How Does a Golf Rangefinder Work? Must-Read for Golf Lovers! • On The Golf Green

This is an obvious question for most amateur golfers. How does a Golf Rangefinder Work? I am a huge golfing aficionado, no doubt about that! Funny enough, I wasn’t always an avid golfer until a friend of mine introduced me to it.

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He offered a seductive explanation, and I was immediately charmed.

How Does a Golf Rangefinder Work? Must-Read for Golf Lovers!

On my first day, my friends’ cheered me on as I moved to take my first swing. I grabbed my new golf club, swiftly assumed the right posture, and then swung my club like it was my only chance for survival.

You guessed right; I topped the ball! Today, I am an expert thanks to my dedication.

How does a Golf Rangefinder Work?

Back to golf rangefinders!

These are gadgets used to calculate the distance between the golfer and the hole, or any other point within the golf course, for that matter. They come in three technologies, namely, Laser, GPS, and Optical.

All these three technologies (Laser, GPS, and Optical) come with an array of benefits and disadvantages. However, we shall delve into the pros and cons later.

For now, I will walk you through the steps and the tricks necessary for harnessing optimum results with a rangefinder.

Tricks to getting the best off your rangefinder

Before buying a rangefinder, ensure you check the range, magnification and increment. Additionally, consider picking the option which offers different magnification degrees for a more unobstructed view of the target.
While using a golf rangefinder, standing outside the tee box works the magic. Doing this offers a more unobstructed view of the target and the entire golf course.
Focusing at a specific spot on the golf course, then immediately discarding it before taking a swing also works miracles. As a beginner, this is an ideal trick to up your game. Of course, you’ve got to keep your eyes comfortable by adjusting the eye hole.
Golfing and neatness go hand in hand. Keeping a rangefinder clean is standard practice for professionals and learners. Before placing it back to the carrying case, clean the lens and the eye hole.
If you’re using a laser or digital rangefinder, carrying an extra battery would guarantee an uninterrupted golfing.

How does a laser golf rangefinder work?

What is a laser golf rangefinder? Well, these are unique rangefinders which employ an advanced laser beam technology in determining distances.

How do they work? Initially, the user projects a laser beam towards the target. Then, the target reflects the laser beam to the device.

As a result, the duration taken to get the beam back to the rangefinder helps in calculating the distance.

Even as the technology rapidly gains popularity among golfers, it faces a plethora of challenges. For instance, determining a slope isn’t a walk in the park.

However, some advanced laser rangefinders come with a built-in “inclinometer” which helps in calculating the slope within the target area.

Some laser rangefinders may also focus on background objects which gives inaccurate data.

To solve this, most advanced brands feature a “Pin seeker,” which helps in focusing at the pin and disregarding background objects, thus giving accurate data.

Briefly, this is how the laser rangefinder works:

Pin the specific target
Aim the rangefinder at the identified target
Immediately the target comes to view, pull the trigger then release the laser beam
Check the calculated distance on the screen
In case of any error, steady the device and repeat the process

How about when you’re using a laser rangefinder on a hilly surface?

Basically, the dynamics change when you’re playing on hilly grounds. In this case, you have to take note of a few aspects. For instance, you’ve got to take note of the tilt angles and the maximum range.

With the tilt angles, you get the accurate location of an object resulting from the difference in elevation.

One drawback, the ranger calculates the horizontal distance and not the actual terrain distance down the slope.

Normally, this distance turns out shorter than the actual ground distance.

How about when you are targeting a flag from a hill using a laser rangefinder?

In this case, you need to identify a larger object close to the flag and aim at it.
Keeping the rangefinder steady, zoom in on the flag
Choose the horizontal distance to the edge of the larger object
Then aim at the distance between you and the target (flag).

Laser rangefinders offer a bunch of benefits which make them popular among golfers. For instance, most of these devices boast a wide magnification of up to X5. With a 5X magnification, you get a clearer and better view of your target.

Perhaps, the biggest advantage of laser rangefinders is the fact that they offer an accurate determination of the distance on any point within the golf course.

Additionally, you also wouldn’t need to download maps like it’s the case with GPS rangefinders.

Compared to their GPS counterparts, laser rangefinders offer more accurate data. They also tend to cost more than the GPS options, perhaps because they’re more accurate.

However, this doesn’t mean GPS rangefinders are, in any way, less reliable.

How does an optical golf rangefinder work?

Optical golf rangefinders must pop up when answering the question; How does a Golf Rangefinder Work?

Being one of the three options previously discussed; Optical golf rangefinders offer accurate measuring of distances in the gold course.

These are monocular gadgets equipped with built-in scales. They pick the pin height in the eyepiece then convert it to distance using already pre-loaded scales.

Besides the low initial cost, these gadgets require no batteries, subscriptions or course downloads. That’s because they convert the size of objects to distances using pre-loaded scales.

They are the most economical option, although they also offer a slightly inaccurate measurement.

Of the three options, they are the most affordable and least accurate. Besides golfers, optical rangefinders also work perfectly for hunters.

Basically, this is how optical rangefinders work:

Using one eye, focus on the target to capture the distance thanks to the built-in pre-loaded scale.
The instrument gauges the height of the pin then changes it to distance on the pre-loaded scale.
To zoom in, use the focus button to bring the objects closer
A focusing knob uses the built-in scale to gauge an approximation of the distance

These devices employ the following principles:

Triangulation

Optical golf rangefinders use the concept of parallax, which is a form of triangulation. It comes with two lenses placed at the opposite sides of the rangefinder. These two lenses focus on the same target.

The focusing knob then superimposes the two images from the two lenses on each other. The knob comes with calibrations which convert these readings to a distance.

Focusing

The accuracy of your image highly depends on how careful you focus on the target. For that reason, carefully point the device at the pin and stay steady throughout.

Pros

Besides being versatile, optical rangefinders go at a reasonably lower price.
They come in a compact size making them portable and easy to carry
Although not the best, these gadgets also offer slightly accurate measurements
They also don’t pose the risk of focusing on background objects like their optical counterparts.

Cons

A simple unsteady operation results in inaccurate data
These gadgets assume that golf pins come in a standard height which might not always be the case.
They are the least accurate option compared to the laser and their GPS counterparts

How does a GPS golf rangefinder work?

Global Positioning System, (GPS) golf rangefinders employ the use of satellites to determine the distance on a golf course. This is one of the most advanced technologies, offering accurate and precise measurements.

Distances are determined by GPS which receives information from a bunch of satellite. After receiving the signals, the device extrapolates and estimates the distance to the specified target.

In fact, some GPS rangefinders use satellite mapping even to offer a layout of the golf course.

Before using the device, you first load the course mapping for easy calculations. Some gadgets come with, already, pre-loaded courses.

However, others require the user to download courses from their websites. In fact, some GPS rangefinders request for membership fees to acquire their maps.

After loading your course, it gives an accurate measurement of the distance to the pin hole. Furthermore, some rangefinders offer additional information for users like black spots and hazardous areas.

They even go the extra mile to provide the back and the front of the green or any other landmark.

In short, this is how the rangefinder works:

Pre-load the course into your smartphone or computer before heading to the golf course
After arriving at the golf course, switch on the device
Give the GPS rangefinder time to connect to the satellite feeds on the location
Choose the target hole then check the reading on the rangefinder
Afterwards, you are able to get the co-ordinates as you please

With pre-loaded courses, most GPS rangefinders automatically move to the next target without the need for manual operations.

However, for those GPS rangefinders without this functionality, one needs to select the next target manually.

How about the front and back edges?

For front and back edges, this is what happens;

The device captures its position
It then identifies a straight line cutting through the pin
The GPS rangefinder then determines the intersection points within the course edges
After identifying your target, you need to move the center circle directly over it
To get the distance between the rangefinder and the object, simply push the power button
At this juncture, the device translates the points into the distance

GPS rangefinders offer a number of benefits for the users. For instance, they are the most accurate golf rangefinders compared to the other three options. Since they use satellite mapping, they don’t require focusing on the object.

This way, you could easily determine the distance even in a place with obstructions like trees.

On the flip side, since the rangefinders depend on satellite imaging of the course, you could be restricted to the manufacturer’s database content. This limits your chances to explore other courses, although it isn’t much of a deal-breaker.

Besides GPS, Laser, and optical golf rangefinders, we also have hybrids. These ones employ laser and GPS technologies, with one of them being a compliment for the other. Being a staunch golfer, I would recommend this as it overcomes the drawbacks of either of the two models.

However, they are a tad costlier.

Owning a rangefinder isn’t synonymous to being the best golfer. It takes more than just a piece of distance-measuring gadget to sharpen your skills.

I learned that the hard way. You need more practice to master the art of taking perfect swings.

In Summary

How does a Golf Rangefinder Work?

We all, at some point, sought answers to this question. Fortunately for me, I had a support system throughout my learning phase. Unfortunately, that isn’t always a luxury enjoyed by everyone else.

If you don’t have someone to walk with you in the learning process, this guide is your perfect elixir.

We buried our head in books, did thorough research, practiced each tip, and then compiled this guide for professionals and learners. Of course, it takes more than just an excellent golf rangefinder to become an intelligent golfer.

Stick around for more tips as we attempt to sharpen your wits and skills.

We are dedicated to sharing our experiences and skills in acquiring the golf course with our visitors.