Accessories

The battle | GPS vs Laser?


James Curtis

05 June 2023

It’s undoubtedly true that the more information we have before we have a go at taking a shot, the more prepared we feel and the more likely it is we’ll pull off the shot we want.

We don’t like to think back on them, but plenty of our bad shots happened because we were uncertain of the yardage. Indecisive in our club selection. How many times have you been between yardage markers, taken a rough estimate, and ended up having your ball sail over the green or drop surprisingly short?

 

When we asked our golfers how they predominantly measure their yardages when out on the course, an overwhelming 73% said they used some form of distance measuring device.

 

Thanks to modern distance measuring devices, we have so much instant information at our fingertips. We not only get to know the exact yardage to the hole, but we can get a better understanding of the contours of the green and the strength of the wind – all of which will help us play better golf.

These devices are incredibly powerful and accurate, but with so many different models available to you on the market, which is the one for you?

 

We asked this very question in the same survey and found that 45% of respondents preferred using a GPS Golf watch

 

Please read on as we give a summary of the different kinds of Garmin distance measuring devices that are available so you can make an informed decision about which one would best suit your golfing lifestyle.

 

Garmin Approach G12

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When it comes to finding a device that’s right for you, Garmin has a whole host of options to choose from. One such example being the Approach G12 GPS device. This tablet is a small, easy to use gadget that you can fit in the palm of your hand, and you can clearly see all the data displayed on the easy-to-read screen.

The device can calculate distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as distances to certain hazards and doglegs. It comes equipped with Garmin’s Green View feature that allows you to move the pin on the virtual green to where it actually is on any given round so you get more precise yardages.

The Approach G12 is incredibly convenient to use too, it has automatic course and hole progression so you won’t have to manually select your position each time you reach for it. The gadget has big easy-to-read numbers that look great even in bright sunlight, and is waterproof enough that you need not worry if you get caught in a downpour.

It has a sleek black design and fits great in your hand. It’s very easy to attach to clothing or be slipped inside a pocket, plus with 30 hours of battery life, the Approach G12 will keep you well-informed over multiple rounds. What’s not to love?

  

Garmin's legendary watches

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When you hear the word Garmin, you’ll no doubt mentally conjure images of sports performance watches. That’s because Garmin is the market leader for these quality wearables, and when you browse their range it’s clear to see why. Three of their popular products are the S12, the S42 and the recently released S70.

 

Garmin Approach S12

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The S12 has a really easy-to-use interface and the high-resolution display shows all your distances and yardages in big clear numbers. This watch also has 30 hours of battery life so you can rest assured it will work for you all day long. It’s fun to customize and comes in a variety of colour flavours; including Slate Grey, Neo Tropic, and Tidal Blue.

 

Garmin Approach S42

The S42 will give you detailed shot tracking and distancing stats to help you play the most ideal shot each time you’re deciding what club to play with. The watch has a 1.2” high-resolution screen and you can view all the on-course yardages very clearly on the gorgeous colour display. There are heaps of features including Green View, AutoShot detection, and integrating game tracking, so you’ll have lots of tools in your arsenal when you take on the course.

 

Brand New - Garmin Approach S70

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The all new S70 is a marvel of a golf performance device. This premium smartwatch watch has a beautiful 1.4” AMORED colour display that’s crystal clear and gives you incredibly detailed golf course maps.

It has a virtual caddie feature which can tell you shot dispersion data and recommend what clubs to use, as well as Garmin’s Enhanced Playslike Distance feature that takes into account whether you’re hitting up or downhill, as well as your trajectory to give you even more accurate yardages.

The S70s is a smaller version that has all the same features with a slightly smaller screen and watch strap, which is ideal for players that have smaller wrists.

 

Garmin Approach Z82 Laser

The watches are undoubtedly impressive, but if you want to have a really good eye on your next shot and the hole ahead of you, the Approach Z82 Laser is the tool for the job.

This laser rangefinder from Garmin will give you yardages to within 10 inches of the flag, so you know you’ll be getting reliable feedback once you’ve selected your target. The device gives vibrational feedback when it’s locked-on to a target to confirm you have the intended target selected.

Not unlike the previous gadgets from Garmin, this one comes equipped with multiple features. You’ll get Green View as well as Hazard View so you can play with confidence knowing where the hidden dangers are as you progress each hole. This is the go-to laser rangefinder device if you want to have a brilliant birds-eye-view of the shape of the land.

 

If you’re unfamiliar with rangefinders and GPS devices, you might not be aware of just how beneficial they’ll be to helping you plan each shot. We have a fantastic selection of Garmin devices available right now in the pro shop, just pop by and we’ll be able to talk through these products in greater depth.

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