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.
It’s no secret, but it bears repeating: Smarter golfers are better golfers.
Ask any player if they’d shoot lower by eliminating any questions about yardages, and many of them would exuberantly reply “absolutely!” It’s why you always perform better on your “home course” than you do when you’re teeing it up for the first time somewhere new — because you know what to expect.
While there’s no definitive way to get a leg up on your competition — well, other than using the ol’ foot wedge once in awhile — I’ve found that using the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized rangefinder is the most legal way to gain an edge. (and it’s available for $50 off until October 8th).
Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized Rangefinder
4 ways the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized gives you a leg up on the competition
For amateurs like me — a 12-handicap just trying to shave strokes little by little — here are a few reasons why the COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized is like having a cheat code in your back pocket. The result? Smarter, better golf.
Different modes to choose from
It’s one thing to have a rangefinder that locks in your distance, but it’s next level stuff when a product has four different modes to help dial in your shot — like the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized rangefinder has.
With Golf Mode (slope-adjusted distances), Actual Distance Mode, Actual Distance and Height Mode, and Horizontal Distance and Height Mode, it doesn’t matter if you’re nearly standing sideways on the most difficult uneven lie known to man — because the COOLSHOT PROII has your back.
So regardless of how pleasant or how painful your shot might be, this rangefinder gives you pinpoint data to help you make a wise golf decision.
First-class optics
I’ve used a fair share of rangefinders over the past few months as I’ve tried to break 80, and I can say with conviction that the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized rangefinder has best-in-class optics.
Boasting an incredible 6x magnified lens, the image is crystal clear anytime you’re using it. So unlike other rangefinders, the COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized makes it simple to point-click and move on with your shot.
Go ahead and ditch those finicky rangefinders that make you wonder if it really shot the flag on the first attempt, giving you the wrong information because the lens just doesn’t hold a flame to this Nikon option.
DUAL LOCKED ON ECHO brings peace of mind
In my opinion, what really separates the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized rangefinder from its competitors is something called the DUAL LOCKED ON ECHO.
So what does that even mean?
It’s a feature that provides peace of mind to golfers of all skill levels, confirming that you’ve actually locked in on the pin rather than something roaming in the background. It even flashes a green light and makes a subtle beep to confirm you’re shooting where you’re aiming.
Other rangefinders don’t carry this type of support. But with the COOLSHOT PROII, you can confidently address your ball and become the pinseeker you’ve always dreamt of becoming.
Never let hazards catch you off-guard
Sure, every golfer hopes to stick their shot within a few feet of the pin, but, realistically, that doesn’t often happen as planned. So even though the COOLSHOT PROII provides first-class optics and yardages, if the player can’t hit the shot, they can still find themselves in trouble.
That’s why I really appreciate that this rangefinder gives a lay of the land, providing exact distances to trees, bunkers, water and any other hazards on the course.
Called the “measurement mode,” you’ll now have guidance on whether you want to be aggressive or conservative on a hole.
Let’s say you’re facing a 140-yard shot to the pin, have some slight headwind and must navigate a couple front greenside bunkers. Instead of instantly grabbing your 8-iron and possibly coming up short, you can determine the distance to both bunkers before proceeding with how you want to play the shot.
So go ahead and let your playing partners try to hit the hero shot and (likely) end up in one of the bunkers. You’ll happily use the information from the the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized to your advantage.
If you’re looking for little help to finally beat your playing partners next round, go ahead and give the Nikon COOLSHOT PROII Stabilized a try — and remember, you can save $50 off until October 8th!