If you want to buy a device to help you with your yardages on the golf course, you have two choices: a golf GPS unit, or a laser rangefinder for golf. In this article we explore the advantages of a golf GPS system. Most of the advantages listed below are from consumer reports by owners of GPS units who have used them to improve their confidence on the course.

1. No Need to Aim

You don’t have to aim it at a target to get a yardage reading, like you would have to with a laser rangefinder. This can be an advantage if your target is not in your line of site; an elevated green or you are behind a bush for example.

2. No Wobbling or Steadiness Problems

Also, you don’t have to have a steady hand or accurate eye to line up a GPS unit like you would with a range finder.

3. No Need to Point or Acquire a Target

I started with a Sonocaddie laser rangefinder last year and really hated having to pick it up and focus every time. Plus sometimes hitting the flag through the viewfinder was a pain. So I switched to GPS.

4. No Need to Avoid Background Objects

With GPS you walk up and take a glance to get yardages. With a laser, you have to have a steady hand, and sometimes (at least the few times I’ve used them) you can pick up a tree or whatever instead of the pin. And don’t forget the blind shots that can happen frequently.

5. Greater Confidence

Anyone considering whether or not a GPS unit is even worth it; don’t think on it any longer. Imagine rounds so smooth. Hitting the ball so well since I can really judge the accuracy. Walk to my ball and say ok: 136 front, 150 center, pick a club, swing! It’s fantastic.

6. Know the Front & Back Yardages to the Green

If you’re a medium to low handicapper the pin yardage is not always what you want to know. A GPS which tells me front/rear of green yardages. This helps me choose my club much better than just knowing the exact yardage to the flag stick.

7. Learn to Think Like a Pro Golfer

Golf GPS units are about smart golf. Which is about playing to the right part of a green, and a basic knowledge of where the pin is enough to locate that spot. GPS is better at telling me the yardage to that “smart” location and therefore encourages smart golf.

The bottom line is that a golf GPS unit can improve your game. Not only by improving the confidence of your shot making, but also by providing better information to encourage better shot selection and course management, which is where most golfers lose strokes.