Best Golf Rangefinders of 2022

Picture this: You’re walking the fairways of your local nine-hole public course, searching for the red, white, or blue discs to get a better idea of your ball’s distance to the green. You’re in the left or right rough, 20-30 yards away from the nearest disc. As you trek back to your ball, you have numbers, equations, and questions swirling in your head: “150 yards to the center of the green… 15 yards back of the white yardage marker… Is the flag in the front of the green or the back?” That’s a lot of calculation and contemplation. 

Luckily, thanks to technology, golf rangefinders today can do the calculations for you to scope the distance to the flag. The rangefinder for golf has revolutionized the game and enhanced the experience for all amateur players. It speeds up play, enabling you to stay in the groove. Rangefinders are now permitted in most amateur events and have even received a stamp of approval from the United States Golf Association (USGA) in its calendar of events. 

With several manufacturers in this space and various price points across the industry, it might be challenging to locate the best rangefinder for golf on your own. But don’t worry, we’ve done the dirty work for you. Here’s a list of the best rangefinders of 2022 to help you narrow down your purchase:

Top 10 golf rangefinders

Best rangefinders compared

Best overall: Bushnell Pro XE

All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Benefits

Drawbacks

The Bushnell Pro XE is pound for pound the top choice for rangefinders on the market today. The name Bushnell speaks for itself, but the company isn’t resting on its laurels. The brand has done its homework when it comes to research and development.

This device accounts for altitude, temperature, and barometric pressure in its yardage calculation, and the red optical flash and vibration tell you when you’re locked into your target. Its predecessor, the Bushnell Pro X2, was a popular choice, and the brand followed up nicely with the Bushnell Pro XE, a fast and accurate golf rangefinder. Some say it’s heavier than the previous model, while others say it’s more durable.  

The high cost, however, may steer some consumers in another direction, as $549 is more than some golfers want to spend on a rangefinder. But die-hard, dedicated golfers will lay out the funds and strive to earn them back on the course as their new rangefinder scopes their distance to within a yard of the target, shot after shot. 

Best smart technology: Precision Pro R1 Smart

Precision Pro R1 Smart

$319.99

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Benefits

Drawbacks

At a price point that will align with most golfers’ budgets, the Precision Pro R1 Smart has plenty of features, such as GPS tracking capabilities, the consideration of slope and barometric pressure in its yardage calculations, and a MySlope™ technology feature that combines your personalized data with environmental factors. This individualized feedback makes your rangefinder truly your rangefinder.

At just over $300, the cost also works into most consumers’ individualized checkbooks. The magnetic mount is always a benefit, but if you didn’t catch the metal bar when affixing, or you left the club without your device, GPS location services will help you find your rangefinder before it finds a new home.  

Some issues that might deter someone include its bulkier-than-standard size and the time-consuming process of personalized data input. Once the information is in, you can take full advantage of its capabilities, but some people prefer not to add another task to their to-do list. 

Best current trend: Garmin Approach® Z82

Garmin Approach® Z82

$599.99

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Benefits

Drawbacks

The Garmin Approach® Z82 is raising some eyebrows and gaining traction in the industry. With a video screen that provides vital information about the golf course you’re playing, it does far more than derive your distance to the hole. It’s essentially an automated yardage book. Whether you want to know how far to clear the bunker or how far to clear the penalty area, it’s all in there.

As such, some individuals find it confusing and difficult to navigate. After all, who wants to complicate the simplicity of golf with challenging technology? The answer to that question is that many golfers do. This rangefinder is becoming increasingly popular, finding its way into more golf bags than ever in 2022, despite the hefty $599.99 price tag. 

Best 3-in-1 technology: Shot Scope Pro LX+

Benefits

Drawbacks

The Shot Scope Pro LX+ offers 3-in-1 technology that includes a GPS, laser rangefinder for golf, and personalized shot tracking. With one of the longest-lasting battery lives on the market, this device will always be by your side. With its GPS-tracking capabilities, it’ll measure your distance per shot and provide an overall of potential danger in the course, including bunkers and penalty areas.

This device has a pleasing ergonomic shape that will keep your hands steady during use. It has, however, been known to have issues attaining the precise yardage against a busier-than-usual background. But sometimes, you have to sacrifice a little to get a whole lot more!

With this device, you can also track your shots and monitor your trends and tendencies. Most of us have limited time to practice, but practicing with a purpose is easier with the Shot Scope Pro LX+ rangefinder for golf.

Best optics: Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized

Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized

$449.95

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Benefits

Drawbacks

The Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized rangefinder for golf provides the best optics and clearest display in the space. We shouldn’t be surprised by Nikon’s dominance in this area after decades of stellar optical tools with its still and video cameras. 

This rangefinder has built-in stabilizing technology and a user-friendly display. The visual jolt on the screen tells you it’s OK to choose your club and knock that ball on the green. At $449.95, it’s a bit expensive, but after all, it’s premium. It’s also waterproof — a game-changer for many die-hard golfers who don’t like to shy away from a few clouds in the sky. 

Best for accuracy: Cobalt Q6 Slope

Benefits

Drawbacks

The Cobalt Q6 Slope rangefinder for golf is stirring some buzz across the industry. With remarkably consistent yardage readings, often to within one-tenth of a yard of the target, the flag lock vibration tells you when you’re locked in on your target. Now go knock down that flagstick!

This fully waterproof rangefinder offers fast readings and vibrant optics that are easily adjustable using Cobalt’s SmartSwitch. You can adjust the brightness based on the amount of available light at the time. 

The performance of the Cobalt Q6 Slope rivals the big rangefinder names. But the need to view two screens for the actual and adjusted yardages isn’t ideal, so the $450 price tag might influence some to go with a more prominent name instead.  

Best value: Blue Tees Series 3 Max

Blue Tees Series 3 Max

$269.99

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Benefits

Drawbacks

Best value leads you to believe you get what you pay for, but with this rangefinder for golf, you get much more. As such, the Blue Tees Series 3 Max is better than this acknowledgment indicates. With flag lock, pulse vibration, and a metallic exterior that strongly affixes your golf cart, you can buy this device and likely still have some money left over for a lesson or a couple of dozen premium golf balls.

This rangefinder is water-resistant, and the auto-ambient display adjusts on its own to conform to the daylight level. This product is particularly great for golfers on a budget and even comes with a spiffy leather carrying case.

Critics say the optics aren’t what you’d get from a higher-priced rangefinder for golf, but we say try one and see for yourself.

Best for compactness: Bushnell Tour V5 

Benefits

Drawbacks

In the lineup of golf rangefinders produced by the leader in the market today, the Bushnell Tour V5 is affordable and easy to use. Its compact frame makes it easy to handle, and the BITE Magnetic cart mount ensures you’ll never lose this trusted caddy. 

Bushnell has improved the sightline view, too, even though it didn’t seem to worry owners of the previous model. Coming in at right around $300, this rangefinder is waterproof and accurate within one yard of the hole — both pluses in our book!

Best for first-timers: GOGOGO SPORT VPRO GS24

GOGOGO SPORT VPRO GS24

$189.99

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Benefits

Drawbacks

The GOGOGO SPORT VPRO GS24 is currently on sale for $119.99 — an incredible value and a perfect product for first-time users. The continuous scan mode allows you to get distance readings even if the object is in motion. Not needed for golf, of course, but this device is touted for hunters, as well. 

In addition, there’s a golf mode that locks onto your flagstick target with a vibration and the data you need, and it also has a speed mode that measures moving objects, as previously stated. 

This rangefinder is lightweight, has a clean look, and the accuracy is within one yard of the target and ranges all the way out to 650 yards. Unfortunately, it won’t take much to get that white exterior dirty, especially when playing in wet and muddy conditions. Critics also note that the battery door doesn’t always stay securely closed, which could lead to disaster during a round of golf. 

Best battery life: Decathlon Inesis Golf 900

Decathlon Inesis Golf 900 

$199

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Benefits

Drawbacks

With more than 5,000 measurements on its battery life, the Decathlon Inesis Golf 900 rangefinder is a sleeper buy. Hardly anyone has heard of it, but this rangefinder is crazy accurate, easy to use, and a bargain, to say the least, at under $200. 

Other devices have recorded over 5,000 measurements on battery life, but you’ll pay quite a bit more for those names. This rangefinder is also slope-enabled when you want it to be and displays a clear view of the challenge in front of you. Get the number and proceed; we can confidently say you’ll be happy about this purchase. Whenever your friends ask you what the brand is again, let them try it out, and they’ll surely be hooked — even before learning the cost.

A rangefinder will up your golf game

Choosing the best rangefinder for golf really depends on you — the consumer. Ask yourself: Is budget a concern? What features do I need? How durable do I want it to be? Do I need it to be waterproof? These factors and more go into the decision to improve your golf game with a new rangefinder. 

Golf rangefinders are not just for the single-digit handicaps and pros. A rangefinder for golf is more of a necessity than a luxury since the primary piece of information you need before every shot is the distance to your target. And let’s face it: They truly are affordable these days — just don’t get caught up in the unnecessary bells and whistles if you can’t afford them. You can find a new rangefinder for the price of a golf round at most middle- to high-end courses. 

FAQs

What’s the best rangefinder on the market?

The Bushnell Pro XE is our choice for the best rangefinder for golf. It’ll cost you, but its accuracy and top-notch features are worth it. Not to mention, the vibration, when locked in on your target, will give you the confidence to pick a club and drop it close to the stick.

Who makes the most accurate rangefinder?

The Cobalt Q6 Slope is our pick for the most accurate rangefinder for golf. Accurate to one-tenth of a yard, this device won’t let you down at crunch time when the tournament is on the line and you need a birdie. It’ll also be your trusted companion when you need a triple bogey to break 120 for the first time. It doesn’t discriminate based on how well you play the game.

What rangefinder do the pros use?

A recent Darrell Survey revealed that Bushnell golf rangefinders are the top choice of the pros. More than half of PGA Tour, PGA Tour Champions, and LPGA Tour players have a Bushnell rangefinder for golf affixed to their bag during practice rounds and permitted golf tournaments.

Vinnie Manginelli

Golf.com Contributor

Vinnie Manginelli is a PGA Golf Professional in New York, a freelance golf writer, and college golf coach at SUNY Ulster in Stone Ridge, New York. He has twenty years of golf teaching and administrative experience and was recently elected President of the National Junior College Athletic Association DIII Golf Coaches Association. He has a Masters Degree in English from Southern New Hampshire University.