The Best Golf GPS and Distance Measuring Devices for Pin-Seekers in 2024

Last updated: 23 October 2024

Best Golf GPS Measuring Devices of 2023

Gone are the days when golfers had to rely on the 150-yard markers and guess how far they were from the green, with the best golf GPS devices giving exact yardages you can rely on.

There are two main types of distance-measuring devices:

– The best golf rangefinders provide an exact distance to the flag or any other target you can lock onto.

– The best golf GPS devices tend to be ever so slightly less accurate than a laser, but can provide a far greater array of information. Trolley manufacturers are also just beginning to incorporate GPS devices into their models and that trend is only likely to continue.

Within both categories, there are plenty of excellent choices across a wide-price range.

Best GPS Watch: Garmin Approach S70 GPS Watch | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US

Best GPS Rangefinder: Shot Scope PRO LX+ | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US

Best GPS Handheld: Skycaddie SX550 GPS | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US

Best GPS Speaker: Bushnell Wingman VIEW GPS Speaker | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US

Best GPS Trolley: PowaKaddy RX1 GPS Remote Electric Golf Trolley | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US

Best GPS App: Arccos Caddie | BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – US

And if you’re in the market for equipment that can help make playing golf just that little bit easier, why not check out our features on the best golf launch monitors, best golf GPS watches, best golf rangefinders, and best electric golf trolleys.

GPS watches have made a huge impact during the last decade and the technology they possess ensures their popularity will only grow. The ease of use and the fact they fit snuggly on your wrist makes them easy to manage. However, the small display size is not everyone’s cup of tea. For a full range of what’s on offer, check out our Best Golf GPS Watches feature.

The lightweight, premium golf watch that does it all

www.americangolf.co.uk

Course mapping on foot for the highest accuracy

Rrp: $299.95

The ultimate caddie for the golf course

www.pgatoursuperstore.com

Takes shot tracking and off-course analysis to a new level

User-friendly, feature-packed golf watch

Rrp: $239.99

Combining golf and health benefits

www.amazon.co.uk

The newest addition to the Voice Caddie T-series line of GPS watches

Rrp: $349.99

Easy to use and comfortable

Rrp: $129.99

Slope technology in a golf watch

Rangefinders still offer the most accurate distance-measuring option and some utilize GPS in some aspects of the features they offer. It’s why the pros will always use laser-measuring devices rather than GPS-only alternatives. However most of them are one-dimensional and generally, they don’t offer as much information as their GPS-only cousins. For a full range of options check out our Best Golf Rangefinders feature.

A laser rangefinder, GPS, and shot-tracking device in one

A premium laser GPS hybrid providing the most accurate yardages on the market

The ultimate all-in-one rangefinder

www.amazon.co.uk

The original GPS distance-measuring device has come a long way in a short time and, now, they provide excellent displays with highly detailed and informative readouts. The larger screens will appeal to those who don’t like the tightness of the GPS watches but they are quite bulky and useful only on the course, unlike GPS watches.

High-quality touchscreen GPS

www.skygolf.com

The GPS which helps you on and off the course

www.amazon.co.uk

It's stood the test of time for a reason

Rrp: $249.99

Great handheld at great value

Keeping it nice and simple

Perfect for listening to your favorite album on the links

The audio experience you music lovers crave

Lightweight GPS speaker that will clip pretty much anywhere

It was never going to be long before the electric trolley makers integrated GPS technology and it makes perfect sense to have that information as part of your trolley. However, at nearly £1,000, they are not going to appeal to everyone, and some people prefer to carry their golf bag.

Making life on the course a whole lot easier

www.amazon.co.uk

Responsive and compact

www.americangolf.co.uk

The most cost-effective option is the GPS app and for many golfers, particularly the more casual player, they will do the job. Certainly, a margin of error of 3-4 yards is preferable to the naked eye. The leading GPS app developers have also cleverly incorporated many helpful add-ons to retain customers. Reliability is the big downside and there is always that nagging doubt that the yardage you have been supplied is not quite right.

Understand your game from the official game trackers of the PGA Tour

Rrp: $199.99

The perfect companion for your Motocaddy

www.motocaddy.com

Easy-to-navigate, high-quality GPS app

apps.apple.com

Compete against others in live leaderboards and challenges

apps.apple.com

Here at Today’s Golfer, our team of carefully selected reviewers tests and assesses each product over an extended period of time. Having tested tens of thousands of products over the years, we know exactly what to look for. We will ask every possible question about each product that we review. With a range of everyday golfers testing products you can rest assured that if it’s a situation that can arise for you on the golf course, we’ve already put the product through that scenario before recommending it.

With GPS devices, they will usually be tested thoroughly by the team with an aim to score the product on its accuracy, waterproofing, durability, and ease of use, just to name a few. With there being so many GPS units on offer the products will often be tested side by side to give a proper comparison between one another.

We are lucky enough to attend product launches and meet the manufacturers to understand why they release a new product and its benefit to the consumer. The TG team pride ourselves on the fact that we understand and test all of our products to give you our honest and in-depth opinion on whether it is worth buying or not. The reviews and recommendations are there with you the readers as our highest priority, so we can recommend products that will help you improve your game.

See a full guide to how we test golf equipment.

Your routine

The best golf watches only require you to take a quick glance at them to get all the information you need. This makes them much easier to use and causes less distraction during your game. You may be a golfer who doesn’t mind taking a minute to get the GPS out of a case; in this case it’s worth weighing up between the two.

Your course

Considering where you regularly play your golf will help you make the right decision. Whether it’s a club you are a member of or one from the local area. It’s worth asking yourself, are there blind tee shots, lots of doglegs, or plenty of hazards? If these play a factor then a GPS that offers plenty of information may be a better choice than a laser.

As you can see above, there are a multitude of options in the GPS market and they all have their ups and downs depending on the golfers wants and needs.

GPS Watch – For the stress-free golfer after a GPS device with simplicity at heart. Golf watches can now provide a vast amount of data that will help improve your game, showing you hazards and distances to doglegs. They have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and are now more than just a gadget with yardages on. With one glance you can see your yardage and thanks to the lightweight, slim-lined design they rarely impede or distract your swing in any way.

Handhelds – Whatever your opinion on the golf watch, for some golfers they just don’t get on with them. So why not go to the next best thing? Most handhelds offer you everything and more of a golf watch. The G12 and Phantom 2 are small handhelds with a small screen size that display the yardages simply or you can go to the other end of the spectrum with the SX550 which is much like the latest smartphone with a high-quality screen that displays exact yardages from your location on a map of the hole with features such as green view.

Rangefinders – The most precise measuring device on the market. Exact yardages to the pin all at the press of a button. The Z82 and SL3 both feature GPS and distance features, where they show hole displays and green views to further enhance your game, giving you more than enough information.

Speakers – Perfect for music lovers who love to hit the links, GPS golf speakers offer everything of a handheld GPS, partnered with a high-quality speaker perfect for the golf course. The Players + and Wingman both deliver a crystal clear audio experience, whilst displaying accurate yardages to the front back, and middle of the green.

Trolley/Cart – They were never going to be far behind, having GPS integrated into golf trolleys/carts was only a matter of time. It makes perfect sense to have the GPS technology included with what’s already on trolleys, it does come at a significant price and this will definitely be something to consider. For golfers in the market for a GPS and a trolley, why not have them both together?

Apps – The most cost-effective option is the GPS app and for many golfers, particularly the more casual player, they will do the job. These will certainly not be the most accurate option but for your regular golfer that will likely have little to no effect on your game

All these different devices come with a range of different features. You can see below the ones we consider to be ones to think about when in the market for a GPS.

Course Collection – There is a variation between what each GPS device offers in terms of preloaded courses. Most golf courses will be accounted for with many GPS devices having over 30,000 golf courses installed.

Accuracy – One of the key qualities to look out for with any GPS, arguably the most important. Most will be accurate to within one or two yards, but some will be more accurate than others

Screen quality – The more expensive models often have a better display, with some watches featuring an AMOLED quality screen. Each type of GPS will have its own level of quality dependent on the price and level of the product.

Stat tracking – A great feature for helping golfers understand more about their game and where they’re dropping and gaining strokes.

Waterproofing – For us here in the UK this is a no-brainer, but even elsewhere in the globe its very important as you never know when you may get caught out.

Battery life – When looking at a GPS’s battery life, you’ll need to consider your golf life and what best suits the amount you play. If you play once a week, most watches will be fine, whereas if you play three to four times a week, you may want something that will last without charging it every night.

Are GPS devices worth it?

Most definitely. Thanks to modern GPS devices you no longer have to guess the yardage from a post in the ground a number on the sprinkler or a yardage book that doesn’t quite look right. Now you can take one simple glance at a screen and get the exact distance to any green, dogleg, and hazard. With the initial cost of buying one aside once you add a GPS to your golf game, you won’t look back

What is the best free golf app?

With the GPS capabilities of smartwatches nowadays, most will be compatible with golf GPS apps on both Android and IOS. So whether you have an Apple, Samsung, HUAWEI, or any other of your favorite brands, they will all have compatibility with Hole 19, Golfshot, or 18Birdies which are some of the best free golf apps.

READ NEXT – Best golf apps– Best golf shot-tracking devices– Best golf GPS and distance measuring devices– Which Is The Best Motocaddy trolley for me?

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Will Shreeve-Peacock – Golf Equipment Writer

Will Shreeve-Peacock is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in golf shoes, GPS watches, rangefinders, and training aids.

He has a degree in journalism from Sheffield Hallam University and four years of experience working in golf retail with American Golf. Will was part of the sales and fitting team, making him the perfect man to review golf equipment.

Trained by a range of manufacturers, including Titleist and TaylorMade, to enhance his product knowledge, Will has all of the skills required to recommend the perfect equipment for amateur golfers.

Will started playing golf more than a decade ago at Thorney Lakes Golf Club, Cambridgeshire and is now a member at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincolnshire. His handicap index is 5.8, largely thanks to his scratch-standard short game.

Away from golf, Will enjoys going to the gym, cooking, spending time with his friends, and watching his beloved Manchester United.

Will uses a Cobra LTDx Driver, Cobra LTDx 3-Wood, TaylorMade P790 2-iron, Callaway X Forged 18 Irons (4-PW), Wilson Staff Model Wedges (52°, 58°), TaylorMade White smoke IN-12 Blade putter and the TaylorMade TP5x Golf ball.

When he’s not testing golf shoes, he chooses to wear FootJoy Hyperflex or Under Armour Charged Phantom. He uses a Shotscope Pro L2 rangefinder, and his favorite training aid is the PuttOut Pressure Putt Trainer and mat.

You can contact Will via email or follow him on Twitter here.

Golf Equipment Writer

JUMP TO: GPS Watches | GPS Rangefinders | GPS Handheld Devices | GPS Trolleys | GPS Apps | Buying Guide | FAQsThe best golf GPS devices at a glance:Best GPS Watch| BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – USBest GPS Rangefinder:| BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – USBest GPS Handheld| BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – USBest GPS Speaker| BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – USBest GPS Trolley| BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – USBest GPS App| BUY NOW – UK | BUY NOW – USRead our full SkyCaddie LX5C GPS watch reviewRead our full Shot Scope X5 GPS watch reviewRead our How to get the most from your Garmin GPSBest Golf GPS SpeakersBest Golf GPS Trolleys Best Golf GPS AppsHow do we test GPS Devices?Your routineYour courseTypeGPS Watch –Handhelds –Rangefinders –Speakers –Trolley/Cart –Apps –FeaturesCourse Collection –Accuracy –Screen quality –Stat tracking –Waterproofing –Battery life – Golf GPS: FAQsAre GPS devices worth it?What is the best free golf app?READ NEXT – Best golf apps– Best golf shot-tracking devices– Best golf GPS and distance measuring devicesWhich Is The Best Motocaddy trolley for me?Subscribe to Today’s Golfer Magazine! In every issue there are exclusive interviews with star players, equipment tests and buying advice, PGA pro tips to you help you shoot lower scores and our highly regarded Top 100 course rankings from around the world.Will Shreeve-Peacock