Golf Rangefinder Reviews

Below are links to our reviews of GPS, Laser and Hybrid Golf Rangefinders, sorted by brand. You may also want to check our GPS Reviews and Scores and our Laser Reviews and Scores for product comparisons.

gps Golf Rangefinders

  • Bushnell

  • Callaway

  • Garmin

  • GolfBuddy

  • Izzo

  • Voice Caddie
  • laser Golf Rangefinders

  • Bushnell

  • Gogogo

  • Precision Pro Golf

  • TecTecTec
  • SkyCaddie SG5 Review

    The SkyCaddie SG5 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

    'SkyCaddie SG5'

    SkyCaddie SG5
    Not Available


    Check Newer Models
    Laser
    GPS
    Golf Watches


    For our SkyCaddie SG5 Review Summary, we carefully read nearly 70 reviews and wrote down everything users said about their SkyCaddie SG5 experiences. We counted which pros and which cons were mentioned the most frequently and have compiled our results. The results are listed in order from most mentioned to least. We also average out user ratings from as many websites as we can find and come up with our composite GRS Score.

    SkyCaddie SG5 User Rating: 4.38 Stars 4.38 out of 5 (439 reviews)

    Score compiled from multiple sources.
    PROS (In order of mentions high to low):
    1. Accuracy
    2. Easy Computer Set-up and Downloads
    3. Easy to use
    4. Lots of courses
    5. Improves golf game
    6. Intelligreen – exact shape of the green rotates to match your angle of approach
    7. Fast distance acquisition from satellites
    8. Speeds up play
    9. Up-to-date
    10. Color screen
    11. Easy to read and easy to see in bright sunlight
    12. Email support responds quickly
    13. Digital Scorecard
    14. Holevue – on some courses – graphic view of the hole that allows you to zoom and get yardage to desired target
    15. Alternate targets – hazards, carries and layups
    16. Stat tracking – fairways, GIRs and putts
    17. No charge for feature upgrades
    18. Good Customer Service (note: more people complained than complimented)
    19. Good battery life
    20. Intelligreen Pro – available on some courses. Displays green contours
    21. Size
    22. Club SG – Upload your scores and stats for analysis and sharing
    CONS (In order of mentions high to low<):
    1. Annual membership fee
    2. Poor Customer Service
    3. Limit of 10 courses stored – $20 upgrade to 20 courses
    4. If you don’t renew your membership, the courses stored on your device will stop working
    5. Too big to fit easily into a pocket
    6. Steep price
    7. Learning curve and no instructions
    8. Not waterproof
    9. Doesn’t take Alkaline batteries, so if don’t get to recharge it before you play, you may be out of luck.
    10. Software Problems
    11. Does not come pre-loaded with courses

    Golf Rangefinder Shop Summary: The one thing mentioned more often than any other in all the reviews we read, was how accurate the device was. One reason may be that SkyGolf, the maker of SkyCaddie GPS rangefinders, ground-verifies every course in their database. This means that an actual person goes to the golf course with specialized equipment to make sure the yardages are accurate. All other golf GPS devices use only satellite imagery. We don’t know of any studies that have been done to prove it, but this might mean SkyCaddie GPS devices are more consistently accurate than other units. Although nobody likes paying the annual SkyCaddie membership fee, many of those who mentioned it as a negative, felt it was worth it for the accuracy. Although ‘Annual membership fees’ was the most mentioned CON, “Poor Customer Service” was the one that really got our attention. There were several users who had good experiences with customer support, particularly email and chat support, but there were more who had bad experiences. From telephone wait times to rude comments, over 10% of the user reviews we read, were unhappy with some aspect of technical support. Considering how many users are thrilled with their SkyCaddie SG5, we’re guessing most of them have never needed to contact Customer Service. That in itself is a PRO. We at the Golf Rangefinder Shop have set-up many SkyCaddies and downloaded many courses with no problems at all.

    Our Conclusion:
    • If consistent accuracy is the most important feature that you want in your golf rangefinder AND a laser rangefinder isn’t your thing, then the SkyCaddie SG5 should definitely be on your short list. You should also be prepared to defend your decision to pay annual fees (hopefully for more consistent accuracy), as several GPS models are now coming pre-loaded with thousands of golf courses and no membership fees. Also remember that you can only store 10 courses at a time on your SG5 (20 courses after a $20 upgrade).
    • If you have computer phobias and little patience with things like bad customer support, then you should look into getting a pre-loaded golf GPS device instead.
    Skygolf SkyCaddie SG5 Feature Table
    SkyCaddie SG5
    Course Download Fees Yes
    Pre-loaded with Courses No
    Full Hole Views Yes
    Slope / Elevation No
    Battery Life 14 hrs max
    Battery Li-ion recharge
    Size (Width x Height x Depth) 5.4 in. x 2.2 in. x 1 in.
    Measure Shot Distance Yes
    Screen Size 2.2
    Resolution hi-res
    Display Type backlit color LCD
    Weight 5.5 oz.
    Rainproof No
    Touch Screen No
    Touch Targeting No
    Manual Pin Positioning N/A
    Stat Tracker No
    Digital Scorecard Yes
    Computer Analysis Tools No
    Ground Verified Yes
    Alternate Targets Yes
    Green Rotates to your shot angle Yes
    USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
    Notes -
    Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
    GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.

    SkyGolf Introduces AutoView for the SGX

    SkyCaddie SGXSkyGolf, a leading maker of GPS Golf Rangefinders, has added a new feature to its latest golf rangefinder, the SkyCaddie SGX. The SGX already boasts a rich user experience with HoleVue, Intelligreen and Intelligreen Pro technologies, but this latest software update takes a page out of the smartphone playbook and adds an element of user friendliness to the SGX experience. Autoview takes advantange of the device’s built-in accelerometer and senses when the user rotates the SGX to the right or to the left. Rotating the GPS rangefinder to the right now gives the user a landscape detailed view of the green using the Intelligreen technology. Rotating it to the left gives a landscape view of the scorecard for easier entry and viewing. We’ll look forward to seeing how users respond to this update.

    If you’re an SGX owner, you’ll need to sync your device with CaddieSync and then re-download your courses. Turn off your SkyCaddie, unplug and disconnect from the computer. When you turn it back on, the Autoview update should be ready to go.

    Read our SkyCaddie SGX Review Summary.

    SkyGolf Launches SkyCaddie Membership Benefits+

    On December 1st, SkyGolf announced SkyCaddie Membership Benefits+, a new program available exclusively to SkyCaddie Members. They have joined forces with some of golf companies and golf courses to provide exclusive special offers to their members. To kick off the Benefits Plus Program, SkyGolf has teamed up with Marriott Golf Properties, the Faldo Golf Institute and Club Glove to offer unique deals for SkyCaddie Members.

    • SkyCaddie Members can save 50% off green fees* at select Marriott Golf courses in the United States and the Caribbean.
    • SkyCaddie Members can save 10% off retail for any 2- or 3-day golf school, plus FREE lodging at the Faldo Golf Institute locations in Orlando and Palm Desert.
    • SkyCaddie Members can purchase the Club Glove Aficionado IV bag at an extremely low price.
    • SkyCaddie Members also receive a great discount on all Club Glove products.

    Current SkyCaddie members can login with user name and password to get the details on these special deals.

    SkyCaddie SG3.5 Review

    The SkyCaddie SG3.5 has been retired. Check out our current recommendations for today's best golf rangefinders..

    'SkyCaddie SG3.5'

    SkyCaddie SG3.5
    Not Available


    Check Newer Models
    Laser
    GPS
    Golf Watches

    Our SkyCaddie SG3.5 review summary takes into consideration pros and cons mentioned in user reviews all over the web. Our Ratings Score is a calculated based upon user ratings from a variety of websites to help when making comparisons between golf rangefinders.

    SkyCaddie SG3.5 User Rating: 4.20 Stars 4.20 out of 5 (75 reviews)

    Score compiled from multiple sources.

    Just as a side note, one of our editors was recently caddying in a group where a SkyCaddie SG3.5 was being used by a former LPGA star who now walks the fairways as a golf television commentator.

    One thing to consider when purchasing are the annual fees required to get the most out of this unit. New models from other manufacturers come preloaded with courses and do not have annual fees. Take a look at our Best Golf GPS breakdown to find out the best model for your game.

    Most Mentioned Pros:
    • accuracy
    • AAA batteries – no recharging worries if you carry an extra set
    • color display
    • choice of viewing formats
    • ability to move pin location
    • auto hole advance
    • stat tracker – downloadable
    • lots of courses
    • compact size
    • sturdy
    • easy to use
    Most Mentioned Cons:
    • price
    • Lack of good instruction manual
    • difficult to read in direct sun
    • uses batteries fast (3 rnds or less with alkaline). Using rechargeable batteries was recommended by several users
    OVERVIEW OF KEY FEATURES
    • IntelliGreen® Pro (Beta) adds the ability to view major tiers, contours, false fronts and mounds from your angle of approach to the green.
    • HoleVueTM powered by TrueGroundTM Mapping Beta displays a graphical image of a hole using SkyGolf’s reliable TrueGroundTM mapping process. HoleVue availability is limited, but more courses are being added.
    • SkyCaddie’s QuickVueTM displayes a virtual preview of the safest path from the tee to green.
    • SkyGolf’s IntelliGreen® technology provides you with an eagle’s view of each green from anywhere on the golf course. The graphic rotates to provide front carry, back yardages, and green depth from your approach angle.
    • Digital Scorecard allows you to enter your handicap into the preferences and the pars for your handicap are automatically highlighted on the digital scorecard.
    • The SkyCaddie can tell you with a simple touch of a button how far you hit a shot and record the club used so you can refer back to it later.
    • Instant Distances to Greens and Hazards
    • Up to 40 targets per hole

    Many features require a SkyCaddie Annual Membership

    SkyCaddie SG3.5 Features and Specifications
    SkyCaddie SG3.5
    Course Download Fees N/A
    Pre-loaded with Courses No
    Full Hole Views Yes
    Slope / Elevation N/A
    Battery Life N/A
    Battery 3 AAA
    Size (Width x Height x Depth) 4.96 in. x 2.2 in. x .8 in.
    Measure Shot Distance Yes
    Screen Size 2.2
    Resolution hi-res
    Display Type backlit color LCD
    Weight 3.84 oz.
    Rainproof No
    Touch Screen No
    Touch Targeting No
    Manual Pin Positioning No
    Stat Tracker No
    Digital Scorecard Yes
    Computer Analysis Tools No
    Ground Verified Yes
    Alternate Targets N/A
    Green Rotates to your shot angle N/A
    USGA Compliant (local rule) Yes
    Notes -
    Order Golf Rangefinders from Amazon
    GolfRangefinderShop.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you buy anything after clicking through, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps us keep the site up and running, so thank you! We work very hard to obtain the correct information about product features, but cannot make any guarantees about the accuracy. Please double check with the merchant or manufacturer before making a purchase.