Best Golf Rangefinder – Reviews and Buying Guide (2021)

Rangefinders, or distance-measuring devices, are instruments which enable you to focus on a specific target, and glean the precise distance. Although these can be used in many walks of life, many are geared specifically for golf courses, given their value and relevance to the game.

Rangefinders typically make use of two types of technology:

GPS: GPS rangefinders rely on satellite data to determine distances. They do so by locking in the longitude and latitude coordinates of both your position and a series of fixed targets, and calculate the distances in between. On a golf course, this usually means you can determine yardages to the front, middle and back of the green, while there is also usually scope to determine distances to other hazards or bunkers.

Laser rangefinders: The technology with laser rangefinders is altogether different, as the device emits pulses between position and target. Given that the velocity of these pulses is always constant, the device is able to calculate distances by virtue of the rebound time. And it all happens within the blink of an eye!

Ha, put us on the spot, why don’t you? Our personal opinion is yes, on balance. However, this comes with a MASSIVE caveat: it all comes down to personal preference.

As a rule of thumb, laser rangefinders tend to be more accurate. In fact, most decent devices on the market these days are accurate to within a yard. The other big plus is that they can be used anywhere.

The downside? They tend to cost more.

Conversely, GPS units tend to come in pretty cheap – often as little as 100 bucks. There is a myriad of free apps to go with them too. The other beauty of GPS devices is that they come in many different shapes or forms – you can pick up yardages on your phone, watch or even a hat clip, in addition to the standard handset. And you can supplement it all with a bunch of additional information and features, just to give you your statistical fill.

The downside(s)? They just aren’t as accurate. They also need the company/manufacturer to have mapped the course you’re playing on in order to use them. Additionally, they can be slightly more complex to set up/use.

Given that the game of golf is around seven centuries old, it’s fair to say that the history of golf rangefinders is a comparatively brief one. Laser technology itself has been around since the 1950s, used mostly by snipers. But Bushnell were the first to adapt the concept to golf, as they launched their first product way back in 1955, believe it or not.

Of course, it is only really in the last 15 years that rangefinders have soared to prominence, which gave Bushnell a heck of a head-start to establish themselves as the market leader. However, while they do command enormous share of voice, many brands have since come to the party to keep them on their toes – both existing golfing brands, and those from the wider world of optics.

It is true that rangefinders will have varying value for different golfers, and the rule of thumb is that those with a more specific handle on how far they hit each club stand to gain more – given that they can get a more accurate distance than by relying on pacing it out manually from yardage markers.

But let’s not be too simplistic – for game improvers, rangefinders can still be very helpful, especially when it comes to distances to other features like hazards and bunkers. The bottom line is that there can be no downside to having an exact yardage. And many of the rangefinders on the market today have minimal margins for error – sometimes within inches!

Naturally, you as a buyer will need to reconcile the price tag with the value you think you will get out of it, and how much it will help your game. We’re not convinced by the “you’re not good enough to have a rangefinder” argument. For starters, some low-handicap golfers are “feel” players who seldom rely on distances anyway, while game improvers can really boost their game by being dialled into specific yardages – both to targets and surrounding features.

That said, it is true that better players are more likely to get the most out of a rangefinder as a basic rule of thumb. But it’s no more than that!

The other downside to rangefinders is that they can slow down play. Think about the process: fetch rangefinder from bag, spending time focusing on targets, comparing with yardages on the course, putting rangefinder back in bag, start pre-shot routine – you get the idea! But, with a bit of efficiency and planning before each shot, this need not be a problem for you.

You’ve probably wondered why you never see pros using rangefinders on the course if they’re so amazing. That’s because the PGA Tour does not allow them to be used in professional tournament play. They do, however, allow players to use them on practice days in the lead up to events, while they have also allowed them to be trialled in some Web.com and Canadian Tour events.

Some USGA events do not permit the use of rangefinders, while golf courses also have the right to make a local rule which bans them.

But, realistically, none of that is likely to be a problem for you if you are an amateur. So you can buy one, if it is your will, with peace of mind, and start closing the gap to the pros!

Bushnell – boasts 99 per cent of PGA Tour players as customers. Unquestionably a market leader in its field.

Callaway – a recent edition to the rangefinder game, but certainly making headway, leveraging off its well-established golfing brand.

Leupold – has its origins in outdoor optics, but has expanded into golf in recent years.

Lofthouse – not renowned for excessive gimmicks and features, but Lofthouse have built a solid reputation – their rangefinders do what they say on the box.

Nikon – a powerhouse in the world of optics! Golf was always likely to be a natural fit.

TecTecTec – a relative newcomer to the rangefinder game, but definitely some appealing products at entry-level prices.

Slope calibration technology is fantastic, especially if you play on undulating courses a lot. The accuracy of slope tech has been called into question, but, having trialled some of the better ones, we definitely think it’s a force for good.

The biggest issue with it has been legality, notably during tournament play under USGA rules. However, the USGA recently clarified the rules on slope technology, whereby you can use a slope-tech rangefinder in tournament play, as long as the actual slope tech is turned off. And we’d bet money that the rules will become even more accommodating in the not-too-distant future.

So, really, if the slope tech tickles your fancy, and you aren’t a regular tournament player, rules aren’t really a blocker to buying a rangefinder which makes use of it.

What, you mean other than reading our reviews? Ha, just kidding. Here are some things to do to help yourself get set up, and to get the most out of your new rangefinder:

Watch videos – What better way to get to grips with your new device than to see it in action? Even though we test them all ourselves, we like to see other examples of people using rangefinders, how it worked for them, and their thoughts on the setup. You should too! But be sure to choose videos from a well-established reviewer or website. The number of views, or the website’s domain authority, should help you separate the good from the bad.

Read the instructions – Always a natural starting point! But it isn’t just about setting yourself up with the basic fundamentals. You’ll want to get the most out of the features, and everything else the rangefinder has to offer. Hidden (hopefully not too deep) in the instructions, should lie the answers.

Use the tech cleverly – Pinseeker? Pinhunter? First target Priority? They all mean the same thing – these are the technologies which brands use to determine distances to flags, and all features in front and behind them. Using them is easy enough, but here’s a little trick (if you don’t have slope tech): Aim your rangefinder at the ground first, and engage the ranging button. You’ll see the reticle on the display. Then aim direct at your target and hit the button. This eliminates the chance of being obstructed/interfered with by hills, bunkers or hazards that may obscure your target, which in turn reduces margin for error.

Practice on shorter distances – Start by using your rangefinder with shorter distances, and aim for flags. They’re easier to lock into, and will help you get the hang of things quicker and easier. Build yourself up from there, and you’ll be an expert in no time.

Cross reference – Even if you think you are an expert, it’s still a good idea to have a look at the physical yardages on the course, just as a reference. Having that extra reaffirmation as you address the ball will only fill you with more confidence, which has to be a good thing.

In a world of AI, and exponential technological growth and development, we’d never say never. But, with slope technology, accuracy to within inches, 7X zoom, jolts and so many other wonderful gimmicks and features, it does feel as though we are approaching the plateau. I guess existing technologies can always be fine tuned and enhanced for accuracy. But it will need something really innovative and ‘out the box’ to take things to the next level. Bring it on…