GPS v Laser Rangefinder v Watch - Which Is Right For Your Game?

GPS v Laser Rangefinder v Watch - Which Is Right For Your Game?

Watch Joel Tadman demonstrate the benefits of each type of Bushnell device on the golf course

If you’re serious about improving your game and shooting lower scores, you’re going to need to invest in some sort of distance measuring device (DMD). They come in three main forms - a laser rangefinder, GPS watch or handheld GPS and they each offer something a little bit different to cater for the various needs golfers have. 

Assuming you know roughly how far you hit each club in your bag, a reliable DMD will not only enhance your strategy but will reward you for hitting good golf shots and help keep the big numbers off your scorecard. But given the choice available, it can be difficult to know which type of device best meets your demands in terms of features, ease of use and budget. 

Bushnell is undoubtedly one of the market leaders when it comes to DMDs. While it is a brand perhaps best known for its impressive laser rangefinders but it also makes highly competitive products in the other categories too. We’ve taken a deeper dive into each type of device Bushnell offers to help you understand what they offer and which one might be best for your golf game.

Laser Rangefinders

Laser rangefinders are usually the preferred option among better players because they provide exact distances to the flag and other points of interest in a speedy fashion. Bushnell is the number one brand out on tour with usage of a whopping 98 percent. The battery life is also much longer, so you don’t need to worry about charging them after every round and they usually come with a decent level of functionality to assist in different situations during the course of a round.

The best golf laser rangefinders come with Slope functionality, which takes into account changes in elevation to provide a more accurate yardage. This feature is not legal for competition use, however, so be sure to switch it off if you’re playing in a club medal, stableford or match. On the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Slim we tested, it’s easily done using a toggle on the side of the device. 

Related: 8 Ways To Use Your Laser Rangefinder

It's a highly practical device thanks to its PinSeeker with Visual Jolt technology - providing a vibration and visual element so you know when you have locked onto the pin. Additionally, a new enhanced slope algorithm on the Shift model takes into consideration the modern ball flight, so the distances you're seeing are even more accurate. Plus the speed at which the distance is displayed on the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift Slim is mind blowing - you're pre-shot routine is not slowed down in any way.

In general, laser rangefinders tend to be one of the more expensive types of distance measuring device but the speed and accuracy they provide is arguably well worth the investment if you’re serious about your game and play to a decent standard. That said, more precise distances could also benefit higher handicappers looking to increase their margin for error.

GPS Golf Watch

This type of distance measuring device is becoming increasingly popular among golfers of all abilities, mainly because of the added convenience they offer. All the information you’ll ever need is right there on your wrist to quickly glance at and the best golf watches are slim and lightweight, so you really don’t notice the fact that you’re wearing one and nor do they interfere with your swing in any way.

They provide different levels of features depending on how much money you are willing to invest but even the most basic, cost effective GPS watches will do enough to satisfy the needs of most abilities of player by providing front, middle and back distances, distances to hazards and lay ups and in the case of the Bushnell ION Edge we tested, the option to move the pin position on the green for a more precise yardage to the flag. It has easy-to-read front, middle and back distances and other useful features include a touch screen display, the ability to keep score and, of course, telling the time so you can wear it off the course if you want to!

For most golfers, a basic golf GPS watch will be enough to ascertain the distances you need to choose the appropriate club for the shot in hand while keeping the cost down so you can spend more heavily in other areas of your bag. But the Bushnell ION Edge provides the ideal blend of features and simplicity that will satisfy the needs of the majority of golfers.

GPS Handheld

A golf GPS device doesn’t need to be just worn on your wrist. It can be clipped to your bag or placed in your pocket and often, these types of device provide extra detail versus a GPS watch thanks to a larger screen. But there are some more basic handheld GPS devices that provide added convenience without skimping on functionality.

A compact, more entry-level GPS device like this Bushnell Phantom 2 is a great way of getting the distances you need on the course without breaking the bank. It provides the customary front, middle and back distances that are quick to update when you reach your ball and easy to read on the large display - distance made simple. But, you also get up to six hazard/layup distances per hole as well as the ability to cycle through the different pin locations and select to get a more precise distance to the flag.

The battery life on the Bushnell Phantom 2 it is 18 hours, so it will last for multiple round and you can even attach magnetically to a buggy frame so the screen is always there when you need it at eye level.