What Is a Golf Rangefinder?

A golf rangefinder uses a laser beam to accurately measure distance and slope to a target on the golf course. The laser beam hits the target and is reflected back to the rangefinder, providing an accurate measurement.

As the laser beam travels at the speed of light (186,000 miles per second) this all takes no discernable time.

The target is typically the pin, a hazard or simply just where you want your golf ball to end up next, such as a dog leg on the way to the pin.

When Should You Add a Golf Rangefinder to Your Kit?

The Best Two Budget Golf Rangefinders

In a moment, I'll reveal the best two cheap golf rangefinders (both exceptional value) but first I want to tell you a story about how my golfing buddy Jim introduced me to the whole rangefinder concept.

Is My Mate Jim a Cheat?

That's the question I was asking myself after he beat me by 5 strokes, even though we had the same handicap and I'd beaten him comfortably in 8 of the last 10 rounds we'd played together.

Jim and I were golfing buddies of many years and had that friendly rivalry that usually develops from that.

We often had a bet to make a round that little bit more interesting.

But never money. We'd seen too many friendships ruined that way.

It would be something more like who bought the first round at the 19th or whose turn it was to host a barbecue at home for our two families.

Nice, friendly stuff (but I usually had the better of it).

Until he walloped me by 5 strokes.

And it would have been more if I hadn't sunk two 15 foot birdie putts on the back nine!

So What Was Different?

The Best 3 Golf Rangefinders for 2022

All three of these golf rangefinders have any number of 5-star reviews from verified Amazon purchasers.

But they are aimed at very different price points.

Bushnell Pro XE Golf Rangefinder

The Bushnell Pro XE Golf Rangefinder is "simply the best" (but with a price tag to match). It's the one to get (whether for yourself or as a gift for your significant other) when only the best will do. Or if you're willing to amortize your cost over the many years of playing pleasure that it's going to give you.

This is what it looks like. To find out more about the Bushnell Pro XE Golf Rangefinder and to read its 5-star reviews, click on its image below.

More Bushnell Pro XE Golf Rangefinder Images

Gogogo Pro GS-22 Laser Rangefinder

From a beginning as a high end and expensive electronic toy, golf range finders have become an essential piece of kit for any golfer looking to improve their score. Before we talk about our recommended golf range finders, we look at some of the features that have made golf range finders so popular.

One of the most significant advantages added to all our recommended golf range finders in recent years is the ability to measure slope and take into account its effect on how far the golfer needs to hit the ball and, as a consequence, the correct club to use for the shot as well as how hard to swing.

Slope