We only recommend products we'd buy ourselves — things that solve real problems for golfers. No junk, no paid placements, no "best of" filler. If it's here, we'd put our own money on it.
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Rangefinders
Distance measuring devices are legal under Rule 4.3 (local rule permitting). A good laser is the fastest way to stop guessing yardages.
Our Pick
Bushnell Tour V5 Shift
~$330
Why we like it: Lightning-fast pin lock with vibrating JOLT confirmation, ±1 yard accuracy, and a slope switch so it stays tournament-legal when you flip it off. The magnetic cart mount is genuinely great.
Why we like it: The non-slope version. 100% USGA-compliant out of the box, same optics and speed as the Shift. Perfect if you play competitive golf and never want to think about the slope switch.
Why we like it: 2026's runner-up in MyGolfSpy's rangefinder test. Top-tier optics and display clarity. Worth the upgrade if you want the best view in the segment.
If you'd rather glance at your wrist than shoot a flag, a GPS watch gives front/middle/back yardages and plays-like distances — no battery anxiety on the 16th hole.
Best Overall
Garmin Approach S70
~$650
Why we like it: Named best golf GPS watch two years running by MyGolfSpy. AMOLED display readable in direct sun, 43,000+ courses, and a Virtual Caddie that learns your real distances and suggests clubs. A caddie on your wrist.
Why we like it: The value king of the mid-range. All the core golf features (PlaysLike distance, AutoShot, green view) at a fraction of the S70. TechRadar called it "a mid-range banger."
Why we like it: The S12 strips everything down to pure, reliable yardages with up to 30 hours of battery. The S44 adds 90% of the S70 experience for half the price. No wrong answer here.
Rule 6.3c: play the wrong ball and it's a penalty. Play a ball you trust, and mark it. Here's what testing actually says.
Gold Standard
Titleist Pro V1
~$55/dozen
Why we like it: Still the most-played ball on tour for a reason — the most consistent greenside spin and best wind performance. Independent testing shows it checks harder and stops faster inside 50 yards. Best for single-digit handicaps or windy conditions.
Why we like it: 90% of the Pro V1 at a better price, softer feel, and easier to compress for swing speeds under 95 mph. For 10-20 handicaps, the honest smart buy — saves $60-75 a season.
Straight talk: Premium balls in the water are just expensive splashes. If you're losing multiple balls a round, grab something budget-friendly (Kirkland Signature or Callaway Supersoft) and bank the savings for lessons.
Practice aids we'd actually buy — the ones that fix real, common problems. (Perfect for winter, too.)
Swing Tempo
Orange Whip Swing Trainer
~$100–130
Why we like it: The counterweighted design makes it physically impossible to swing out of sequence — if your tempo is off, you feel it instantly. Used by PGA pros for warm-ups and rhythm. The mid-size version is safer for indoor use.
Why we like it: The best $40 in golf. The ramp spits putts back if they don't have enough pace to drop — trains you to hit every putt past the hole. Works on any carpet. Ridiculous value.
Why we like it: If your putting stroke is "wristy" or you three-putt from distance-control issues, this locks your arms and shoulders into a true pendulum. Testers saw an 80% reduction in wrist hinge. Fixes the engine of your stroke.
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