# Is a Golf Rangefinder Worth It? By Fayrway Pros · Published 25 September 2026 **The short version** For anyone who plays regularly, a rangefinder is worth it: accurate distances speed up play and take the guesswork out of club choice, and good lasers and GPS units now start well under £150. If you only play a few times a year, a free phone app may be enough. - Removes distance guesswork and builds confidence - Laser for pinpoint accuracy, GPS for quick overall distances - Legal in most competitions, though slope must be switched off If you play golf regularly, **a rangefinder is worth it**. Knowing your exact distance takes the guesswork out of club selection, speeds up your round, and builds confidence over the shot. Prices have fallen a long way too, with capable lasers and GPS units now starting well under £150. ### What does a rangefinder do? It tells you how far you are from the flag or a hazard, so you can pick the right club instead of guessing. That single piece of information removes a lot of doubt, and doubt is what produces tentative swings. ### Laser or GPS? A **laser** gives pinpoint accuracy to a target you aim at, ideal for the exact flag distance. A **GPS** unit or watch gives quick front, middle and back-of-green numbers and hazard distances without aiming at anything. Many golfers end up preferring one or the other. We compare them in full in [laser vs GPS rangefinders](https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/laser-vs-gps-rangefinder). ### Is it worth it for a high handicapper? Yes, arguably more so. Higher handicappers gain the most from committing to a club and making a confident swing, and accurate distances help pace of play, which matters when you are still finding your game. ### Who might skip it? If you play only a handful of times a year, a free phone GPS app will cover the basics. For everyone who plays more than that, a dedicated device is quicker, more reliable and worth the modest outlay. ### Are rangefinders allowed in competition? Distance-measuring devices are permitted in most competitions, but **slope** (the feature that adjusts for uphill and downhill) must be switched off, and some events still disallow them, so always check the local rules. #### Good options that will not break the bank **Best laser under 150: TecTecTec PINM8** - Fast flag lock with confirmation - Slope for practice, switch off for comps - Clear, simple optics Price: £108.43. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D59G1W3Z/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) **Best handheld GPS: Garmin Approach G12** - Front, middle and back of green distances - 42,000+ preloaded courses, no fees - Pocket-sized Price: £118.00. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08XZRFB3V/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) **Best budget: REVASRI Rangefinder** - Slope and pin-lock vibration - Simple point-and-shoot - Very keenly priced Price: £31.99. [Buy on Amazon](https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09GLP62SS/ref=nosim?tag=fayrway-21) See more in our [best rangefinders and GPS under £150](https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/best-golf-rangefinders-gps-under-150) guide and [accessories](https://fayrway.co.uk/collections/accessories). ### Frequently asked questions #### Is a golf rangefinder worth it for a high handicapper? Yes. Accurate distances help you commit to a club and make a confident swing, and they keep pace of play up, both of which benefit higher handicappers. #### Should I get a laser or GPS rangefinder? A laser gives pinpoint accuracy to a target you aim at, while a GPS gives quick front, middle and back distances without aiming. Choose a laser for precision, a GPS for speed and ease. #### Are rangefinders allowed in competition? In most competitions yes, but the slope feature that adjusts for elevation must be switched off, and a few events still ban them, so check the local rules. #### What is the cheapest good golf rangefinder? Budget lasers with slope and pin-lock, such as the REVASRI, or a compact handheld GPS like the Garmin Approach G12, do the job well for under £150. --- Canonical version: https://fayrway.co.uk/blogs/journal/is-a-golf-rangefinder-worth-it Fayrway, golf gear curated by pros: https://fayrway.co.uk. Some links in this article are Amazon affiliate links; as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.