GPS vs Laser, Rumble On The Fairways

“GO..GO..GO...what? I flushed that” As the ball drops with a thud on the front of the green, 20 yds from the pin. “Hmmm..did the starter say the markers were to the front or middle of the greens?” 


I did a lot of research last year into buying either a GPS or a Laser Rangefinder. There were pro’s and con’s on both sides of the argument, but for me I found the Bushnell V2 Rangefinder was far more useful. I have used it for every round since last May, bearing in mind I played 70+ rounds in that time on many different courses, so the battery life has been great. (My playing partners are always asking for yardages too so it has been well used. Battery only now needs replacing) It's also easy to use on course or the range to find the distances you are hitting each club exactly. The downside of the Rangefinder is getting used to the 'pinseeker' technology, but with a few rounds using the device it is quite easy to 'lock on' to the flagstick. Basically it can pick up something behind the green (first yardage), and then it gives you an exact yardage as the software locks onto the pin. (shown by a circle around a flag)

BUSHNELL TOUR V2 LINK

My favourite part of the game has always been from 150yds in. (Hence my long game is somewhat streaky at best) This is the scoring zone. When I first started playing I spent countless hours pitching, flopping, chipping, grooving a feel in getting the ball as close to the pin as I could.  Maybe it's because Seve was my favourite player that I also play a reasonable percentage of my approach shots from some interesting lies and locations. However I felt to get my handicap down to single figures I needed to know exact yardages to the pin. I could see other players with poorer or shorter long games than mine with much better handicaps. It was their short game. They hit it closer than I did. Knowing that my LW is 75y, SW 90y GW 105y, PW 120y (until it started going 135y!!) would give me more control & confidence at getting the chance to par or birdie more holes. I now feel more confident over my 8 iron to LW thanks to the Bushnell. If the ball doesn't go where it should it's down to poor execution rather than blaming the yardage.


Without the rangefinder I found my usual method of pacing out was okay, but sometimes it could be a full or even two clubs difference. For a mid handicap golfer like me, who has a pretty good short game, fixing the exact yardage to the pin was crucial. GPS technology I found was like pacing out, guess work, unless it was a tiny green with the pin in the middle.


So over the two products, I would recommend the Rangefinder, but ask yourself these questions if you are considering buying one of them.

1. Price. Are you getting value and all you need for your money?
2. Ease of use. How easy is it to read yardages and use the various features? 
3. Do you need other info than just yardages? 
4. Do you want to clip it to your to your bag, or do you want it in your pocket?
5. What are the costs of downloads, if any?

6. Does this GPS carry my course(s) map in it's database?

7. How accurate is the unit?

8. How long will the batteries last? Do I need to remember to keep recharging every round?

Using a Bushnell V2 will give you incredibly accurate yardages to pins and all clearly visible hazards & markers. The unit is easy to use with just one button to press, but getting the right reading may take a little practice. One thing I noticed is that getting accurate readings in the rain was a bit difficult (but I am normally always a fair weather player) These units require no uploads and have a really long battery life. 

GPS units are able to give you an overhead view of the hole, and distances to the front, middle and back of the green. However, they are not as accurate as the laser-based models. One big advantage that they have over the Bushnell is that they are not dependent on line of sight. Since these devices get their measurements from GPS satellites, they will work regardless of the terrain you are in. The battery life though is not great and needs re-charging every 1 to 2 rounds. I have seen some of my friends curse as the life drains from their device. Another disadvantage of the GPS models is that not all golf courses have been mapped. Also, you may have to subscribe to download the maps and have access to a computer to load the maps onto the device. Bad weather & connection can also affect them adversely.

At the time of writing this blog, I have seen a new product coming at the end of Feb (below), giving you the best of both worlds. The GPS/Laser Hybrid from Bushnell. It seems it will retail for around £400.....This will give you the opportunity to get the V2 at a much cheaper price! Happy Daze.....

New Kid On The Block