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Golf Monthly Verdict

'NO-NONSENSE DATA' Unit price: £159 Download costs: None Key technology: The smallest GPS on  the market at only 43mm x 43mm x 11mm.  The Voice gives distances to the front,  middle and back of greens. The device  can read these distances out in order to  help speed up the distance-finding process. The unit is lightweight and can be clipped  on to the peak of a hat if desired. The easiest GPS to use on the market and the most compact. There's no set-up required, you simply turn the unit on, and information is immediate. But... basic information will leave a lot of golfers wanting more, particularly those who don't stick to playing one course. GM verdict (Alex Narey - 12 Handicap. Curret DMD: Nikon Laser 350G): The Voice is so compact that it can be carried in a pocket or clipped on to a hat without causing any distractions. It couldn't be easier to set the device up and get it ready for play. You simply charge it up and turn it on when you get to the course - the unit will recognise where you are. Yardages are displayed on screen and are called out at the press of a button. However, the very basic information provided won't satisfy some golfers. Value: 13/15 Ease of use: 15/15 Information: 8/15 Accuracy: 12/15 Set-up: 10/10 Ergonomics: 9/10 Performance: 16/20 Total: 83/100

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By Alex Narey

published 5 September 2012

As a relative newcomer to golf, the distance measuring device (DMD) has developed at a rapid pace. The information has become more accurate, devices are easier to use and the good news is, they're also becoming more affordable. With this in mind, we tested 12 models that have been launched since our 2011 test. Not only have top-end models improved the quality of maps and the amount of information on offer, but there has also been an influx of stripped-back versions that are easy to use and provide basic information.

The major laser brands have also refined their products to make them easier to use. All this means there are more options out there than ever before, with products designed to meet the needs of different golfers. In this test, we aim to help refine your search and identify the best products on the market.

Venue:

The Golf Monthly staff conducted the test at the beautiful Liphook Golf Club in Hampshire, number 79 in the Golf Monthly Top 100 list. It was a course that the vast majority of testers had never played before and features a number of blind shots, as well as holes that require a club other than driver from the tee. The course offered the perfect opportunity to test each device to its fullest.

Test criteria:

To begin with, the test team went through the set-up process for every device to compare how easy it was to get the unit ready for play. Each member of the team then tried out two units on the course. The test team's handicaps varied from five to 24, and ranged from long-time DMD users to those who had never used one before. This helped us to test the suitability of a unit for different golfers. After the round, the team compared the features and benefits of each model and awarded points for the following:

Value: The initial price and download costs comparative to the quality of the unit.

Set-up: How easy the unit is to set up initially and download courses on to.

Ease of use: How easy it is to read yardages, as well as use any other additional features.

Information: The quality and quantity of information provided on the unit.

Ergonomics: How the unit feels in the hand, the button design and the bag clip.

Accuracy: How the yardage readings compare with other units, yardage markers and course guides.

Performance: An overall rating including how robust the unit is, the battery life, the clarity of the screen and how the unit attached to a golf bag.

Alex began his journalism career in regional newspapers in 2001 and moved to the Press Association four years later. He spent three years working at Dennis Publishing before first joining Golf Monthly, where he was on the staff from 2008 to 2015 as the brand's managing editor, overseeing the day-to-day running of our award-winning magazine while also contributing across various digital platforms. A specialist in news and feature content, he has interviewed many of the world's top golfers and returns to Golf Monthly after a three-year stint working on the Daily Telegraph's sports desk. His current role is diverse as he undertakes a number of duties, from managing creative solutions campaigns in both digital and print to writing long-form features for the magazine. Alex has enjoyed a life-long passion for golf and currently plays to a handicap of 13 at Tylney Park Golf Club in Hampshire.

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