Both tell you how far it is. They are not the same tool, and most people buy the wrong one first.
Here's the honest breakdown, without the spec-sheet nonsense.
The short version
Rangefinder: point it at the flag, get the exact distance to that flag, right now. Precise. Requires a clear line of sight and a steady hand.
GPS watch: glance at your wrist, get distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, plus hazards. Instant. Slightly less precise. Never needs aiming.
One is a sniper scope. The other is a map.
Get a rangefinder if…
You want the exact number. A laser to the pin is accurate to about a yard. GPS gives you the middle of the green, which could be twenty yards off depending on pin position.
You play the same few courses. You already know the layout; what you need is precision on approach shots.
You're a decent ball-striker. If you can actually hit a number, knowing it's 147 instead of 155 matters. If your 7-iron travels anywhere between 120 and 160, it doesn't.
You like the ritual. Some people love the lasering. It's genuinely satisfying.
Get a GPS watch if…
You play new courses often. Preloaded maps mean you understand a hole you've never seen before you hit.
You want speed. A glance at your wrist takes one second. Pulling a rangefinder out, ranging, and putting it back takes twenty. Multiply by eighteen holes.
You want hazard distances. This is the underrated one. Knowing the bunker starts at 210 changes your tee shot decision far more than knowing the pin is at 148.
You want stats. Automatic scorecards and shot tracking tell you where you're actually losing strokes. Most golfers guess wrong about this.
You'd wear it anyway. A golf watch that's also a fitness tracker earns its keep seven days a week.
The answer nobody likes
Serious players carry both. The watch handles course management — what's the layup number, where's the trouble, how far to carry. The rangefinder handles the approach shot.
But if you're buying one, buy the one that fixes your actual problem. If you're losing shots because you don't know the course, get the watch. If you're losing shots because you're between clubs on approach, get the laser.
What we stock
The MINI+ Golf Rangefinder in Flamingo Pink — slope adjustment, flag lock with vibration, magnetic cart mount, USB-C charging, 6× magnification. Compact enough to live in a pocket. And in a color you will never lose in the bottom of a bag, which is a genuinely underrated feature.
The Garmin Approach S70 — 43,000+ preloaded courses, Virtual Caddie club recommendations, PlaysLike elevation adjustment, wind data, and a full fitness tracker underneath it all.
One last thing about slope
Slope-adjusted distance (accounting for uphill and downhill) is enormously useful for practice and casual rounds. It is not legal in tournament play unless the feature can be switched off — most modern units have a toggle for exactly this reason. If you compete, check yours before you tee off.
Browse What's In The Bag for the rest of our gear.
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