When it comes to finding the best golf products, every golfer needs a little guidance. Don’t sweat it, we got you covered! For our new Best of Everything series, we’ve canvassed the golf accessories, apparel and game-improvement space to identify the very best stuff for your game. Think of us as your personal shopping assistant.
BEST GOLF RANGEFINDERS
The days of spending precious minutes crisscrossing the course in search of a yardage marker are a thing of the past. For a majority of golfers, the rangefinder has become as commonplace as a lob wedge and can eliminate most of the guesswork when it comes to pulling the correct club. What’s changed over the last decade is the size of the device, accuracy and game-enhancing technology packed inside something that’s about the size of your hand. For about the price of a fairway wood or putter — or driver if you decide to splurge for the extra features — you can own a device that consistently locks onto the target and picks up objects 400 yards away.
And if you’re into something smaller than a point-and-shoot rangefinder, there are myriad of options at your fingertips, from wearable GPS technology to apps that can be pulled up on your phone. Some devices even go so far as to calculate changes in elevation, temperature and barometric pressure (known as the slope-measuring function) to give you a perfect number to the hole. It’s like having a meteorologist and mathematician in your golf bag.
Is a rangefinder with slope functionality necessary? It really depends on the courses you’re playing. If you live in Denver, the functionality would be beneficial versus golfers who spend most of their time teeing it up in, say, Lubbock, Tex.
With so many rangefinder options on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. To help narrow down your search, here’s a list of seven leading players in the rangefinder market, along with a fly-by look at what they offer.
Best rangefinder for value
Bushnell Phantom Golf GPS
When it comes to getting the number to the hole, the Phantom Golf GPS is an ideal no-frills option that’s easy to use and doesn’t require a manual. The bite-sized wearable device offers yardages to the front, center and back, as well as four hazard distances per hole. The built-in Bluetooth allow for wireless updates during the round, and with 36,000 preloaded courses, there’s a good chance his favorite spots made the list. With auto course recognition and hole advance functions, the device is good to go when you step on the first tee. For those who ride in a cart, the integrated Bite magnetic mount attaches to any metal surface. And if you’d rather keep it close by, there’s a clip holder to attach to your belt.
$130
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Best golf rangefinder for techies
GolfLogix
Ed. note: GolfLogix and GOLF.com are affiliates of 8AM Golf.
Recognizing not every golfer wants a point-and-shoot rangefinder, GolfLogix offers an alternative for the golfer who adores their phone. The app offers technology that would make most professional caddies jealous, starting with new three-dimensional green maps that reveal virtually every contour line on the green, elevation changes from ball to cup and how the putt will break. Every shot and distance can also be tracked during the round along with exact distances to hazards and layup locations. Need a better idea of how the ball will react once it hits the green? The app’s approach view gives you a blueprint for how to attack each hole via a detailed contour map. Oh yeah, there’s also a digital scorecard so you don’t have to worry about keeping tabs on the pencil.
$10 per month / $50 for 1 year
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