GPS App or Rangefinder

Like yourself, being that I used to have a rangefinder and now didn’t, I was in the same spot. I recently tried out the Swing by Swing app. I played at my home course so I was actually familiar with a lot of the yardages so multiple times I found myself needing a yardage but having to go back and enter scores for a couple holes before I could get to the hole that I was actually on. Self-imposed frustration, but frustration nonetheless. Another downside to this is constantly having to have your phone on you, which of course leads to the inevitable reading of texts and notifications coming in and taking focus from the shot. I found out that Dick’s has put the Bushnell V4 Patriot Pack on sale for $250 so I made the purchase. So after having experience with both, I suggest going and grabbing you a new rangefinder.

I have used a Neo GPS device for several years. I like that it is a quick and easy reference tool that has long battery life. I also have a rangefinder for backup in case a course is lot loaded into the Neo database. Phone apps are good but drain your battery and the Neo is waterproof for those nasty days where I want to keep the phone in a zip bag.

Jason don't know if you've already tried it, but before you give up, my Leupold quit several years back. The pro (I got it at the pro shop) sent it back to Leupold asking if they could repair it. 10 days later they sent me a brand new one to replace the one that was at least 2 years old that stopped working. Excellent customer service from them on par with Titleist.

Yeah, I tried that. The only response I got back was that it could not be fixed, and since it was outside the warranty period they would only offer me 10% off a new one purchased direct from them. I appreciate the thought though.

I use the Swing U app on my phone. I have compared it to GPS units on course carts and hand held range finder units and it's all so close that since I always have my phone in the cart that I stick with that. I have yet to find a course that isn't loaded into it's database.

And it doesn't drain the battery that much, I mean it could if you leave it open for the entire round but I doubt anyone would be that foolish.

I tried swing u out this weekend... and it was an awesome experience. Using the phone app I had every distance I needed (to water or other hazard) and distance adjusted for slope/wind when I wanted it. I also used the interface with an Apple Watch which allowed me the front/back/middle distances and the ability to log score, putts, penalties, left/right/middle off the tee and sand strokes. I purchased the year subscription and its now logging my handicap. Which is nice since I don’t have a club membership and play about 6 different courses pretty regularly. Really digging it so far! #teamtitleistforlife!

I have a garmin s40 watch and it suits me fine you can hook it up to an app on your phone if you wish to for more info but the watch itself gives you all I need you an also move the pin on the green for more accurate distance it gives you all hazards on par 4/5’s also tells you how far you’ve hit each shot.......great battery life also.

Consumer grade GPS is simply not that accurate. It doesn't matter who makes it or what they advertise, it's just not. Not on a phone or a dedicated golf GPS device. If the phone can lock onto 3 satellites, it's accurate to within 10 meters. Dedicated golf GPS devices will claim within 3-4 yards under similar circumstances. Even if that's true, it's half a club. The only product with accurate yardages is the laser rangefinder +/- 1 yard.

Jon, agree laser is accurate unless you lock onto the wrong thing like a tree behind the green. Also not too helpful on those blind shots over hills or around doglegs. I carry both and my GPS is within a yard of what I scope with the laser. Usually the exact same yardage. I find i can play a lot faster relying mostly on the GPS and occasionally using the scope as needed. To each their own.

I’ve started gravitating back to a physical yardage book. There are several companies that print them for sale or you can sketch your own if you play the same courses every week. I like that I can take notes and find patterns on where I am either getting myself into trouble or where I need to try to land a ball for my next shot.

Bushnell rangefinder, no question, nothing compares. Get one that has the slope function as it makes a huge difference in what club to select. (In non competitive rounds of course) A gps can’t do that. Make the investment for your game.

I must say, when it comes to "Slope" technology, I don't get it. if someone can't figure out to add or subtract a club or two for uphill and downhill, they have no business being on a golf course. Not calling you out personally or the thousands of folks using it. It's legal in non-tournament play. I just see it being a bit like these new green-reading books the tour players are now using. Just one more thing taking the skill part out of the game. Sorry team, hopefully i am not ruffling too many feathers. Maybe i am not so keen on rangefinders because a can't ever hit an iron the same distance twice. Probably better off just honing a 150 yard shot and playing it for everything. I stink at golf. Cheers!

I love my Laser Range finder.
I have one that does not use slope...just give me a number and I'm good to go!
Check out www.leupold.com.
MADE IN THE USA!!!


Cheers,
Dr. K

I don’t take offense, but I hope you were being “cheeky” when saying “they have no business being on a golf course”. You yourself admit to using both a gps and rangefinder. Going by your own logic, you are also taking the skill part out of the game by using any type of device that measures distance for you. What does it matter if a device has a slope feature or not. I don’t think it’s diminishing the skill of playing golf by any means. You still have to hit the shot. It’s not always as easy as taking an extra/minus club or two. My home courses have huge elevation differences and the slope feature is a pretty big help on these courses. By the way Tiger, Phil, Peyton and Tom were all using laser rangefinders on Sunday. Tiger was using the Bushnell Pro XE. If it’s good enough for a 15 time major champ, it’s good enough for me. With respect!

Yes, I am a cheeky kind of guy and my statement was a bit harsh and for that I apologize. Sure, the days of pre-yardage books have long past us and much of the art of the game has been replaced by science therefore accepting the science and using it to our advantage is just how it is these days. Your strong push for Bushnell rangefinders with slope saying nothing compares was just a bit heavy therefore I am just suggesting there are other alternative perspectives on how the game can be played and what aides can be used based on everyone’s own individual needs. Great thing about this game is there are clubs, bags, shoes, balls, and aides designed to fit everyone’s own needs and preferences and who am I to say what works for me works for everyone. Let’s all get out there with whatever we can and enjoy our rounds of golf. Goodness knows we have recently found out how frustrating it is when this opportunity has been taken away. Swing away!

I agree with many comments above. I invested in the Bushnell Patriot V4 Shift and it is absolutely outstanding. It is extremely helpful to know exact distances to pin placements on greens when you don't have that information. I have found my game improving 5 strokes and I am about a 12 Handicap as well. Not having to "walkoff estimated distances" has changed how i play the game. I most likely won't look outside of Bushnell in the future with how much I enjoy this range finder

Jgun, did you ask Leupold about your device, Ive had nothing but success with them repairing mine (they sent a new one back)? Finding rangefinders are better for courses that you already know. Not an app, but the Skycaddie is the best GPS right now.. Plus you can keep stats and SCORE since courses are not giving scorecards due to the "Rona!

I have a Bushnell rangefinder but recently have been using a gps app (Golfshot) on my Apple Watch. Works great, I usually laser par 3’s just to double check or if the yardage doesn’t look right I’ll double check but aside from that the app is a little less time consuming having to take it out on second or third shots.

Yes I did... went on-line, filled out the form and shipped it back to them. 3 weeks later I got an e-mail back stating it could not be repaired (did not say what specifically was broken) and that I had two choices: 1 they keep the unit and give me 10% off or they send it back and I’m on my own. It was a solid unit up unti then (GX-4i2) and was still cosmetically perfect. I thought I might find a local camera shop of something similar that would take a crack at it so I had it returned to me. Alas, I am yet to find any takers for this service request. I got on a few different message boards and seem to understand that Leupold made some changes to their customer service... needless to say, those boards weren’t kind to the current customer service strategy. That said, I assumed I fell victim to this shift. My father always told me that if you buy the best... you’ll never be disappointed. That’s why I’m a Titleist guy. That’s why I thought I was a Leupold guy... but maybe not.

Now if I can only get my T100’s ordered at the end of April... damn you COVID! come on Titleist, I’m counting on you to lift my spirits :-)

I use both, an "old" S5 Garmin watch and just recently bought a range finder.
Both are useful, but need to charge the watch every second round, and I sometimes forget it ;-)

I would go with the Bushnell rangefinder. Have had mine for 7 years now.

I have been using a GPS watch for years now. You can adjust the pin position on the flag, and it is great for distance to the front of, and to carry hazards.

I’ve been looking at the bushnell v5 slope but the sky caddie sx500 gets a great review too
Too many decisions now a days. ️‍♂️️