Your Go-To Golf Travel Tech Guide: Must-Haves for an Unforgettable Trip

Whether you are taking on the sun-drenched fairways of Scottsdale, tackling a championship desert layout, or heading across the pond for a true links pilgrimage, a golf trip is all about making unforgettable memories.

No matter how good the camaraderie is, golf is always more enjoyable when you’re playing well, and having the right equipment helps. Beyond the obvious things like golf clubs, footwear, and clothes, technology is essential in the modern game.

Each has its own pros and cons, but picking the right one for your game will help take the guesswork out of your golf and allow you to play with clarity on the course. So what should you pack? Read on to find out.

Golf GPS watches

Arguably the most useful distance measuring device you can get, “it’s like having a caddie on your wrist,” says Wayne ‘Radar’ Riley in this mini-documentary.

Some features to look for in a GPS watch are hole maps, hazards, and layup points to help you plot your way around the course, particularly useful when playing a new course or a blind hole. Hitting into a hazard or taking the wrong line is frustrating and avoidable when you have the right technology.

Beyond that, having distances to the front, middle, and back of the green available at a glance saves time and is convenient when the flagstick is obscured or hard to hit with a rangefinder.

If you are looking for an easy-to-use, minimal setup required, the Shot Scope G6 is a great option and comes with two interchangeable colored straps (12 colors to choose from). Or if you want more advanced features, the Shot Scope V5 offers state-of-the-art features and seamless automatic shot tracking.

Having the right distance measuring and performance tracking technology in your bag is the ultimate travel companion because it turns guesswork into confidence, protects your scorecard, and ensures you squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of your trip.

Golf rangefinders

One of the most commonly used distance measuring devices in golf, a rangefinder gives exact distances to your target.

When you find yourself somewhere down the fairway, eyeing up the green and wondering how far it is to the flag? Or how far is it to the bunker? With a rangefinder, you’ll know instantly. If you can zap it, you can measure it.

If we are trying to enjoy our golfing trip and make memories that last a lifetime, then being able to attack pins and avoid hazards is crucial, and a rangefinder helps you do that and more. With the right tools, you give yourself the best chance to navigate the course successfully and ultimately shoot lower scores, which is part of the fun, right?

Where a GPS watch is limited in its accuracy due to satellite positioning etc., a rangefinder gives precise distances instantly, and most new models come with slope technology and a host of features to help you get the numbers you need. The catch is you have to be able to hit your target, so if the flagstick is out of your line of sight, then its effectiveness is limited.

Shot Scope laser rangefinders offer a unique alternative to counter this. With all of their rangefinders, you get FREE access to their mobile app, which can give you GPS distances on your cell phone at no extra cost. All of their rangefinders come with Adaptive slope technology, Rapid-fire detection, Target-lock vibration, and a built-in cart magnet.

Off the course tech to consider

The excitement of any trip starts well before you arrive on the first tee, and can you really beat hitting some balls beforehand, drinking in the scenery, and preparing for what’s to come?

Very few resorts have ranges that provide you with feedback greater than greens at certain distances and potentially some yardage poles. But if you have your own mini portable launch monitor, you can hit balls, get feedback, and fine tune your warm-up.

Devices like the Shot Scope LM1 offer easy-to-understand metrics that won’t bog you down in swing analysis but rather help you understand how well you are hitting the ball and how far - what more could you need?

A mini launch monitor that fits in your bag will give you the upper hand, especially from inside 100yds when carry distances become invaluable.

What should you pack?

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong answer. If it’s a question of having some form of tech versus having none on the course, we would say having is better for sure. What that is, is up to you.

Whatever you pick, whether it's a GPS watch or a rangefinder, or both, your golf game will be better for it and so too will your golf trip. Shot Scope are the industry leaders in golf performance technology and have something to suit every player's needs, so let them take care of your golf game, and let us take care of your Golfbreak.