FORE Magazine

Top Menu

  • About Me
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Home

Main Menu

  • Current Issue
  • Profiles
  • Travel
  • Equipment
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Governmental Affairs
  • scga.org
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login

logo

FORE Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Profiles
  • Travel
  • Equipment
  • 19th Hole
  • Classic Course
  • FORE Her
  • More
    • Know the Rules
    • Handicap Hints
    • SCGA Junior
    • Where Are They Now?
    • News
    • Governmental Affairs
  • scga.org
Equipment
Home›Equipment›Keeping Distance: Latest Technology Makes Distance-Measuring Easier and More Accurate Than Ever

Keeping Distance: Latest Technology Makes Distance-Measuring Easier and More Accurate Than Ever

By Scott Kramer
April 1, 2014
1801
0
Share:
Golf Distance Finder

The USGA’s February decision allowing golfers to use distance-measuring devices in all USGA amateur championships and their respective qualifying events may not affect you one bit. In fact, GPS and rangefinders have been USGA-approved for local rules since 2006, ever since many a 3d printing uk emerged. But the ruling did return deserved attention to the category, which has really hit warp speed as of late, with respect to technological advancements.

Linx White Watch Distance FinderWas it really just two years ago when we had to manually connect stand-alone GPS handheld units to our computer before we left for the course, just to load course maps onto it? Convenience has indeed evolved.

For instance, many of the units now wrap around your wrist, so you needn’t worry about schlepping a bulky unit in your pocket or attached like a dead weight to your bag. Nowadays they come in the form of either sleek-looking watches or even sexier sport bands. And they’re not only pre-loaded with every course in America and beyond, but they automatically recognize which course and hole you’re playing.

“Wrist-worn golf GPS devices have transcended the market since I saw this,” says Bushnell product director Terry Mears, who emphasizes the company’s distance-made-simple mantra. “We’ll continue developing products that provide quick, accurate and easy-to-obtain distances on the course.”

Meanwhile, the latest rangefinders — which still come in the form of handheld units, because they need to be held up to your eyes to capture distance in the viewfinder — are lightning fast in locking in and displaying yardages. The latest models are also lighter weight and cased with excellent gripping materials.

Prices for the most part have dropped slightly, although some high-end models might still make you think twice. But overall, now is a great time to buy some help with distance on the course.

GolfBuddy Band Distance FinderLeupold’s GX-4i2 ($625) is one compact, elegant-looking rangefinder. Armed with Smart Key technology, you can swap faceplates from standard silver to yellow (the latter of which measures uphill and downhill slopes and factors it into the overall distance). The viewfinder is crystal clear, vivid and well laid-out. http://golf.leupold.com

The streamlined Bushnell NEO XS watch ($200) is a bargain. A charged battery lasts three rounds in GPS mode. As a watch, it’ll go two years. And it’s preloaded with 33,000-plus courses in more than 30 countries. It can also be used as an odometer, so you can track how many miles you’re walking on the course. www.bushnellgolf.com/gps/neoxs.cfm

GolfBuddy’s BB4 ($349) simply looks futuristic. The solid-colored sport band fits comfortably around your wrist. Distances to the front/center/back of the green appear on the band’s surface in a dotted format. Its chip contains distances from 37,000 courses, and its battery lasts a respectable 10 hours. Definitely worth checking out when the product debuts this summer. www.golfbuddyglobal.com

SkyGolf’s SkyCaddie LINX GPS watch ($250) is the first such device offered in a plethora of colors. It gives you instant and accurate yardage on 34,000 courses, displayed on a high-definition, sunlight-readable display. Paired with its free companion mobile app via Bluetooth, it’ll also track your scores and stats. www.skygolf.com

Previous Article

Dream Destinations: For 2014 Summer Golf Travel

Next Article

Spring 2014

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
mm

Scott Kramer

Veteran golf writer Scott Kramer has covered the golf equipment market full-time since 1990. His career has spanned senior editor positions at both Golf Pro Magazine and GOLF Magazine. He now works on a freelance basis for many consumer and trade publications, including the SCGA’s FORE magazine.

Related articles More from author

  • Golf Jackets
    EquipmentWinter 2016

    Golf Jackets Have You Covered: New Materials and Stylish Designs for Winter Weather

    January 1, 2016
    By Scott Kramer
  • Equipment

    Right On

    July 10, 2018
    By Scott Kramer
  • Equipment

    Getting My Kicks

    June 20, 2017
    By Scott Kramer
  • Equipment

    A Sight For Poor Eyes

    May 8, 2019
    By Scott Kramer
  • EquipmentSpring 2018

    Self Reliant: Diagnosing Your Own Swing at Home or on the Range

    April 25, 2018
    By Scott Kramer
  • Equipment

    King of the Hills

    October 1, 2018
    By Scott Kramer

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

  • FeaturedKnow the RulesSpring 2019

    Rules Mailbag: Our Rules Czars Answer Your Questions

  • Fall 2020FeaturedProfiles

    Strong Game: Haley Moore

  • FeaturedTravelWinter 2021

    Western Waltz: 18 Fave Holes From the Rockies to the Pacific

  • FeaturedThe PodiumWinter 2021

    Ely’s Gift to Golf

  • Fall 2020FeaturedTravel

    Glorious Isolation: Rams Hill

FOLLOW US

Facebook Fans
Twitter 0Followers
Instagram 0Followers
Youtube 0Subscriber
  • Recent

  • Popular

  • Comments

  • Western Waltz: 18 Fave Holes From the Rockies to the Pacific

    By Joe Passov
    January 19, 2021
  • Eternal Sportsman: The Dual Passions of Bode Miller

    By Judd Spicer
    January 18, 2021
  • Enchanted Valley: San Gabriel CC

    By Joe Passov
    January 17, 2021
  • The Rising Star of Gabi Ruffels

    By Matt McKay
    January 16, 2021
  • A Look Back in Time: The LACC’s Hope-Ware Collection

    By Judd Spicer
    January 16, 2021
  • The Diva Golfer

    By Azucena Maldonado
    January 31, 2017
  • The USGA’s Major Proposed Changes to the Rules of Golf

    By admin
    December 14, 2017
  • Stand By Me: Temecula Native Joe Skovron On Life As Rickie Fowler’s Caddie

    By Jonathan Coe
    October 26, 2016
  • Remembering Jim Murray: Best of the Best

    By Bill Dwyre
    February 14, 2017
  • Watching the Tiger Watchers

    By Andy Brumer
    February 20, 2018
  • free proxy list
    on
    December 5, 2018

    Top 4 College Golf Names You Need To Know

    Hello,I log on to ...
  • Adela C. Garcia
    on
    November 17, 2018

    Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”

    Azucena Maldonado is a ...
  • Rose Sauceda
    on
    November 15, 2018

    Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”

    Congratulations my lovely Amiga ...
  • Judy Carls
    on
    November 15, 2018

    The Gilded One: Eldorado CC

    Excellent magazine..thank you Judy Carls LPGA ...
  • SUE KNIGHT
    on
    October 19, 2018

    FULL HOUSE: First FORE Her Golf Outing

    I enjoyed the article ...

RECENT COMMENTS

  • free proxy list on Top 4 College Golf Names You Need To Know
  • Adela C. Garcia on Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”
  • Rose Sauceda on Revolutionizing the “Ladies Club”
  • Judy Carls on The Gilded One: Eldorado CC
  • SUE KNIGHT on FULL HOUSE: First FORE Her Golf Outing
© 2016 FORE Magazine About Us | Contact Us | Advertise