How to Choose the Best Rangefinder for Golf
Are you tired of using your phone or relying on someone else to give you the yardage?
Buying the best rangefinder for golf can be confusing if you don’t know what to look for, and even worse if you buy a bad product that doesn’t meet your needs.
How to Choose the Best Rangefinder for Golf
Follow this guide before buying your next rangefinder so you know exactly what features to consider and which ones to avoid.
Choosing a rangefinder is just like any other major purchase. Take some time to browse through your options, think about what you need and don’t need in a rangefinder, and make sure you buy something that will serve you well on your golf course adventures.
We’ve broken down our buying advice into three sections: beginning golfers (with entry-level budgets), mid-range players, and serious golfers (and their spouses). You’ll find buying guides for each below.
How to Choose the Best Rangefinder for Golf if you are a Beginner
Beginners who are just starting won’t have very high expectations of their rangefinders—perhaps they only play occasionally or are new to night golfing.
For those users, basic functionality at an affordable price point is ideal.
Under $100, we recommend both Nikon Coolshot 20 ($70) and Nikon Coolshot 80 ($80). They both feature 6x magnification capability with precision ranging capabilities to 800 yards.
All you have to do is turn them on and line up your target; even beginners can learn how to use these without a lot of effort.
How to Choose the Best Rangefinder for Golf if you are an Intermediate User
Intermediate Users Mid-range golfers should expect more from their rangefinders than beginner users do.
As a result, there are a few things you should consider when purchasing one.
Budget
First off, consider how much you’re willing to spend on your rangefinder—the average top of the line models sell between $400-$500.
Top tier brands include Leupold GX6i TBR & Bushnell Tour V4 Jolt .
Target Distance
Another thing to keep in mind is how close you plan on shooting your targets.
To get accuracy within 10-15 yards, you’ll want a laser rangefinder with a minimum measurement distance of 60-80 yards.
If your shots are more spread out over greater distances, however, having greater measurement distances might be less important to you.
Slope Compensation
Lastly, since most modern rangefinders offer slope compensation technology as standard nowadays, it’s worth considering whether you’d be able to benefit from it.
Otherwise, if you don’t care much about being able to calculate incline angles and such then either Bushnell Tour V4 Jolt or Leupold GX6i TBR would work great for you.
How to Choose the Best Rangefinder for Golf if you are Professional
Professional Users The best way to save money is by not spending money in places where you don’t need it.
There are many different types of rangefinders out there, and they all have their own sets of pros and cons.
Accuracy
Some models may be more accurate than others or may include accessories such as special eyepieces that allow you to use them in low-light situations.
Angle Compensation
You should also think about whether you need a rangefinder with angle compensation, which can help you determine how far away your target is at an angle, rather than a direct line of sight.
Power and Magnification
It’s important to figure out how much power you need from your rangefinder before making a decision.
A lower-powered model might be sufficient for shorter ranges, but if you want to be able to see targets over longer distances then it’s best to go with something higher powered.
Comfortable Grip
If you plan on carrying your rangefinder around a lot during practice rounds, then having one with a comfortable grip and light weight will be worth considering.
Shapes
Different models also come in different shapes—some are square while others look like mini binoculars—which means they won’t fit comfortably into every pocket.
Therefore, you should make sure you know how large and heavy your preferred model is so that you can find a place to store it easily when not in use.
Easy to Use
Finally, no matter what type of rangefinder you choose to buy, remember that golfing isn’t just a hobby; it’s also exercise.
Be sure to take into account how easy each option will be for you to carry around as well as how ergonomic each unit feels before committing yourself.
This way, you’ll never miss another par because of a clumsy rangefinder! As far as price goes, expect to pay between $80 and $250 for most modern options.
Warranty
Most newer models also come with some sort of guarantee that allows you to test out your purchase for up to 30 days and get a full refund if you don’t like it.
Frame Rate
A high frame rate is vital in golf as it will make a difference between being able to see clearly or not.
The golf ball moves so fast that a rangefinder with less than 10 fps will find it hard to keep up. Battery life is important because you don’t want your device dying on you when you need it most.
What Others are Saying
Take into account what other owners are saying about their devices; if there are common issues, then maybe you should reconsider buying that model.
Mounts and Accessories
You should also look at which mounts and accessories come with each model; some manufacturers sell them separately which means you have to spend even more money if something breaks.
Portable
Lastly, consider how portable each unit is before buying; weight could be an issue depending on where you carry your rangefinder.
Conclusion
Overall, as long as you follow these simple suggestions, finding the right rangefinder shouldn’t prove too difficult!
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