Our favourite… Laser rangefinders

The latest point-and-shoot yardage calculators come with built-in GPS info so you can get the best of both worlds on one device

Garmin Approach X80 £549.99 www.garmin.com

Combining a laser rangefinder with GPS has been done a couple of times before, but never quite like Garmin’s new Z80. GPS yardages and 2D course and green maps are shown next to each other as you laser the flag. It’s not cheap, but the idea has been really well executed.

Bushnell Hybrid £399 www.bushnellgolf.eu Combining a laser rangefinder with simple GPS (front, centre and back) isn’t as simple as it sounds, and cost can be an issue. Bushnell reckon they’ve cracked it with their Hybrid, which gives both laser yardages and GPS distances. It has two independent batteries powering each, so you won’t get caught out for juice on the course.

Golfbuddy LR7 £249 www.gpsgolfbuddy.eu

If like many golfers you primarily use a rangefinder inside 150 yards, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get your distances. The LR7 is a simple, no-nonsense affair. It’s water-resistant, legal for tournament play (as there’s no slope function) and its soft, ergonomic body is designed for a stable grip.

Nikon Coolshot 80 VR £379.99 www.europe-nikon.com

Nikon are experts when it comes to optics, so it’s no surprise their latest rangefinder features “vibration reduction” to reduce hand shake when you’re trying to pinpoint the flag. The 80 doesn’t give slope-adjusted distances (the 80i does for £419.99), so it’s legal for competition play.

Bushnell Pro X2 £449 www.bushnellgolf.eu Waterproofing isn’t the first thing most golfers think about when buying a rangefinder. Until you pull yours from its case after a downpour and it’s misted and unusable. Bushnell say the X2 is completely waterproof, and it’s capable of toggling between slope adjusted and standard distances, so it’s fine in comps.