GPS vs Rangefinder vs Both

[TourSpoon]

Hey WRXers, I have been a staunch rangefinder guy ever since they came out. I never really got along with the GPS units. I just moved to a really tough course that has some challenging green complexes and was looking at the Bushnell Phantom 2 to throw on the cart for simple Front/Middle/Back numbers. So what do you prefer? Anyone use both? 

 

I did a search on titles going back ten years and didn't see much come up. 

[Rafatolah]

I use both. Tectectec Kylr range finder and Bushnell Phantom GPS for when the flag isn't visible. Nice having both available. Think it's good to cover all bases. Definitely prefer the range finder overall as it's more precise in my experience.

[TourSpoon]

45 minutes ago, Rafatolah said:

I use both. Tectectec Kylr range finder and Bushnell Phantom GPS for when the flag isn't visible. Nice having both available. Think it's good to cover all bases. Definitely prefer the range finder overall as it's more precise in my experience.

That is how I kind of see it. I am thinking a Phantom 2 to complement the Tour V5 rangefinder. This greens on this course have a lot of false areas and run offs so knowing distances to back edge is really important but hard to judge with elevated greens. I would just through it on the cart bar and glance for general numbers and then shoot it with the laser. 

[596]

I carry 

 

Bushnell rangefinder 

Bushnell GPS watch

Bushnell GPS Android app

 

I prefer the watch. Very easy front middle back and distance to hazards/traps if needed. I'll use the rangefinder once in awhile, not often.  Sometimes I'll use the android app for fun. 

 

The rangefinder is the best when you can't tell where the flag is on a green. 

[TXgolfer69]

I'm also thinking about a GPS... currently using a range finder but can see thw value if knowing distances around thw green, layout,  etc. 

 

I've never been a watch person in general... but can see the ease of having it on you. Any issues with playing with the GPS watch on in terms of comfort? Or readability? 

[aussieb]

Bushnell Hybrid GPS gives me both in one.  Only wish it gave me an option for slope on really undulating courses, but it still doesn't factor in wind, etc.  I have a V5 Shift that I pack for those pre-tournament rounds

[Pepperturbo]

Fortunately, I have a Garmin Approach z82 and wear Fenix 6x watch 24/7.  The more difficult and long the course the more likely I reach to Approach z82 for targeting obstacles and pins that can't be clearly identified.

 

Edited May 23, 2023 by Pepperturbo

[Sp4zRX]

 Both. Rangefinder, GPS watch, and Golfshot IOS app. 
 

I mostly use rangefinder but I like referencing the front and back of green distances on GPS watch. Makes me more confident with club selection. I usually have about 30ish yards from front to back. That way I don’t have to worry too much about feathering or muscling a club to the green. 
 

I use iOS GPS app for layup distances, dog legs and forced carry/layups. I like to see a big map layout for these. 

[DLiver]

I have a rangefinder and various types of GPS available on my phone and Apple Watch. I really don't ever use the GPS unless I am on an unfamiliar course. However on those unfamiliar courses, I find the GPS very valuable in figuring out how to play a hole. Having a combo rangefinder/GPS unit wouldn't have value to me.

[TourSpoon]

Thanks for all of the replies. I tried the Phantom 2 but it didn't do much for me once I unboxed it. Looking at the display, I realized I have better info from my phone if I needed it. The front screen is fine for F/M/B but the other screens (distance to hazards and the green feature option) was lacking. Plus its one more thing to charge. 

[zacktess]

i use a laser and then 18 birdies. 18 birdies is free so you get the best of both worlds

[jdl]

I use both, typically the GPS app on the tee box on par 4/5s to see yardages to hazards, doglegs, etc. Then the laser for approach shots from the fairway (hopefully).

[stevopagolf]

Garmin z82.  You get both in one unit.  Good battery life as well and rechargeable.

[LBB]

I use a laser range finder in addition to a golf GPS app on my phone that connects to my apple watch.  I will always laser the flag anytime I can.  I use GPS as complimentary to give me a general idea of distances as well as figuring out distances to areas that are difficult to laser.

[North Butte]

I played in some wind the other day so gusty and hard to figure out, I'd have been better off consulting a random number generator instead of my rangefinder. 118? No wait, how about 152? Maybe 124? No, it's 90-something...

[TourSpoon]

I’m going to try the Bushnell app. I just downloaded it and will give it a try. It’s free and looks pretty good. 

[sfleming]

my style has become to use the GPS all the time. If the course has pin sheets I'll use them, if no pin sheets, I'll bust out the Rangefinder

[Flyers99]

I have both but would say I use the rangefinder 90% of the time. I typically play courses I am familiar with. My GPS is an older Garmin handheld that shows the entire hole. This is useful in newer courses to see the layout and distances. Typically I’ll fire up the GPS in case I have a blind shot or something during the round. 

[bobmcbobson]

I have both, but find myself using the GPS more frequently and the laser less so. I like the laser on larger greens where there is a big difference on the front/mid/back yardages, but I'm at the point if I lost my rangefinder or it stopped working, I probably wouldn't replace it.

 

That said, after coming up short twice in a row on the same hole at my new course, I used the laser to confirm that the GPS yardage is wrong, so it's nice to have the ability to check the GPS data.

[North Butte]

On 6/22/2023 at 11:51 AM, bobmcbobson said:

That said, after coming up short twice in a row on the same hole at my new course, I used the laser to confirm that the GPS yardage is wrong, so it's nice to have the ability to check the GPS data.

It's the reason after a decade of trying two SkyCaddie, one Garmin and one Callaway handhelds, plus a couple GPS watches and several iPhone apps I quit even trying to use GPS about 5-6 years ago. I never knew whether a distance was one of the 90% that were within a couple yards or correct or one of the 10% that were wrong. 

 

When I stand in the fairway waiting on the green to clear and see the GPS change it's mind from 142 to 129 then back to 144 over a period of 2-3 minutes, without me actually moving an inch, I'm not in a state of mind to make a confident swing...

[sbjinx]

I just bought a new rangefinder but wondering if I should have bought a gps watch. I walk 99% so being able to just look at the yardage on the watch seems more convenient. I use the grint app to keep my score so I could just pull my phone and use the gps feature but I like the idea of just having something on my wrist. 

[tatertot]

Our course has really accurate GPS on carts ... But my favorite thing to do is follow the guy that drives right next to his ball, still shoots EVERY shot with his rangefinder, and doesn't get a ball airborne all day. Thats a good time.

[thaar]

On 7/9/2023 at 9:13 PM, tatertot said:

Our course has really accurate GPS on carts ... But my favorite thing to do is follow the guy that drives right next to his ball, still shoots EVERY shot with his rangefinder, and doesn't get a ball airborne all day. Thats a good time.

 

I'll never forget one of the men's club events we had where one portion of it was on the par 3, which nothing is over 130yds - this one member topped his tee shot on a hole no longer than 80yds, then proceeded to pull his rangefinder out for his next shot. I couldn't help but laugh in disbelief since he was probably close to a 20hcp.