Golf Range Finders - Should I Have One?

By Dale Smith

Technology has become a big player in pretty much every industry. Golf is no different. Better composite materials are being used to make clubs. New materials in golf balls make them fly further and easier to control. Even the make up of the spikes in your shoes has changed to grip the ground better so that you can have a more secure stance. One of the last areas of concern is applied to mapping your game. Over the past few years, companies have been running to market with the most advanced technology yet, Golf Range Finders.

Most golfers are fanatical about their game and will try almost any type of aid to improve it. This new area has offered even higher handicap players knowledge that can make a huge impact on their golf game. However, how to maximize the benefits, one must determine the best ways to employ your new toy.

If you play at different courses, having this insiders information about the course, is terrific. But, how can it help you if by knowing the distance to a hazard or to the green, if you are not capable of performing the shot? How can it make you more accurate or help you land in better spots on the green? Well, it cannot do those things. That being said, a range finder is one of the best training tools that are available. The challenge is how do you get the most from it.

Well, actually, this is one of the best training aids that has ever been introduced into the market. But it is more important to use it at the practice range than on the course. Think about it, you will become a much better player if you can learn how far your shots will travel. That goes without saying. You can also become a more confident player by learning which clubs will hit the best shot, based on need, and how far they will go. These are not things you should try to learn on the course. This is actual practice and because many players would rather play badly, than to practice and actually improve, heading off to your local practice facility, just seems like a waste of time.

The overwhelming majority of golfers are around an 18 handicap. That means that they score around the 100 mark. If you have the physical ability to improve your game, it makes a great deal of sense to use this golf aid to help you become more consistent. All golfers will tell you that confidence is critical. If you have the confidence that you can make a shot, to a predetermined distance, that will make a huge difference in the outcome.

Considering that most players do not compete in too many events, because they think their game is not good enough, you are missing out on some great competition. So, by using your range finder to improve your game will have a much greater impact than knowing where the trouble is, when you are not even sure that you can make the correct shot.

For many players, confidence is more crucial to their success than talent. You can see that at practice facilities, all of the time. The challenge comes into play when they get to the course and really have no idea on how far their shots travel, or what happens to the ball when it lands. Using a range finder can give you that confidence and you can hit the links with confidence.

Now, for the more established player, this is a huge advantage. By knowing exact distances or where the pin is located, gives you a better chance to make a shot when you know the exact distance. Also, if you have never played a course before, you can see where potential trouble is and make the proper adjustment. You already know that you cannot count on using it in an event, so you are less likely to become dependent on it, so even your competitive rounds with your friends are practice rounds for you, so if your course allows them, then use every benefit that they offer.

So, all players should own a golf range finder. The challenge is where is the best place to get the maximum benefit. If you actually make it to the practice facility, then use it to make your play better. Then on the course, you can learn to trust your abilities and play as the Pros do, whether you are a scratch player or one that is just playing for the recreational benefits. - 31499

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