Are Golf Rangefinders Becoming Redundant? How Smartwatches Like Garmin Are Changing the Game

For decades, rangefinders have been the go-to gadget for golfers who want precise yardage readings. From laser models to GPS-based devices, they’ve been clipped to golf bags and stored in pockets all over the world. But technology never stands still and in recent years, the humble rangefinder is facing stiff competition from a device many golfers already own: the smartwatch.

In particular, Garmin’s range of golf-ready smartwatches, combined with the Garmin Golf app, is quietly making traditional rangefinders less relevant than ever before.

The Shift From Dedicated Devices to All-in-One Wearables

Rangefinders are still great for certain situations, especially in competition play where slope-adjusted distances aren’t allowed, but they come with limitations:

You have to physically aim and shoot at your target

They can be fiddly in poor weather or unsteady hands

They’re another item to carry (and potentially lose)

Garmin smartwatches, on the other hand, integrate directly into your game without interrupting your play. With GPS technology, preloaded course maps, and shot tracking, they sit on your wrist delivering yardages in real-time: no extra gadgets needed.

What the Garmin Golf App Brings to the Table

The Garmin Golf app is more than just a digital scorecard. Paired with a compatible Garmin watch, it offers:

• Precise Yardages – Distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, plus hazards and layup points, updated automatically as you move.

• PlaysLike Distances – Adjusted yardages that factor in slope and elevation changes.

• Green View – See the actual shape of the green and manually move the pin for ultra-accurate readings.

• Shot Tracking – Automatically records shot distances and club usage to analyse later.

• Performance Stats – Track driving accuracy, greens in regulation, putts per round, and more.

• Live Leaderboards – Compete with friends or other players on the same course.

These features mean your watch is acting as a rangefinder, caddie, and stat tracker all at once, making the need for a separate rangefinder far less compelling for most golfers.

Why Golfers Are Making the Switch

While rangefinders offer laser accuracy to the flag, Garmin’s smartwatches bring a broader picture of the course. For many players, the convenience of having everything on your wrist, distances, scorecard, hazards, and performance data, outweighs the marginal accuracy difference.

Add in the fact that Garmin watches double as fitness trackers, smart notification devices, and everyday wearables, and it’s easy to see why they’re replacing single-use gadgets.

Garmin still produces high-quality golf rangefinders, such as the Garmin Approach Z82, which combines laser accuracy with GPS mapping, but even these are now rivalled by the convenience and multi-functionality of Garmin’s own smartwatch lineup.

Upgrade Your Garmin With a Premium Leather Strap

If you’re using your Garmin watch both on and off the course, a strap upgrade can make it even more versatile. At The Time Club, we offer premium leather garmin straps designed for Garmin models, combining golf-ready durability with timeless style. Whether you’re teeing off or heading to dinner, your watch will look the part. 

Shop Garmin Straps