Using Your Golf Rangefinder – Avoid these 3 mistakes that lead to higher scores when you get your first golf GPS

You did all the research, placed the order and finally have in hand your first GPS golf rangefinder. Your instinct might be to grab your clubs and head straight to the golf course and who could blame you. There is a good chance this device is going to help you lower your scores over the next few weeks.

Hold on a minute though before you run out the door. Here are three mistakes you will want to avoid on your first day, so you don’t end up frustrated, disappointed and paying your buddies after losing your bets.

1. Don’t let your new GPS distract you from actually Playing Golf… Seriously, this happens all the time. Playing golf should be your main focus and your golf GPS should just enhance that experience.
• Make sure you are familiar with your new unit before you start the round. Before you leave home, read the instructions. If they are not included, you may want to download them from the company website.
• Turn it on and get really familiar with the basics. Most of these units have some type of demo mode or preview mode.
• Make sure you know which number is the one that’s to the center of the green. That’s the one you’ll need the most.
• Get really comfortable moving between screens and holes. Some of these units have lots of features, which means you need to know how to navigate your device. If you accidentally end up on the scorecard when you need a yardage, you’ll want to be able to get there quickly.
• KEEP IT SIMPLE – On the first day, commit to using only the basics. Knowing your distance to the middle of the green will generally help you more than anything else. If you try doing more than the basics, you’ll probably end up taking a little focus away from playing the game and lose your rhythm. Just keep it simple at first and work on using other features after you’re super comfortable with it. There are some features you may never need and that’s okay.
2. Remember that golf GPS devices don’t give distance to the pin – At this point, handheld golf GPS devices don’t know where the flag is on the green. To be honest, most of us would do well to always shoot for the middle of the green. However, if you’re playing a course with large greens, it can be helpful to consider the pin position before selecting your club. Most courses now have some way of letting you know the area of the pin. If you’re not sure, ask in the golf shop before you begin
3. Trust yourself – If what you already know about your golf course does not  jive with your GPS, trust yourself. Although GPS on the golf course is pretty darn accurate most of the time, it’s not always perfect. If you find it to be consistently giving you bad information, check with others using the same device and check online reviews. It’s possible you just got a lemon and should return it for a replacement.

If you haven’t purchased that golf GPS just yet, let us help you discover which golf GPS is best for you.