Calm down Tiger.. we're all just trying to learn using the legally available tools to get proficient at the game.
I play golf weekly. I used to use my phone until I was often off by 10-20 yards. Green depths, flag positions, not to mention elevation and gps inaccuracy. I bought a cheap Amazon range finder, I'm now the same player as before. But at least I can't blame it on the equipment
Amazon reviews say don't buy out doesn't work properly
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i use a garmin watch and it works great. i like how quick it is. i have compared to friends w range finder and is accurate. but there's definitely a role for a range finder.
I'm in exactly the same boat but I have both. I use my Bushnell w/ slope though when I have obvious elevation changes, even in approach shots and layups in the fairway. I have the Garmin S62 watch, and while you can touch and adjust/move the crosshairs on the map, it's MUCH easier to whip out the rangefinder and shoot, say, the top of a sandtrap, a red or white stake or even see whose ball is closer to the pin from the tee box on a $20-skin par 3!
I use Hole 19 on my cellular Apple Watch and when I tested it against my range finder it was never more than 5 yards off and most times it was +/- 1 to 3.
Why use this instead of an app or gps rangefinder?
I have a Garmin S62 watch, and the GPS is super accurate and fast, way better than even the best phone. But once I get into approach shot distances I usually use a rangefinder, as the Garmin doesn't know where the pin is that day and just uses a generic location and is usually way off. I can move the pin around on the watch, but unless I'm above the green it's really hard to tell exactly where it's at that day.
It does give the front, middle and back of the green, and the shape, which is also extremely useful info to help my narrow down my (hopeful) landing area if I'm not going directly at the pin. Also extremely useful if I can't get eyes on the pin or green from where I'm at.
Short story long, they're both nice to have and serve unique purposes.
I used my phone for years. But once I got a cheap range finder, it was a game changer. Don't forget that u can use it at the driving range to get the correct yardages also to fine-tune your distance gaps with clubs.
With that being said, I still manage to get schooled weekly by a couple of guys who use yardage makers on the course and don't use a phone or rangefinder. It's definitely the Indian and not the arrow.
As a lefty, using my phone is a PITA because I wear my glove on my right hand so when I'm in the Fairway trying to get yardage I don't have time to take my glove off to manipulate my phone. The rangefinder always works.
Leave your phone in your cart or bag, it takes 3 seconds to pickup and look at a yardage.
I've had a laser and used apps, the laser is more accurate, but does take a little longer as it's sometimes hard to make sure you are hitting the flag rather than something behind the green. Currently I use a gps app on my Samsung watch. Gets me close enough, because I'm ok with not being consistent enough to hit exact yardages anyway.
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And said person is clearly running around to ever post that references this or critiques him and is downvoting……., and here comes mine. Move on……
I have a Garmin S62 watch, and the GPS is super accurate and fast, way better than even the best phone. But once I get into approach shot distances I usually use a rangefinder, as the Garmin doesn't know where the pin is that day and just uses a generic location and is usually way off. I can move the pin around on the watch, but unless I'm above the green it's really hard to tell exactly where it's at that day.
It does give the front, middle and back of the green, and the shape, which is also extremely useful info to help my narrow down my (hopeful) landing area if I'm not going directly at the pin. Also extremely useful if I can't get eyes on the pin or green from where I'm at.
Short story long, they're both nice to have and serve unique purposes.
With that being said, I still manage to get schooled weekly by a couple of guys who use yardage makers on the course and don't use a phone or rangefinder. It's definitely the Indian and not the arrow.
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I mean it could land in the sand, the brim, or the green... (I'm joking)
I've had a laser and used apps, the laser is more accurate, but does take a little longer as it's sometimes hard to make sure you are hitting the flag rather than something behind the green. Currently I use a gps app on my Samsung watch. Gets me close enough, because I'm ok with not being consistent enough to hit exact yardages anyway.