How to hold a golf rangefinder steady (shaky hands)

Why small movements matter

At 6x magnification every movement of your hands is magnified in the view. A flagstick is thin, so the laser beam only needs to drift a little to miss it and reflect off the background instead. That is why golf lasers use first target priority and pin seeking, which help, but they still need the beam to cross the flag. See how golf rangefinders work for the background.

Grip and stance

Use both hands. Hold the body of the rangefinder with your dominant hand, index finger over the button, and cup the other hand under it. Tuck your elbows into your chest so your arms form a solid triangle. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your weight even.

1. 1

   Hold the device with both hands, button finger relaxed.

2. 2

   Tuck your elbows into your body.

3. 3

   Rest the eyecup gently against your eye or glasses.

4. 4

   Breathe in, then breathe out slowly.

5. 5

   Press the button smoothly at the end of the breath.

6. 6

   Hold the button and sweep slowly across the flag.

Brace against something solid

Bracing is the single biggest help. Rest your forearms or the rangefinder on a trolley handle, a buggy roof or a bag. On a tee, you can lean against a tree or a bench. Some golfers kneel or rest an elbow on a knee for long shots. Even pressing the side of the rangefinder against your cap peak can steady it.

Magnetic mounts on buggies and some trolleys hold the laser while you are not using it, but you will still need to hold it to aim.

Use the features that help

Most modern golf lasers have a scan mode: hold the button down and sweep across the flag, and the display updates as the beam crosses different targets. Combined with pin seeking, which favours the nearest object, this lets the laser lock on even if your hands move. Wait for the confirmation, such as a vibration or a flashing ring, before reading the number. Bushnell calls this JOLT on its models.

Some higher end rangefinders offer image stabilisation, which steadies the view optically or electronically. They tend to cost more and can be larger, but they are the main option for golfers with a significant tremor. Compare features in our rangefinder features explained and best golf rangefinders guide.

• Scan mode: sweep across the flag with the button held.
• Pin seeking with vibration: confirms the lock.
• Larger flag lock range: easier at long distances.
• Image stabilisation: steadies the view on some premium models.

If you wear glasses

Glasses push your eye further from the eyepiece, so you may see a smaller view with dark edges. Most golf lasers have a rubber eyecup that folds or twists down for glasses wearers; use it. Adjust the dioptre ring on the eyepiece until the display numbers are sharp. If you wear varifocals, you may need to tilt your head slightly to look through the distance part of the lens.

Sunglasses can make the display harder to read, especially with red displays. Lasers with a red or dual colour display can be easier in bright light or for some eye conditions.

Note:Never look at the sun through a rangefinder, and do not point it at people's eyes. Follow the maker's laser safety instructions.

Other options

If steadiness is a constant battle, consider GPS for front, middle and back of green distances, which needs no aiming at all. A GPS watch or a hybrid rangefinder can give you most of the yardage you need without holding the device still; see golf GPS watch vs rangefinder and laser vs GPS hybrid rangefinder.

See rangefinders under 250 →

Frequently asked questions

Which rangefinder is best for shaky hands? Look for fast pin seeking with vibration, a scan mode and, if budget allows, image stabilisation.

Can I use a rangefinder with glasses? Yes. Fold down the eyecup and adjust the dioptre so the display is sharp.

Why does my rangefinder read the trees? The beam has drifted off the flag. Brace the device, use scan mode and wait for the lock confirmation.