The 150-Yard Decision That Changes Everything — Best Golf Distance Devices of 2025 Compared

You’re standing in the fairway. Pin is tucked. Wind in your face. You’re not sure if that 7-iron in your hand is the right call.

You need a number. But more than that, you need trust. You need conviction.

So you reach for your go-to distance device. And that one small move says everything about your game.

Are you a GPS watch golfer, glancing at your wrist for an instant yardage?

Or are you pulling out a rangefinder, zeroing in with laser precision?

This isn’t just about tech. This is about trust.

And in 2025, there are more distance devices than ever before promising to earn that trust. From laser rangefinders to GPS watches to handhelds with slope and solar charging, the gear is impressive. The challenge is knowing what’s right for you.

Let’s break it down, real-life style. Not with specs and stats. Just practical insight to help you find the best golf device for your game.

Rangefinder: The Precision Addict’s Weapon

If your game is about attacking pins, a rangefinder is your sharpest tool.

Laser rangefinders give you exact yardages to the flag. Not a general zone. Not an average. The number you get is the number you trust. That’s why you see tour pros using them in the tournaments where they’re allowed. Precision is power.

But it’s not all upside.

You need a clear line of sight. That flag behind a tree? That blind bunker edge? Forget it.

Rangefinders also take a few extra beats. Pull it out, aim, lock on, read, put it away. It’s not slow, but it’s not automatic either. And that matters more than you think over the course of a round.

The other issue is that sometimes players fail to factor in run-out distances when they use their rangefinder. They get a distance to the flag, and then they pull the club with the carry distance to match that target distance. But if they hit it well, the ball will end up well past the flag and maybe off the green.

Still, if you’re a detail-driven player and someone that has a good understanding of your carry distances and corresponding roll-outs, a rangefinder belongs in your bag.

What It Looks Like in 2025:

• Bushnell’s Pro X3+ LINK ($599.99) pushes rangefinder tech further than ever, with not just slope-and-weather-adjusted yardages, but also by pairing with Foresight Sports and Bushnell launch monitors to deliver your own specific shot data right in the rangefinder reticle. Amazing!
• If you like the idea of a rangefinder so small it can fit comfortably in your pocket or just as easily attach magnetically to your cart, check out the Bushnell A1-Slope ($299.99). There’s a lot to like for the price.
• Want something different? Something a little more fun and colorful? Try the Pinned Prism+ ($259.99). To get 7x magnification and a 4K OLED display for $260 is insane! More people should be talking about this one.

GPS Watch: Fast, Smart, Always On

A golf watch is the ultimate in simplicity.

You glance down. You get front, middle, and back yardages. Some models show green shape, hazards, layups — even wind and club recommendations.

No need to spot a flag. No need to pull anything out. All of your information is just right there, ready and waiting.

For players who want to move fast, play new courses confidently, and think in strategic terms (Where to miss? How far is the edge of that pond?), a good golf watch is like a caddie on your wrist.

Not to mention, today’s best golf watches are absolutely incredible in what they deliver off the course. You can get unbelievably detailed fitness information and smart features. Things that will serve you all day and night. Those are features a rangefinder can never compete with.

But… a GPS watch isn’t as surgical as a rangefinder. Watches give you estimated data, not pinpoint numbers. That’s totally fine for most shots. But when you really require absolute precision, sometimes that’s not good enough.

Also, some golfers just don’t like the feel of a watch during the swing. If that’s you, fair enough. But for those who don’t mind, the upside is undeniable.

Top 2025 Picks to Know:

• Garmin’s Approach S70 ($649.99) remains the undisputed best golf-first watch. It delivers every advanced on-course feature and innovation Garmin (or anyone else) has ever dreamed up. And it’s amazing as a lifestyle and fitness tracker. Garmin packs the same golf features into some of their multisport beasts like the fenix 8 and Venu X1, but those watches don’t make golf the centerpiece.
• If you’re looking for the “Just Right” golf watch option — the one that best blends affordability, golf features, and off-the-course lifestyle metrics — it’s probably Garmin’s S50 ($399.99). This is the Garmin golf watch sweet spot.
• If you want what’s probably the best golf watch value of 2025, that’s the Shot Scope X5 ($299.99). You get a beautiful 1.2-inch, glare-resistant touchscreen watch with five different band color options, a ceramic bezel, shot-tracking tags included, and no subscription fees. Tough to beat.

The Third Option: GPS Handhelds

Don’t want to wear a watch? Prefer a screen you can stick to the cart or clip to your bag? Enter the GPS handheld.

They’re fast. They’re easy to read. And they bring most of the same GPS data you’d get from a watch, often on a larger screen and without anything on your wrist.

While handhelds don’t get as much love because they’re not as full-lifestyle exciting as a cutting-edge golf watch or have all of the features of the latest-and-greatest rangefinder, these things might be the perfect middle ground of introducing a touch of modern advantage to your game without becoming a slave to gadgets while out on the course.

Best GPS Handhelds:

• Garmin’s Approach G20 Solar ($299.99) offers unlimited battery life via solar charging. No more dead devices. The screen is super sunlight-readable, the yardages are fast and accurate, and the button navigation is simple and reliable.
• For $149.99, the Bushnell Phantom 3 is nearly impossible to pass up. Touchscreen, slope-adjusted yardages, hole recognition — all for $150? This one delivers unbelievable value.

So… Which One’s Right for You?

Choose a Rangefinder if:

• You want exact numbers, every time.
• You play the same courses and already know the layouts.
• You like taking a moment to lock in — it helps your focus.
• You need a backup to confirm what your GPS is saying.

Choose a Golf GPS Watch if:

• You value speed and ease.
• You play a variety of courses and need help visualizing holes.
• You’re more about strategy than pin-seeking.
• You’re comfortable wearing a watch while you play.

Choose a GPS Handheld if:

• You want GPS data without wearing a watch.
• You like having a visible screen on the cart or bag.
• You want a no-frills device with just the essential info.

Pro Tip: The Best Setup Might Be Both

This isn’t a cop-out. It’s what the best-prepared golfers actually do.

They pair a GPS watch or handheld for broad strategy with a laser rangefinder for precise targeting.

Together, you cover everything:

• You get yardages even on blind shots.
• You get precision when it’s go-time.
• You play faster. You play smarter. You play more confidently.

And in 2025, there are even devices designed to work in tandem — like Garmin’s Z30 rangefinder that connects to their watches, or Bushnell’s Tour Hybrid that gives you extensive GPS information in the rangefinder viewfinder.

Go With the Device That Gives You Confidence

That 150-yard shot? It’s not about numbers. It’s about knowing you have what you need to pull off the shot.

Whether you wear it, laser it, or clip it to your cart, the best distance device is the one you trust.

Pick your tool. Commit to it. And go own your yardages.

Because the more confident you are in your number, the more committed you’ll be to your swing.

And that changes everything.

About PlayBetter Golf Reviewer Marc Sheforgen

Marc "Shef" Sheforgen is a golf writer whose passion for the game far exceeds his ability to play it well. Marc covers all things golf, from product reviews and equipment recommendations to event coverage and tournament analysis. When he's not playing, watching, or writing about golf, he enjoys traveling (often golf-related), youth sports coaching, volunteering, and record collecting.