Golf Equipment: Five Tips for Choosing the Best Golf GPS System for Duffers

Recently interest in golf GPS systems has skyrocketed. More and more golfers are turning to this new electronic technology to help them make better decisions while on the golf course. These devices save time by aiding the golfer in club selection and overall course strategy.

The real key to the growing popularity of these golf GPS rangefinders is that they have been declared legal for use in tournament play by all of golf's governing bodies if approved by the local golf course. Each course has to approve the use of these devices and most have at this point. Check with yours just to be sure.

As with all technology improvements have continued to make golf GPS devices both user friendly and affordable. Another benefit of the growing popularity of these cell phone style units is the growing variety of choices as more manufacturers enter the market.

The growing array of brands and models offering different features tends to be confusing to those investigating the possibility of owning one of their own. There are a few key considerations other than price you will need to understand in order to select the best golf GPS rangefinder for your needs.

1. GPS vs. Laser. Is a GPS unit your best choice or is a laser rangefinder a better option? Let's just get this option handled first. Golf GPS devices do not require you see your target for them to work. Lasers do. Trying to focus on a skinny flag stick from 200 hundred yards is not so easy. And don't let the wind get up, a moving target is nearly impossible. Golf GPS units are easier to read and are not affected by light conditions.

The flip side is that a GPS system is limited in the number of distances available depending on manufacturer. You are left to decide if the exact distance to the pin from a laser is what is best for you or if GPS distances to front, back and middle are the better choice. I prefer the GPS info myself. Further a laser is more pin point accurate. Some GPS systems require annual fees so they may be more expensive over the long haul.

2. Ease of use. Do you want a programmable system or a all-in-one device. Some devices require you to download course information from a website. Easy enough to do but you may consider it a hassle. Other devices are ready to go right out of the box. They already have all the courses available from that manufacturer loaded into them.

3. Course selection. Is your favorite course(s) available? Not all courses everywhere have been mapped. You should be able to research the available course lists for the golf GPS rangefinders you are considering. It wouldn't matter how much you liked any given device if that manufacturer does not have your course available.

4. Brand name. You will want a maker you can trust, one that has stood the test of time and who is not offering units that have not been fully and completely debugged.

5. Features. Some may want only a GPS system that gives just the basics while others may want all the bells and whistles. Do you want distances to hazards or the corner of the dogleg or can you do without that info? Some offer scorecard software so you can track scores for your entire group. The latest I've heard is a GPS rangefinder that recommends a club based on how far you hit each club. Do you want to be able to map a course yourself? Not all the systems will let you do that.

You have a lot to think about when making this choice. You want the best golf GPS device for you. These tips should help you make that decision. From my experience I know that you will just love the gadget once you get your hands on it and use it a few rounds.