When I pulled the Golf Buddy 2S Pro out of its box, my initial thought was, "At last, someone gets it." At 161 grams, this thing is genuinely pocket-friendly – not "golf marketing" pocket-friendly where you need cargo shorts to make it work. The matte black finish feels premium without being flashy, and the included magnetic clip had me intrigued right away (more on that transformative feature later).
I've tested enough rangefinders to fill a golf shop, from the Bushnell Tour V6 to the Precision Pro NX10, and the 2S Pro immediately felt different. The button placement, the grip texture, even the way the eyepiece sits against your face – everything screams thoughtful design. But I've been fooled by good initial impressions before, so I reserved judgment until I could get it on the course.
The Golf Buddy 2S Pro golf rangefinder delivers pinpoint accuracy and fast readings, helping golfers of all levels improve distance judgment and lower scores. Designed for precision and ease, it’s the must-have tool to elevate your golf game.
Let me create a visual for you: You're on the 14th hole, your foursome is pushing the pace limit, and the group behind is breathing down your neck. This is where the Golf Buddy 2S Pro earned its keep in my bag. That 0.15-second measurement speed isn't just a marketing bullet point – it's the difference between being "that guy" who holds up play and someone who keeps things moving.
I tested this against my trusty Bushnell (which takes about 0.5 seconds) and the difference is shocking. By the time my playing partner was halfway through his pre-shot routine, I'd already lasered the pin, two bunkers, and the tree line behind the green. The speed becomes addictive – you start measuring everything just because you can.
What really impressed me was the consistency. Whether I was targeting a flag at 150 yards or checking the distance to clear water at 230, the speed never wavered. Even in Scan Mode, where it's continuously measuring for up to 10 seconds, the readout updates so fast it's almost hypnotic. During a recent round at my home course, I used Scan Mode to map out an entire dogleg in one sweep – front of the bunker, back of the bunker, ideal landing zone, all in about 3 seconds.
The 6X magnification is the sweet spot too. Some rangefinders go overboard with 7X or 8X, making them harder to steady. The 2S Pro's optics are crystal clear without being twitchy. That 20mm objective lens pulls in plenty of light, so even during those crack-of-dawn rounds when the fog is still burning off, I could pick out targets without squinting.
I'll admit it – I was a vibration skeptic. My old rangefinder didn't have it, and I figured it was just another gimmick to justify a higher price tag. I was wrong. Dead wrong. The Pin Finder vibration on the 2S Pro has fundamentally changed how confident I feel about my yardages.
Here's the thing about rangefinders without vibration: you're never really sure if you hit the flag or the trees behind it. You pull the trigger, see a number, and hope for the best. With the 2S Pro, there's zero ambiguity. When that little pulse hits your hand, you know – without a doubt – that you've locked onto the pin. It's like the difference between "I think it's 147" and "It's definitely 147."
The vibration itself is subtle but distinct. It's not going to make your hand go numb or startle you, but you'll never miss it either. During windy conditions (which seem to be every round lately), this feature alone probably saves me 2-3 strokes. When the flag is whipping around and you're trying to get a read, that vibration confirms you've got the stick, not the bunker 20 yards behind it.
I tested this extensively on a links-style course where the flags often blend into the dunes behind them. On the par-3 7th, with the pin tucked behind a bunker and brown hills as the backdrop, my playing partner's rangefinder kept grabbing the hill at 165 yards. The 2S Pro vibrated at 143 yards – the actual pin. That's a two-club difference that could mean the difference between a birdie putt and searching for your ball in the native grass.
This is where Golf Buddy really separated themselves from the pack. Buddy Mode isn't just clever marketing – it's genuinely useful technology that I find myself using almost every round. In essence, it lets you share distance readings with your playing partners without everyone crowding around the same spot.
Here's how it works in practice: Your buddy is 30 yards behind you in the fairway after a sketchy drive. Instead of him walking up to your ball or you walking back to his, you can laser the target from your position and the rangefinder calculates what his yardage would be. The triangulation technology is surprisingly accurate – usually within a yard or two of what you'd get standing at their ball.
I put this through its paces during a member-guest tournament last month. My partner was a shorter hitter, consistently 20-30 yards behind me. Instead of the usual dance of "What do you have?" followed by mental math, I could give him exact yardages from my position. We probably saved 5 minutes per round, and more importantly, he felt more confident knowing his distances were precise, not estimates.
The triangulation feature (which works hand-in-hand with Buddy Mode) also came in clutch when my ball ended up behind a tree on the 16th. I couldn't see the flag from my position, but I walked 10 yards to the right, shot the pin, and the rangefinder calculated what the distance would be from my actual ball position. It's like having a caddie who can see around corners.
The slope-adjusted distance feature on the 2S Pro walks that perfect line between helpful and legal. The ability to toggle it on and off means you can use it during practice rounds to learn your course, then switch it off for competitions. The switch is visible and obvious – no one's going to accuse you of cheating because they can clearly see whether slope is engaged. Understanding elevation changes through slope mode during practice helps you make better club selections when the feature must be turned off for tournament play.
When slope is on, the calculations are impressively accurate. On my home course's signature par-3 8th, which plays dramatically downhill, the rangefinder shows 165 yards to the pin but adjusts to 148 with slope. That's exactly what I've learned through years of trial and error – it's a firm 9-iron, not the 7-iron the raw yardage suggests. For newer players or anyone playing an unfamiliar course, this feature alone could drop 3-5 strokes per round.
What sets the 2S Pro apart is how it displays the information. You get both distances simultaneously – the actual and the adjusted – so you're learning while you play. Over time, you develop a feel for how elevation affects distance, making you a better player even when slope mode is off.
The accuracy is outstanding too. That +/- 1 yard precision isn't just marketing fluff. I've cross-checked distances against course markers and GPS units, and the 2S Pro is consistently spot-on. Even at the extreme ends of its range (it goes up to 1093 yards), the readings are reliable. Not that you'll need to measure 1000+ yards often, but it's nice knowing the capability is there.
Let's talk durability, because a rangefinder that can't handle real golf conditions is just an expensive paperweight. The IPX4 water resistance rating means the 2S Pro can handle splashes and light rain – which covers about 90% of the weather most of us play in. I've used it in Scottish mist, Florida afternoon showers, and everything in between. Water beads off the lenses, and the internals stay dry.
The carrying case deserves a mention too. It's not some flimsy afterthought – it's a proper protective case with a magnetic closure that actually stays closed. The included carabiner means you can clip it to your bag and forget about it. But here's the killer feature: the magnetic clip. This thing is strong enough to stick to your cart but won't damage the rangefinder. I stick mine to the roof support of my push cart, and it's right there at eye level when I need it.
The CR2 battery is rated for 5,000 uses, which sounds like a lot until you realize how often you actually use a rangefinder. Still, I've been testing for three months, playing twice a week, and the battery indicator hasn't budged. When it does need replacing, the battery compartment is easily accessible – no tiny screws or special tools required. Plus, earning 198 reward points with your purchase gives you a nice credit toward future golf gear or battery replacements.
The microfiber cloth that comes with it actually works (unlike some that just push dirt around), and the quick start guide is genuinely quick – two pages that get you up and running in minutes, not the usual novel of legal disclaimers. At 99.4 x 65 x 36.3 mm, this rangefinder strikes the perfect balance between compact portability and comfortable handling during extended rounds.
The Golf Buddy 2S Pro golf rangefinder delivers pinpoint accuracy and fast readings, helping golfers of all levels improve distance judgment and lower scores. Designed for precision and ease, it’s the must-have tool to elevate your golf game.
Yes, you can use the Golf Buddy 2S Pro in tournaments, but you'll need to disable the slope function initially. Once you've turned off slope and any other prohibited features, it's fully compliant with USGA, R&A, and PGA Tour rules. The device is specifically designed to meet tournament regulations when properly configured. Just remember to check your specific tournament's local rules before competing, as some events may have additional restrictions.
Your Golf Buddy 2S Pro rangefinder comes with a two-year limited warranty from the date you originally purchased it. This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship during normal consumer use. You'll need to keep your purchase receipt and buy from an authorized dealer to maintain coverage. If you need warranty service, you'll contact GolfBuddy support for a Return Authorization Number before sending it back for repair or replacement.
Yes, you'll find the GolfBuddy 2S Pro perfectly comfortable as a left-handed golfer. Its symmetrical, compact design doesn't favor either hand, and you can easily access the top power button and side slope toggle regardless of your dominant hand. The rubberized grip works well for both orientations, and there's no awkward positioning required. The display's clear readout and magnetic attachment feature aren't biased toward right-handed use, ensuring you'll have smooth, convenient operation.
You'll experience reduced performance in fog and heavy rain. While the IPX4 rating protects against moisture, dense fog scatters the laser beam, limiting range and accuracy. Heavy rain creates similar issues with water droplets interfering with readings. The triangulation mode and vibration alerts help somewhat, but you won't get consistent measurements in severe weather. For occasional light rain it's fine, but don't expect reliable performance in harsh conditions.
You'll get approximately 3,000 to 5,000+ uses from each CR2 battery, which typically translates to several rounds of golf depending on how often you measure distances. The device doesn't recharge - you'll need to replace the CR2 3V lithium battery when it's depleted. With the auto shut-off feature that kicks in after 10 seconds of inactivity, you're maximizing battery efficiency. It's smart to keep spare CR2 batteries in your golf bag.
So, is the Golf Buddy 2S Pro the rangefinder that'll ultimately retire your old unit? If you value speed, creative features, and reliability, then absolutely yes. This isn't just another me-too rangefinder with a different logo – it's a thoughtfully designed tool that solves real problems golfers face.
It's perfect for the regular player who wants tour-level technology without the tour-level price tag, the pace-of-play conscious golfer who needs quick measurements, or anyone who regularly plays with partners and wants to help everyone play better. If you're someone who only plays a few times a year or you're perfectly happy with your current rangefinder, the upgrade might not be critical. But if you're tired of second-guessing your distances or holding up play while you fumble for measurements, the 2S Pro is the solution you've been waiting for..
