or someone that is giving me accurate yardage info....and having had the opportunity to play with a rangefinder it is a nice option, particularily for club and local tournments.

"Golf's dual ruling bodies, in New Decision 14-3/0.5, said a committee is permitted to allow the use of distance measuring devices by local rule. This applies to devices that measure distance only and not any other conditions that might affect a player's game, such as wind or gradient. In the absence of such a local rule, the use of a distance measuring device remains contrary to the rules.

Recreational golfers can reap the benefits of that ruling in their club and local tournaments, as long as the use is specified in a local rule. Country clubs and public courses will see the benefit of the rule in an improved pace of play, an oft-heard complaint."

if i'm not mistaken, i read an article a while back about the fellow who does the yardage books for alot of the major courses around the country( the same yardage books that the pros use on tour ) and i believe he uses a laser rangefinder to gather his data to create these books. it just stands to reason to me therefore, that the use of rangefinders should be as legal as carrying a yardage book. Just my opinion.

p.s. niether one can hit the shot for you.