Golf rangefinder vs hunting rangefinder

Target priority: first target against last target

Every laser rangefinder sends out short pulses of light and times how long the reflections take to come back. A flag on a green is a thin target with trees, hedges or a bank behind it, so the beam often returns several echoes. Golf rangefinders are set to first target priority: when they see more than one return, they report the nearest one. That is what lets the display show the pin rather than the wood 40 yards behind it. Many add a short vibration or a flashing ring to confirm the lock.

Hunting rangefinders usually work the other way round. In the field the nearest object is often a stalk of grass, a twig or a fence wire, and the target is behind it. Last target priority, sometimes called distant mode, ignores those near echoes and reports the farthest strong return. Some hunting units let you switch between modes and some golf lasers have a scan mode, but the default setting of each is chosen for its sport.

Range, magnification and display

Golf lasers are designed for distances of a few hundred yards and for reading a flag, which is a poor reflector. Makers quote a longer figure for reflective targets such as a tree or a building and a shorter one for a flag. Most use 6x magnification, which keeps the view steady enough to hold on a pin at 150 yards. Displays show yards or metres, a slope figure where fitted, and a lock indicator.

Hunting and shooting rangefinders are often built for longer distances, with ranges quoted in the high hundreds of yards or beyond, and they may show extra data such as the angle to the target, ballistic holdover or a choice of reticles. Those extras are useless on a golf course, and some of them would not be allowed in competition anyway.

Can you use a golf rangefinder for hunting?

You can get a distance from a golf laser to an open target, such as a fence post or a tree across a field, and it will be accurate for that. The problem comes when anything sits between you and the target. First target priority will happily report the clump of grass in front of an animal instead of the animal itself, and the display will not warn you. Golf lasers also tend to have shorter range and no ballistic or holdover information.

For walking, estimating a shot across open ground or checking a distance to a landmark, a golf laser is fine. For anything where an accurate reading through cover matters, a dedicated hunting or shooting unit is the safer choice. Always follow the law and the land owner's rules in the field.

Can you use a hunting rangefinder for golf?

Yes, with limits. A hunting laser set to first target or a general mode will measure the distance to a flag, but locking on can be slower because there is no pin seeking software and no vibration to tell you that you have the flag and not the background. You may find yourself pressing the button several times on longer shots.

The bigger issue is competition. Under Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Golf, published by The R&A, distance measuring is allowed unless a Local Rule bans it, but features that measure elevation changes or gather other conditions must not be used during a competition round. A hunting unit that always shows an angle or holdover reading cannot easily be put into a distance-only mode, which makes it awkward for club medals.

See golf rangefinders compared →

Which should you buy?

If golf is the main use, buy a golf rangefinder. Pin seeking, lock confirmation, a magnet for the trolley and a clear slope switch are worth more on the course than extra range. If you also stalk, shoot or hike and want one device, look for a unit with switchable target modes and accept that it will be slower at the flag. Nobody needs a long range hunting laser for a 160 yard approach.

For more on how the golf versions work, read how golf rangefinders work and our rangefinder features explained.

• Golf only: a golf laser with first target priority and a slope switch.
• Golf and the odd walk: still a golf laser.
• Hunting or shooting with occasional golf: a switchable hunting unit, checked for competition use.
• Both seriously: two devices, each tuned for its job.

Frequently asked questions

Is a golf rangefinder accurate for hunting? It is accurate to an open target, but first target priority can read cover in front of the target instead of the target itself.

Why does my hunting rangefinder read the trees behind the flag? It is probably set to last target priority, which favours the farthest return. Switch to a first target or golf mode if it has one.

Can I use a rangefinder with angle readings in a golf competition? Only if the angle or slope feature is switched off. Rule 4.3 does not allow elevation information during a competition round.