Best Golf Range Finders of 2021

After using many of the Rangefinders out there, I have put together a list of the Rangefinders, Hybrids, and GPS systems that I have both used and owned.  Rangefinders are a must on the golf course in today’s game.  The sprinkler heads, which may or may not have a distance, are no longer as accurate as we have come accustomed to.  The better you get, the more accurate you need to be.  I remember a few years ago when I was playing Gunter’s Landing in Alabama with my little brother.  I pulled my range finder on a par 3 and shared my knowledge with my brother.  I said, “it’s 178 or 179 yds from the pin”.  He looked at me and said, “well, which one is it? 178 or 179, that’s three feet different.”  I just looked at him and thought to myself, “I hope you miss by 30 feet.”  But the fact of the story is that for some people, the sprinkler heads are not as accurate as they need to be and if you think about it, that’s why PGA players go out the week before and create yardage books with their caddy.  They need to know how far away each and every obstacle and green is on the course so that they can dial it in within that three feet circle my brother was looking for.  Side note, he is that good.  Just Pissed me off!  

So I started looking at range finders and here is a list of some that I think are the best rangefinders out there.  Some you may have to pay a pretty penny for, some less expensive, and some hybrids/GPS accessories if the laser rangefinder isn’t you thing.  

The top of the list is the Bushnell V5.  I like this range finder for multiple reasons.  It’s compact and fits in your hand nicely.  Looks great in it’s black and great outfit.  I haven’t had any issues finding the pin in the midst of trees or other obstacles.  The focus and the zoom on this thing is wonderful.  I can easily pick up on the flag from over 400 yards away and seek obstacles like bunkers and trees without any issues.  This thing flat out performs.  One of my favorite features is the pulse and red light that occurs when you find the flag.  If there are other obstacles around the flagstick or just behind it will vibrate and light up red in the eye piece to let you know that the distance you are finding is the flagstick.  Another feature I love which was a must for my latest rangefinder was the magnet.  Ever ridden in a cart and put your rangefinder in the cubby hole or cupholder, only to have it bounce around and need to be found every shot?  No Longer!  Stick this bad boy right on the hood rail next to you and it’s easily accessible each and every shot, no searching necessary.  I have purchased the strap on magnets for some of my other rangefinders and no matter how strong they are, at least once a round the bumps I drive over cause it to fall right off.  This magnet is strong and have had zero issues with it going over some of the ginormous bumps on my local course.  I Give our Gold Pick to the Bushnell V5.  Try it out HERE! 

Next on my list is the cheaper option of my rangefinders and that is the TecTecTec VPRO 500.  This is a decent little guy that I have owned in the past and found it to be almost as accurate as the Bushnell V5.  It doesn’t have the Vibration technology that the Premium models have but it finds the distance very well.  Pinseeker mode finds the pin every time even from a distance of 540yds.  The Scan mode is another great feature that you can use.  Switch it to scan mode and you can search multiple distances to obstacles along the hole.  There is no magnet on this one which is another feature that I wish it had.  Overall TecTecTec has done great things with their laser technology and created a wonderful rangefinder that can compete in distance with some premium models at a much lower cost.  Try it out HERE!

The last one on my list is there just because it’s freakin cool. I don’t own one just yet but many of my friends do and I think it’s sweet.  The Bushnell Wingman.  This is not a rangefinder, but it does give you distance to the front, center, and back of the greens.  Using GPS technology along with you phone, at the press of a button there is an audible voice that tells you those threee distances to the green you are on.  It’s not going to be as close as my brother would require, but for the average golfer if you hit a green in regulation you’re doing great.  Aim for the green, not the pin, right?  That’s how we lower strokes per round?  And then there is the speaker portion of this thing, attach your phone via bluetooth and play your favorite tunes on the course.  This guy also has a magnet on it so you can attach it right to the hood rail of your cart and not take up one of those necessary cupholders, for water of course.  This is a great accessory for the golfer who wants to go out, choose a club for their next approach shot, and listen to some tunes.  Grab one HERE!