Nobody likes ‘rangefinder guy’ in disc golf

I’m a watch guy.

More specifically, I like G-Shocks.

There’s an entire community of us, too.

This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as there are all kinds of odd-ball, hyper-specific interests out there with massive followings. Reddit is proof of just that: Chairs Under Water, Dark Stock Photos, Stapling Bread to Trees and without a doubt my personal favorite …

Amish.

Click on that last one.

Thank me later.

As a sport, disc golf is similar. Fans of the same molds come together in-person and online to share their obsession with specific frisbees. You’re familiar with these, I’m sure: the Roc, Berg, Glitch, Polecat, etc. And here’s another product-inspired group of fanboys within disc golf …

Rangefinder dudes.

In my experience, theirs is a group of guys less concerned with “talking shop” in digital forums and more interested in flaunting their overpriced, super-savvy gear on the disc golf course.

More on that in a minute.

For the record, I’ve got no beef with the rangefinder. I’d rather they NOT be part of competition, though, as I feel the ability to perceive depth and distance is a skill that should be rewarded.

If you’re weak in that department, you should get out to the track early to learn your spots. But I’m hardly turning off the television in protest when I see Paul Ulibarri reach for his Bushnell.

I have an opinion; I’m not dying for it.

* Note: In spite of all this, rangefinders are undeniably great for field work.

Back to rangefinder bros …

Nobody likes them.

The obsessive ones, at least.

I can’t speak for open-level disc golfers, as I’m not one, nor will I ever be. But every amateur field I’ve been a part of seems to have at least a couple of them. If you want to ping the distance off the tee to see if the sign’s right, be my guest, especially if you’re new to the area or course.

Stuck between two discs, knowing the distance could very well save you a stroke or two. Heck, maybe even a lengthy approach on a par-four or par-five – I’ll give you that one, as well.

But there is NEVER a need to know if you’re in circle two or circle three. First, because circle three isn’t a thing. And second, because who are you kidding? You’re not running the basket from anywhere near that area. You’ve fooled nobody with your perceived need for precision.

For step- or jump-putt purposes, barring a circle-one or circle-two situation, if you’re anywhere inside of 200 feet, knowing the disc you need to get up-and-down isn’t all that scientific.

You throw the same five discs for 95% of your shots anyway, so grab that semi-overstable putt-and-approach disc you love so much and toss it up under the pin like a champ.

More than anything, though, it’s the lengthy production that is the rangefinder as part of a pre-shot routine for every single throw that infuriates the rest of us. And don’t you think I’m kidding: My G-Shock is more than capable of accurately counting down from 30 seconds …

It knows.

Two, three, maybe four times a round, your park-style, par-three-heavy course will require the legitimate use of a rangefinder – and even that’s debatable. The rest of the time, though?

Grip it. Rip it.

Slow play is painful play.

We’re all very impressed, but please …

Use the rangefinder sparingly.

Have anything to add? Take to X to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

• Excessive time: Wind is not a ‘distraction’ in disc golf
• Disc golf: Always enforce this rule on yourself (thank you)
• The Bonapane grip: Disc golf’s wildest way to hold a frisbee

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