I Use This Superb Rangefinder On The Golf Course And It's Now Available At A Great Price
The Garmin Approach Z82 is my favourite Rangefinder as it combines laser technology with some of the best features of a GPS Golf Watch
Laser Rangefinder vs GPS Golf Watch is a debate golfers have been having ever since tech became such an important part of our wonderful game. Some golfers swear by the precision distance number you get with a laser rangefinder, while others like the wealth of features and functionality you get with the best golf watches.
The Garmin Approach Z82 Laser Rangefinder combines the best of both worlds as it also boasts GPS capability and a whole host of cool functions. I'm more of a watch guy and you'll find a Garmin Approach S62 on my wrist any time I'm on the course, but I also carry a rangefinder for those times when I need an exact number and not just a "front, middle or back".
The rangefinder I use is the Z82 and I love it, as did our Technical Editor, Joel Tadman, when he tested it and gave it five stars. The Z82 was six hundred quid when it first hit the market and is down to five hundred with most retailers currently, but I've found this great deal at Scottsdale Golf and, with Christmas coming up, I had to share it with you.
Garmin Approach Z2 GPS Golf Watch | 20% off at Scottsdale Golf
Was £599.99 Now £479.99
You certainly get what you pay for with this feature-packed laser rangefinder. The full hole map is a unique feature that stands out from anything else currently on the market. Pricey as it is, the Garmin Z82 feels worth every penny out on course by seamlessly blending the best GPS and laser rangefinder functionality together.
Read our full Garmin Approach Z82 Laser Rangefinder Review
This device is perfect for golfers who prefer a rangefinder to a watch because you get many of the cool things a watch provides, as well as just the basic "point and shoot" functionality of a rangefinder.
The main advantage the Z82 has over most other rangefinders is that it does not just use laser technology, it has GPS as well. It actually boasts many of the features that the best Garmin golf watches have, including full hole maps and the ability to factor in wind and slope to the distances provided.
The basic purpose of a rangefinder is to zap the flag to see how far away it is plus, of course, you can also do the same thing to check distances to hazards. The Z82 does that too, but it's not really needed because the hole maps will display the distances to the front and back of all hazards.
Additionally, if you enter your usual driving distance it will show on the map where your drive is likely to land, which is a really useful feature (see below). The Z82 includes slope functionality and, if you link to the Garmin app, you will get access to live wind direction, which is really high-end stuff and is extremely useful when it comes to club selection.
My favourite feature on the Z82 is that when you lock onto the pin, if you look in the viewfinder at the overlaid hole map on the left, it displays just how far on the green it is (see image below), which can be extremely useful when you can't see that from where you are hitting the shot. Knowing how much room you have behind the hole before you run through the back can definitely help with club selection and save you shots.
Some may find it a little bulkier than they'd like but, personally, I much prefer a heavier device. Being lightweight is a big advantage for a stand bag as when you are carrying it around for 18 holes that extra weight will eventually become noticeable, but it is not really an advantage with a rangefinder. In fact, I'd say it's more of a hindrance.
I've tested some of the best budget rangefinders and a problem I often have is that with the more lightweight models my hands just aren't steady enough to get a good lock on the target and, sometimes, it takes me several attempts to get the correct number. The Z82 has a bit of weight to it which makes it much easier to hold steady and usually I only need one attempt to get my number.
Having used this device quite a bit over the last couple of years I can wholeheartedly recommend it. So, if you're looking to buy a gift for the golfer in your life this Christmas, or if you are golfer who just wants to treat themselves to something nice, the Garmin Approach Z82 should be high on any list.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
Dave is a distinctly average golfer with (fading) aspirations to be so much more than that. An avid collector of vintage Ping putters and the world's biggest Payne Stewart fan, in 2021 Dave turned his front garden into a giant putting green to work on the weakest area of his game. Progress has been slow but steady! In addition to his work reviewing golf gear and writing features for Golf Monthly and T3, Dave is the founder of the Bang Average Golf website.
Dave’s lowest round is a one over par 73 around Kirkby Valley Golf Club in 2018, which included a bogey on the 18th to ruin the one and only chance he’ll ever have of shooting an even par or better score. That errant tee shot on 18 does not still haunt him to this day though, in fact he hardly ever thinks about it. No, honestly, he doesn’t. Not at all. Never.
Dave splits most of his golf between Hurlston Hall Golf Club in Ormskirk, Lancs, and Berrington Hall Golf Club in St Helens and has a handicap that fluctuates between 9 and 12, largely depending on how poor his putting is.
Dave’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Wilson Staff Dynapower Titanium, 9.5°
3 wood: Cobra Speedzone, 15°
5 wood: Tour Edge Exotics 722, 18°
7 wood: Callaway Mavrik Max, 21°
Irons: Cobra Darkspeed, 6-PW
Wedges: Cleveland CBX ZipCore (graphite), 48°, 52°, 56°
Putter: Ping PLD Oslo 3
Ball: Wilson Staff Triad
-
Arron Oberholser Facts: 15 Things To Know About The PGA Tour-Winning Golf Channel Broadcaster
Arron Oberholser left his PGA Tour career behind to take up life as a Golf Channel broadcaster in 2013 – here are 15 things to know about him
By Mike Hall Published
-
LPGA Tour Announces 2025 Schedule
The 2025 LPGA Tour season will have two new events including a visit to Mexico, while the biennial International Crown returns
By Mike Hall Published
-
I'm A Golf Tech Nerd, And These 9 Garmin Deals Are Too Good To Ignore Before Black Friday
If you're looking to add some useful golf gadgets to your setup, a good place to start your search is at Garmin. Here are a few gadgets I'd recommend from the brand.
By Dan Parker Published
-
I Tested 6 Products From America’s Most In Demand Premium Apparel Brand - And They Seriously Impressed Me
Content director Mike Harris tests a range of garments and accessories from Turtleson - a brand making big waves in the US and UK apparel categories
By Mike Harris Published
-
Where Can I Buy the Garmin R50... and How Much Does It Cost?
We don't think its hyperbole to say that the Garmin R50 could be a complete game changer for the launch monitor and golf simulator markets, but where can we buy one and for how much?
By Conor Keenan Published
-
Rory McIlroy Wins Again, And I've Just Spotted His Golf Ball Is On Offer Ahead Of Black Friday
It's rare to see such premium golf balls on sale so this deal on Rory McIlroy's golf ball from PGA TOUR Superstore is hard to pass on.
By Conor Keenan Published
-
47 Amazing Early Black Friday Golf Deals At PGA TOUR Superstore
PGA TOUR Superstore has just revealed its November deals for Black Friday and there are plenty to consider, as you can see from this list of our favorites.
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
Act Fast! We've Found This Secret Deal Where You Can Get A Dozen Titleist Pro V1s For Under £40
Offers on Titleist Pro V1s can be hard to find but, here at Golf Monthly, we have managed to scout out this incredible deal where you can grab a dozen for under £40!
By Matt Cradock Published
-
We’ve Tested Over 30 Women’s Winter Golf Apparel Items And These Are Our 12 Favorites
Here's some of the best women's clothing to ensure enjoyable winter golf
By Alison Root Published
-
Christmas Has Come Early! Two Of 2024's Best Drivers Are At A Crazy Low Price!
Deals With up to 29% off these early Black Friday Cobra Darkspeed driver deals are worth grabbing fast
By Paul Brett Published