Thanks to everyone for their helpful replies. Well, make that thanks to most for their helpful replies. Perhaps I should have stated up front that my interest is being able to ascertain approximate distances to bunkers, hazards, trees, etc. As there no prize for laying up closest to a hazard, I'd like to be able to establish what my safety margin is. Also for carries across water, waste areas, etc., I'd like to know if I have a realistic chance to make said.
For those who saw fit to characterize the woeful quality of my game, I didn't realize word was so widely spread.
A. G. I like your comments about the accuracy of lasers. Perhaps there's a market to be served by installing software that guesses or give a range. "One hundred yards, give or take ten or fifteen." They could be sold at a deep, but not too deep, discount.
Jim Sherma--I am well, probably better than I have right to expect given my age and previous lifestyle. Remarkable that you should reference cataracts as I have had one removed on June 28th and have my second surgery scheduled for next Tuesday the 16th. The first operation improved my right eye to 20/25 almost immediately. If my second surgery goes as well, I may be without the need for glasses for the first time in twenty five years. It will be interesting to see if the declining quality of my depth perception is due to aging or blurred vision.
Sean A--"I am now carrying 8 clubs so yardage becomes more important in terms of where not to miss." This is what I was inarticulately stumbling towards above when talking about layups, etc. I played Reay earlier this year and in recounting the round I realized I had used four sticks for 85 of my 87 shots. Upon my return to Golspie I went out and played 18 with five sticks. Like playing a round with a single club, it is educational to see how few shots difference it makes in one's score.
Lynn, I get your point. But particularly when playing links courses, I don't think I'll be using the rangefinder when I'm trying to hit shots that chase. Those will always be, I think, instinctive and intuitive. You have to imagine the career of the ball after it goes to ground.
And if I ever start a second career as a caddy, I'll be sure to use a watch.
BTW, it looks as though I'm going to go with the rangefinder. The comments about battery life in watches, plus the preprogrammed nature of the watch as opposed to the selective use I can make of the rangefinder were the deciding factors. Also, I'll be able to say to myself, damn, I thought I could hit my six iron that far.
Thanks, for the most part.
(Apologies to Dan Kelly). And now, would it be too tacky to start a GoFundMe for Steve's Rangefinder?
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