Is it possible to play a round of golf without any distance measuring device?  I know it's obviously possible but can you perform well.  I find I have an ability to judge distance very accurately by sight alone and rarely use my GPS device.  Other than the odd glance about for a 150 marker my eyes seem pretty good.  I often arrive at my ball, look up to the green or lay up position I want to be in and I seem to know which club to use and how hard/soft to hit it.  Is it just me or do other players do this too?

I've played for 42 years without one, and had one for the last two years. I play most of my rounds without switching the GPS on and get on ok. I've even estimated distances then checked the GPS for comfirmation and usually been within a few yards. However, I do gain some benefit from it on the odd hole when playing a strange course.

I am an  out and out sight only man, always have and always will be. An important part of the satisfaction in playing this wonderful game.

I have never played by yardages and I am not going to start now.

Ben, your brain is your best tool on a golf course, if it is trained correctly then you to could be like JP, no need for yardage markers or measuring devices. 

But, to train your brain the JP way you need good eyesight and good hand eye co-ordination, and the other little thing of having good golfing ability.

I will stick with the using the yardage markers and make adjustments to calculate approximate yardages as i am good with numbers.  GPS and other devices definitely suit those who can't count, add or subtract confidently.

One thing i would ask is this, all those who use measuring devices, how close to being pin high do they get on average with their shots into the green compared to not using them.   I would say that is the determining factor on the benefit of such devices.  Is this closer than previous when not using them because surely everyone can work out how far to front or centre of green.

John, how do you mean by 'I have never played by yardages'?

If I had the choice and the time I would probably prefer a yardage book. I have become too reliant on my GPS system now to the point that I wouldn't be without it.

I dont own one and for the time being dont plan on buying one.

The only time I think it would come in Handy is when playing a new course that dont have yardage books (or course markers)

Liam, I just play what is in front of me. I never check to see the length of the hole even. My eyesight tells me whether or not I can reach a green.

The good experienced player will look at a shot and 'see' what club he needs. If he is unsure then he may turn to a yardage marker or book.

When playing a 'Home' course I will never look at yardage because i know the place, but if I was playing a new course or an unfamiliar track then I will want some yardages at some stage.

TheLyth

At some point most people will use yardages, whether its markers, GPS, stroke-saver, or a caddy. I have just started using a GPS, and I find it an advantage. Pity they can't hit the shot for me sometime.

hi ive just got back to playing in the last couple of months, added a gps app on my phone (but battery runs out quick) , so had a look on google earth and wrote down some distances in a book, ie from trees,bunkers etc to center of green/ from tee! (mainly for me to get some kind of idea on how far i am hitting certain clubs, as ive found it a lot different from what i hit on the range to when i am playing)  does any1 else use google earth, for the same reasons or something diff all together?

I have just started playing golf again after a 12 year break, but im a big believer of playing golf by eye and yardage markers. Yes im sure GPS devices are a good thing and indeed one of my good friends plays with one. But im sure they cannot be relied on 100% as all measurements are given to the centre of the green, plus a GPS device is not 100% accurate on your position. I.E if the pin position is 3 yards forward from the centre of the green and your GPS is out by 2 yards then that has the potencial to be a 5 yard over hit with your club selection. Or the other way round if the pin position is back from centre green.

So since starting to play again i have spent plenty of time at the driving range working out how far i hit my clubs, therefore with a quick look at a yardage marker and a quick look at the pin i can judge what club is needed.

Hi Darren, welcome to the site.

Your post got me thinking after a recent trip to the range.  What sort of quality are the balls at your range do you think these are similar to proper balls ? 

I've also created another post on driving ranges and distance of markers and ball quality:

http://www.golfshake.com/forums/view/9850/Drivingrangesgoodorbad.html

Thankyou for the welcome Darren.

I have always believed that range balls are around70-75% distance of a course ball.

But the range/practice ground i goto is at a members course so you use your own balls and the yardage markers are true distance. I normally use my old balls or buy grade B lake balls from ebay to use at the range

I have always believed that part of good course design is to trick your brain with what your eyes see.

large run off areas at the front of greens, bunkers infront by unusual distances, elevated tees or greens etc.

all of these are rendered pointless to the detriment of the game by gps devices.

I am by no means a complete traditionalist in terms off tecnology improving golf, but GPS devices are definately a huge step too far for me.

"I have always believed that part of good course design is to trick your brain with what your eyes see."

I think you are smack on with that Tim.  There are two holes (2 and 14) on the Cherington course at my club.  Both are shortish par 4's (around 310 yards) that due to their shape mean going for the green is possible but trouble lies in wait so a lay up is the usual shot.  The result is a shot over rough and hillocks then high faced and staggered bunkers.  The shot is 100-120 yards but it always looks like 80-100 yards.  I've played these holes loads of times but 9 times out of 10 I still come up short.  Drives me mad!!!

Good course design means that courses do not have to be 7,000 yards+ to be a challenge and can play tricks on the eye that catch even the best golfers

Tim / Chris, I understand what you are saying about course design tricking the eye. My course at Paisley is layed out to do just that. Bunkers well short of the greens, subtle inclines to a raised green, elevated tees etc.

I don't play by sight, basically because I am a very poor judge of distance. To give myself the best chance of hitting the correct shot, I feel much more comfortable knowing the yardage. I don't use it to choose a club. I use it to help me decide on what type of shot I should play. 

My GPS tells me nothing different  to a stroke saver, it just gives the info a lot quicker. There are still times when I doubt it. GPS says 100yds, my eyes tell me it's 70yds. ( guess what, I come up short). In my opinion its only a tool that gives me a distance to the green, no different to yardage markers, stroke savers, or a good Caddy, and if it's good enough for the Pros, it's good enough for me.

In terms of golf technology, GPS sytems are at the bottom of the pile. I think there should be more restrictions on club and ball development, and more thought put into course design. It seems to me that, generally, new courses are designed to look good and play long, rather than be a test of a golfers skill.