Back when I started playing golf, rangefinders were not a thing. Instead, we’d have to find a sprinkler head with a yardage number on it and pace out that spot to our ball. This method was inaccurate and led to pace of play problems. When the rangefinder started to gain popularity, they were expensive and not widely accepted. Since then, they’ve grown in affordability and approval. Today, we’re looking for the best golf rangefinder under 200. Not only do we have one, we have five.
Best Golf Rangefinder Under 200
Top Pick: Callaway 300 Pro
Our top pick for best golf rangefinder under 200 is the Callaway 300 Pro. This one wasn’t even a tough decision to make; it does everything, and it does everything well.
You’re standing on the tee of a par 3 and you know that the pin is 150 yards away. The only problem is you’re sitting 75 feet above the green elevation wise and have no idea how that translates to yardage. With the Callaway 300 Pro, the math is taken care of for you. This wouldn’t be our Top Pick for the best golf rangefinder under 200 if you had to pull a calculator out.
When you look through the scope, it will show two numbers; the physical distance and the number it is playing. No more guessing if it’s actually 150 or 125. With the Callaway 300 Pro, you already know.
The Callaway 300 Pro rangefinder can lock onto the pin all the way from 300 yards out. You might be thinking to yourself that holes are longer than that, but how far do you hit each shot? For 99% of all golfers, that’s less than 300 yards. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re trying to take advantage of the Pin Acquisition Technology but are too far away, you probably don’t need to be using the rangefinder at that time anyway.
Any golfer knows that getting the distance to the pin is not the only thing they need their rangefinder to do. On any given shot, acquiring the distance of multiple spots gives you a big advantage. From the tee, you need to know how far various trees and obstacles are. Hitting into the green, it’s helpful to know how far it is to clear bunkers or when the green ends. Regardless of what measurements you want to know, the Callaway 300 Pro can get the job done.
Pros
- Measures anywhere from 5-1000 yards, meaning there is no distance on the course you cannot calculate
- Water and fog proof so that you can use this rangefinder in any conditions—not just ideal ones
Cons
- Weighs nearly half a pound and is larger than many rangefinders, but still fits in most standard rangefinder pockets
Runner-Up: TecTecTec VPRO500
You ask anyone what the best brand for affordable rangefinders is and almost all will tell you TecTecTec. After that, ask those same people what their best model is. Most will say the TecTecTec VPRO500. Due to the combination of affordability and quality, we knew this model had to be on our best golf rangefinder for under 200 list.
Very low budget rangefinders have difficulty picking up the pin, rather than the woods behind it. While maintaining its low costs, TecTecTec puts advanced technology in their products. Super focused and incredibly accurate, the TecTecTec VPRO500 has pin sensor technology. This feature ensures that the closest solid object is picked up by the rangefinder. Even if you’re shooting a tree that stands out from the tree line, you’ll have an accurate number.
As small and lightweight as most cell phones, carrying the TecTecTec VPRO500 is hardly noticeable. Most golfers have a hard time carrying their rangefinder anywhere but their cart or bag, but this model can slide in your pocket. When it’s cart path only and your ball is 20 yards away, there’s no need for two trips. You can bring the rangefinder over, measure distance, and then put it in your pocket while you swing.
This is of course assuming that the ground is wet since it’s cart path only and you don’t want to get the rangefinder dirty. Even better for you, it’s impossible to forget your rangefinder. If you left it on the ground, there’s a chance you leave it behind. Think of it as the equivalent of leaving your wedge in the rough instead of on the green. If it’s in your pocket, you don’t have to worry about seeing and remembering it.
Pros
- 6X magnification will have you seeing your target as clearly as if it were only a few yards from you. This is something that might help you see an obstacle you would have otherwise missed
- Diopter adjustment feature means that regardless of your eyesight, you’re taken care of by TecTecTec
Cons
- We love how compact this is, but if you easily misplace your cell phone and keys all the time, you might want to consider a bulkier option
Super Budget Option: Gogogo GS24 Laser Rangefinder
What’s better than the best golf rangefinder under 200? That’s right, the best rangefinder under $100. If you’re looking for a product that fits the bill, it’s the Gogogo GS24 Laser Rangefinder.
When you’re bargain hunting, you expect to lose some functionality. For something like a rangefinder, you want to save some money without losing focus on why you’re buying the product in the first place. With the Gogogo GS24 Laser Rangefinder, you’re saving money and can still accurately read distance.
The maximum distance for the Gogogo GS24 Laser Rangefinder is 650 yards. This isn’t the rangefinder with the longest range, but it is certainly capable of measuring any hole on your average golf course.
The most important part of measuring distance while playing golf is determining how far from the pin you are. Things like seeing how far away a bunker is or how many yards you need to carry a water hazard are nice, but the distance to the flag trumps all.
Pros
- Comes in two versions, one without slope and the other with slope. If you want this extra feature, it’s a small bit extra
- The coated lens helps to reduce glare and improve the line of sight. Even during sunrise or twilight, you’ll see what you’re lasering
Cons
- This is the super low budget option. It gets the job done, but will have many golfers looking for a bit more
Easiest to Use: Bozily BL-X3 Golf Rangefinder
My favorite type of products are the ones that are easy to use. To me, it doesn’t matter how many great features something as if they are all hidden. If they’re hidden, they aren’t used and might as well not exist. With the Bozily BL-X3 Golf Rangefinder, what you see is what you get. Not to give too many spoilers, but you’ll like what you get.
Some players like having the slope feature on, others like it off. In many cases, this preference varies round by round. If you’re one of these many golfers, you need an easy way to turn the function on and off. With this rangefinder, it’s as simple as clicking the function on and off. You definitely don’t want to buy a second rangefinder to fulfill this wavering preference. The Bozily BL-X3 Golf Rangefinder gets the job done in more ways than one.
Another thing that makes this the best golf rangefinder under 200, but also the easiest to use is the rechargeable feature. Rather than fuss over batteries, you can recharge it when necessary. With a growing number of golf carts including outlets, this is a match made in heaven. Even when you forget to charge up, you can recharge and be ready for the back 9.
Pros
- Non-slip exterior prevents it from slipping off a golf cart seat
- Easy to understand slope calculation clarifies any possible confusion
Cons
- More people forget to charge their rangefinder than will admit it. Carry your charger cord with you
Best Rechargeable Rangefinder: Saybien Golf Rangefinder
What’s the benefit of a rechargeable rangefinder? Easy answer, no batteries—duh. Every car and nearly most golf carts come equipped with a USB port. Conveniently, the Saybien Golf Rangefinder hooks up to USB outlets to charge. Even when you forget, you can charge on the way to the course and continue while playing making this a top best golf rangefinder under 200.
When you’re playing the practice round before a tournament, you can use the slope function. Once the tournament begins and slope calculation is illegal, you can turn the feature off. As long as you’ve made physical or mental notes of how much slope affects various shots, you’ll be well prepared to take on competitors of every level.
In golf, it doesn’t matter how far away you actually are in regards to wanting to know the distance. With the Saybien Golf Rangefinder, you can tell how far away you are up to 1200 yards. It might take 8 shots to get that far, but you at least know. Even from outrageous distances, 6x magnification provides a clear picture of what lays ahead.
Pros
- Slope mode spells elevation changes out. You’ll know that you’re 150 away with 15 yards of elevation to account for making things easier
- Locks onto the flagstick so you’re confident in the number your rangefinder reads
Cons
- The diopter adjustment is right where you place your eye and could lead to accidentally getting the lens dirty
Best Golf Rangefinder Under 200 Takeaways
If you want to play competitively, your rangefinder buying process is going to take a little bit more effort. On the PGA Tour, rangefinders are outlawed entirely. In local tournaments, certain features such as slope provide a competitive advantage deemed too great to allow. Rules and regulations vary based on the level of competition as well as who is in charge.
If you play in a regular league, always consult with the director before deciding on a rangefinder. Even if you find the best golf rangefinder under 200, it’s not worth anything if you can’t use it when it matters the most.
When you play on your own, nobody controls what you use for measuring distance. If you’re someone that doesn’t play in tournaments, or casual ones only, these disclaimers don’t matter as much. If you only want an easy way to see how far away from the hole you are, pick whatever rangefinder on the list you like best.
Normally, we try to convince people why they should consider adding a gadget like a rangefinder to their bag. With rangefinders alone, that’s not necessary. First off, if you’ve made it this far, you’re committed. More importantly, rangefinders have a reputation that precedes them. Everyone hates guessing distance. Everyone has also played golf with someone that had a rangefinder. We all want what they have, an easy and effective way to gauge distance.
Instead of having to rely on our own math or distance measuring, modern technology makes our lives easier. Side note: rangefinders cost a bit of money, but if you take care of yours, it will last longer than any club in your bag. A rangefinder also means one less excuse for a bad shot, but that’s a personal problem. Since we gave you a handful of great options, it would be impossible to go wrong with any of them.