Laser Rangefinder vs GPS Watch: Which Should You Use?
Should you buy a laser rangefinder or a golf GPS watch? Compare accuracy, speed, convenience, and budget, plus who should use which one (or whether you should have both).
It’s the classic question for anyone about to buy their first distance-measuring device: laser or GPS watch? The answer depends on your playing style, not on which one is “better” across the board.
The Real Difference
A laser rangefinder aims at a real target (the flag, a tree, a bunker) and gives you distance accurate to the meter. It’s ideal for approach shots that demand precision, but you have to raise it and aim each time, and your hand has to be steady.
A GPS watch reads front-middle-back green distances from a course map, shown on your wrist instantly with no aiming. It’s fast and convenient throughout the round, but not as target-specific as a laser.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Laser rangefinder | GPS watch |
|---|---|---|
| Target accuracy | Highest (aims at the real flag) | Overall green distance |
| Speed/convenience | Have to raise and aim | Instant on your wrist |
| Use in fog/dark | Hard to aim | Still works |
| Use off the course | No | Works as a watch |
| Entry-level budget | Slightly higher | Available from budget models |
So Who Should Use Which
- Playing for score, likes to lock onto the flag → laser (look for a model with flag-lock confirmation + a slope feature you can turn off)
- Wants speed and convenience, and to wear it as a watch too → GPS watch
- Plays often and takes it seriously → have both, using the GPS for a quick overview and raising the laser to lock the flag on approach shots
Summary
There’s no single answer, but if you have to pick your first device and you play rounds regularly, a GPS watch is the easiest to use and the best value. For those who are serious about approach-shot distances, a laser gives a confidence a GPS can’t.
Note: We may earn a commission from some product links, but the comparison in this article is written impartially to help you choose what’s right for your actual game.