Bushnell Tour Z6

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Golf Monthly Editor Mike Harris tests the Bushnell Tour Z6

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Golf Monthly Verdict

'STYLE AND PERFORMANCE' Unit price: £329 Download costs: None Key technology: Offers faster readings than previous models and distances to 1/10th of a yard. New Vivid Display Technology is designed to improve the performance and clarity of the display in all light conditions. PinSeeker technology eliminates background hazards, making it easier to find a yardage 
to the intended target. A top-quality product that sits well in the hand. The PinSeeker technology is very useful on courses that have a lot of trees behind flags. The carry case is excellent. The added technology and new design come at a significant price increase compared to the Tour V2 version. GM verdict (Mike Harris - 6 handicap. Current laser: Nikon 350G): The new display is exceptionally clear and really comes into its own when playing as the sun is rising or setting. White and black styling won?t be to everyone?s taste, but it gives a cool, contemporary look. The premium carry case is worth mentioning as it?s very useful, clipping securely on to your bag and being easy to access on the course. As with all the lasers, finding yardages on blind shots required some pacing out. Value: 11/15 Ease of use: 14/15 Information: 12/15 Accuracy: 14/15 Set-up: 10/10 Ergonomics: 9/10 Performance: 19/20 Total: 89/100

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As a relative newcomer to golf, the distance measuring device (DMD) has developed at a rapid pace. The information has become more accurate, devices are easier to use and the good news is, they're also becoming more affordable. With this in mind, we tested 12 models that have been launched since our 2011 test. Not only have top-end models improved the quality of maps and the amount of information on offer, but there has also been an influx of stripped-back versions that are easy to use and provide basic information.

The major laser brands have also refined their products to make them easier to use. All this means there are more options out there than ever before, with products designed to meet the needs of different golfers. In this test, we aim to help refine your search and identify the best products on the market.

Venue:

The Golf Monthly staff conducted the test at the beautiful Liphook Golf Club in Hampshire, number 79 in the Golf Monthly Top 100 list. It was a course that the vast majority of testers had never played before and features a number of blind shots, as well as holes that require a club other than driver from the tee. The course offered the perfect opportunity to test each device to its fullest.

Test criteria:

To begin with, the test team went through the set-up process for every device to compare how easy it was to get the unit ready for play. Each member of the team then tried out two units on the course. The test team's handicaps varied from five to 24, and ranged from long-time DMD users to those who had never used one before. This helped us to test the suitability of a unit for different golfers. After the round, the team compared the features and benefits of each model and awarded points for the following:

Value: The initial price and download costs comparative to the quality of the unit.

Set-up: How easy the unit is to set up initially and download courses on to.

Ease of use: How easy it is to read yardages, as well as use any other additional features.

Information: The quality and quantity of information provided on the unit.

Ergonomics: How the unit feels in the hand, the button design and the bag clip.

Accuracy: How the yardage readings compare with other units, yardage markers and course guides.

Performance: An overall rating including how robust the unit is, the battery life, the clarity of the screen and how the unit attached to a golf bag.

Mike Harris
Content Director

Mike has been a journalist all his working life, starting out as a football writer with Goal magazine in the 1990s before moving into men’s and women’s lifestyle magazines including Men's Health, In 2003 he joined Golf Monthly and in 2006 he became only the eighth editor in Golf Monthly’s 100-plus year history leading the brand until July 2023. He is now Content Director overseeing Golf Monthly and two other iconic sports brands, FourFourTwo and Rugby World.

His three main passions in golf are courses (he's played over 500 worldwide), equipment (he's always in search of something shiny to give him an edge) and shoes (he owns more pairs than he cares to mention!).  

Mike’s handicap index hovers at around 10 and he is a member of six golf clubs: Hartley Wintney, Royal Liverpool, Royal North Devon, Prince's, Royal Norton and the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

Mike's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: TaylorMade Qi10 10° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 5S - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grip

Fairway woods: TaylorMade Sim Max 3/15° - Fujikura Ventus Blue 6S & TaylorMade Stealth 7/20° - Fujikura Ventus Red 6S - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips

Utility Iron: TaylorMade Stealth UDI 3/21° - Aldila Ascent 90HY - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grip

Irons: TaylorMade P790 (5-PW)  - Fujikura Axiom 75R - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips

Wedges: TaylorMade MG4 50°, 54° and 58° - KBS Tour Hi-Rev 2.0 shafts - Golf Pride MCC Plus4 grips

Putter: Evnroll ER2B - Gravity Grip 

Ball: TaylorMade - Tour Response (Yellow)