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How to change a golf rangefinder from metres to yards

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In short

On most golf rangefinders you switch between metres and yards through the mode button: either hold it for a few seconds or open the settings menu and choose the unit. The display shows a small Y or M, or YDS or M, so you can confirm the change. The exact sequence varies by brand and model, so check the manual if the usual method does not work.

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A rangefinder that suddenly shows metres is a common surprise, especially on a new device, after a battery change or when a laser is borrowed or bought second hand. UK courses are measured in yards, so a metre reading at 140 when the hole plan says 153 yards can cause a mis-hit before you notice. This guide explains how most lasers switch units, how to confirm which unit is active and what to try if it refuses to change. Procedures differ between brands, so treat these steps as a general guide and follow your maker's manual.

First, check which unit is showing

Look through the eyepiece and find the small unit indicator, usually next to the number. It may read Y, YD or YDS for yards and M for metres. Some displays show it only after a measurement. If you are unsure, measure something of known length, such as a 150 yard marker post from beside it, and compare. In metres the number would read about 137.

A quick conversion helps: 1 yard is 0.9144 metres and 1 metre is about 1.094 yards. Our rangefinder maths tool converts both ways, and golf yards to metres explains why some courses abroad use metres.

The usual ways to switch units

Most golf lasers use one of two methods. On many simpler models you hold the mode button for a few seconds until the unit indicator flashes or changes, then release. On models with a menu, a short press of the mode button cycles through settings, one of which is the unit; the power button then confirms. A few models change units through a companion app.

  1. 1

    Switch the rangefinder on with the power button.

  2. 2

    Look through the eyepiece so you can see the display.

  3. 3

    Hold the mode button for around three to five seconds, or press it briefly to open the menu.

  4. 4

    Watch for the unit indicator to flash or for a units option to appear.

  5. 5

    Choose yards and confirm, usually with the power button or by waiting a few seconds.

  6. 6

    Take a test reading and check the unit indicator.

Note:Button sequences vary between brands and between models from the same brand. If these steps do not match your device, use the manual or the maker's support page rather than pressing buttons at random, which can change other settings such as slope.

Brand notes

Bushnell publishes manuals for its models on its website, and on many Bushnell lasers the unit is changed through the mode button in a settings sequence. Nikon Coolshot models typically change units through the mode button too. Voice Caddie, Shot Scope and Mileseey devices with menus or touchscreens usually have a units item in settings. Because the exact sequence changes with each model generation, look up the manual for your model by name.

If you bought the rangefinder from abroad, it may default to metres. Once set, most devices remember the unit when switched off, but some reset after a battery change.

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If it will not change

If the unit will not switch, start simple. A weak battery can stop some lasers from saving settings, so fit a fresh battery or charge it fully and try again. Make sure you are holding the right button for long enough; some models need you to be looking through the eyepiece so you see the change. If the device has an app, check whether units are controlled there.

If none of this works, the device may have a fault. Our Bushnell rangefinder not working guide covers common problems, and the maker's support line can confirm the correct sequence for your model.

  • Fit a fresh battery or charge fully.
  • Hold the button longer, while looking through the eyepiece.
  • Check the companion app settings if there is one.
  • Read the manual for your exact model.
  • Contact the maker's support if it still will not save.

Other settings worth checking at the same time

While you are in the settings, check slope. If you play competitions, make sure you know how to switch slope off, because Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Golf does not allow elevation adjusted distances during a competition round. See are golf rangefinders legal.

Also check the target mode. Most golf lasers have a pin seeking or first target mode that is best for flags, and a scan mode for moving the view across a hole. If readings seem to jump to the trees behind the flag, you may be in the wrong mode; how to use a golf rangefinder explains each.

Frequently asked questions

Why did my rangefinder switch to metres? Some models reset after a battery change, and a held mode button can change the unit by accident. Set it again and check after the next battery change.

Do UK courses use yards? Yes, almost all UK courses are measured in yards. Some courses abroad use metres.

Is a reading in metres less accurate? No. Only the unit changes; the measurement is the same.

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