Best Golf Rangefinders in 2022

Rangefinders are some of the best tools you can have in golf. They give you accurate distances to anything that you have a clear line of sight on. However, you may be wondering – “how do rangefinders work?”

The answer is more simple than you might think.

Rangefinders first sends out a laser which will bounce off the target you’re aiming at and will return to your device. Then, the device will measure the amount of time it takes to send and receive that laser. Finally, using that data the device will calculate the distance to that target and will provide you with that distance in yards or meters. 

Rangefinders can have a massive impact on your game when you have accurate yardages to specific targets. Some rangefinders can even take into account the change in elevation from you to your target and provide you with a number that accounts for that change. Some rangefinders can also take the wind into account and provide you with a yardage that will be accurate with the wind.

Some golf rangefinders can account for the change in elevation from you to your target. This is also called accounting for the slope in your distances. For example, if you are hitting down hill your ball will fly farther just because of the topography change. There are some rangefinders (for example, the Precision Pro R1) that can take this change into account and can provide you with a distance to the pin that will incorporate that change in elevation. 

The slope function of a rangefinder is extremely helpful but is no allowed in tournament or competition play. 

Most rangefinders are providing the ability to turn on or off the slope adjustment settings.

Rangefinders are petty intuitive, so you shouldn’t have much trouble figuring yours out. Here are the few basic steps you need to follow to use you rangefinder.

1. Pick a target that you want to know the distance to.
2. Aim your rangefinder at the target and find your target through the eye-piece/sight.
3. Click the button or activate your rangefinder
4. Gather your yardage
5. Shoot the target again to ensure you hit the proper target.

These are the basic steps on how to use a rangefinder. There may be some slight modifications needed depending on what type or what brand of rangefinder you are using. 

The USGA rules govern the use of laser rangefinders and various GPS devices in casual, competitive and tournament play. These rules have been in effect since 2006. However, depending on the competition and tournament, the local rules can ban/outlaw the use of distance finding devices. This is why you will rarely see PGA tour pros using a rangefinder when on TV. The one tournament that will allow rangefinders is the PGA Championship. They are still not allowed during competition rounds at PGA Tour events or at the U.S. Open and British Opens.

Rangefinders are accurate usually within +/- 1 yard. This is the primary benefit of a rangefinder over a GPS device. Every rangefinder on the market will be able to provide a precise measurement within +/- 1 yard. It is very important to shoot the target a few times to ensure you are comfortable with the number you see from your device.

The simple answer is Yes.

You especially need a rangefinder if you are playing in any type of competitive play or if you are serious about improving your game. Golf is a game of consistency and of the best ways you can become more consistent is giving yourself the most information possible for each shot. A rangefinder can provide you with more than just the distance to the pin. You can find the distance to the bunkers, back of the green 0r anything that you can shoot your laser at. This information will help you become more successful because you can then start to gather more data and pick the best shot for your current situation. 

Rangefinders are not a necessity to playing good golf, but they certainly do help. 

1. First, grab a carabiner and attach it to a place on your bag that will face outward (think the outside when your bag is sitting on the back of a cart.
2. Give the rangefinder something solid and secure to drape on to. You want the case to be secure and easily accessible.
3. If a rangefinder comes with its own loop or strap, you can skip the carabiner idea and just attach it directly to your bag. Again, you want the case to be secure and easily accessible. 
4. Some rangefinders come with their own magnet, which is extremely helpful when riding in a cart -but we would not suggest using the magnet to attach your rangefinder to your bag. It will fall off too easily.