• Lauren Coughlin what’s in the bag accurate as of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. 

Driver: Ping G430 LST (9 degrees)
Shaft: KBS TD 50 Category 3

3-wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees @14)
Shaft: KBS TD 60 Category 3

Hybrid: Ping G430 (19 degrees)
Shaft: Graphite Design Tour AD DI 85 S

Hybrid: Ping G425 (22 degrees)

Hybrid: Ping G425 (26 degrees)

Irons: Ping i230 (6-UW)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 105 R

Wedges: Ping Glide 4.0 (54-12S, 58-6T)
Shafts: KBS C-Taper Lite 105 R

Putter: Ping PLD Kushin 4 prototype

Grips: Golf Pride MCC

More photos of Lauren Coughlin’s WITB in the forums.

 

The laser rangefinder market is stocked full of models ranging from basic units to full-of-features, high-end yardage finders. With all these options, golfers also have a wide range of prices from under $100 to over $500. While the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized is far from the cheapest, it does offer a lot of options that the cheaper models don’t.

When you get the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized out of the box, you are greeted by a black carrying case that is made from woven black nylon. The case itself is pretty basic with less padding than you might expect at this price point. The latch looks like a standard plastic clip but is actually a magnet for quick opening and closing. I will be honest, it would be nice to get a heavier-duty, more molded case for this $400 laser rangefinder, but it works and clips onto your bag with ease.

The Nikon Coolshot Pro II itself is a smaller profile that fits in your hands comfortably and with a good grip. The rubberized touch points make it easy to hold even with hot, sweaty hands, or in the cold when your hands might be a little numb. While the buttons don’t stand out aggressively, they are easy to find without looking, and once you use the unit for a little bit, they become second nature to press.

Out on the course, the Coolshot is lightweight, and you don’t notice it hanging from your bag even when walking. The 6X magnification is clear and seems to have a slight tint to it that works well on sunny days. The view is still clear and pins are easy to see in overcast conditions. The eyepiece rotates to focus the lens, but once I dialed it in I didn’t feel like I had to do any further adjustment on the course. I could easily see 200-yard shots as easily as 50-yarders. The accuracy is very good, and if you shoot the flag multiple times, you get the same distance every time. Using the Coolshot Pro II to measure the distance to trees, bunkers, or even grass hills was easy and again accurate. I have yet to shoot a target that gave me a reading that looked off or incorrect.

Now the one thing missing from the Coolshot Pro II is a magnetic side to attach to the cart. This isn’t very pleasant, but I spoke with Nikon about it and any magnet on the side of the range finder would interfere with the gyroscope that stabilizes the view. The slope measurements can be turned off and on and are indicated by a small light near the front lenses of the unit. I found the slope to also be pretty accurate, and only found some issues with extreme downhill greens — but a lot of that could be put on the golfer as well!

Nikon’s image stabilization is really what makes this unit stand above a lot of other laser range finders. Originally I thought it was great for those targets over 200 yards, but the more I use it even the shorter distance targets are easier to shoot. 120-150 yard targets can easily, and quickly, be targeted with one hand. No longer do I have to support my right hand with my left to reduce the shake in my arms. Longer par 5s take me half the time compared to other rangefinders as the stable crosshairs slowly move onto the flag. Once you shoot the flag, you get the vibration indicating the laser found the flag. I have also become a big fan of the bright red LCD markings in the scope as they are easier to use in darker conditions or when the background of the green is very wooded.

Overall, I am very impressed with the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized, and it has become the rangefinder I use in my bag. The stabilization just makes it easy to use from any yardage and the clear optics help aim at any target. This may not be the cheapest rangefinder out there, but it is one of the best I have used.

More Club Junkie Reviews

• Mitchell Golf Steelclub E-Z Commercial Shaft Puller review – Club Junkie Reviews
• VA Composites Synystr shaft review – Club Junkie Reviews
• Fujikura Ventus TR Blue Shaft review – Club Junkie Reviews

Each year, as the leaves change and the air turns cold, GolfWRX staff gathers in front of a crackling fireplace, preferred beverages in hand, to deliberate as to what the year’s holiday gift guide will look like.

This year, after much discussion — and perhaps not surprisingly — we’ve decided to do something completely different than in the past. In previous guides, while we toyed with structures and the number of guides, we always attempted to bring you our suggestions for what you might want to buy for the golfers on your list. That is, what we thought they could want.

But what if we could tell you what the golfers on your list actually want? Which is to say, the products they are actually purchasing right now. Wouldn’t that make for a more joyful wrapping paper-tearing experience?

Enter our friends at 2nd Swing. We tasked the leaders in new and pre-owned equipment and gear retail with running the numbers to see what is flying off the shelves.

So, without further ado, here are the hottest golf gifts right now — with a focus on equipment, naturally.

The hottest golf gifts this holiday season

Ping G430 Max Driver

One of the top performers in Best Driver 2023 and Members Choice, it’s no surprise to see the Ping G430 Max is a big seller at 2nd Swing right now. 

Price: $547

Buy here.

Callaway Paradym Driver

Recommended by our panel of fitters as a top choice for players with a swing speed between 95 and 105 mph, the Callaway Paradym is a popular pick. 

Price: $499.99 (was $599.99)

Buy here.

Ping G425 Iron Set (6 Clubs, Steel)

A banner performer in last year’s Best Irons and Members Choice, Ping G425 irons remain an excellent choice — and are available at a big discount from original retail price. 

Price: $684 (was $857)

Buy here.

Titleist T150 Iron Set (7 Clubs, Steel)

An intriguing addition to the T-Series irons lineup in the space between the T100 and T200, we’re not surprised to see Titleist T150 irons have been selling well. 

Price: $1,400

Buy here.

Titleist SM9 Tour Chrome Wedges

A price reduction only makes the runaway winner of 2023 Members Choice: Wedges even more attractive. 

Price: $149.99 (was $179.99)

Buy here.

Ping Glide 4.0 Wedges

Among the top 5 in our Members Choice for wedges this year, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges offer tech and forgiveness while continuing to present grind options.  

Price: $127.00 (was $177)

Buy here.

Titleist Scotty Cameron Phantom X Putters (certified pre-owned)

No surprise that Scottys are hot, and 2nd Swing has a ton in stock that won’t break the bank. 

Price: Starting at $169.99 ($429.99 new)

Buy here.

Cobra Fly XL Complete Men’s, Women’s & Senior Sets

If you’re looking for a full-set option that’s levels up from what you can find at the big box store, this is the play. 

Price: $749.99 (was $899.99)

Buy here.

Men’s & Women’s Name Brand Golf Apparel from Top Courses

Interesting inclusion here: Plenty of apparel from top clubs available at a deep discount. 

Price: Starting at $29.99

Buy here.

SkyTrak Personal Launch Monitor

Given the price point and the capabilities, it’s no shock to see SkyTrak launch monitor selling well. 

Price: $1,195 (was $1,695)

Buy here.

Rapsodo Mobile Launch Monitor

As Club Junkie said in his review “the MLM is great for tracking your bag, distances, dispersion, and ball speed. Use it indoors into a net or on the range; the MLM has so many features.” 

Price: $179.99 (was $299.99)

Buy here.

Datrek Lite Rider Pro Cart Golf Bag

A great option if there’s a cart bag on the list of anyone you’re buying for. 

Price: $119.99 ($219.99)

Buy here.

Ping Prior Gen Hoofer & Craz-E Lite Stand Bags

A fantastic iteration of one of the most popular stand bag lines in golf history. 

Price: Varies (big discount!)

Buy here.

Titleist ProV1 Special Number Golf Balls

If you’re buying Pro V’s for someone on your list, add an extra test and deviate from traditional numbering. They’ll appreciate it. 

Price: $54.99

Buy here.

Superspeed Golf Swing Training Speed System

Give the gift of a proven path to more swing speed — and thus more distance!

Price: $79.99 (was $199.99)

Buy here.