There is a lot of technology out there to help you improve your game, and it’s improving on the daily. A golf rangefinder is one of the most common tools used to help you determine just how far you need to hit the ball. The best golf rangefinders can help you on your approach by giving you more than just a distance. Newer devices even adjust to different angles and can sync with your phone or smartwatch to record information about your swing, as well.
When it comes to golf distance finders, there are a lot of different options out there for you. On this page, we are going to focus on golf laser rangefinders. We will throw in some information about handheld GPS devices and GPS watches that use satellite location to determine location and distance.
If you’re wanting to know more about them, you can head over to our page of those products and reviews. Here we will break down the features of these units, and after that you can read through our best golf rangefinder reviews to make your decision. Some golfers will even use a combination of both, as these devices have different strengths.
Enough about the competition, let’s go over some of the basics about rangefinders and what you should look for when shopping.
11 Best Golf Rangefinders
You made it! Here at TopDown golf we always want to make sure you are educated before making your purchasing decision. Read through our detailed golf laser rangefinder reviews, and take a look around for as much information that you need. We’ve done our best to give you what you need, and we feel confident that you can trust any of the units on our list.
1. TecTecTec VPRO 500 Golf Rangefinder
- 540 yards
- Water Resistant
- Continuous Scan
- Case and Lanyard Included
- Easy to Read Multi-Layer Optics
- Tournament Legal
The TecTecTec VPRO 500 is a superb rangefinder, and is listed as a best seller on Amazon. It can measure accurately up to 540 yards even on continuous scan mode. Their Pinsensor technology makes targeting the flag easy, and provides accuracy of +/- 1 yard. It is water and dust resistant (never forget there is a difference between resistant and waterproof).
The display shows distance, battery power, and continuous measurement mode. This is one of the best rangefinder, and perfect for carrying in your pocket. But just in case you aren’t satisfied or anything goes wrong, its backed by a Guarantee and 1 Year Warranty.
2. Nikon ACULON AL11 Laser Rangefinder
- 550 yards
- Rainproof
- Single Button Operation
- Ultra-Compact Pocket Size
- Measures Furthest Target
- Tournament Legal
With an Ultra-Compact Frame, the ACULON is ready to pick up and go. The display only shows what’s needed- distance! It will give you accuracy up to 550 yards away. The single button operation makes using this best golf laser rangefinder a breeze.
This is middle of the line as far as pricing goes, and it lives up to the hype. Nikon made our list a few times, as they have certainly mastered lens technology. This model is no exception.
3. Laser Link Red Hot 2 Rangefinder
- 1000 yards
- Red Dot Aiming System
- Handled for Easy Grip and Aim
- Audio, Silent, and Vibrate Confirmation
- USGA Measurement Approved
Laser Link Red Hot 2 is a newer model of a mastered product. Laser Link has been designing laser range finder golf devices for quite a while now, and they have unique features. This is the only rangefinder with a handle that allows for superior grip. It’s still rather compact in form, but still has a large and easily readable LCD screen.
The range on this distance finder is up to a whopping 1000 yards, with accuracy at +/- 1 yard. Honestly, that is incredible technology, and you’ll likely find it at the same price as other rangefinders that only measure up to 600 yards.
4. Halo XL450
- 450 Yards
- Accounts Slope in Measurement
- 1-Yard Precision
- 6x’s Magnification
- 1 Year Warranty
This is one of the only rangefinders we considered for our list that isn’t made specifically for golf. It isn’t tournament certified because of the slope technology that is incorporated in measurements. The Halo rangefinder has a max of 450 yards to target, but their AI technology that accounts for slope makes up for the distance being shorter than average.
It has up to 6x’s magnification on the lenses, and is water resistant. While it seems to be more popular among hunters, we added it to our list because many golf range finders are above $100, especially if they feature slope compensation. This is one of the best golf rangefinder for the money because of that.
5. Nikon COOLSHOT 20 Golf Laser Rangefinder
- 550 Yard Capability
- First Target Finds flagstick quickly
- Continuous Scan Option
- Powerful Nikon Lenses
- Weatherproof
- USGA Certified
The Nikon COOLSHOT 20 is one of the more popular models of Nikon golf rangefinders. It has 550-yard capability, with the ability to identify flagsticks quickly and differentiate them from background objects. The Nikon lens power gives you the ability to sharply identify your path to par and what lies in the way.
The COOLSHOT also features continuous measurement scanning when you push and release the power button for 8 seconds. This will allow you to map the entirety of the hole you are on quickly, so you can get to it. All of this and more is backed by a 2-year warranty at no extra cost, which protects there claim to being one of the best golf distance finders.
6. Nikon COOLSHOT 40 Golf Laser Rangefinder
Bonus Golf Laser Rangefinder
- 650 Yards
- 2 ¼ Foot Accuracy
- Clarity of a Nikon Camera Lense
- Hyper Read Response in 0.5 Seconds
- Two Year Warranty
- USGA Local Rule 14-3 for tournament play
7. TecTecTec VPRODLX Golf Rangefinder- Waterproof Laser Range Finder
- 500 Yards
- Bag and Strap Included
- Flagseeker Measures Overlapping Objects
- Waterproof Construction
- CR2 Battery
The VPRO DLX is the latest technology to come from TecTecTec as far as golf laser rangefinders go. This is a waterproof (yes, proof!) model that takes long measurement range to a whole new level. It can give you accurate readings up to 500 yards, which is one of the most important qualifiers for best golf range finder.
TecTecTec developed the VPRO DLX with three different scanning modes that all use the laser technology within a yard of accuracy. The battery life is superb, and the design is easily portable, so we think that you’ll be using it on every hole in no time.
8. Bushnell Tour V4 Slope Rangefinder
- Vibrates when Flag is Targeted
- 1000 yard rang
- 5x magnification
- Carry Case Included
- Optional Slope Mode
The Tour V4 Slope Rangefinder now has an option to deactivate the slope mode to make it legal for USGA tournament play. Bushnell rangefinder golf accessories are top notch, and they’ve patented their slope technology. This is another laser rangefinder that reaches up to 100 yards with crazy accuracy.
The Pin seeker jolt sends vibration bursts when your laser is focused on the flag, so you won’t be left guessing what seems right. The Bushnell Tour V4 is rated extremely high, and they have redesigned it to make it legal for tournament play with slope mode becoming optional. You’ll definitely be paying a bit more for this one, but you get a lot of bonus features. If you’re an avid golfer above amateur level this might be the best golf rangefinders for your game.
9. Breaking 80 Golf Rangefinder
- 550 Yard
- Lifetime Warranty
- 60-Day Money Back Guarantee
- Special Flag Mode for Ease of Use
- Accuracy Comparable to GPS Imaging
Breaking 80 covers their rangefinder with a lifetime warranty, because they are absolutely certain that it’s the only laser range finder you will want or need for your golf game even as it evolves. They even will let you try it out for 60 days on the condition of your total satisfaction or your money back.
Measure up to 550 yards away, and activate the flag mode for enhanced shots. It won’t take you long to be comfortable with this in your hand as a necessary piece of your golfing equipment.
10. Precision Pro Golf Nexus Laser Rangefinder
- 400 Yard Range
- Simple Design and Use
- 1 Yard Accuracy
- Target Lock Function
- USGA Legal
Precision Pro Golf Laser Rangefinder is another one of the best rangefinders that is on the lower side of distance. It only measures up to 400 yards, but it’s also considerably cheaper than distance finders that reach farther. It still is equipped with an Advanced Target Lock Function that will indicate when the flag is in focus.
You can also expect ease of use to include storage and battery life. Without some of the higher end technology in it, the life expectancy of the battery is a bit better. Overall, this is a very simple but consistent unit and is one of the best golf rangefinders for the money.
11. Callaway Laser 300 Rangefinder Power Pack
- 1000 Yards
- Pin Acquisition Technology P.A.T.
- Multi Scan Features
- Lightweight and Compact
- Carrying Case w/Carabineer Clip
Callaway Laser 300 gives the user distances at up to 100 yards, which is very impressive. The accuracy programming has been coined as Pin Acquisition Technology, and while it is easy to use and has superior accuracy up to a yard, it will only work within 300 yards of your desired distance marker.
It features multi-scan capacity, and easy to read displays. Callaway has also ensured that the device is waterproof and the lenses are fog proof. You will have ease of use on the fairways no matter what the climate is like.
It was easy to choose as the last of the best golf rangefinders for our list. There are more out there, but as we wrap things up, hopefully you have a good idea of one or two that will be effective for you.
How to Choose Your Golf Laser Rangefinder
Distance: This is probably one of the most important features of a golf rangefinder. The best golf rangefinders will be able to measure around 500 yards or more. Some of the best will be workable up to 1000, but for the average golfer that’s way more than necessary. Finding something within the middle will probably be pretty ideal.
Convenience: most rangefinders are about the size of a compact pair of binoculars, and will fit in a larger pocket. Look for something convenient that you can carry out on the fairway with you, without it getting in the way. Many golf laser rangefinders come with a clip case or carabiner so they can easily be attached to your belt or bag.
Having an easy to use rangefinder is equally as crucial. If you’ve used one before than you most likely won’t have too much trouble. We know it’s not so fun, but read the instructions. Quick Tip: many brands also have instructional videos on their websites or platforms like Amazon. A simple YouTube search will probably yield results as well.
Features: Laser golf rangefinders help speed up your game by locking in on distances and taking out the guess work. Look for rangefinders that have easy-read displays, long lasting batteries, and aren’t overly complicated to use.
You’ll also want to use a device that offers some measuring features, such as the ability to lock on flags even with other objects in the distance. Every brand and model calls this technology something different, and it often functions with slight differences. However, the end result is the same.
Continuous scan is another feature to look for, so you can get distances of many different points. Many of the golf laser rangefinders on our list have some version of this feature in their device.
Price- As mentioned before, there are golf rangefinders that can hone in on distances up to 1000 yards, however that technology comes with a higher price. Finding the best rangefinder for your money might mean just that, if that’s a feature you need.
However, more is not always necessary. In our golf rangefinder reviews, you will find a wide spectrum of devices for you, so it will be easy to compare features and determine just what you want to invest in.