I think if you're looking for something to use on seldom played courses, a GPS is the way to go. Something similar to the sky caddie sgx which gives you a hole layout with distances to hazards etc. 

Laser rangefinders are great and accurate but i find that if you are looking to target something other than the flagstick it can be a bit of a guessing game if you are actually pointing at a bunker edge or 20 yards before it.

Lots of great points already mentioned by the group! Here are a couple of quick points to consider:

GPS (SkyCaddie, etc..)

Pros: Quick, lightweight, easy and if you have a blind shot you still get a yardage

Cons: not precise many times to pin placement (basically not as exact as a laser) but close

Laser (Bushnell, Nikon, etc...)

Pros: Exact yardages to pin, can offer slope adjusted yardages on certain models 

Cons: No blind shot yardages, heavy weight sometimes relative to popular gps models, can break more easily

I have both but I find myself as a more competitive golfer leaning towards the Laser, however the GPS is great for recreational/relaxed rounds...

The pin seeker technology will provide you with feedback ( a little jolt or vibration) that lets you know that you have locked on to the target. This is indispensable in terms of helping you separate the pin from a tree or shrub, etc.

The advantage is that there are occasions when the flags are improperly, marked (ie: front, middle or back of the green) and the rangefinder gives you exact yardage. Some GPS will be out by as much 5-10 yards under normal circumstances and in these situations, even more.

In addition, there are absolutely no subscription fees and it does not matter if a course information has not been uploaded or changed to reflect a recent renovation or course improvement. Further, rangefinder, with their telescopic lens can also show you the wind direction on the flags.

Most scorecards come with a bit of a hole layout map so you can also get a "feel" for the way an unknown course lays out and what unforeseen conditions or hazards await. I hope this helps George!

D

I have a Bushnell Medalist.  Haven't looked back.  GPS has never been as accurate as my Bushnell and was totally worth the money.  $250 well spent.

A lot of good answers.  I think it comes down to personal preference.

I have both the Skycaddie and the Bushnell v2.  The Skycaddie sits at home and I strictly use the Bushnell rangefinder.

The rangefinder is quick, shoots the flag or any other target, whether it's a bunker, bridge, etc.

The Skycaddie was ok when I was playing my own course or any other course in my immediate area, which I had pre-loaded, but I found that when I travelled, I would have to pre-load any course I intended to play.  When I had a subscription, I purchased the 3-year plan which was a lot less expensive, but after getting the Bushnell, I let my Skygolf membership expire.

The downside to a rangefinder is that you need line of sight to the flag.

Bogie

I'm with you. I've got the sky caddie sg5, love it--but hate the fees.  My son has a garmin that is equally accurate, similar features, priced about the same, and does not require annual fees.  

I would buy that right now if I hade to replace what I have given current technology.

One of the guys in our group just purchased a voice caddie. Nice unit except his pocket  keeps taking to him throughout the round.

Don't know if there is a mute button, but he hasn't found it yet.

I do the multi-year subscription with SkyGolf, and have found that it costs me less than a dollar a round.  That's for the deluxe nationwide plan.  There are 'one-state' memberships even cheaper.

Are you telling me that if the golf course offered you a round of golf for $29 or a round for $30 that included personal GPS distances to the front/center/back of every green, every hazard, carry distances over water, and even recommended layup distances on par 5s, you would take the $29 round?

The lasers are more expensive initially, and slow things down too much, in my opinion.  I've played with both, and often play alongside a laser-user, and I always have my distances in less than half the time he does.  In addition, lasers have a hard time telling you how far it is TO the trap on the left side of the dogleg, how far it is to CARRY that trap, any blind shots, the front of the green, how far it is to the flat spot in the fairway so you don't have an uphill/sidehill lie, and don't help with strategy like the GPS does.  If you know how far it is to carry the trap AND how far to reach the stream crossing the fairway, you can choose a club and be confident in your stroke. Yes, mine even tells me the preferred layup distance on every par 5 ("182 leaves you 104", etc).

The other issue to consider is the weight and delicate nature of the laser itself.  My GPS is lightweight, durable, and fits in my pocket OR clips to my belt.  It has been dropped, tossed to playing partners, hit the cartpath, etc, and its 'military-grade' case has kept it working for 5 years now.

I have the Bushnell Tour V3 and love it.

I find it to be accurate even pointing at things besides a flag, front of the green, bunker edges, areas to carry.

Only down fall is blind shots.

The other big plus for me with a laser vs GPS, practice. I use my laser at the range a lot and has helped dial in distance.

That's another thing.  Most GPS allow you to measure your club distances by 'marking' where you hit your shot, and then traveling to your ball.  This has helped a LOT with learning -actual- club distances, and not just 'guessing' a 10-12 yard gap between irons, etc.

In addition, most course driving ranges ARE mapped when the courses are.  I mapped out a practice area at home to practice those 40, 50 and 60 yard wedge shots.  It's made a huge difference in my game.

Fine if you use the same ball on the range as you do on the course ?

I'd say the laser range finder is a good way to go. Even when its front/back/middle that gives you the very precise distance. I use my rangefinder a lot but I never rely on it because it could be wrong and that's why the sprinkler heads are a good way to compare the two distances.

I personally would suggest a laser. Any course or situation, just pick a target and shoot it. I have used one for years and love it. I like it due to the fact of knowing how far I have to hit a shot... example being 140y to carry a bunker with the pin being 152y. The more information the better for me. 

I have been using GolfLogix.  This year I went with a laser range finder as well.  I use the range finder at my home course....and pair it with GolfLogix when at another course.

The laser has helped tighten up my game and help me make better shot selections.

I did not use a range finder for the longest time and was pretty close with distance on relatively flat courses.  I opted for a Bushnell Patriot V3 laser range finder.  I know with the jolt technology and the pin indication that the range is correct.  As a laser range finder it is subject to over spill, under spill, attenuation, etc, but the jolt and indications provide accurate range finding.  I have found this to be helpful now that I am beginning to play more challenging courses that are designed to provide false distance estimation through optical illusions and elevation changes.  I also have a manual rangefinder I got as a stocking stuffer in 1998.  It is simple to use and you put the base of the center line on the green and estimate with a small distance scale.  It is within 15-20 yds compared to my Bushnell. 

I would invest in a laser rangefinder unless you are playing the same courses, know the course well, and you don't want to spend the money.  Definitely helps me, would rather find out before being short or long.  

Whats about a SkyCaddie?

Laser 100%. I have both laser gives you more option and you don't have to worry about front back middle just the distance to flag, one's natural instincts will fill in the rest.

Just bought the Bushnell V3 with Jolt technology and I love it! Makes it so much easier, never have to guess your distance and the vibration when get the pin is perfect.

        I have the Leopoldo pincaddy two I would recommend it to everyone it is very high quality.

Laser is the best. I have a bushnell tour z6 and it is great. You can shoot the number to the face of bunkers, and with a laser you can shoot flags on the driving range too.

I use both, a Garmin G6(no fees and lifetime updates) and my trusty Bushnell V2 rangefinder. With using the GPS helps with distances to hazards, doglegs. I can also keep record of putts, scores, club distances, etc. when I'm in close or on par 3's I'll use the range finder to get that exact distance I need. Good luck and play well, hope this helps

Dennis

If you have a smart phone and don't want to spend the money download hole 19! Its a great app that provides accurate readings and I love it!!

I debated this topic with myself for a long time.  Both GPS (hole layout, distance on blind shots) and Laser (can shoot a distance to anything, very quick and easy) provide benefits.  I ultimately went with a laser.  I had trouble finding a good GPS at a reasonable price and didn't come with an annual fee.  Plus I worried about how a GPS would always be reliant on a company updating their files.  What happens if they stop updating the software for some reason?  Then you have an expensive brick.  I also found that I didn't need the hole layout as much as I originally thought, and honestly I don't have that many blind shots to deal with.  So for me, a laser was the best option.  I've been using it for a few seasons now and I absolutely love it.  I would say it saves me at least a couple of strokes a round by giving me a precise yardage.

This is a tough decision for me as well.  I almost pulled the trigger on the Bushnell V3, my buddy has the V2 and it's a great unit.  Also I'm on the fence about getting the Apple-Watch and using some of the great apps available.  In the end I have a feeling I will get the Apple-Watch and the Bushnell.  I would be getting the watch for much more than just golf but the fact I have GPS on my wrist is a bonus. I like the Laser for all the reasons mentioned.  I'll let you all know how it goes once I secure both and do some head to head test.  Cheers.

Love my Bushnell Slope edition but I don't really play many tournaments these days.  I travel often and will play different courses in OH, IN, PA, WV, and at least FL this year so nice to have something to help with the elevation changes since I play a lot of courses for the first time.   

Everyone I know with a laser loves them that I have talked to...

I have an iPhone and use an app called Hole 19. It has a super easy user interface and requires no celluar data or wifi once you download the course. Basically, you download the course. As you walk around, the app uses your phones internal GPS to tell you how far away you are from front, middle and back of the green. And did I mention it's completely free. Give it a try, you might be hooked on it just as I was

Laser is a great way to go! I myself am not an amazing golfer (about 6 handicap) but i currently use a Nikon Coolshot which is a laser rangefinder and it works amazingly for my game. The cool thing about a laser is that you can easily shoot the edge of a bunker to find the carry almost exactly like a GPS unit, in short a laser range finder is almost never a bad decision because it is as workable as a GPS and cheaper in the long run.

Personally i prefer GPS, the problem with a Laser, unless you can see the pin you can't get a yardage. A lot of courses are undulating, you have raised greens and valleys where you can't see the pin, with a GPS you always get the yardage to whereever you need because if you buy a good one like a skycaddie they physically walk all of the courses and map them with all the hazards, bunkers, yardages to the corner of dog legs etc etc. You can basically move the cursor to where ever you want on the map and it will give you the yardage.

I agree, playing with the GPS is the closest thing to having a tour caddie out there.  Lasers are too bulky and I don't have time to be shooting flags, just tell me the number.  And yeah, a laser is worthless when it comes to blind shots, doglegs and "how far is it to the water?" shots.

I have gps with a golf app on phone and get distances to front. center, back of green and can track distance of shots etc. I too think my game not as precise I need exact yardage. That being said, today I purchased a Bushnell Tour V3 and absolutely loved it. Although the gps gave relatively accurate yardages, something very positive in knowing the exact distance to pin, or a tree at beginning of dogleg. The laser certainly easier to operate than the gps app and doesn't eat  battery of my phone. Hope this helps, or at least another opinion to consider. V3 Tour, easy to use, quick and accurate.  Good luck!

Keep 'em in the short grass!

have you had a look at the bushnell hybrid as it is a laser rangefinder with a GPS unit built in to the same unit. I have the bushnell V# jolt which is a fantastic unit but haven't had much to do with their GPS units though

Would suggest to try a Bushnell range finder

Very accurate and easy to use

I prefer a GPS watch.  Much less faff to worry about

I have a skycaddie SG5, but just ordered the skycaddie Touch.  I'm within a cpl yards of all the guys in my normal group who each use different laser range finders.  You can only laser what you can see, so if there is water or a bunker or dogleg, yeah, easy to locate and get number.  If its unseen, blind, your guessing.  GPS shows and tells me whats out there.  If anyone here plays and needs to know exactly 157 or 159, you must be a pro.  The guys I play with, have trouble with yardages over 200, and all 3 have different models.  To me, the ease of a gps is a no brainer, but for me is even easier, as I must wear glasses, prescription sunglasses, so looking thru laser finder is most difficult.  My buddies all remove there sunglasses to get a number, and on windy days struggle even more so locating a swaying flag. 

I have to chime in on this one. What happened to the "old school" way of judging how far you are and knowing how far you hit each club? That's one thing that  makes this game so challenging . I am not a low tech kind of guy. This tuff takes a lot of the fun out of the equation. Just my 2 cents. 

I agree with Tyson, unless your a Pro or a seriously good golfer that needs an exact yardage to within a couple of feet then GPS is the way to go.

They are convenient, they don't have blind spots where you can't get the yardage like with a laser, they are very accurate within a more than acceptable range. Mine just sits on my trolley mount, no need to keep going into the bag like you do to get your laser out then to put it away after.

If it's slightly misty especially like you can get first thing in a morning the laser struggles to get through the mist, it just keeps bouncing off it and doesn't give you a reading, no problems with the GPS.

At the end of the day it's personal preference, i can understand why different people choose either one of them.

If you're still searching, I strongly recommend using either the latest Game Golf device or Arccos. I've personally tested Game Golf Live against a Bushnell Tour v3 and the results were very impressive. However, I'm like you and felt the laser rangefinder was too much for my skill level. So, I sold it and kept the Game Golf. Now I have the added benefit of effortless scorekeeping and improved metrics.