What Is The Difference Between Golf Rangefinder And GPS? – Buy a Distance Monitoring Machine

If you are still planning to buy a distance monitoring machine for golf then you will be confused to choose one equipped with a golf GPS system or contented with a laser rangefinder.

Both will help you to get accurate measurements that you will need on the golf course and you need to select the best tool to have the edge in the game. There will be an ultimate factor you have to prioritize is choosing the tool that will serve its purpose best.

Capabilities of a Golf GPS

A golf GPS can be a very helpful tool on the course, providing accurate yardage to help you make smarter decisions. But what else can these devices do? Here are some of the capabilities of a golf GPS:

-Track your score and statistics: Most golf GPS devices keep track of your score and basic statistics like fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts per hole. This can be helpful for seeing how you’re improving over time, or for quickly identifying areas of your game that need work.

-Plan your round: Many golf GPS units come with course maps pre-loaded, so you can see which hole is which and get an idea of the layout before you even tee off. This can help you plan your strategy for each hole and avoid any potential surprises.

-Choose the right club: One of the most important aspects of choosing the right club is distance; knowing how far you have to hit the ball. A golf GPS can give you accurate yardage to different parts of the green, so you can select the club that will get you closest to the flag.

-Improve your game: In addition to helping you make better decisions during your round, a golf GPS can also be used to analyze your game after the fact. Many devices allow you to review your previous rounds and see where you could have saved strokes. Armed with this knowledge, you can start making changes to improve your game more quickly.

Capabilities of Golf Rangefinders

There are many different capabilities that golf rangefinders have. Some of the most popular and useful ones include:

1. Distance measurement: This is the most basic and essential function of a golf rangefinder. It allows you to quickly and easily measure the distance between you and the flagstick or other target.

2. Pin-seeking technology: Many newer golf rangefinders come equipped with pin-seeking technology, which helps to more accurately identify the flagstick or other target. This can be extremely helpful when trying to hit a specific shot or make a difficult putt.

3. Slope compensation: Some rangefinders also offer slope compensation, which takes into account the elevation change between you and the target. This can be very helpful when trying to hit a shot uphill or downhill, as it can help you adjust your yardage accordingly.

4. Hazard/layup information: Many rangefinders will also provide information on nearby hazards or layup options. This can be extremely helpful when trying to make a decision on your next shot, as you can avoid potential trouble areas and choose the best route to the hole.

What is the difference between a golf rangefinder and a GPS?

Here is the difference between these two.

1. Aiming

A golf GPS system will not require you to aim a laser at the target to get the exact distance. This will be a great advantage when your target is not within your view. There are many times when your target is above you as in a slope from your view.

2. Steadiness

If you are not aiming at a target then you will not need to stabilize your hand in using a golf GPS unit. It will show the reading regardless of how you will hold it and it will not need an accurate eye lineup as you will with a laser rangefinder.

3. Acquiring a target

There is no need to get focus on acquiring a target in a GPS system. You have to take a glance at this tool to get yardage measurements.

Getting the distance of an object may sometimes be hard when using a rangefinder and it picks up distances of its nearby background like a tree instead.

4. Yardage measurement

Golf GPS systems will not give you the distance yardage but it completes the distance measurement both in the front and back of the greens. This will help the medium to low handicap golf players to choose their club much better.

Most of the professional golfers are using laser golf range finders to back up traditional ways of finding the yardage on the course.

The basic difference between to two types of units is the laser uses a line of sight and is more versatile than the GPS as the golfer will measure anything they want and have no ongoing costs.

The GPS will help when you don’t have a line of site but it will not measure the exact distance to the pin. Some of the more advanced GPS units now allow you to add your own course manually.

Confidence is of much importance for a golf player. It will help to use a tool with so many restrictions for it will give you rooms to doubt. By using a golf GPS system unit, it will suffice for a player to glance at the readings and it will have more focus on the game.

If you hit the ball correctly and improve your score then it will give you added confidence to win in the game.

Once you have decided which type of golf rangefinder is right for you then learn about the reviewed devices.

FAQ

Which is better GPS or rangefinder?

It really depends on what your needs are and what type of terrain you’ll be using it in. Here are some things to keep in mind:

-GPS models tend to be more accurate than rangefinders since they use satellite data to pinpoint your location.

-GPS units usually have more features than rangefinders, such as the ability to track your progress, plan routes, and even estimate elevation changes.

-Rangefinders can be faster and easier to use in some situations since you don’t have to wait for the satellite data to load. They can also be more accurate in thick woods or other areas where there is obstruction from the sky.

So, which is better for you? If you need speed and ease of use in a rugged area, go with a rangefinder. If you want accuracy and extra features, go with a GPS unit.

Do professional golfers use rangefinders?

Some professional golfers swear by their rangefinders and use them religiously, while others prefer to rely on their own skills and instincts when estimating distances. Many pro golfers find rangefinders invaluable, especially on unfamiliar courses.

What is the easiest golf rangefinder to use?

One of the best golf rangefinders on the market when it comes to ease of use is the Bushnell Tour V4 JOLT. This rangefinder is small and lightweight, making it easy to carry around on the course. The controls are very straightforward, and the display is incredibly clear, even in bright sunlight.

Final Words

To conclude, the difference between a golf rangefinder and GPS is that the rangefinder takes more precise measurements than a GPS but requires line-of-sight to do so. Whereas, on the other hand, a GPS device can provide overhead images of courses and also has features such as shot tracking which are unavailable in rangefinders.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which one suits your needs better – whether that be accuracy or convenience.