CATEGORIES
- Latest News
- Interviews
- Golf Travel
- Features
- Juniors
- Competition
- Events
- Health
- Equipment
- Fashion
- Archive
INFORMATION
CURRENT ISSUE
SUBSCRIPTIONS
CATEGORIES
INFORMATION
CURRENT ISSUE
SUBSCRIPTIONS
That’s always the big question when you’re playing a round of golf. You have a bag containing 14 clubs, hopefully you know how far you hit each club and so you want to know which the best club is to choose when hitting your next shot.
Gone are the days of wasting time running around looking for sprinkler heads or trying to remember whether the post with 2 rings around is 200m or 150m out. No need to refer to the card to see if the white flag means a front or back pin, and definitely no need to confer with your playing partners to get their take on the distance.
Thankfully, these days the rules of golf provide for the use of measuring devices.
Measuring devices are tools that tell you how far away you are from a target. Depending on the device you are using some will allow you to zoom in on any target e.g. the flag, a particular bunker or hazard, even the dreaded creek on the 4th hole at Brookwater Golf Club! They can also show overhead mapping of the hole, which is great if you are playing on an unfamiliar course. There’s nothing worse than hitting a perfect shot only to find you have landed in a body of sneaky water that you didn’t realise was there.
Measuring devices really provide a high level of confidence at address as they help confirm you have chosen the right club and enable you to commit to the shot. Meaning when you take out your 7 iron you can hit it pure rather than second guessing...do I hit it hard, or do I hit it soft? We need a commitment to the shot.
There are essentially 3 different types of devices - Range Finders, Watches and GPS units.
A Range Finder is a handheld device that measures distance to a specific target or hazard using a laser. There are a large number of options available and it’s important to understand what each option does to make sure it matches what you are looking for in a measuring device.
Convenience and speed are just two reasons why the majority of golfers choose Range Finders as they provide quick and accurate distances. It only takes a few seconds to zoom in on the flag and/or hazard to get concise numbers.
There are 4 major players in the measuring device market. Golf Buddy, Bushnell, Sureshot and Garmin and each of these brands offer a variety of units Range Finders, GPS, and watches.
Personally, I’m a big fan of Golf Buddy for 3 reasons, the price is cheaper than other brands, they are the only brand to offer a model which includes ‘voice’ (the distance is told to you) and they are THE ONLY brand to offer a 30-day money back guarantee. If you hate it bring it back no questions asked. Can’t be fairer than that. Obviously, this indicates that they back their product 100% which is really reassuring, and to date we have not had one unit returned.
Following are the tech details to help you decide which unit may suit you the best.
Golf Buddy Laser 1: Pin finder with vibration
The Golf Buddy Laser 1 is one of our most popular selling range finders for two distinct reasons- quality and performance as well as its affordable price. Quite often the common question is how easy are these devices to use? The laser 1 is the answer. Usability is friendly in the settings and easy to hold in the hand when measuring a distance. Not to mention the 30-day money back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the product.
Benefits: Excellent price range, a great warranty and clear optical display to the flag.
Golf Buddy V10- Pin Finder with slope and Voice
The
aim L10V, GOLFBUDDY’s most compact and sporty laser rangefinder. It’s also the only range finder on the market that has voice mode (where
the distance is read back to you after measurement is completed). This rangefinder is ideal for the customer who wants something super
light and accurate. It features a clear optical display that is fast in response time as it deliveries precise distances. Top it all off
with a great warranty and 30-day money back guarantee if it doesn’t suit your needs.
Simple audio distance measuring device.
Benefits: Voice display, great optical display, rapid response time on measuring distance, excellent warranty. One of the
best sellers instore.
Dan’s comment: My personal favourite to sell instore mainly due to knowing the customer is getting a great product and is being looked after by the manufacturer.
Sureshot Zoom- 6x Magnification on the Optical Display
The
Sureshot Zoom is an exclusive Drummond golf product provided by Sureshot. It features a
lightweight, water resistant body that is easy to hold and keep stable. The device also has a priority lock system that ignores background
images when measuring to a flag that may be hidden by trees etc. Another main feature to this product is its excellent price bracket.
Bushnell Pro XE
The
Bushnell Pro XE, in other words the father of all range finders. Its advanced technology features precise measuring distances over 500
yards, slope reading including weather elements. Easy to hold in the hand with the assisted stabiliser in the device. And, to assist you
with the task at hand, Bushnell have added in a visual jolt that allows you to feel and see when the device has locked in on your intended
target. To top it all off, Bushnell have provided a magnetic case that allows you to attach the rangefinder anywhere on the cart.
Bushnell V5 Shift Range Finder
V5 Shift is Bushnell’s current best-selling rangefinder in their options mainly due to price and performance. Features consistent accuracy to within one yard when measuring. Also features pin seeker with visual jolt technology and a fast focus system. The optical boasts 6x magnification that is brighter than the previous generation and improves visibility when measuring. Easy to hold in the hand and simple to navigate the settings. Yes, the Tour V5 shift could be your next measuring device. Tour V5 Features:
Range Finders require a steady hand to lock onto a target so if you think that’s not your thing then perhaps a GPS is more suitable to your game.
GPS units are pre mapped and use satellites to measure distance. Here’s how they work, you arrive at the course, turn your
GPS on and satellites pick up which hole you’re on, and the GPS unit displays how far away you are from the targets and hazards, some units
provide more information than others, so once again it’s important to know what features the unit contains to make sure it does everything
you require.
The main difference between a range finder and a GPS unit is that with a GPS you cannot lock on specific targets as the
courses are all pre mapped. Being pre-mapped the distance displayed can vary between brands and units so if you are looking for a precise
measurement, I would highly recommend choosing a range finder.
Bushnell Phantom 2
Enjoy the ease and convenience of getting GPS-provided distances around the course with the Phantom 2. It features large, easy-to-read front, centre and back distances, an integrated BITE magnetic mount and Green View with movable pin placement. Also features the ability to connect the device to the Bushnell mobile app that gives the option of scoring and course mapping. Receive up to 6 hazards and layup distances per hole. It also features an excellent battery life. Why wouldn’t you add this to your bag?
Golf Buddy Aim V10
The aim V10 by GOLFBUDDY is the most advanced and simple talking golf GPS to date.
The new voice GPS now offers Bluetooth for wireless Automatic Course Updates (ACU), and the ability to cast your yardages to any Bluetooth
enabled smart device. With improved features like a larger 1.2” LCD display and longer 16-hour battery life on Golf Mode, the aim V10 is a
must-have for the avid golfer looking for an easy-to-use talking golf GPS. Not to mention its attractive price point.
Watches are similar to the GPS units except they are worn on your wrist rather than being handheld. They are also pre mapped but have the convenience of being attached to you, so you don’t need to go fossicking in your bag to locate the unit.
Golf Buddy Aim W10
The aim W10 is GOLFBUDDY’s most advanced smart golf GPS watch with features that include a full-colour touch screen display, green
undulation and slope-adjusted distance readings to give the golfer better real-life views and more control around the course. Along with a
13-hour battery life in Golf Mode, convenient digital scorecard, and its new zoon in/out functions around the green, as well as preloaded
with 40,000 courses worldwide with free updates, the aim W10 is hard to beat.
Dan’s comment: “My favourite watch to sell to customers because of the 2-year warranty and quality of the product. The golf buddy connects to the most satellites worldwide which makes the intime delivery speed of the device exceptional”
Sureshot Axis GPS Watch
Featuring a sleek black design with brushed metal buttons and a flexible silicone band, you can wear this watch as an everyday timepiece or a wrist-worn GPS device. The glass face is scratch and water-resistant. But the most impressive features are what lies within. Choose from over 38,000 worldwide golf courses and receive accurate GPS measurements. Keep score with the in-built scorecard (which helps you track your round with Stroke & Stableford scoring). Comfort and usability for this device is the standout for me. With its great screen display and easy to use settings, the Sureshot watch is a sure thing.
Bushnell Ion Edge GPS Watch
This comfortable, low profile golf GPS watch is extremely easy to use right out of the box. ION EDGE features a touchscreen and Green View with movable pin placement, as well as long battery life and many other clever features including; front, centre and back readings for 38,000 golf courses preloaded worldwide. Bonus points for its sleek, fashionable finish that fits for everyday living.
Garmin S62 GPS watch
The Garmin S62. Also known as the bees knees. Everything you need in a watch and more. With preloaded golf course mapping, accurate distances, normal lifestyle living and health tracking. The new S62 features a bigger screen display and customisable faces. Preloaded with over 41,000 golf courses worldwide instantly to your wrist, makes usability super easy. The S62 also features the ability to connect your mobile device to receive notifications right to your wrist and it has an impressive 20-hour battery life. Is it worth the investment? Most definitely.
Whichever measuring device you choose you can be sure your game will improve exponentially. Happy golfing!
Article courtesy of Naomi McIntosh from Drummond Golf, Underwood (Qld) https://www.drummondgolf.com.au
