Accessories
Which device is best for you?
Having conducted a recent survey, we found that 3 out of 4 golfers use a distance measuring device on the golf course.
Not only that, but the type of device players are lining their bags with is pretty varied, especially when you break it down by handicap.
GPS Devices by Category
Golf watches were the most popular distance measuring device for players with teen handicaps, while single figure handicap golfers tend to use a laser rangefinder just as much.
This brings us back to the question: how do you know which kind of device - or devices - is the right one for your game?
Today we want to run you through the kinds of distance measuring devices we have in-store, how they’ll help you play better golf, and some examples from Garmin that you’ll not want to miss out on.
Garmin Handheld devices
Handheld devices are very accessible little tools that as the name implies are small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand and can be slipped into your pocket with ease. You can effectively bring them with you anywhere and the battery life lasts for hours on end.
We’d recommend you come into the pro shop and have a go with the Approach G12 from Garmin. This nifty little tool has a sleek design and displays yardage readings in large numbers on a compact yet clear display. It can give you readings to the front, middle, and back of each green, and automatically loads up the next hole once you’ve walked onto the tee. It’s also very waterproof and suitable for golf in all conditions.
If you’re driven by data and want to stay well-informed both on and off the course, you’ll get on well with the Approach G82. This is a versatile 2-in-one device that combines a premium GPS handheld with a built-in radar launch monitor to track key swing metrics like ball speed and smash factor. Packed with features like a Virtual Caddie and PlaysLike distance, the G82 is both a valuable practice tool and on-course companion to keep you informed whether you’re training or chasing birdies.
Garmin Golf GPS Watches
As we mentioned at the start of this read, GPS watches are the category most of our golfers said they play with, and it’s clear to see why. Not only are they very convenient to wear, always being at the ready on your wrist, but you can build a whole lifestyle around them when you’re both on and off the golf course.
The Approach S70 for example is a powerhouse of a tool that you’ll love using whether playing golf or living an active lifestyle. This watch has an excellent 16 days of battery life and has multiple game-aiding capabilities, including a virtual caddie that can track your shot dispersion. Every fairway, hazard and green is displayed in a stunning rich colour detail that’s very obvious and clear to look at. This is an excellent watch to bring with you into the 2026 season.
A slightly more compact model, the Approach S50 offers plenty of the core features you’ll find in the S70 but has a smaller watch face. This watch has a comfortable nylon strap and offers up to 15 hours of life in GPS mode, certainly enough for a full weekend of golf! With PlaysLike Distance mode that measures elevation changes, you can rest assured that this GPS watch knows the exactly how your next shot will go.
Garmin Laser Rangefinders
Laser rangefinders offer the most precise distance readings of all these products. With zoom-in capabilities that can bring objects into focus from hundreds of yards away, this is an exceptional tool for the discerning golfer.
Did you know that while 53% of single-figure handicap golfers have a laser rangefinder in their bag, only 8% of those who play off 10+ use a laser?
GPS watches can give you handy yardages to the front, middle, and back of each green, providing you with a better understanding of how to approach the hole. One of these laser rangefinders, however, gives you total pinpoint accuracy to the hole. Pairing them together, you’ll directly know the yardage tiers of the green as well as the level the hole is on, not bad for being hundreds of yards away!
So, if you want to be fully clued up on every potential opportunity and hazard you’ll have ahead of you, we’d recommend you add the Z30 laser rangefinder to your bag. This excellent distance measuring device has a 6x magnification capability with a range of 400 yards to give you full visibility of the hole ahead of you. It even has Garmin’s PlaysLike Distance feature that takes into account the elevation of the ground to give you super accurate distance readings.
We can source you all of these products in the pro shop and would be more than happy to demonstrate how they work for you to get you up to speed with them before you head out on the course with one.
