Golf Buddy have quickly become one of the most reliable brands in the golf accessories industry, making some of the best golf GPS devices. In this buying guide, we'll take you through a range of products from one of the best in the rangefinder and distance measuring devices game.
It's important to know what you want from a GPS device - convenience? A watch or a rangefinder? Simplicity or extra detail?
Whether you're looking for the best golf rangefinders or the best golf watches, GolfBuddy has you covered with lots of different options at various price points, which is why we created this guide on the best GolfBuddy rangefinders to help you narrow your search. Additionally, if you've always used a Bushnell, we have a guide on the best Bushnell golf rangefinders that might be more to your fancy. We also have guides on the best women's rangefinders, the best value golf watches and the best golf rangefinders with slope.
The Quick List
Features, ease of use and a price point you can't argue with, the value for money on the Laser Lite 2 is hard to beat.
Lacks wow factor, but the simplicity and reliability of the Laser 2S means it offers excellent value for money.
The Atom provides clear display, rapid and accurate measurements while fitting neatly into your pocket.
This unique device certainly challenges the status quo and there’s lots to like about both the user experience and the level of features for the price.
For those who prefer the smart watch, the Aim W12 is packed with user-friendly features to help guide you around the golf course.
The GolfBuddy aim W11 does everything required of a GPS watch to a very high standard. It is loaded with features that are accurate and fast loading.
Best GolfBuddy Rangefinders
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Top pick
GolfBuddy are targeting the more experienced golfer who wants the premium experience and performance of a high-end range finder without the lofty price tag. Replacing the original Laser Lite, the Laser Lite 2 weighs next to nothing and fits nicely in your hand - helped by the grip on both the top and bottom. It's super quick when shooting the flag, as we found out when testing it against the new Bushnell Tour V6 Shift rangefinder.
The display on the GolfBuddy is quite as bright and clear as the Bushnell, but it locked onto the pin easily and quickly, vibrating once it found it's target to confirm the yardage to the user - a nice touch of more higher end devices.
Accuracy was not a problem here either and the slope functionality on offer here, while a slower process than some of the best golf rangefinders with slope, was still very accurate. It comes with a Scan Mode too, that allows you to hold down the main button on the device and scan your surroundings to assess what lies before or behind the green.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Laser Lite 2 Rangefinder Review
Best value
The Laser 2S has upgraded on the older Laser 1S model by adding the 'Quick Grab' feature - a magnet on the side of the device that you can attach to the side of a buggy frame or anything else metallic. The S2 is a little boxy, but still fitted nicely into our hand during testing, whilst the slightly tacky texture to the darker section provide added grip for those with sweaty hands.
The 2S comes with three modes - standard, scan and pin - with easy access to each via a button on the top of the device. It'll give you a short but distinctive vibration once you've locked onto the flag while displaying that you're not shooting an object from behind the green by mistake.
In Scan mode, you can peruse the terrain that lies ahead for 10 seconds continuously and the distances will change depending on what gets in the way of the scope. We found this useful on elevated tee shots when determining the carries over bunker lips and also when trying to find out the distance to various trees on the far side of a dogleg.
Overall the Laser 2S is a simple slope laser rangefinder that may lack wow factor but is reliable and offers good value for money at $249.99.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Laser 2S Rangefinder review
Most compact
The Laser Atom impressively adds all the fancy features of a premium rangefinder into a small but compact device. The Atom is one of the smallest on this list and on the market, making it super easy to use and store, but the size doesn't take away from the performance.
This device can accurately shoot targets from up to 880 yards away while boasting a seriously impressive battery life. A fancy carry case comes as standard, too. It adds an extra element of class to your golf bag, being made of a luxurious ivory-colored textured leather and with shiny chrome, screw-style carabiner
Similarly to the Laser S2, the Atom comes with three different settings - scan mode, pin mode and compensation, which you can turn on and off. The bright LCD display is an upgrade on the S2 and vibrates once you successfully shoot the flag. As you can tell, we are big fans of this model.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Laser Atom Rangefinder Review
Best features
A unique and quirky rangefinder, GolfBuddy have certainly broken away from the standard mould of the traditional distance measuring device with the Aim Quantum.
Packed with features despite being relatively compact (albeit not as compact as the Atom), there's lots to like about the Aim Quantum. We loved the unique design and how it sat naturally and effortlessly in our hand, and it has the same three targeting modes as the Atom device including the useful scan mode that provides 10 seconds of continuous measurements as you scan across your target.
The Pin mode, does as it says, picks out the flag on a busy background, and will vibrate when it's locked on. The Slope function, which can be turned on and off, will deliver accurate readings that are compensated by slope.
Again, like the Atom, the Aim Quantum comes with a neat carry case that you can attach to your belt or bag. This is not an old-style battery powered rangefinder, and must be charged by a USB C cable. Once full of life, you'll get 5000 separate uses out of it, meaning it's great for battery life.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Aim Quantum Rangefinder Review
Best watch
Rangefinders aren't for everyone, and GolfBuddy know this. So they've introduced the Aim W12 to appeal to golfers of all abilities. User friendly and feature packed, the Aim W12 is everything you want from a smart watch, making it one of the best GPS golf watches on the market right now.
First introduced through the Aim W11 in 2021, GolfBuddy have made a number of nice updates to the W12. It's now slicker and more streamlined than the original model with a comfortable leather strap to match. If leather isn't your thing, it comes with a silicon strap as standard which might be better for players playing in warm conditions.
The touchscreen display is responsive and bright, with the watch only giving you yardages once you've arrived at the first tee (which we found a little disappointing). The watch does show detailed visual and a 2d flyover of each hole which helped us learn what to predict from our challenge ahead.
We found the maps and display graphics easy to read and use, and you can also measure shot distances with the watch too. It is a little more accurate than the W11 thanks to the new slope functionality that takes into account elevation changes when working out your distances, akin to some of the best rangefinders with slope. Overall, from a usability standpoint the experience was pretty much faultless. It was easy to navigate through different screens and it is IPX7 waterproof as well which is ideal.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Aim W12 Golf Watch Review
Easy to use
The W11, which can go up against the best Garmin watches, comes charged and ready to go out the box and, once we got going, we really enjoyed the performance on offer.
In contrast to the Aim W12, the W11 felt a little chunky (and looks chunky too). This is a minor inconvenience and we quickly got used to swinging with it on our wrist in testing. It does come with 40,000 course preloaded from all over the world and finds your location in an instant, which is a nice touch. Yardages were accurate and shot-saving, and one button on the side coupled with the touchscreen display means it's incredibly easy to use and navigate. We did find it ever so slightly laggy when swiping right and left though.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Aim W11 GPS Watch Review
How we test
At Golf Monthly we have a comprehensive testing procedure around DMDs (Distance Measurement Devices). This involves using devices out on the course, over several rounds to gauge basic performance and usability. We also use them in different conditions too because this helps us see how a model performs in changing sunlight, rain, wind and other variable conditions.
As the entire team are regular golfers, DMDs usually get a thorough testing and often get compared to one another side by side to test for things like accuracy, waterproofing, durability and other features. By testing the products properly, we can give honest feedback to you, and be as insightful as possible. The last thing worth mentioning in this section, is no manufacturer can buy a good review.
Laser v Watch v Handheld
So which of the three GPS devices should you go for? A watch will deliver convenient simplicity, whereas lasers can be more pinpoint accurate. GPS units have larger screens and offer more detail as well so it varies to what you want in a GPS device.
Also have a think about the factors below when making a decision;
Your routine
What us your usual routine when getting a yardage? Do you like to just have a quick look at your watch or get a rangefinder out of its case to zap the flag? Whatever you do, pick accordingly, and if you don't really know, weigh up if extra detail or less disruption are most important to you.
Your course
Does your course have a lot of blind shots, doglegs, or you play at unknown courses a lot? If so then it may be wise to go for a GPD unit which offer more hole information as opposed to a laser.
Battery power
Lasers, watches, and GPS devices all have slightly different battery power and have different charging needs as a result. Lasers for example run on powerful batteries that can be replaced every 6 months to a year, whereas watches and GPS units often require charging more often. Therefore the latter require more charging discipline so think about which routine you are more likely to adopt.
Features
If you’re looking for your standard front, middle and back GPS yardages then a budget golf rangefinder will do the trick, however there are some great GPS devices out there that offer much more. Some models give greater course detail
Alternatively, some devices which can go into much greater detail when providing yardages, course detail, hazard information and so on. A GPS device with a larger screen can be useful, and some also help track scores, shots and offer fitness features too, so think about how much functionality you want in your device.
Versatility
Speaking of off the golf course, when it comes to watches in particular, many brands make models that can be used on and off the golf course because of the range of features, and overall styling. A watch you can use anywhere heightens the value as well.
Budget
Finally we should mention budget. For lasers, GPS watches and GPS devices there are lots of brands that make models at different price points so have a think about how much you are willing to pay.
FAQs
Does GolfBuddy require a subscription?
In short, no. All GolfBuddy products have no download charges and no annual subscriptions. The brand itself also guarantees course and software updates which means the products are ready to use straight away.
Is GolfBuddy accurate?
From our testing GolfBuddy lasers and watches are very accurate. The Laser Lite 2, Laser 2S and Atom in particular are top models thanks to accuracy and overall performance. When you consider the range is up to 880 yards on these models, you can have peace of mind that you are getting the right number when out on the course.
For more buying on advice on golf tech, why not take a look at our guides on the best golf launch monitors, best golf simulator, or best golf gadgets.
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