While I am a tinkerer when it comes to the clubs in my golf bag, my current rangefinder has held its place in my bag for over five years. It does pretty much everything I would need it to do by giving me accurate yardages and even has slope technology for when playing practice rounds on undulating courses. I thought I was content with my current rangefinder, which is accurate and easy to use, but that was until I tested the new Garmin Approach Z30 rangefinder.
The Garmin Approach Z30 Rangefinder comes with a robust case
(Image credit: Future)
While the looks of the Garmin Approach Z30 rangefinder aren’t overly exuberant, the minimalist nature of the device does give it a clean, polished look like all of the best rangefinders have. The device felt premium straight out of the box and came enclosed in a premium and robust case with zipper and elastic strap to keep it secure and protected while in or attached to your golf bag.
One click of the power button allows you to scan targets with the Garmin Approach Z30 Rangefinder
(Image credit: Future)
New technology sometimes scares me with how complicated it can be to set up and use but that wasn’t the case with the Garmin Approach Z30 rangefinder. The device came with plenty of charge and was ready to use straight from the box. It quickly and easily captured yardages through a crystal clear viewfinder with x6 zoom and the focus can easily adjusted to your preference.
Sam De’Ath testing the new Garmin Approach Z30 Rangefinder on the golf course at Stoke Park
(Image credit: Future)
Through the Approach Z30, you will be given both the yardage to the target and adjusted calculated yardage thanks to Garmin’s Plays Like technology – a yardage based on elevation change. While slope adjusted yardages are something I was used to, the new Garmin Range Relay technology was really impressive and practical.
The Range Relay technology translates information to your other Garmin devices
(Image credit: Future)
After pairing your Approach Z30 rangefinder with another device in the Garmin ecosystem – in my case the Approach S70 watch, the two devices work in conjunction with each other to bring to you the most data they can to help you decide on the right strategy and club for the job. My Approach Z30 would also then show how far I had between the pin and the front and back of the green and relayed my yardage onto the screen on my watch as well as showing me where the pin was located on the green. For those who play tournament golf, don’t panic, you can press the ‘mode’ button on the top to put in ‘tournament mode’ where slope feature has been taken off. This is indicated to your playing partners through the blue light on the side of your device.
Slope adjusted yardages can be turned off and is indicated via a blue light on the side
(Image credit: Future)
As someone who in the past has constantly had to scope out my target multiple times after forgetting my distance, having it come up permanently on my watch saved plenty of time on the course. The birds-eye view of the exact pin location on the green was also great to suss out any bunkers around the green that I may want to avoid and I could play for the best miss into the green.
I also appreciate how the Approach Z30 is fully waterproof and there’s a feature called Find My Garmin, where if you ever lose it (I’ve been known to leave my rangefinder behind many times before!) you can utilise a feature through the Garmin Golf app to see its last known location.
The Garmin Approach Z30 Rangefinder has a magnetic strip for easy access when using a cart
(Image credit: Future)
The Approach Z30 rangefinder impressed me so much with its technology and ability to connect with other Garmin devices that it has quickly taken up space in my bag and retired my previous rangefinder. The additional practical features like the magnetic strip make it perfect for when riding in carts and coming to retail at £389, I feel as though this device is superb value for money and seriously worth considering if you’re in the market for a new laser rangefinder.
