Have you ever stopped to think about how inaccurate it is to pace off your yardage to a golf hole? Without a proper pin placement sheet, you will never get an accurate number. However, there is technology on the market that is legal to use and can make finding the distance to the golf hole incredibly easy. Trust us; you should be using it! We have put together some of the best golf laser rangefinders on the market for you to consider purchasing. There is an option on this list for all player types and budgets.
Our List of the BEST Golf Rangefinders
- Callaway Golf Laser Rangefinder (Best Overall Golf Laser Rangefinder)
- Precision Pro NX7 Golf Rangefinder (Best Laser Golf Rangefinder For the Money)
- Bushnell Pro XE Laser Rangefinder (Best Premium Golf Rangefinder)
- Nikon Coolshot 20i GII Golf Laser Slope Rangefinder (Best Rangefinder With Slope)
- Bushnell Hybrid Rangefinder (Best Hybrid Rangefinder)
Best Overall Golf Laser Rangefinder 2021: Callaway Golf Laser Rangefinder
When choosing the best golf laser rangefinders, we try to keep in mind accuracy, magnification, pricing, and overall ease of use. For the value it is offered and the accurate numbers it provides, the Callaway Golf Laser Rangefinder stood out as the best overall choice on the market. Although this may not be the most technologically advanced rangefinder out there, it’s effortless to use and gives an accurate number time and time again.
Our favorite feature of the Callaway Golf Rangefinder is the Pin Acquisition Technology known as PAT. With the PAT, you can get yardage from more than 300 yards away and be notified when you are locked into the pin. The short vibrating burst will help you know you have locked into the proper yardage.
The Callaway Rangefinder features 6x magnification and extreme accuracy available in both yards and meters. In addition, you will notice that this model has both slope and non-slope versions so that it can be used in tournament play as well.
Pros
- Great value for the technology
- Can turn slope on and off
- Much more accurate than a golf GPS
Cons
- Not a rechargeable battery, will need to replace from time to time
Best Laser Golf Rangefinder For the Money: Precision Pro NX7 Golf Rangefinder, Laser Golf Range Finder
The Precision Pro Laser Rangefinder comes in both a slope and non-slope option. The non-slope version is a lower price than the slope version and makes a perfect entry-level model for those that need a new laser rangefinder. The Precision Pro NX7 has a 600-yard range capacity and a 6x magnification.
We love the size of the NX7 and how easy it is to fit in your golf bag or on your golf cart. Sometimes, holding these rangefinders in your hand can feel cumbersome, but with the Precision Pro NX7, it should not be an issue.
Another great benefit is getting a free lifetime battery replacement when you purchase this laser rangefinder. For those that play a lot of golf, this is a great feature.
Pros
- Water-resistant
- 2-year warranty
- Free batteries for life
- Available in a slope and non-slope version
Cons
- Not as accurate when trying to get yardages to hazards and other objects
Best Premium Golf Rangefinder: Bushnell Pro XE Laser Rangefinder
There is no questioning that Bushnell rangefinders are known as being some of the best golf rangefinders on the market. IF you are a serious competitor and find that the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift or the other models don’t offer enough technology for you, the Bushnell Pro XE is the perfect solution.
When it comes to premium technology and features, the Bushnell is as good as it gets. Although all of the best golf laser rangefinders require you to be accurate when pointing to the pin, the Bushnell XE does an incredible job of locking on to the pin as soon as possible and as accurately as possible.
In addition, this rangefinder has technology that is branded “slope with elements.” The Slope with Elements means that not only will you get a slope compensation, but you will also have information about the weather and how it is impacting your golf shot. Rain, humidity, wind, the Pro XE can help give you the most accurate yardage in golf.
Pros
- Much more accurate than a golf GPS
- One of the most advanced Bushnell options on the market
- Higher quality, water-resistant case to keep it in great condition for years to come
Cons
- High pricing
- A larger model that feels a bit big in your hands
Best Rangefinder With Slope: Nikon Coolshot 20i GII Golf Laser Slope Rangefinder
The Nikon name ranks among the top rangefinders on the market. In fact, for some people, choosing a rangefinder will come down to the Nikon or the Bushnell. If you are looking for a model that has slope technology and great ease of use, the Nikon Coolshot 20i is a perfect option to consider.
One of the things that stands out with the Nikon Coolshot is the ease of use. From as far away as 800 yards, golfers have no issues zeroing in on the target. With the slope technology, you won’t have to worry about the increase or decrease in elevation to the pin; the rangefinder will let you know exactly what to expect.
Pros
- Very clear optics with 6x magnification
- Slope compensation is quite accurate
- One of the best golf rangefinders for an unsteady hand
Cons
- The Nikon Coolshot 20i GII Is a bit larger in size than some of the other best golf rangefinders
Best Hybrid Rangefinder: Bushnell Hybrid Rangefinder
A golf laser rangefinder is not for everyone. If your hand is a bit shaky and you have a hard time zeroing in on a pin, the GPS Rangefinders could be a better choice. The problem with GPS is that you only get a distance to the front, middle, and back of the green. Laser rangefinders give golfers the exact distance to the pin.
Therefore a great solution is the Bushnell Hybrid Rangefinder that combines both the laser rangefinder and the GPS rangefinder. You will, without a doubt, be able to get accurate yardage with this two-in-one device. The Bushnell Hybrid Rangefinder has accuracy and ease of use as its top priorities.
Pros
- The first model to ever integrate laser and GPS technology
- Pinseeker with Jolt for easy narrowing in on a target
- Accurate to 1 yard even from 400 yards away
- It comes preloaded with 36,000 courses
Cons
- Expensive model because of the two technologies offered
What To Look For In The Best Golf Laser Rangefinders
Now that you have a better idea as to which rangefinders are the best on the market let’s look at some features that you should look for when you purchase the best laser rangefinders around.
Slope Compensation Technology
The slope is the amount of incline that a golf green will have. Hitting uphill and downhill shots are going to have an impact on the overall yardage. The rangefinder best suited for hilly golf courses will be an option that has the slope feature.
Many rangefinders have a slope switch function that allows golfers to change from slope to non-slope from time to time. However, the slope switch technology is something worth having in your next rangefinder.
Pin Seeking Features
All companies will call this something different, like jolt technology, visual jolt, scan mode, or PAT. The idea is that you will be notified by your rangefinder when you lock onto the pin. Ensuring you are locked onto the pin means that you can trust the yardage that the device gives you.
Some of the value rangefinder choices on the market will not have this pin-seeking technology or pin acquisition technology, so it could take you a little longer to get your actual number and ensure you are locked into the pin.
Tournament Legal
Not all of the best rangefinders on the market are going to be tournament legal. To be acceptable to use in tournament play, you must be able to turn the slope features on the laser rangefinder on and off. The slope feature is such great technology in providing accurate distances that you cannot use it in tournament play.
Price Range
There is quite a wide range in the prices of golf rangefinders. Models like the Bushnell Golf brands can sell for more than $400, and some of the best budget options on the market may be less than $100. It makes sense to purchase a top-of-the-line rangefinder if you spend a lot of time on the golf course. The best value rangefinder will certainly do the trick for an average person who plays just a few times a month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few questions that we are often asked about golf rangefinders and their value and pricing.
How Long Is The Battery Life of A Golf Rangefinder?
The battery life of something like the Precision Pro NX9 or a Bushnell Tour V5 should not concern you. These golf rangefinders are meant to last for months without needing to be replaced. Unlike GPS devices that you need to charge up after every round, the laser rangefinders tend to last for quite some time.
Why Is Slope Important In A Golf Rangefinder?
The slope will tell you how far uphill or downhill it is to get to the hole. Then the slope will calculate how much of a change in distance or yardage this will be for your next golf shot. Having slope is a great benefit when playing hilly golf courses or new to the game and don’t understand slopes just yet.
What Is Better A Golf Watch Or A Rangefinder?
Like a Bushnell Tour V5 or something similar, the laser rangefinder will give you exact yardage to the pin. When switching to a Garmin Approach Z82, you will get a yardage to the front, back and center. The golf rangefinder best known for giving the most accurate distances is the laser rangefinder. Most great players prefer the laser options.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, you feel as though you know a bit more about golf rangefinders and which are the best for your game. We love the Callaway Golf Laser Rangefinder for all of its impressive features and the ability to quickly and easily lock onto a pin. Overall the Callaway is also quite durable and will make it easier to maintain this product in great condition for years to come. We can say with absolute certainty that having a golf rangefinder is certainly better than not having one.
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