Welcome to Shaving Strokes, a new GOLF.com series in which we’re sharing improvements, learnings and takeaways from amateur golfers just like you — including some of the speed bumps and challenges they faced along the way.
There are lots of golf tips out there that can help improve your swing, ball-striking ability, and putting, but they all take lots of time (and plenty of commitment) to truly see results.
This 1 golf aid gave me the confidence to hit every shot. Here’s how
But one way that every mid-to-high-handicapper can see near instant improvement is by playing smarter golf, which, in effect, will lead to shaving strokes off their game.
So how can you play smarter and build up your confidence before every shot? By getting yourself a golf rangefinder.
As someone who recently started using the the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized Rangefinder, I’m a perfect example of someone who simply used available resources to his advantage to see improvements. And assuming you’re interested in doing the same, GOLF Top 100 Teacher Sarah Stone gives three simple reasons why every high-handicapper can benefit from using a rangefinder as a de facto caddie.
Check out what Stone has to say below.
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Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized Rangefinder
Why a golf rangefinder should be in your bag
1. Best practice reason: Helps figure out your club’s carry distances
If I were to ask you how far you hit your 8-iron, would your answer be within a few yards of its actual distance? Probably not — which is OK (and common) for many high-handicappers.
But having a rangefinder can help you dial in your distances every time you practice.
Next time you’re on the range, just aim the rangefinder at the flag and start hitting a club to see where it lands in relationship to that target. This will help you with properly selecting the right club during your next round, avoiding any doubt as you address your ball.
Nikon’s Coolshot Pro II has something called “DUAL LOCKED ON ECHO,” which brings peace of mind by confirming that you’ve actually locked in on the pin rather than something roaming in the background. This helps determine where you need to aim and how far your shot really is.
2. Best on-course reason: Accurate distance measurement
So many high handicappers think that their total distance is their carry distance; but this is wrong.
Your carry distance is how far the ball flies in the air, whereas your total distance is your carry plus any roll of the ball. So you might carry your driver 195 yards, but your total distance may actually be 220 yards.
This is where having a golf rangefinder can help you start to understand the difference between the two.
If the pin is 150 yards away and you hit a club that goes a total of 150, you may find yourself in trouble by coming up short of the green — especially if there’s water to carry.
The Coolshot Pro II Stabilized Rangefinder has something called “measurement mode,” which provides a lay of the land by providing exact distances to trees, bunkers, water, and any other hazards on the course. So you’ll actually have visual guidance on whether you want to be aggressive or conservative on a hole; depending on your carry and total distances.
3. Best overall reason: Provides details to make a confident shot
Since rangefinders provide accurate information on where you are in relationship to your intended target, you’ll instantly gain confidence to go shoot lower.
The Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized Rangefinder has four different modes to help dial in your distances: Golf Mode (slope-adjusted distances), Actual Distance Mode, Actual Distance and Height Mode, and Horizontal Distance and Height Mode, meaning you have the details you need in order to hit the shot you want.
