Golf Watch vs Rangefinder vs GPS App (Key Things To Know)

Knowing the distance to different parts of the course is one of the best things you can do to become a more consistent golfer. Whether you use a free golf app, a laser rangefinder, or a GPS watch, there are a bunch of options to pick from.

Just think about how many times you’ve hit the ball short of the green or ended up in a hazard. How much better could you shoot if you hit a few more greens or landed in a few less bunkers each round?

There are a number of factors to consider when picking which one to use. Things like price, features, and type of device are some of the examples. We’ll get into the pros and cons of each device, what they’re good for, and which one will be the best for you.

Golf App

Shot Scope App

This is the most basic option and is also the least expensive. Most people have a smartphone or smartwatch, and if you do, you can download one of the many golf apps (a lot of them are free).

Pretty much all of the apps will give you the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green. A lot of them will also give you an overhead view of the hole where you can see the distance to any spot.

Since some of the cheaper golf watches don’t show an overhead view of the hole, using one of the apps could be more useful to a lot of people.

The main downside to this option (and the reason I don’t use them) is that you have to carry and use your phone. If you’re using an Apple or Samsung watch, this won’t be a problem.

I guess having to pull your phone out isn’t a huge hassle but I prefer to get away from my phone on the course. You may or may not be the same.

Another issue you could run into is that the distances could possibly be wrong. I haven’t seen this too often, but it’s not going to be as consistently accurate as a watch or laser rangefinder.

For More Info: The Best Golf Apps For Apple & Android

What I like:

  • It’s the cheapest option
  • Most apps offer the distance to any part of the course
  • A lot of apps let you track your score

What I don’t like:

  • You have to carry your phone (if you don’t have a watch)
  • They won’t track any of your performance stats (only some watches will)
  • Some courses might not be available
  • Phone battery will drain quickly
  • You need cell service to use the app
  • They’re usually the least accurate of the 3 options

Golf Watch

If you’re looking for an upgrade or want a few more features, one of the many golf watches could be worth checking out. It all depends on what you’re looking for, but a golf watch can range anywhere between $100-$650.

All of the watches will give you the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green. You’ll also get the distance to water and bunker hazards (distance to the front and distance to clear).

One of the differences between a golf watch and one of the apps is that a lot of the apps aren’t automatic. It’s not the case with all, but you’ll have to manually change holes each time on many of them. A golf watch will do this automatically.

The main thing I like about a watch is that it’s the most simple and convenient to use. You don’t have to pull out your phone or grab your rangefinder and try to lock in on your target. Simply look down at your watch and you’ll get some numbers.

A key difference between a watch and rangefinder is that a watch will give you the full details of the green. You’ll know the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green.

With a laser, you’ll get the distance to the flag but won’t always be able to see the front or back of the green. If it’s a front flag, you might end up hitting short. If it’s a back flag, you might hit over the green.

I prefer having a distance range to hit compared to a specific number. It gives a bigger margin of error and I feel like I’m hitting more greens this way.

One of the biggest differences between some of the watches and a rangefinder/app is that some of them come with performance tracking tags. You can attach the tags to your clubs and it’ll automatically track your distances, GIR/FIR stats, and a number of other details.

The main downside to a watch is that it’s not the most comfortable and can be distracting for some people. I’ve never really been a watch guy, so it took a bit of time to get used to.

I’ve also found that if you have a watch that doesn’t have an overhead view of the hole, using the hazard function can be difficult at times. It’ll just show you the type of hazard and the distance. It can sometimes be tough to figure out which one it’s referring to.

For More Info: The Best Golf GPS Units

What I like:

  • It’s the most convenient option
  • They offer the most amount of info
  • You get the distance to the entire green
  • You can see how far you hit the ball
  • Some let you track stats about your game

What I don’t like:

  • They’re generally the most expensive option
  • Some people don’t like watches
  • Not as accurate as a rangefinder

Laser Rangefinder

While a GPS is the most convenient and automatic option, some people want the flexibiltiy to manually shoot any object on the course. This is where a laser rangefinder comes into play.

The benefit of a rangefinder is that it’s usually the most accurate option. You’re using a laser to get an actual distance to your target rather than relying on a GPS satellite.

I like that you can quickly scan the course and see the distance to each hazard or how far you need to hit to get around the dogleg. Again, it’s a real-world distance so it’ll be slightly more accurate.

Most rangefinders also come with a slope mode which takes into account elevation. If you’re 150 yards out and shooting uphill, it’s going to play longer than 150 yards. The rangefinder will give you an adjusted distance.

Some of the more expensive watches have this feature but most of the cheaper ones don’t.

The main downside to a rangefinder is that it’s only as good as the person holding it. If you have shaky hands, you’ll have a tough time locking in on the flag. Some devices are a lot better at this than others.

You also need a clear view of your target. If you can’t see the green or flag then you won’t be able to get a distance. Low light and fog can also cause some problems.

More Info: The Best Budget Rangefinders (Under $100)

What I like:

  • It’s the most accurate option
  • You don’t have to worry about the course not being mapped
  • Some devices are very affordable
  • You can quickly scan the course and see real-world distances

What I don’t like:

  • You need steady hands to quickly lock in on the flag
  • A clear view of the object is needed
  • You won’t always be able to see the distance to the front or back of the green

What Should You Buy?

After using each of these devices, each of them has its pros and cons and there isn’t a right or wrong answer. It’ll all depend on you and what you’re specifically looking for.

Are you new to golf or don’t have any of these devices? The best option for you is probably a free golf app. It’s not going to cost you anything and you can get most of what you’d need. See if you actually use it and find it useful.

The reason I don’t use an app is because I don’t want to be on my phone. It drains the battery fairly quickly and I think it’s a good idea to take a break from it when you can.

If you want the most accurate option and have steady hands, a rangefinder is probably the way to go. You can walk up to your ball and quickly scan anything on the course.

The main downside is that it takes some practice to be able to quickly scan the flag, especially if you have shaky hands. You also need a clear view of an object to see the distance.

For the average golfer, the best option is usually a golf watch. It’s the most simple option and it’ll give you the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green (I think it’s more important than the flag distance).

All you have to do is walk up to your ball, look down at the watch, and see your distances. You don’t have to mess around with any devices, which I like.

Sure, it might not always be the most accurate option and there’s a chance the course won’t be mapped, but for the average player, it’s accurate enough.

I also like the fact that some watches come with or can be paired with shot tracking tags (see our favorites here) to let you track your game. Knowing my club distances and a few other stats are very useful.

The ultimate strategy: If you want the most info or to be prepared for any situation, you could pair a GPS watch with a cheap rangefinder (this is what I usually do).

I like using my watch for the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green. I also use it to keep score and also track my stats.

I’ll then use a cheap rangefinder if I need to scan a specific object or section of a hazard. Sometimes you need to know how far it is to clear a specific section of water. I find it easier using a rangefinder.

Let’s hear from you. Which of these 3 devices do you prefer to use and why? Let us know in the comments below.


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Jon is the main product tester at Out Of Bounds Golf and has been in the golf world for 10+ years. He has personally tested over 100 products, from balls to clubs to bags. He started this website for the average player, to help make the game a little easier to understand.

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