Phil,
My experience has been that laser range finders are more popular among lower handicaps -- 0-7, say -- and that GPS is far more popular among the higher handicap set.
Yes. Most low handicap (especially tournament level players) prefer lasers. We want to know exactly how far it is to the pin because it really does matter -- especially inside 150 or so, depending on the player. I know that I can carry my SW 110 - 115 yards in 80+ degree weather, and if I have to carry it 119, I just can't do it unless I have a helping wind, or I'm hitting slightly downhill, or I'm significantly above sea level.
I'm certainly not good enough to demand that level of accuracy with my mid and long irons, but on my wedges, I am that good (when I'm playing well and not injured). The problem with the GPS units is that you really are only ever guessing at where the pin is unless you have a pin sheet (and even those I have seen off by 7 - 10 yards before). The problem is on large, multi-section greens, where you just can't tell if it's in the middle or on the right third, or where. Is it just over the bunker, or is it 15 paces from the bunker. If I'm playing a tournament, I need to know that, and it's simple: I laser the face of the bunker, I laser the flag. It takes me five or six seconds, much shorter than pulling out a yardage book, pulling out the pin sheet, and doing the math.
What would you anti-laser guys prefer? No yardages anywhere? Yardages on sprinkler heads only? 100/150/200/250/300 yard markers only? Whatever your preference, all I can tell you is that whatever GOLF decides (the USGA and R&A), I'm fine with, and I'll play the game that way. But once you start introducing yardages on sprinkler heads, then you've now necessitated that tournament players USE them lest they be at a serious competitive disadvantage. Once we started lasering yardages from sprinkler heads, it only made sense to allow lasers on the golf course, since they speed up play when used properly. The fact that some players don't know how to use them is pointless, since many of the same players have no idea how to use a yardage book or a pin sheet and insist on using them and REALLY slowing things down in the process.
That's my take at least....