Do Rangefinders Actually Make You Play Worse?

Rangefinders are among the most popular pieces of golf technology available. It seems like a no-brainer to have a rangefinder in your bag, but at some point, we have to ask ourselves, are rangefinders actually helping your game? The truth? Rangefinders absolutely can help you play better, but only if you use them the right way. Otherwise, they may cause more harm than good.

The Problem: Overthinking the Number

At their core, rangefinders are designed to give you a clear number to a specific target. 

However, if you’re constantly focusing on the flag and obsessing over exact yardages, you’re likely missing the bigger picture. Not every pin should be attacked directly. 

If your entire decision-making process is based on hitting a number rather than hitting the right shot, you’re setting yourself up for a long and frustrating round of golf. 

Just because the pin is 147 doesn’t mean your only goal should be to fly the ball 147. The better play might be 150 to the center or 155 to take trouble out of play. 

Getting the number is just the beginning; it’s how you interpret it that matters.

Play to the Middle, Not the Pin

One of the most useful ways to apply your rangefinder is to grab a yardage to the center of the green, not just the flagstick. Most mistakes occur when golfers go pin-hunting and find themselves on the short side. The center of the green is often the safest target. Find the number, choose the right club, and focus on making a quality swing.

The best players in the world don’t always shoot directly at the pin, and neither should you.

Use It on the Driving Range

Want to get better at scoring? Take your rangefinder to the range. Find out exactly how far you’re carrying each club under normal conditions. That way, when you’re on the course and the pin is 152, you know whether that’s a hard 8-iron or a smooth 7.

A big part of using your rangefinder well is knowing your numbers, and that starts in practice, not just during the round.

Don’t Lose Your Feel

There’s a downside to rangefinders that doesn’t get talked about enough: they can dull your natural sense of feel. 

If you start treating every shot like a math equation, you may stop developing the instincts that better players rely on. As much as the PGA Tour pros obsess over distances, most would know exactly how to play a shot without you even telling them the yardage. 

Every now and then, leave the rangefinder at home.

 Play a few holes by feel. Judge distances visually. You might be surprised how much you start trusting your gut again and how it can help you make better decisions.

GPS May Be a Better Option for Some

If you find yourself constantly second-guessing based on exact numbers, consider switching to a GPS device. GPS units give distances to the front, middle, and back of greens. This tends to be just enough info to make smart decisions without getting overly analytical. 

It’s a great way to simplify your approach if you find the precision of a rangefinder leads to too much overthinking.

Final Thoughts 

Here’s the bottom line: knowing the yardage is valuable, however, you still have to play your game. Be smart, don’t go directly at the pin, and don’t obsess over something being 142 yards or 143 yards. You know what shot is the smart one, so play it!