Should I get a golf rangefinder with slope?

Rangefinder with slope is a common term you will see when checking out the rangefinder market. The majority of units out there are non-slope versions, but all of the big brands have plenty of options available for rangefinders with slope. The big question is, do you need (or want) slope on your next rangefinder?

There are a couple of different things that need to be thought about before we can help you answer this question.

Do you play in golf tournaments?
Do you post scores to the Golf Handicap & Information Network (GHIN)?
Do you frequently play golf courses that have large elevation changes?

Is a rangefinder with slope legal?

In order for your rangefinder to be legal for tournament play or GHIN posting it must either be a rangefinder without slope, or a rangefinder with slope, but the slope function has been disabled. If you use the slope function at any point during a round for tournament or that you post for your handicap you are breaking the rules of golf. It seems that all of the newer rangefinders with slope have the ability to disable it, so there isn’t too much risk of buying an illegal rangefinder.

Some rangefinders have settings to disable the slope function, while others have interchangeable faceplates which allow you to physically change the unit from a rangefinder with slope to a rangefinder without slope. There is value in being able to make a physical change for serious tournament players so you don’t get caught up in an ethical situation where you forget to change the settings and accidentally take an illegal reading.

What are the best legal rangefinders with slope?

Caddytek Caddyview V2
Read Review

Nikon Coolshot 40i
Read Review

How much does the slope matter anyways?

Being a flatlander from Central Kansas, I barely know what a hill is. The only elevation changes on my home course are the tee boxes and greens raised a few yards above the fairways. The largest slope adjustment I’ve ever seen using a rangefinder with slope on the course is a few yards, not enough to make a difference in my game. In a situation like mine, slope barely comes into play, and I wouldn’t spend an extra dollar on the option. If you are from a region that has big elevation changes into fairways or greens it may be a different story.

Is a golf rangefinder with slope accurate?

You will hear some mixed opinions on exactly how accurate the slope-measurement is on golf rangefinders. I have pretty limited experience myself with these units, but I have used them enough to get a good feel for how they work. The slope adjustment is made based on the angle the rangefinder is held when getting a reading on the flag. It makes a calculation to find the slope-adjusted distance based on this angle. The biggest issue you’ll run into is that the slope-adjustment shouldn’t be the same for all ball flights. Here is an example.

In this example, a rangefinder has made a slope adjustment for the raised green with the calculation that this should be a 160-yard shot. Both red & blue golfers hit exactly 160-yard shots into the elevated green, but the blue golfer came up short. This is a very extreme example, but it emphasizes the point that not all shot trajectories produce the same results when you start trying to account for elevation.

With this being said, it doesn’t mean that the slope-adjustment can’t be accurate. It likely works out fairly closely for the majority of golfers. My thought is that you will have to tailor the slope-adjustment given to your own game. Make mental notes of whether you’re still leaving it short after clubbing up on up-hill shots, or going long when clubbing down at the downhill swings. The slope-adjustment will give you a leg up on someone without it, but everyone is still making some type of adjustment in their head about what club to use and how hard to swing.

Should you buy a rangefinder with slope?

This ultimately comes down to what your needs are. If you play tournaments or keep a handicap on GHIN, then you should your rangefinder with slope has the option to turn off the slope function. If you live in a region with lots of elevation change than it may be a nice feature to have. If you’re a flatlander, I wouldn’t bother. Only you can decide from there.

The rangefinder that took the top spot in our Ultimate Rangefinder Test now has an interchangable faceplate that allows you to get a slope-adjusted distance. Check out the Caddytek Caddyview V2 Rangefinder Review, or check it out on Amazon. You can also view our review of the Nikon Coolshot 40i Rangefinder with Slope

(Updated 1/10/20)