Golf yards to metres: a conversion table

The exact conversion

The international yard is defined as exactly 0.9144 metres. So to convert yards to metres you multiply by 0.9144, and to convert metres to yards you divide by 0.9144, which is the same as multiplying by about 1.0936. A metre is therefore a little under 1.1 yards. Over golf distances the difference adds up: at 150 yards it is nearly 13 units, easily a club or more.

For quick sums on the course, take 10 percent off yards to get roughly metres (150 yards becomes about 135, against an exact 137.2), or add 10 percent to metres to get roughly yards. That shortcut errs by around 1.5 percent, close enough for picking a club but not for a precise yardage. Our rangefinder maths tool does the exact conversion and also handles slope geometry.

Yards to metres table, 50 to 250 yards

Going the other way, 50 metres is 54.7 yards, 100 metres is 109.4 yards, 150 metres is 164.0 yards and 200 metres is 218.7 yards. If you play a continental course marked in metres, those four numbers cover most of the markers you will see.

Metres to yards for common markers

How to switch units on your device

Almost every golf laser and GPS device can show yards or metres. On lasers the setting is usually reached by holding the mode button or pressing a combination of buttons while the display is on, and the chosen unit shows as Y or M in the viewfinder. On golf watches it sits in the settings menu, often under golf or units, and on most watches it can also be changed from the companion app. Each brand does this slightly differently, so check the quick start guide or manual for your model.

Some listings quote range in one unit only. The Nikon Coolshot 20 GIII listing, for example, gives its range as 5 to 730 metres, and the Shot Scope G6 listing states distances in yards or metres. When comparing devices in our rangefinder guide or GPS watch guide, make sure you compare like with like.

1. 1

   Turn the device on and open the settings or mode menu.

2. 2

   Find the units option, often shown as Y and M, or yards and metres.

3. 3

   Select the unit you want and save or exit.

4. 4

   Laser or view a known marker to confirm the display has changed.

Why UK courses use yards

Golf in Britain grew up with imperial measures, and UK courses, scorecards, tee markers and handicap course ratings are still published in yards. Many courses in continental Europe use metres. Neither affects the Rules of Golf, which say nothing about units; what matters is that you know which one your device is showing before you pick a club.

If you mostly play in the UK but holiday in Spain or Portugal, it is worth checking each course's card before the round and setting your device to match the markers, so your laser, watch and the sprinkler heads all tell the same story.

Compare mid-price lasers with yards and metres →

Frequently asked questions

How many metres is 100 yards? Exactly 91.44 metres, usually rounded to 91.4. A quick estimate is to take 10 percent off the yardage.

How many yards is 150 metres? About 164 yards. Divide metres by 0.9144, or add roughly 10 percent for a quick on-course figure.

Can I change my rangefinder from metres to yards? Almost always, yes. The setting is usually reached through the mode button; the manual for your model gives the exact steps.

Do the Rules of Golf say which unit to use? No. You can use yards or metres, as long as the device only measures distance and direction in competition.