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If you’ve been playing golf for any amount of time, you’ve probably asked yourself: should I get a golf rangefinder or a golf GPS watch? It’s one of the most common gear debates in the game, and honestly, there’s no single right answer — it depends on how you play, what you value, and how much you want to spend.

I’ve used both extensively over the years, and I’m going to break down everything you need to know so you can make the right call. We’ll look at what each device does, compare them head-to-head in the categories that actually matter, and I’ll recommend specific products in each category that I think are worth your money.

Let’s get into it.

What Is a Golf Rangefinder?

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is the gold standard in golf rangefinders. It features PinSeeker technology with Visual JOLT confirmation (the device vibrates when it locks onto the flag), slope compensation you can toggle on/off for tournament play, 6X magnification, and the BITE magnetic mount that attaches it right to your cart bar. If you want the best of the best, this is it. Most tour caddies carry a Bushnell for a reason.

Bushnell Golf Tour V6 Shift, White/Black/Orange

Best Mid-Range Rangefinder: Precision Pro NX10

Best Budget Rangefinder: Gogogo Sport Vpro GS24

If you’re on a tight budget (and I’ve got a whole guide on the best budget golf rangefinders if that’s you), the Gogogo Sport Vpro GS24 is a fantastic value pick. You get 7X magnification, 1200-yard range, slope mode, flag-lock vibration, and continuous scan — all for a fraction of what a Bushnell costs. It won’t be quite as fast or refined, but for weekend golfers, it absolutely gets the job done.

What Is a Golf GPS Watch?

A golf GPS watch sits on your wrist and uses satellite data and preloaded course maps to show you distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as hazards, bunkers, and layup points. The better models show full-color course maps with green contours and even give you AI-powered club recommendations.

The biggest advantage? You always have it on your wrist. No reaching into your pocket, no scanning for the flag — just glance down, see your number, and go. Many GPS watches also double as everyday fitness trackers and smartwatches, so you get a lot more than just golf yardages.

Here are my top GPS watch picks:

Best Premium GPS Watch: Garmin Approach S70

Best Mid-Range GPS Watch: Garmin Approach S42

Best Budget GPS Watch: Garmin Approach S12

Golf Rangefinder vs Golf GPS Watch: Head-to-Head Comparison

Now let’s put these two categories against each other in the areas that actually matter on the course.

Accuracy

Winner: Rangefinder

This one isn’t really close. A laser rangefinder gives you accuracy to within 1 yard (sometimes even half a yard) to the exact target you’re aiming at. If you laser the flag, you get the distance to the flag — not the middle of the green, not a GPS coordinate, but the actual pin.

GPS watches give you distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, which is incredibly useful, but they’re typically accurate to within 2-3 yards. The pin position can vary by 10-15 yards depending on where it’s placed on the green. Some premium watches like the Garmin S70 let you drag the pin to approximate its position, but you’re still estimating.

If pinpoint accuracy is your top priority, a rangefinder wins every time.

Ease of Use

Winner: GPS Watch

Glance at your wrist. See the distance. Done. That’s it. A GPS watch requires virtually zero effort — it auto-detects the course, advances holes automatically, and displays distances constantly.

A rangefinder takes more active effort. You have to pull it out, look through the eyepiece, steady your hand, acquire the target, and press the button. It’s not hard by any means, but it’s a multi-step process compared to just looking at your wrist. On windy days or when you’re shaking from that pressure putt you just missed, steadying a rangefinder can be annoying.

Speed of Play

Winner: GPS Watch

This ties into ease of use, but it’s worth calling out separately because pace of play matters — both for your enjoyment and for the group behind you. With a GPS watch, you can check your distance while walking up to your ball. By the time you get there, you already know the yardage and can start thinking about club selection.

With a rangefinder, you usually wait until you get to your ball, then pull out the device, laser the flag, and then decide. It adds 15-30 seconds per shot, which might not sound like much, but over 90+ shots in a round, that adds up. If you’re someone who already struggles with slow play, a GPS watch can genuinely help you speed things up.

Battery Life

Winner: It Depends

Rangefinders use small coin-cell or CR2 batteries that typically last for thousands of shots — we’re talking months or even a full year of regular play. You basically forget about battery life entirely.

GPS watches need to be charged more regularly. Budget models like the Garmin S12 can go 30+ hours in GPS mode (easily several rounds), while premium watches like the S70 get about 20 hours in GPS golf mode. You’ll probably need to charge after every 2-3 rounds. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s one more thing to remember.

If “set it and forget it” appeals to you, the rangefinder wins. But modern GPS watches have gotten good enough that battery life is rarely an actual problem.

Price

Winner: Rangefinder (slightly)

You can get a very good golf rangefinder for $100-200. A premium model like the Bushnell Tour V6 Shift runs around $300-350. That’s a one-time purchase that’ll last you years.

GPS watches have a wider price range. Budget options like the Garmin S12 start around $150, mid-range watches like the S42 run $250-300, and premium models like the S70 can set you back $500+. However, you’re also getting a fitness tracker and smartwatch in the bargain, so the value equation is different.

Dollar for dollar on pure golf functionality, rangefinders give you more bang for your buck. But if you’d wear a smartwatch anyway, a GPS golf watch might actually save you money overall.

Who Should Get a Rangefinder?

A rangefinder is the better choice if you:

• Prioritize accuracy above all else — you want to know the exact distance to the pin, not just the green
• Play in tournaments — rangefinders (with slope turned off) are legal in most competitions, and they give you an edge
• Don’t want to deal with charging — pop in a battery and forget about it for months
• Already have a smartwatch you love — no need to replace your Apple Watch or Garmin running watch
• Want the best value for pure golf distance measurement — especially in the budget range, rangefinders deliver incredible accuracy per dollar (check out my guide on the best budget golf rangefinders)

Who Should Get a GPS Watch?

A GPS watch makes more sense if you:

• Value convenience and speed — you want instant distances without pulling out a separate device
• Walk the course — having hands-free distance info on your wrist is a standout when carrying or pushing a cart
• Want hazard and layup distances too — GPS watches show you everything, not just flag distances
• Like tracking your stats — many GPS watches automatically track shots, fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts
• Want a dual-purpose device — use it for golf, fitness tracking, notifications, and daily wear
• Play a lot of different courses — preloaded course maps mean you always have info, even on courses you’ve never seen before

Can You Use Both?

Absolutely — and honestly, that’s what I’d recommend if your budget allows it. Here’s my ideal setup: wear a GPS watch for quick glance distances, course mapping, and hazard info throughout the round, then pull out a rangefinder when you need pinpoint accuracy for approach shots into the green.

The GPS watch handles the “big picture” stuff — how far to carry that bunker, where the layup zone is, general green distances while you’re walking up. The rangefinder handles the precision moments — dialing in your exact flag distance when you’re standing over a 7-iron.

Is it overkill? Maybe. But I’ve found this combo genuinely shaves a couple of strokes off my score because I’m never guessing. I always know my numbers.

Final Verdict

If I had to pick just one, I’d go with a rangefinder for most golfers. The accuracy advantage is real and directly impacts your scoring. A good rangefinder like the Precision Pro NX10 gives you tour-level distance precision at a reasonable price, and the Gogogo Sport Vpro GS24 proves you don’t need to break the bank for reliable yardages.

But if you’re a walker, a data nerd, or someone who values convenience over maximum precision, a GPS watch like the Garmin Approach S70 or the budget-friendly Garmin Approach S12 will serve you incredibly well.

Either way, having some form of distance measurement on the course is one of the easiest ways to lower your scores. Stop guessing, start knowing — and your scorecard will thank you.

What do you use — rangefinder, GPS watch, or both? Drop a comment below and let me know!