Utilizing technology to your advantage is a great way to make golf a little bit easier. Whether it’s getting fit for clubs so you’re totally optimized, or using a launch monitor to dial in your specs, using the latest tech can make this maddening game slightly simpler.
One of the most common pieces of technology that can make things easier is a rangefinder. Whereas in the past you’d need to step off your yardages, with a rangefinder you can point and shoot, giving yourself an accurate number in seconds. But while this piece of tech can be great for your game, not everyone uses them in the best ways.
In today’s edition of Shaving Strokes, we get some advice from GOLF Top 100 Teacher Jonathan Yarwood on the best way to use a rangefinder.
The best way to use a rangefinder
When you pull your rangefinder out of your bag, you need to do so with purpose. While the tech is great for getting info quickly and efficiently, you still need to be diligent about how you use it.
“What you’ve got to understand about these things is, you don’t just want the yardage to the pin,” Yarwood says. “You want the yardage long. You want the yardage short, and the yardage to the pin as well. Because you want to know where to hit it and where not to hit it.”
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Just shooting the number to the pin is tempting, but it’s not going to be the best strategic use of the rangefinder. You also need to know some keys numbers that will keep you out of trouble. This typically means getting the yardage to the front of the green, the back of the green and the number to carry any trouble.
“These things can really be a game-changer if you use them properly,” Yarwood says. “And if you’ve got some skill and you practice your yardages as well, they can really lower your score.”
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