One of the most popular pieces of technology that golfers are turning towards for game improvement never actually comes in contact with the golf ball at all. In fact, while GPS rangefinders have no influence on the actual physical aspect of the game, many golfers are including these helpful yardage aids to golf bags around the world.
GolfLogix by GarminPowered by a leading name in GPS technology, the GolfLogix by Garmin (approximately $300) is one of the more popular options available to golfers of all skill levels. This handheld rangefinder is about the size of a cellphone and features a handy belt clip and carrying case for easy transportation to and from your golf bag. GolfLogix's simple user interface and ability to download additional golf courses from the Internet is a good fit for those golfers who may not be particularly tech-savvy. Yardages to the front, center, and back of any green is easy-to-read on the handheld's screen, and additional yardages for various hazards and points on each hole are available. Garmin has also just recently released smartphone versions of their GPS software which allows golfers with an iPhone or BlackBerry access to the same technology available on handhelds. Garmin's software works on MAC, XP or Vista and should soon be available for Windows 7 within the next few months.
SkyCaddie
Perhaps the most popular golf GPS rangefinder (thanks largely in part to marketing by high-profile professional golfers Natalie Gulbis and Peter Jacobson), SkyCaddie offers 4 different handheld products to choose from ranging between $250 and $450. Powered by a rechargable litium battery, this handheld is very similar to that offered by Garmin, but unlike GolfLogix can only store up to 10 courses in memory at one time (compared to the 20 offered by Garmin). Thousands of additional courses are again available for download, each supporting up to 40 different yardage targets for every hole on the course. SkyCaddie also offers the Intelligreen feature which provides the golfer the most detailed green measurements on the market.
GolfBuddy
One of the newer names in the GPS market, GolfBuddy offers rangefinders with exceptionally accurate yardage readings to the back, center, and front of every green on the course. Selling around $350, the GolfBuddy is able to store up to 60 total courses in memory and offers automatic course and hole recognition, making the GolfBuddy the most user-friendly handheld on the market. In addition to pre-programmed targets for each hole in memory, the GolfBuddy also allows the golfer to customize up to 11 additional targets for every hole. Most US courses are already stored on the rangefinder, with additional software and downloads available on the product website. Finally, the GolfBuddy rangefinder features constantly-updated yardage readings on the interface as the golfer walks the course and hole.
Adam Fonseca - Adam Fonseca is a certified Lean Six Sigma Change Agent and an accomplished golf writer. He currently works in health care ...
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