Rangefinders are great, they give a golfer more information about the course. Knowing the yardages between you and the flag immediately makes the game that little bit easier. It’s sure to boost your confidence with the club you’ve chosen for your next shot. However, a rangefinder can be used to help your golf game in more ways than just letting you know how far the flag is away from you.
So here are six things to use your rangefinder for, beyond shooting the flag:
Knowing the distance between you and a hazard
There will be moments where water or some other hazard could ruin your shot. Using a rangefinder can help you measure the distance between you and other hazards, like water and bunkers. This lets you prepare your shot with a little more thought behind it. The more advanced laser rangefinders and GPS models can give you a more visual representation of the course, so you know where all the upcoming hazards are placed.
Knowing the distance to lay-up
Not only do you need to know distances when shooting at the pin, you also want to know where to play your shot to have the best advantage into those par 5s, or even long par 4s. Know what yardage you like from under 100 yards and aim to lay the ball up, leaving you this distance left to the flag.
Make smarter club selections
Golfers should learn what clubs to use in certain situations, but with the help of a rangefinder you can make smarter decisions. Some laser rangefinders can inform you of any uphill or downhill slopes, which is really important when working out your yardage and which club to use. A general rule of thumb is to go up a club when hitting uphill and down one when your target is downhill. Having this feature is a great advantage when on a hilly golf course.
Help you be more confident on blind shots
You’ve hit a terrible tee shot and now you’re between some trees and your target. You have no idea how far you are. This can happen to the best of us. When you find yourself and your ball somewhere in the wilderness, a good distance from the fairway, then a rangefinder may be your savior. A rangefinder can measure how far you are from a safe position back on the fairway. Or you could use it to measure how far you are from the green — when you’re in a position to see it. Once you get this number, you can go to your ball, think brave thoughts and hit it over the hazards and onto the green.
Determine the shape of the green
An experienced golfer is always planning ahead. Before playing your approach shot into the green, try and assess what the shape and slope of the green is. Being able to land your approach shot on the low side of the hole should give you a more favorable uphill putt. It might seem impossible to get this slope information from 100 yards away, but by using your rangefinder you can get a better idea of what you’ll see when you reach the green. This is great to know; being on the correct side of the hole is an advantage when you get to the green. Most golfers prefer to be below the hole for an easier uphill putt.
Perfect for golf trips
The non-GPS and laser rangefinders don’t need charging or batteries. You can stick them in your bag and they’re ready as soon as you are to hit the course. If you prefer the laser or GPS type, as they do have many advantages. Just make sure you charge them before your trip. Having a rangefinder while on a golf trip is a brilliant idea, since there is nothing tougher than exploring a course you’ve never played before.
— Joseph Mills