How Do Golf Rangefinders Work?

Over the last few years, there has been a drastic rise in the popularity of rangefinders.

If you’ve ever been on a course for the first time, you know how frustrating it can be not knowing how far away specific targets are.

Rangefinders can be a huge help when you’re making your club selections on the course and they certainly beat using a golf yardage book. 

In this article, we will explore the technology of both GPS and laser rangefinders and answer the question of what a golf rangefinder can do to help your game and what golf rangefinder most golfers use. 

Golf Laser Rangefinders

Laser rangefinders work by sending a laser beam towards a target. The laser then reflects off the mark and back to the rangefinder, where a sensor detects the time it took the laser to return from the reflection point.

They are like a scope, or golf binocular, focusing on the target and reflecting a reading to the user.

Laser rangefinders are incredibly accurate and quick, sensing distance and giving a reading accuracy within 1 yard in mere seconds.

They are great for times when you have a clear view of the target and play on courses that may not be uploaded into a GPS database.

Some laser rangefinders have more advanced capabilities than others. But even relatively inexpensive options will get the job done simply and effectively.

Things to consider when exploring your laser options are extra features. Some rangefinders cannot calculate slope on a course whereas some are.

A 100-yard approach shot on a downhill grade plays much closer than 100-yards uphill.

Some laser rangefinders have technology that detects slope and adjusts the distance accordingly.

How GPS Rangefinders Work

GPS, the other popular rangefinder option, works by using GPS coordinates. GPS uses numerous satellite pings to determine the location of basically anything on the planet.

GPS systems are incredibly accurate these days and can pinpoint to within a couple of feet.

With GPS rangefinders, there are a few notable considerations to keep in mind.

The GPS rangefinder will only work for courses that are uploaded into the database.

That means that if you’re playing a lesser-known course, it may not be on the database, making the GPS rangefinder obsolete for that course.

On the other hand, if you’re playing a course on the database (which most registered golf courses are), you will have an accurate reading of all distances on the course.

GPS will calculate the distance from your position on the map and the target as it was recorded into the system. 

GPS rangefinders do not generally adjust for slope unless you’re willing to pay a little more.

Some GPS rangefinders can provide real-time updates on weather conditions.

Laser Rangefinder or GPS Rangefinder: What’s Better For Your Game?

Here are some of the significant advantages and disadvantages of using either a laser or GPS rangefinder and which may be best for you.

Laser Rangefinders

• Accurate and quick readings
• Can be used on any golf course/no need for pre downloads
• Some models can adjust for slope
• Slightly more challenging to use
• Need to have a steady hand and view of the target
• Various levels of technological capabilities
• Wide price ranges

GPS Rangefinders

• Highly accurate distance readings
• Tens of thousands of courses available on most GPS rangefinders
• Additional metrics and course information included with downloads
• The course needs to be downloaded onto your device
• The course needs to have been mapped and uploaded to the web
• Some models don’t have accurate updates
• May need to pay an ongoing subscription
• Easier to use than laser

The golf optical rangefinder is a third option, but due to less user-friendliness and a higher margin for error, it isn’t considered here. How does an optical rangefinder work?

Optical rangefinders work using built-in scales to measure a target’s size based on your distance from it. It requires the user to know how to focus the lens properly to calculate the scale accurately.

What Should You Look For In A Golf Rangefinder?

Both GPS and laser rangefinders are highly accurate devices and can provide detailed distance readings from you to the target.

The standout point between the two is that laser rangefinders are highly manual, while GPS devices are more automatic. GPS are slightly more popular at this time due to the lack of manual work involved.

Laser

If you want to have more control over the readings and manually adjust for specific conditions, a laser may be best.

You can find some rangefinders with a little more technological capability than others.

You should be looking for a laser rangefinder that can provide accurate data very quickly.

The higher quality technology in the device, the more precise and quick the readings will be.

GPS

If you’re playing well-known courses and want a wide variety of metrics available from an extensive database, then a GPS rangefinder may be best for you. 

Often, GPS rangefinders will have all the distances to various hazards and layouts of the course.

They may not have up to date information if you’re dealing with a lower-end product, however.

So with GPS, you get what you pay for in terms of technology and capability.

The difference between GPS and laser rangefinders can be simmered down to whether you want more manual control over your readings (laser) or simply uploaded information sent to your device (GPS).

Finding a suitable rangefinder is really about understanding how much depth of information you want.

If you want super accurate, up to date info, don’t be afraid to shell out a little more.

Concluding Thoughts

Any further questions or comments about the best rangefinders and how the technologies work can be left in the section below.

FAQ