I've been using the garmin s4 watch the all white one. i jus latch it too my bag instead of wearing it like i used too do when i first bought it. actually it's a really good watch and the gps seems to legit with it also, I'm able to track my rounds and keep my scores, and when I'm bout to hit my second shot i can hit the green's button and it will show me the shape of the green I'm at and I'm able to move the pin around for a better reading. do like the dog legs and layup shot distance. after a round i'll plug it into my Mac and upload my rounds and it keeps track of where i played and fwy,putting strokes, timer too track how long the round took and etc stuff. i've went from a 22hcp too 10hcp in one season after i bought this watch and figured out what clubs to use.

i was like you and was going to get a range finder but didn't feel like having to carry it around with me and then pull it out and try and keep my hands steady enough to mark the flag. i know they got some awesome ones out there but i rather jus use my watch for now and i can wear everyday and use it doing the day while I'm not playing golf.

you might wanna check out the latest one they released, it's colored screen and has a tempo trainer if you need it and does a whole lot more then what mine does.
i think you would enjoy it better then a range finder. or even jus a gps that clips on your bag works good also

I use a Garmin watch. It may be worth it to plug your watch into the computer and update it. Maybe not, but it could help. I like to have a rangefinder and a watch. The rangefinder is good if you need yardages to specific targets, but a watch is good for thinking about yardages to the front, center, and back of the green rather than aiming for the flag.

I use a SkyCaddie SG5 GPS rangefinder and have it very helpful. For me the information to Front, middle and back of greens is very helpful since I can't stop a shot that quickly and I often factor that in by using those yardages. WHat I also find useful is the distances to hazards and to carry them. I have played with guys who have range finders and when we compare yardages they are very similar. The GPS is advantageous when you need exact pin yardages. I have considered a rangefinder to use with slope in practices and without in competitive rounds. However the costs have dissuaded me.

I use the Bushell NEO XS watch and I love it. I walk and carry even on my league as well as my partner. We both use the watch and its been quite valuable in play.
I have found it too be pretty accurate.
Hope that helps

Range finder all the way. I used a GPS app and watch and both had issues. I'd trust a yardage book over a GPS.
The range finder on the other hand works great. I picked up a bushnell and will never go back to GPS.

Using a Garmin S2 and I find it to be helpful. I dislike wearing a watch when I play, but haven't found an alternative that I feel comfortable with. Can't seem to get to trusting not having it on my person. I'll try it on the golf bag like Jason at some point I suppose. Anyway, I like the watch functionality.

I have the Garmin S6 and love it. I can get yardage to ant point on the hole, I can preload my driving distance and see the landing zone, front middle back and even move the flag on the green. It even can tell me the direction of the green from a blind shot. Oh also measure my shot and keep score. That is just a few of the things it can do. Look it up and buy it, and no I don't work for Garmin.

Had a Garmin hand-held from about 5 years ago, but the course lookup wouldn't work with an AMD PC. My course is private, so there may not be many complaints to get that fixed. #16 is off by 30 yards from 120 yards out. Got a Bushnell watch a year ago "pre-loaded". Same issue with the same hole, although I can still work around it from experience. Played another course that reversed front/back holes about 4 years ago. The Bushnell still had them in the old order. Most courses work. But for the price, the database used should be updated better.

I am having the same issues on certain holes at my club. I played with a buddy last week who also had a Bushnell GPS watch although a different model than mine, and our yardages would vary from the same to over 10 yards which for me is a club difference. I updated my course for the watch on my PC but it did not help. Not to sound anal but I want exact yardage to give me the best chance of making the right club selection.

Range finders all the way and VERY useful when hitting the range. Had a handheld GPS and didn't find it as reliable as the range finders. GPS watch would never work for me b/c i don't like things around my wrist (minus the golf glove) when playing golf...

I have a GolfBuddy WT5 watch, very handy. Very easy to use, with lots of features. Can be used as a watch and/or a GPS device. Shows distance to hazards, keeps score and has other features. Prior to getting it I used an App on my iPhone. A watch is so much quicker and easier to use. It has 2 downsides, charge on the battery doesn't last long, less then 36 holes. To avoid any issues you really need to make sure it's fully charged prior to each round you play. The other problem is every time you access any feature it beeps. There is no way to silence it, and I'm assuming the beeping reduces battery life. However, I nice watch at a reasonable price.

I use the Bushnell range finder, jolt. It's small and fits in my Titleist lightweight cart bag side pocket. I too don't have a steady hand but this will give a vibration or jolt when you hit the flag. Great tool.

I'm leaning toward the Jolt myself. My current range finder is a Bushnell Pro made for hunting. Works OK but sometimes it is hard to hold steady on the pin.

I also use a Bushnell Pro for golf when I get inside 150 yards as I don't trust the GPS. I recently purchased a Leupold GX2i2 range finder and it is great. Not only calculates the true golf range reading the slope but you can plug in the distance you hot your 4,6 and 8 iron and it will tell you what club to hit or clubs if you are in between clubs for a given yardage. Accurate up to 18 inches. The GX 2 has the ability to lock in on the pin by holding the power button down while trying scanning it and give a audible beep.