How to Use Your Rangefinder

You say you live in an area where you can still play golf but the lack of players on the course hasn't sped up your game any? You say you still aren't hitting the ball any nearer the hole? Betty William from golfershot.com may have just the guidance you need.

No matter who you are, it’s hard to enjoy golf when you hit every green and still have a long putt left. If you want to leave shorter putts, it’s important to know the correct distance between you and your target.

Knowing the correct distance your ball has to carry helps you choose the right iron. When you know which club you’re using, you can plan for the best shot shape. That’s what leaves you a shorter putt.

A rangefinder helps you get the distance from you to the hole and to the front and the back of the green. You can figure out all the options for your next shot with a rangefinder, but you need to learn how to use one.

Types of rangefinders and how they work

Most rangefinders use reflective beams to get the reading, calculate the results and make recommendations. They include the distance to the target, the temperature of the green and the type of club you should use. You can get an in-depth idea of rangefinder suggestions from the golf rangefinder reviews here.

There are three basic types of rangefinders you need to know how to use. They are:

1. Laser rangefinders.
2. GPS rangefinder.
3. Optical rangefinder.

1. How to use a Laser rangefinder

A laser rangefinder uses a laser beam locally from the device to calculate your next shot. Here is how you get it to work:

• Get the rangefinder and switch it on. The power button placement varies from one manufacturer to another. Search for it and press the button.
• Set the parameters to take the slopes into account and adjust the laser frequency if necessary. You're ready to rock!
• Now, point the rangefinder towards the flag you're targeting and hold it still. The laser beam travels the distance and bounces back to the sensor inside the rangefinder.
• Once the rangefinder has a reading from the sensor, it will calculate the travel distance and let you know with the display and sound.

You might need to get the reading more than once if you don't hold the device steady.

2. How to use a GPS rangefinder

GPS rangefinders use the Global Positioning System and the advancements of satellite technology. Here is the process for using a GPS rangefinder:

• Most golf courses have their map and blueprint on their server to help golfers use their GPS rangefinders.
• Turn your GPN rangefinder on and connect it to the golf course online feed.
• The blueprint and the map of the golf course will help you locate the flag and calculate your next shot.
• Point the rangefinder to the flag and it will calculate the coordinates, map the geo-location of the hole, and measure the distance.

Make sure you keep the rangefinder up-to-date, so it can connect to the maximum amount of satellites available. Also, update the maps regularly to get the best reading for the slopes.

3. How to use an Optical rangefinder

Optical rangefinders aren’t as advanced as Laser or GPS rangefinders. They use basic optics to calculate distances. You use an optical rangefinder by looking through lenses and adjusting a knob to focus on the target.

Once you can clearly see the target, the distance given is more of an educated guess rather than a calculated accurate reading. However, you can increase your accuracy if you have some knowledge about the course.

Final thought

Rangefinders are great when it comes to determining your next shot and getting closer with your next putt. They also help you choose the right club for your shots by giving you an accurate reading of the green. Rangefinders even suggest the right club if you have the right device in your hand. You can rapidly improve your bunker shot accuracy and putting with a rangefinder.