What's the Difference between a Laser Range Finder and GPS Range Finder?
Laser Range Finders and a Golf GPS Range Finders are devices that are used to measure the distance from where your ball is lying to the pin. These have been available for a couple of years now but only recently have they been legalized by the USGA. This article examines the difference between Golf Laser Range Finders and a Golf GPS Range Finders, so if you are looking to buy one of these devices, you will know what type suits your golf game best.
With the USGA’s ruling we can now enjoy the luxury of yardage information quite literally at our fingertips. Manufacturers of distance measuring devices have been touting their use for years and many such devices have been used by PGA Tour caddies in measuring courses for tournament play to ensure accurate information during tournament play.
Measuring distances with a device is essentially no different than pacing off yardages from a sprinkler head or consulting a yardage book. And it provides greater accuracy in less time, so these devices have the potential to help speed up the pace of play. Thanks to the USGA ruling we can all now legally use distance-measuring devices to improve our play.
The measuring devices can be broken into two broad categories: laser rangefinders and GPS units.
Laser Devices:
The Golf Laser Range Finder like the Bushnell Laser Range finder looks a little like binoculars. You look through them and the unit then measures distance from the ball to the pin by use of a laser beam. You do have to have a direct line of sight as well as a steady hand. They may also be used to calculate the distance to a hazard or any other object in which you can beam the laser to.
GPS Devices:
Golf GPS Range Finders use a map of the golf course that is loaded onto the device. Then your position on the course is determined to the pin by a satellite signal. The ability to use a GPS golf range finder is dependent upon the quality of the map. Some GPS device maps may only show the distance to the front, middle and back of the green. The more expensive GPS units are in color like the SonoCaddie v300 and SkyCaddie SG5 will show more such as bunkers, water hazards, end of fairway, etc.
Those are pretty much the major differences between the two devices. We hope that this article will help you make a more informed decision when you purchase your golf measuring device. Regardless of which range finder you buy, your accuracy at determining distances on the golf course will improve with the use of one of these and result in a lower golf score.