Sinking that hole-in-one can be a difficult task for even the most advanced golfers, especially if you don’t know the exact distances to each flag. But luckily, modern technology has come to the rescue with some amazing golf rangefinders.
In this article, I’ll be reviewing five of the best golf rangefinders available on the market so you can make an informed decision about what will help improve your game and give you more accuracy with your distances.
5 Best Golf Rangefinders
Best Overall – Garmin Approach Z82
Garmin Approach Z82
Are you tired of guessing the distance to the flag? Look no further than the Garmin Approach Z82 laser rangefinder with GPS! Get the most accurate reading on the market within a 10-inch range of the flag. Plus, with over 41,000 preloaded courses, you’ll be prepared for any course you play. Say goodbye to guessing and hello to precision!
Product Pros
Product Cons
The Garmin Approach Z82 is a great rangefinder for golfers looking to improve their game. With the ability to see up to 450 yards away and pin-positioning accuracy within 10 inches, it can help you stay in control of every hole.
It also offers hole layouts for more than 41,000 courses worldwide, so you’ll always have detailed information on each course you play.
Plus, by utilizing the Hazard View feature, you’ll be able to understand what hazards you might be facing and the distances to each.
One feature that I really love about the Garmin Approach Z82 is that you’ll receive green contour data. Instead of guessing where on the green you need to aim, you’ll have all the information needed to end up below the hole.
When all is said and done, the Garmin Approach Z82’s features make it a great all-around companion on any golf course.
Best Durable Rangefinder – Bushnell Pro X3
Bushnell Pro X3
Get ready to amp up your golf game with the latest and greatest technology – the Bushnell Pro X3. This laser golf rangefinder is a true game-changer, boasting a range of impressive features that’ll make your rounds smoother and more successful than ever before. Trust us, this isn’t your average rangefinder – it’s the ultimate tool for serious golfers who demand the best. Step up your golf game with the Bushnell Pro X3 – your game (and your scorecard) will thank you.
Product Pros
Product Cons
Some describe the Bushnell Pro X3 rangefinder as the Rolls-Royce of golf rangefinders. After testing it for a weekend, I can see what all the hype is about. It’s the priciest Bushnell rangefinder but also has the most features.
To start things off, let’s talk about its JOLT technology. As soon as you lock into your target, you’ll see a bright red circle appears and the unit will start vibrating. This gives you peace of mind knowing that your distance is set.
Next is its Slope Technology. This gives you accurate readings no matter your position on the course. Plus, it’ll also factor in the outside temperature and barometric pressure to give you the most accurate distance possible.
Then there’s the BITE magnetic mount that allows you to easily mount the rangefinder to any bar on your golf cart.
All those features and we haven’t even got to its long battery life, rugged construction, or the Bushnell golf app. All of these make it not just a good option but also an incredibly durable one.
With so much versatility and dependability at hand, there’s no doubt that the Bushnell Pro X3 is one of the best rangefinders available today.
Best Budget Golf Rangefinder – Callaway 300 Pro Rangefinder
Callaway 300 Pro Rangefinder
Say hello to the Callaway 300 Pro Laser Rangefinder! It’s everything you need to get accurate measurements and hit nothing but net- or rather, green. But wait, there’s more! This golf rangefinder is now even lighter and more compact and has a new feature called P.A.T with Pulse Technology™. What does that mean? Basically, it’ll give you a little vibrating nudge to confirm when you’ve got the pin in your sights. No more guessing- just line up and take your shot with confidence.
Product Pros
Product Cons
If you’re in the market for a top-notch rangefinder, you can’t go wrong with the Callaway 300 Pro.
It’s jam-packed with features like 6x magnification with fast focus and sharper optics, precise distances (+/- 1 yard) up to 1,000 yards, and slope technology to get the precise angles of any course.
Plus it’s simple to use, with one-touch scanning that lets you measure different targets quickly.
On top of all this, it’s constructed from durable materials and designed for portability.
The Callaway 300 Pro Rangefinder is guaranteed to take your golf game to the next level – so add it to your gear today!
Best Golf Rangefinder for Casual Golfers – Precision Pro NX10
Precision Pro NX10
Say hello to the Precision Pro NX10, the ultimate golf companion that’ll help you lower your score and increase your fun on the course! This rangefinder is the perfect blend of premium quality and unbeatable performance, with lightning-fast internals and an HD LCD display that’ll make it effortless to pinpoint your target and get the exact distance. Best of all, the NX10 is completely customizable so you can make it your own and play with style. So what are you waiting for?
Product Pros
Product Cons
Next up and one of the best golf rangefinders for slope is the Precision Pro NX10.
It has plenty of features to benefit every aspect of your game, such as pinpoint accuracy within 1 yard, vibration technology, and a 6x magnification scope.
In addition, it provides a clear picture due to its HD optics, giving you confidence in each shot.
What I loved the most about this rangefinder is its adaptive slope technology. No matter if I was hitting from a severe downslope or upslope, the Precision Pro NX10 would give me an exact distance based on the slope change.
All in all, the Precision Pro NX10 is an impressive rangefinder that can certainly help you reach your full golfing potential.
Best for Slope Mode – Bushnell Tour V5 Shift
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift
Get ready to take your golf game to the next level with the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift! This baby has it all; a PinSeeker that comes with Visual JOLT, a BITE Magnetic Mount, and exceptional brightness and clarity. What’s more, it boasts unparalleled slope compensation, which is guaranteed to improve how you play. With such a combination of features, don’t be surprised if you find yourself hitting shots that go more accurately than ever before!
Product Pros
Product Cons
The Bushnell Tour V5 Shift rangefinder is a great rangefinder for any golfer looking to understand how slope is going to affect their distances.
With its Slope-Switch technology and PinSeeker mode, the V5 Shift allows golfers to adjust their plays based on the playing conditions in order to get a more accurate reading.
Plus, for those of you who play in tournaments, the Bushnell V5 Shift allows you to turn off the slope technology when it’s not allowed in tournament play.
It also features an ergonomic design that fits easily into the hand and includes a high quality LCD display that offers great visibility in all lighting conditions.
All these benefits make the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift an invaluable asset for serious golfers who are looking to precisely measure their shots with exceptional accuracy.
Methodology
To be able to find the best golf rangefinder, I compared more than a dozen different products. I’ve compared the features and price of each to better understand how each golf rangefinder is going to benefit your game.
How to Choose the Best Golf Rangefinder
As you start looking to purchase a golf rangefinder, it’s going to be easy to get overwhelmed. The rangefinder market is large. There are quite a few models available and several from each brand. Luckily, I’ve dug into quite a few of them to help narrow down the options.
As I was researching the different golf rangefinders, there were a few important things that I looked at. Below I’ve described each in a little more detail.
Accuracy
By far, the most important thing for me was to locate the most accurate rangefinder. Accurate distances for a rangefinder are crucial. Rangefinders aren’t going to provide much value to your game if you’re not receiving the correct distance to the flag or hazard.
When I was testing each laser rangefinder, I wanted to see the accuracy within one yard of the actual distance. If you’re off by more than that, it could be the difference between making a bogie or a birdie.
Slope Feature
Having a golf rangefinder that gives you accurate distances on level shots is great, but being able to accurately measure uphill and downhill shots is just as important.
Golf rangefinders that come with a slope mode will be able to incorporate the elevation change from ball to pin and factor that into the total distance of a shot. As a beginner golfer just learning how far you hit each club, this can significantly help you hit your golf ball the perfect distance.
However, it’s also important to know that a golf rangefinder with a slope feature is going to costs a little more than a model without the feature.
Battery Life
Personally, the battery life for any piece of technology is one of the most important features I look at. Having something die in the middle of using it can be frustrating.
Most of the best laser rangefinders use lithium ion batteries. These can be charged easily with a cord. However, there are some models that use CR-2 batteries. Some of these can be recharged, but the rest will just need to be replaced. Amazon sells them for a reasonable price so you can just keep a couple of spares in your golf bag.
Durability
If you have a tendency to be rough with things, having a laser rangefinder that’s durable is going to be important.
As I tested different rangefinders, there were a couple that I could tell were made from cheap materials. Those didn’t make it on my list.
When looking at different models, make sure it comes with a carrying case. That way you can do your best to make sure it doesn’t get damaged.
Display
When looking through the sight of your golf rangefinder, there are several things you want to see. You want the optics to be as clear as possible. Make sure the magnification is at least 5x. Some of the higher end models are even higher than this.
The ideal golf rangefinder is going to give you all the information you need. For example, the Garmin Approach Z82 allows you to scroll through and see information like the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green. You’ll also receive green contour data, which will help you understand where on the green you’ll want to aim.
Range of Golf GPS
At a certain distance, golf rangefinders are going to become a little less accurate. The goal when picking the best rangefinder is to find one that has the longest range possible. Several of the laser rangefinders on this list have a range of further than you’ll ever be able to hit. As an example, the Bushnell Tour V5 Shift will give you an accurate distance of up to 1,300 yards.
Alternatives to the Best Golf Rangefinders
If carrying around a golf rangefinder isn’t really something you want to do, there are some alternatives. The first is a golf GPS watch. Think of this like an Apple watch except it provides you with distances to the front, middle, and back of the green.
Another option would be a golf GPS device. This is a little different than the traditional rangefinder. They’re small enough that they can fit in your pocket and they also come with a much lower price tag.
The Bottom Line on the Best Golf Rangefinders for 2024
Golf rangefinders can be a game-changer and make golfing a much more enjoyable experience. Whether you’re an experienced golf player or just getting into the sport, having one of these high-grade rangefinders by your side can be a great asset to have.
Sean’s parents first put a golf club in his hands at the age of 8. He immediately fell in love with the game of golf. Today he’s passing on that love to his own kids.
