Herb

A touch OTT especially dismissing these device out of hand. I am only an average golfer but I do know how far I hit each club (through painstaking practice and measuring both down wind and into a breeze). Using a handheld device (Sky caddy in my case) I get an instant reading to both the green and how far to carry a fairway bunker etc immediately. No need for me to rely on yardage poles (notoriously inaccurate) or pace between reference points.

I know if I have 162 to reach a bunker and 171 and their is minimal wind it would be a safe 6 iron (which I average 149 for) to leave it short or if I was going for it would probably be a full out 4 iron but more sensibly a 3 hybrid.

Where if that is the information given to me is the benefit soley for scratch golfers as you suggest. OK I grant you that I may only make a decent contact 7/10 times but at least the clubbing is not to blame if my ball goes astray. In my mind it is one less variable for me to worry about.

As for keeping up with the Joneses I actually find that acutely patronising. I am fortunate not to have kids and an understanding wife who likes me to enjoy my golf and is happy for me to spend MY disposable income on golf equipment. My point is that it is my decision and is not born out of any desire to keep up with anyone else. I bought it based on the merits of testing my club pro's sky caddy and the fact that he did me a deal at least Ł30 (or 10%) cheaper than the cheapest online price.