I know that there are some old threads on this topic, but all those related to laser rangefinders are more than a year out of date, so I thought a more recent viewpoint was indicated.
I just got on the bandwagon. Never really considered them as needed, or even desired, until just recently. I was playing a course I haven't played for a few years, and I was having some issues with the yardages. I hit a 7I to the center of the green from 150 yards on one hole, A couple of holes later I was at 150 yards again, pulled the 7I, and knocked it fully 10 yards over the back??? There were no circumstances like wind or slope that would have caused such a large disparity in the 2 shots, and I found some other apparent discrepancies along the way. I know that not all course yardage markers are placed correctly. I've seen it in the past with mismarked sprinkler heads, and now with actual distance markers that are supposedly put there for one purpose.
The upshot is that I went out today and bought a laser rangefinder. I've been reading and researching both GPS and laser units here and on other forums, on equipment review sites, and manufacturer sites. I decided that while I might have fun with a GPS, the rangefinder was probably going to be more versatile and useful in the long run. And more cost effective, both for initial purchase and for not needing any memberships to get the fullest use from it. The battery also lasts eons longer (the manual says 6000 measurements... should be good fro a couple of years at least) than those of any of the GPS units.
The rangefinder I ended up buying is the Nikon ProStaff Laser 440 for $199 at Sportsmans Warehouse. It was the best price I found for a quality unit with scan mode. It only measures to 440 yards, so I guess I'll have to take that 500 yard club out of my bag. I'm looking forward to getting out on the course with it tomorrow... the weather today is not conducive to enjoyable golf, with temps in the 40's and winds in the 40's too. I have shot just about everything I can see from my back yard, and it's a kick. Works like a charm, and should help me know the exact yardage of all my mishits from now on...
Just wondered if anyone else has joined the optical measurement club since the last thread on the topic petered out over a year ago.
I also just started using my Laser Rangefinder and find the ease of use and fast acquisition of distances to be helpful. I like the compact nature of the Bushnell Pro Scout Rangefinder.
GPS units have too much variability (with the 3 that I have) to be reliable - even with WAAS activated. I am sure there are many who feel their GPS is very accurate but it hasn't been my personal experience. If it works for you, then I am happy for you. I am still considering the Sureshot GPS and may buy one in the summer - it may be complementary or a useful adjunct to the Laser rangefinder.
I borrowed a friends to check some distances at my house where I practice and man was I off on my guestamation. He has had his a few years and only uses it for hunting (non golfer). What I was wondering is how hard is it to get a reading on the pin? I was having trouble getting a reading on fence post 110yds out. It would pick up bigger objects behind it. His was a Nikon so I feel like it was a good one. Thanks
I borrowed a friends to check some distances at my house where I practice and man was I off on my guestamation. He has had his a few years and only uses it for hunting (non golfer). What I was wondering is how hard is it to get a reading on the pin? I was having trouble getting a reading on fence post 110yds out. It would pick up bigger objects behind it. His was a Nikon so I feel like it was a good one. Thanks
Play on crowded days so you can take a shot on one of the golfers ahead of you. Barring that, try to find a bunker lip or other landscape feature at the green to shoot. I'm on my way out right now to see what issues I might run into... Back in a few hours with the details..
Rick. I hope you return from your outing as happy with your new toy as when you left home. For the record, most lasers come with numbers like yours, 440 in your case. That's the maximum yardage you can expect to get a reading from a "reflective" surface. I happen to have a Yardage Pro 500, and that 500 is for maximum yardage. But that doesn't tranlate to how far you can get a reading off a flag stick on the course. With my laser, I'm lucky if I can get a reading out to 200 yards, way less than the 500 yards it's rated for. If I aim at a building or a good size rock, it will work out to over 800 yards, but not from a flag. If you go to the websites of the company that makes these laser, you will find a list of how far you can expect to get a reading off of different objects, Reflective objects, a tree, a deer, and so forth. You have to read all that data and then decide how far the laser might work with a flag stick and how far you want to be able to get a reading from. And YES, you can take a reading off a player on the green in front of you, but only if you are waiting to hit your approach shot. If they have moved to the next tee, you're out of luck, and you have to relay on the flag. I just got a new laser because I'm not happy with a limit of maybe 200 yards off a flag, I want at least 250 yards. You also should know that the color of the flag will effect how much light it will reflect. White flags are better than black ones, Also, you can get a reading farther out from the flag if the wind is blowing the flag straight out to the side. No wind, and you lose a lot of ability to read to the flag.
I'm aware of the limitations. I will almost never use it beyond 200 yards, so I'm not too worried. I just got back from the course, and it worked quite nicely in a spotty tryout. I didn't use it as much as planned, as the wind was howling again today, making it hard to even address the ball, much less try and aim the rangefinder. I did take a few shots, was able to get readings up to 185 yards just from a slope on the green, and another time at 210 from a bunker lip, so it seems to be working about as expected.
I'm less worried about the actual pin location than I am about being able to get the range on key features in front or in back of the green, or to shoot a bunker in the fairway from the tee, or to get an idea of the distance when I'm totally out of position and the course markings are useless to me (unfortunately happens way too often). The precise distance to the flagstick only becomes important to my game once I get inside of 150 yards. The rest of the time the distance I hit my longer clubs has enough variance that exact measurements aren't that critical.
Last edited by Fourputt : April 12th, 2007 at 12:34 AM.
I'd appreciate it if you keep us updated. I am constantly mystified by the local yardage markings and have been thinking about one of these devices. Is it handy? I carry and wonder if it would be counter-efficient. Actually, I just got a cart, but that's another story. Let us know how you make out.
i'm also very interested in this thread, as i have been looking into getting either a gps device or rangefinder, keep us updated four-putt, or anyone else who has one
With winter weather expected the next couple of days, It may be at least Monday before I get back out on the course. But I will report back when I get to use it again.
These things are great. If you're going to buy one, don't cheap out and get a less powerful one. Since they are legal in all tournaments now, I would suggest looking into the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 Tournament Edition. Best one on the market, it will give you yardages a long way away (300+ yards I believe) off of a pin. It's ~$300 but well worth it.
The Bushnell models are great. Don't forget to check out the ones Simmons has come out with. A little cheaper, but the quality appears to be really good.
These things are great. If you're going to buy one, don't cheap out and get a less powerful one. Since they are legal in all tournaments now, I would suggest looking into the Bushnell Pinseeker 1500 Tournament Edition. Best one on the market, it will give you yardages a long way away (300+ yards I believe) off of a pin. It's ~$300 but well worth it.
Given that it is two times the cost of the Bushnell Pro Scout, I don't hit anything farther than 240-250 yards, the 1500 has a big size, it's exactly compact and light, and the magnification is still only 7X, I couldn't justify the purchase.
Now that the Sureshot GPS (out of Australia) added 5,000 US courses (AND they have better customer service), it may be worth spending money on that particular system.
Last edited by titaniummd : April 12th, 2007 at 07:01 PM.
I agree with you Doc. My Nikon was $199, and playing with it on the range today, I can read an almost limp flag at 285... how much farther does it have to read from? I just swept it across the flag slowly, and got a good solid reading which repeated each time I did it. My Nikon has 8X optics.. maybe gives it a tiny advantage over the Bushnell... but doesn't seem like it would be a big deal.
April 10th, 2007, 05:19 PM
There were no circumstances like wind or slope that would have caused such a large disparity in the 2 shots, and I found some other apparent discrepancies along the way. I know that not all course yardage markers are placed correctly. I've seen it in the past with mismarked sprinkler heads, and now with actual distance markers that are supposedly put there for one purpose. 
I'm looking forward to getting out on the course with it tomorrow... the weather today is not conducive to enjoyable golf, with temps in the 40's and winds in the 40's too. 
I have shot just about everything I can see from my back yard, and it's a kick. Works like a charm, and should help me know the exact yardage of all my mishits from now on...
Let us know how you make out.
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