If there’s anything that bothers golfers to their very core, it’s having to manual measure distance to a flag, hole, hazard, and so on. Who has time for that, seriously? And therefore, today we decided to dedicate our article into finding you the Best golf rangefinder.

Don’t just jump in buying any rangefinder you place your hand on. We will walk you through all the important key features and functions that will help you get the best rangefinder possible. And we will furthermore go on to reviewing 10 of our top picks that are worthy of being called the “Best golf rangefinders”. So, if you want to get a hold of the good and quality stuff, then keep on reading!

Here in this section, we are just going to list all the 10 golf rangefinders that we are going to talk about in details later on! 

Note: Clicking on any of these will take you to Amazon so that you can check today’s price!

Our first pick for this article right up your alley if you are looking for something that is basic and affordable yet promising. It is the BARSKA Blueline Golf Scope.

The BARSKA Blueline Golf Scope is one of the tiniest rangefinders out there.

With dimensions of 1.6 x 1.4 x 3.7 inches and a weight of 5.1 oz, it is, in fact, one of the lightest and most compact rangefinders out there. However, it packs quite a bit of a punch despite being so puny.

The BARSKA Blueline Golf Scope can measure from 50 yards to 200 yards with great clarity. In addition, the ruby coated optics prevents sun glares to give you a more concentrated target viewing.

The quality and durability of this rangefinder is also impressive when you learn that it is made from imported leatherette/nylon materials and is furthermore waterproof thanks to the O-ring. No batteries required and to add to that, it comes with a pouch.

The BARSKA Blueline Golf Scope also comes with a Limited Lifetime guarantee as the cherry on top!

And keeping along the lines of affordability, we have the XRT7-7 rangefinder from Halo. It is however in no way your super minimal finder.

The XTR7-7 rangefinder can show you targets up to a range of 450 yards. It offers 6x magnification and is therefore great for zooming into your target. And furthermore, it promises great accuracy since it comes with a line of error of only + or – 1 yard.

One thing you’ll will notice about the XTR7-7 rangefinder is its odd yet very clever shape. It is made to echo the shape of your grip and as a result, is super comfortable to hold. Moreover, it is very lightweight and compact; measures 8.5 x 2.5 x 6.5 inches in dimensions.

Apart from that the XTR7-7 rangefinder is waterproof and includes 1 CR2 lithium ion batteries.

And finally, you get a yearlong warranty on it too.

On our quest to cater to the tight budgeters, we have for you, our final contender for the under $100 rangefinder with the TONOR laser gold rangefinder.

The TONOR laser golf rangefinder may be cheap, but it is in no way basic. It can offer you a range of up to a whopping 600 yards and does all the reading within seconds! You have 2 measurement units of yard and meters which is great.

And furthermore, the TONOR laser gold rangefinder boasts a margin of error of just 1 yard more or less. As for the display, you have an LCD and 6X magnification from a 24mm lenses objective; viewing doesn’t get any better than this!

Apart from that, the TONOR laser golf rangefinder is super lightweight and compact; measures 105 x 73 x 40 mm in dimensions, and just 190 grams in weight. It is a vertical finder and thus has no curvature to it.

The TONOR laser gold rangefinder is also shockproof and waterproof so you can use it fairly roughly without fearing much damage. In addition, the finder comes with useful accessories like a strap, carrying pouch and on top of that, 1 CR2 battery is included in the purchase.

The feature that takes the cake, however, is that it has a mode specifically and entirely dedicated to golf!

Next, on our list, we have the Premium golf rangefinder from SereneLife, and it also happens to be one of the best-selling rangefinders online!

The Premium golf rangefinder offers you a range from 5.5 up to 546.4 yards, offers 6X magnification and has 24mm objective lens.

The level of accuracy is +/- 1 yard which is darn close, and you also enjoy manually adjustable lenses focus for precision and clarity.

It measures 4 x 1.6 x 2.9 inches in dimensions and weighs 0.407 lb, and is therefore clearly very portable. Speaking of which, you have you CR2 battery included along with your carrying pouch.

The neatest feature on the Premium golf rangefinder has to be its pin seeker mode locks on your target flag rather than its background object. Great for golfers with shaky hands!

5^th member in our list is from one of the most household companies in the industry: Nikon. And we have for you today the 8397 ACULON  AL11 laser rangefinder.

The 8397 ACULON  AL11 laser rangefinder exudes the Nikon quality in every way. This rangefinder can offer you range from 5 yards to up to 550 yards.

The camera quality in unquestionable since it uses 20 mm objective lens, multilayer coated optics, uncluttered display and offers 6X magnification. It furthermore has a long eye-relief of 16.7 mm which is great for people who wear glasses.

It compact and lightweight; measures just 3.6 x 2.9 x 1.5 inches in dimension and weighs 6pz (with battery). Speaking of which, you get a CR2 battery and a carrying pouch with the purchase.

The finder is uses is great against sun glares, is waterproof and can show in 1-yard increment.

One feature that stands out most, however, is the rangefinder’s Distant Target Priority mode. This mode takes you to the furthest target, among more like it, that could be obscured by glass, trees or other distractions.

The 8397 ACULON  AL11 laser rangefinder exudes the Nikon quality in every way! We also have a massive guide about Nikon 8397 here.

6^th contender on our list is the VPRO500 range finder by TecTecTec, and it is a great combination of features for the price.

The VPRO500 range finder can scan up to 540 yards and offers you up to 3 scanning modes with advanced pinsensor technology which measures quickly with an error margin of +/- 1 yard.

This technology is also great for target obscure or overlapping targets like golf flags, hazards, etc.  The lenses are multilayered and provide amazing clarity that you will admire right away!

You will love how lightweight and compact it is. It in fact measures just 1.6 x 2.8 x 4.1 inches in dimensions and 6.6 oz in weight.

You furthermore get a CR2 battery, carry pouch, user manual, and strap included in the purchase so you are pretty much ready to use the rangefinder from the get-go!

In case if you are interested, we have a more-in depth review of VPro 500 here that you can check.

Next, we have the Nexus laser rangefinder from Precision Pro Golf, and let’s just say that it was designed to impress you.

The Nexus laser rangefinder offers you a range coverage of up to 400 yards and boasts a small margin of error of just + or – 1 yard.

This rangefinder features an advanced target lock function, which makes sure that you get the distance measurement to the flag and not the greens or distractions behind it. 

You have 6X magnification and 1/10 yard measurements for max control. It is light and compact and cleverly designed to complement your palms with its curves.

With the purchase, you also get a CR2 battery and a carrying case among the usual things, which includes manual and cleaning cloth.

Finally, with the Nexus laser rangefinder, you will also be enjoying the assurance due the 1-year warranty it comes with.

We are back with Nikon yet again on our list with the Coolshot 20 laser golf rangefinder.

The Coolshot 20 laser golf rangefinder can offer range from 6 to 550 yards which are nice. It is quick, is fast and offers some exceptional viewing and display thanks to its 6-power monocular featuring Nikon’s quality optics.

Its first target priority helps to scan out the flag from the background. This rangefinder is just as good on the hands as it is on your eyes.

Measuring in at just 3.6 x 2.9 x 1.5 inches in dimensions and weighing just 4.4 oz, the Coolshot 20 laser golf rangefinder is as compact as compact can get. And its textured sides furthermore help to improve the hand-feel.

This guy also features an 8-second scanning and is proudly waterproof.

And the Coolshot 20 laser golf rangefinder finally completes the package with a 2-year warranty.

No list would be complete nor valid without a few Bushnell here and there. And consequently, we have you a rangefinder that users swear by: the Tour V4 rangefinder.

First of all, the Tour V4 rangefinder offers range coverage from 5 yards to whopping 1000 yards, and over 400 yards to a flag within 1 yard.

Second and probably our most favorite feature on this finder is its pin seeker and that it give out short bursts of vibration that indicate that the laser has locked into the flag. This means more readings that are accurate and less fidgeting!

Speaking of which, the Tour V4 rangefinder is compact in design and fits comfortably in your hand.

You furthermore have 5X magnification and fast focus system which provides more clarity. Apart from these, you get a CR2 battery and a premium carrying case.

And finally, to top it off, you get a 2-year warranty from the company as well.

Also Read: Bushnell Medalist Laser Rangefinder

Let’s focus on the buying guide now. There are certain things that you need to keep in mind when you are planning to buy a golf rangefinder. This section is all about that. Obviously, you won’t be required to meet all of these requirements. That’s not logical. But they will give you an idea of the things to look for when searching for the best golf rangefinders out there.

1. Range

First of all, begin by deciding on the range you would require on the golf course.

There’s nothing to explain here since it is pretty self-explanatory. The range will decide the distance (in yards or meters) your rangefinder will scan up to. Choose a range a little higher than what you know your shots are capable of. Choose a rangefinder that offers you 500 yards at least. And refrain from buying a rangefinder with a range too high if it is no use to you since range does add up to the price. However, if you have some extra bucks to splurge then go all out!

2. Features

If your rangefinder does not offer you any bit of feature that could elevate and complete your user experience, then we’re sorry to say this but you bought yourself a monocular.

Don’t be that guy. Pay attention to features since this is essentially what will decide the efficacy of your finder at the end of the day. Some basic features should at least includes things like magnification (possibly from 4X onwards), pin seeker and conversion (we will cover this shortly). However, if you are looking forward to some advanced features then you may want to look into things like golf modes, target priority modes, and so on.

3. Conversion

Now, let’s bust this issue right here: unit conversions. Most rangefinders will show you the distance in yards, by default. And this seems to be an awfully common problem with many golfers.

If you are one of them, then we would recommend that you check before purchasing. Check if the finder allows you to covert distances from yard to meter, and of course, vice versa. This could be easily done by pressing down on a button nearest to the start button for a few seconds. Keep your eyes open for those problematic ones that make you adjust the unit every time you are checking a new distance.

4. Rechargeable or Battery-Powered

Here’s something you have to decide entirely because it is one of those things which will forever vary from people to people.

Each power source, however, has their own pros and cons. Rechargeable rangefinders are great because they will, even to the smallest extent, be lighter. These types of rangefinders are economical and power-efficient as well.

Battery-powered finders on the other hand, allow you to use the finder continuously as you please. If one battery runs out, you can insert another and carry on, see? Nevertheless, here is the problem with them: they can be expensive in the long run. The battery used in most rangefinders is a CR2, which can easily cost above $10 each if you, are into the good stuff.

5. Laser or GPS, or both?

Laser rangefinders use….well, laser to find out the distance whereas, GPS rangefinders use pre-loaded course as an “already-ready’ for reference for distance measurements. GPS is faster since every distance is pre-loaded and calculated, but bear in mind that GPS rangefinders don’t work for every course or country. In addition, sometimes you may even have to pay subscription fees to access your course. Here’s a good discussion about this.

6. Comfort

Rangefinders are small as is, but you may want to look for something that you will be able to fit into your pocket or hold for an hour or two without any fatigue.

Also, look for finders that have a nice, textured grip or ones that complement the curves of your fingers or palm.

7. Accessories

There’s nothing that makes your stomach more warm and fuzzy than opening the newly arrived box to find heaps of accessories with you purchase, other than the manual of course. And it is even more amazing when they are useful!

This feature isn’t something we would deem mandatory or compulsory, but hey, nobody’s has ever complained about complementary stuff! Look for lanyards that go around your wrists or neck. This way it will be closer to you and you can pick it up fast anytime you need it. It will also make sure that you don’t lose it. And it is also great if your rangefinder comes with a quality pouch or carrying case. Keeps them organized and safe from damages.

Worst case scenario: your rangefinder doesn’t come with any. In that case, we recommend you buy some off Amazon instead. They are useful and won’t cost much at all.

8. After Sales Security

Smart consumers should, in fact everybody should take warranties seriously.

However, we have learned it the hard way that maybe warranties shouldn’t be a headache to you anymore. And if it is for something super cheap, unreliable and from an insincere company, then we say forget about it. However, when it comes with expensive rangefinders then this equation obviously changes.

We in fact, also encourage you to look out for money-back offers, trials, and lifetime guarantees and make the most of them. A great customer service is also very appealing so keep a lookout for great brands with great customer base, reviews and so on.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I know if my rangefinder can be used on tours or not?

Answer: Great question since we knew this was going to bother some people out there. There are a few rangefinders that won’t be allowed on tours due to various reasons. However, almost 90% of rangefinder pass this filter easily which is why we didn’t mention it. Nevertheless, if you’d like be a 100% sure still, then check the packaging. And if doesn’t have the information mentioned, then check if it is USGA passed. This, therefore,  ensures that the rangefinder is approved for tours.

2. How reliable are warranties?

Answer: Although we don’t condone it, we usually don’t bother our readers or any shopper to pay much attention to warranties or guaranties on very cheap, easily available products that have little reliance. Most of the time they don’t come with warranties of such puny stuff or the manufacturers won’t honor it.

However, high-end rangefinders are not one of them since you paid good money for it. You may want to pay attention to the warranties. Any after-sales security deals like money-back, 30 day return, etc, is should in fact interest you. This is because they charge you fortunes based on their claims and so it’s only normal that you stay alert. Ask and check for all the warranty papers and register on the finder’s website if you have to.

Final words

Rangefinders are probably the essential golf accessory for serious golfers, and owning a high-quality and loyal one is an investment too since it will stay and work beside you for years to come. And because we understand this, our comprehensive and detailed consumer guide about rangefinders has been put together so that you have all you will need to find that perfect finder out of the lot. And if you want to trust our judgments and opinion, then pick your favorite one right from our list of the detailed reviews of the rangefinders. We have compiled for you a mix of basic and fancy, affordable and high-end. Nobody goes empty-handed from our reviews, and neither will you!

With this, it’s a wrap to our article. We hope you picked up some very useful and essential information from it. However, feel free to click on the product link on each review if you feel the need to take a better look. And finally, test and try out before the product before purchase. We will see you next time. Good luck!