Publishing editor Shayne Dowling looked at some of the rangefinders available in SA and was pleasantly surprised by the features and variety available. Don’t miss his test feature in the next issue of TGM®

Some may consider golf rangefinders old school, but that isn't really the case. While under pressure from phone apps and watch-based technology, they are still a great option for golfers wanting accurate distances while playing. A number of tournaments have also allowed the use of rangefinders for the first time. You may not have used one, or are considering buying one, so here are some of our positives and considerations of handheld rangefinders:

POSITIVES
Accuracy: Rangefinders are known for their precise distance measurements. This will help not only with making your decision but will also give you confidence in your club selection.

No signal,no problem: You don't need phone signal or internet connection. They work anywhere, on any course.

No ongoing or initial subscriptions: There are no further costs to worry about once you've purchased the device.

CONSIDERATIONS
Cost: They can be more expensive upfront compared to some phone apps or GPS devices, but in looking around there are some great options that are fairly reasonable – shop around.

More in the bag: It will be an extra device to carry, and you may find them a bit bulky.

Getting the hang of it: There can be a learning curve to use them effectively – but once you have the hang of it you’ve got accurate distances forever.

Snapshot of the rangefinder vs phone apps vs golf GPS devices: