Bushnell

What is Bushnell in golf?

Bushnell is an American brand specializing in optical products: binoculars, rifle scopes, and, in golf, laser rangefinders and GPS devices. Its name has become a generic term among golfers: people say “pull out your Bushnell” to refer to any rangefinder, just as they say “a Frigidaire” for a refrigerator or “a Kleenex” for a tissue.

This page explains what a golf rangefinder is and what the Rules say about it, regardless of the device's brand.

What is a golf rangefinder?

A laser rangefinder is a small device that you hold like a pair of binoculars. You aim at a point (a flag, the entrance to a bunker, a tree), and the device emits an invisible laser beam: it measures the time it takes for the beam to return and calculates the distance, which is displayed in meters or yards.

Golf models often have their own unique features:

• Locating the Flag: When multiple objects are in the viewfinder, the device selects the closest target so that it does not measure the trees behind the green.
• A vibration or a signal which confirms that the flag was hung.
• A slope function (in English slope): The device calculates a “corrected” distance based on whether you're going uphill or downhill. It is this feature that causes problems in competition.

Laser rangefinder or GPS: What's the difference?

Are rangefinders allowed in competitions?

Yes, generally speaking. Since the 2019 revision of the Rules, the Rule 4.3a(1) allows the player to obtain information on distance and direction, including through the use of a distance-measuring device. No special authorization from the committee is required.

Two restrictions apply:

• No entry on the slope: The same rule prohibits measuring elevation changes during the round. A device with a slope-measuring function may be used, provided that the function is turned off and the player does not use it.
• The committee may ban rangefinders by a local rule (G-5-type local rule). This is the case in certain events. You should therefore read the event rules.

The rule also prohibits the use of a device to obtain a recommendation regarding a club or line of play. A phone with a distance-measuring app is permitted solely for measuring distance, provided that no prohibited functions are used.

A violation of Rule 4.3 results in the general penalty (two strokes in stroke play, loss of the hole in match play) for a first infraction, and disqualification for a second infraction.

How can a rangefinder help you improve?

Knowing the exact distance is only useful if you also know the distance for each of your clubs. A rangefinder helps you measure these distances at the driving range or on the course, allowing you to choose the right club instead of estimating by eye—a common source of error, especially on uphill or downhill shots, or when the flag is at the back of the green. It can also speed up play by eliminating the need to look for distance markers on the course.