Do you own a golf rangefinder and want to use it to its full potential? We got you covered. In this article, we will guide you on using top golf rangefinders on the market. We will also discuss other important things that one should know about golf rangefinders. Without further ado, let’s start:
The fundamentals of using a golf rangefinder
Although various golf rangefinder models have different functions and controls, the operation should be the same across most models. Below, we will guide you on the proper operations of a golf rangefinder.
- Locate your target
The initial part of using a golf rangefinder is to determine your target location within the playing field. After you have determined the location in which you want your ball to go in, you are ready for the next step.
- Direct your rangefinder to the target
The second phase is to target your rangefinder on the desired location. This step is very easy to perform, you only need to look in the golf rangefinder, then point it on the target location as if you are looking through binoculars.
- Press the activate button on the rangefinder
Once the desired location or target is sighted by the rangefinder, you should press the button to activate it. This button can be different with every brand and model, so be sure to consult your user manual if you are confused about where it should be.
- Test for the rangefinder accuracy
Once you have a reading, it is time to test its accuracy. A method of testing for rangefinder accuracy is by repeatedly pressing the activate button, and looking at the distance measurement that it displays. An accurate reading will not change or have minimal changes between reading to account for your arm movement. Inaccurate rangefinders will have fluctuating distance reading, making them unreliable.
- Obtain the yardage
Once you have the distance measurements, the next step is obtaining the yardage. This will help you in choosing what club type to use for a shot, and how hard you should hit the golf ball.
- Calculate the slope
Advanced golf rangefinders also have a slope feature, in which you can figure out the changes in elevation between the target in the sights and your current position. To use the slope feature, you need to aim first at the desired landing location, then aim at the ground where you are currently located. The golf rangefinder will then return a slope reading that shows the difference in height between the two locations.
Below, we will discuss the slope feature on golf rangefinders, the advantages of using it and the rules on using it during tournament play so stay tuned if you want to learn more about it.
Slope feature on your golf rangefinder – how to turn it on and what are the benefits of using it?
During practice rounds, the slope feature on your golf rangefinder will come in handy in determining how powerful your shot should be. Advanced golf rangefinders will even take into account the uphill as well as the downhill trajectory of a golf ball, which is followed by reading the yardage with the slope taken into account.
Although the slope functionality of a golf range finder cannot be used in an actual tournament, using it during practice will allow you to learn how elevation should affect your shots. Practice enough and your predictions on slope effects will be accurate enough even without a golf rangefinder. This will give you the confidence during tournament rounds, which plays a big factor in winning.
