Golf rangefinders and GPS watches, chosen for the way he plays
A golf rangefinder gives the exact distance to the flag; a GPS watch shows the whole hole on his wrist.
Yardage, slope, mapsRangefinder and GPS watch gift picks to read now
Gift guideGolf gifts for the gadget-loving dad
A GPS watch, a smart green and a launch monitor, with the memberships each needs.
Gift guideGolf gifts for the weekend competitor
His ball with his initials, and a rangefinder he can use in competition.
7 more guides on the way: lists, model reviews and slope explainedPlanned pages, nothing to read yet
- Coming soon
The best golf rangefinders to give a golfer
- Coming soon
The best golf GPS watches for the wrist
- Coming soon
Rangefinder vs GPS watch: which golf gift fits his game
- Coming soon
Bushnell Tour V7 Shift review: what owners say about the slope switch
- Coming soon
Garmin Approach S70 review: course maps, and what the membership adds
- Coming soon
Bushnell Pro X3 review: the top of Bushnell's laser range
- Coming soon
What is slope on a golf rangefinder, and when can you use it?
Laser rangefinder or GPS watch: the basics
Laser rangefinder
Aim it at the flag for the distance to that exact target.
GPS watch
Front, middle and back of the green on his wrist, with no aiming.
Slope and the Rules
USGA Rule 4.3 allows distance devices unless a local rule bans them, but not slope readings.
Memberships and models
Garmin says the S70's Green Contours need Garmin Golf. Bushnell lists the Tour V6 Shift as discontinued; the Tour V7 Shift replaces it.
A rangefinder or GPS watch as a gift for dad
Ask first: does he play club competitions (he needs a slope switch), and would he rather aim or glance at his wrist?
Are golf rangefinders legal in tournaments?
Under the USGA Rules of Golf (Rule 4.3), a distance-measuring device is allowed unless the competition's local rule bans it, but a reading that adjusts for slope is not allowed. Models with a slope switch can turn that reading off.
Rangefinder or GPS watch: which is the better gift?
A laser gives the exact distance to whatever he aims at, usually the flag. A GPS watch shows front, middle and back of the green with no aiming. Golfers who like precision tend to prefer a laser; those who want speed, a watch.
What does slope mean on a rangefinder?
A slope reading adjusts the distance for the rise or fall to the target, so an uphill shot reads longer than the flat distance. It helps in a casual round and must be off in competition.
More categories for the golfer on the course
Golf gifts by recipient
Dad, men, women, beginners and more
Nets, hitting mats & launch monitors
Garage, backyard and spare room
Towels, bags & accessories
For the bag and the cart
We sum up owner reports and makers' specs: no lab tests, no paid placements, no prices.How we pick