Of the gizmos and gear that revolutionized the game, there are sexier-looking things than the original golf rangefinder. But, for sure, it opened our eyes.
Let us tell you how things were back in the day.
How far to the pin? Try wandering the fairway looking for a damn yardage marker. Or do some math — the yardage book says it’s 173 from the back edge of that bunker … or maybe it’s that other bunker? Or just eyeball it. Wait, you don’t know what eyeballing is?
Now we just point and click and boom! — 108 yards to the pin, 97 to clear the pond, 115 to the back fringe. ’Twasn’t ever thus.
A Scot invented the first rangefinder back in the late 18th century. The shocker: It was used to survey canals, not golf courses. The first consumer laser rangefinder debuted in the mid-1960s, but it wasn’t until 1995 when Bushnell had the eureka moment that would change the game forever, introducing the Yardage Pro 400, the first golf-specific handheld laser rangefinder.
Of course, tech only grows more sophisticated, and current models do everything but grill your hot dog at the turn. They beep and vibrate to confirm you’re locked in on the proper target; factor in elevation, wind and even temperature to provide a “plays like” adjustment (disable this function in tournament play or get DQ’d!); provide hole maps; offer shot tracking; connect to your apps.
Only the eternal question remains: Can you hit your yardage?
Shop the latest rangefinders from Fairway Jockey
Bushnell Tour V6 Shift Laser Rangefinder
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Bushnell Pro X3+ Laser Rangefinder
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Nikon COOLSHOT 20 GIII Rangefinder
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Voice Caddie SL3 GPS Laser Rangefinder
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Nikon COOLSHOT 50i GII Rangefinder
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Nikon COOLSHOT PROIII Stabilized Rangefinder
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FlightScope i4 Rangefinder
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Bushnell Tour V7 Shift Laser Rangefinder
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