Which is Better? A Laser Range Finder or GPS for Golf - By: rlarkin

This article will look into the pros and cons of the new GPS units for golf as compared to laser range finders for golfers. Regardless of which device you use, they can give you an precise reading of distance, but they follow different design principles that can be both good and bad.

How a Rangefinder Works

Side by side to GPS, rangefinders are different animals. Rangefinders are optical devices which are fundamentally a cross between a laser gun, such as the ones used by highway patrol to evaluate the speed of a driver, and a set of binoculars. The optical system, just like a rifle scope, enables you to lock onto an object that you want to measure the yardage for (for example a flag stick on the green). The range finder beams a 'safe for the eyes' laser on your point while evaluating the time that it needs for the laser of the range finder to bounce off your target area and reflect back over to the rangefinder. Measuring the time delay, it then precisely calculates a distance for your place.

How Golf GPS Units Function

Simply put, golf GPS systems units just use the same satellite supported mapping device. The GPS is communicating with overhead positioning satellites and calculates your correct location on the planet, then calls in to previously registered locations on your course to be able to give you the distances to any of the significant locations around you (for example: the center of the green for the hole you're currently trying to reach).

Some of the Advantages of GPS Units for Golf

You can get yardage readings without having a specific point to aim for. The GPS can work at measuring distances for points which are not in view to you, such as greens around a dogleg or places you can't see because of a bush. Also, you don't have to have a totally steady hand or accurate eye to be able to align a GPS unit like you have to with a rangefinder.

Some Advantages of Laser Rangefinders for Golfers

You'll be able to zoom up to 7x closer with the latest rangefinder models. This will not only assistance you for when you are measuring your target with the laser, but also for recognizing places to miss in your landing areas like a spine on the green.

If there's some kind of obstacle far away that's too far to see just by yourself, but you want to avoid, a rangefinder can allow you to take a closer look. When you have a range finder in your equipment, you could easily see trouble and then steer clear to the other side of the putting area, which will probably result in an easier par putt. Another advantage to keep in mind is the range finder can also be used on the driving range when you want to know how far you hit with all of your irons and fairway metals.

The quick answer is that neither the rangefinder nor the GPS are better than the other one, they are definitely similar, but they each have different weaknesses and strengths. Probably the best way to solve the choice problem is just get a rangefinder AND a GPS! If that's not really possible, so do some more research on each and then choose the one that will better fit your game.

About the Author

Visit Yardage Range Finder for a complimentary download of the Golfer's GPS and Rangefinder Report which will help you find the right unit and extensive GPS systems for golf reviews and feeback based write ups on the top selling rangefinders and GPS units on the market.

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