Shot Scope Pro L1 Laser Rangefinder Review

Joel Tadman tests the new Shot Scope Pro L1 laser out on the course

Shot Scope Pro L1 Laser Rangefinder Review
Golf Monthly Verdict

All in all, this is a decent first stab from Shot Scope and while the Pro L1 isn’t the perfect laser rangefinder, it offers more than enough features as well modern styling to justify the price tag and was easy to use overall.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Easy to use and change the settings

  • +

    Scan mode especially useful off the tee

  • +

    Lightweight

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Slow to display distances in Flag mode

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Shot Scope Pro L1 Laser Rangefinder Review

Given how impressive the Shot Scope V3 GPS watch is, we were excited to experience the brand’s first foray into the laser rangefinder category. It’s a growing and competitive market but on the face of it, the Pro L1 looks to have the features to compete with the majority of its rivals.

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Not many of the best golf laser rangefinders can boast the option of two different colour optics, which we found catered for the different light conditions golfers can experience very well and they can be easily changed via a button on the side. When first launched, this was one of the lightest rangefinders on the market, which made it more difficult to keep it steady, especially in the wind. But Shot Scope has since added 40g of weight, taking it up to 200g, which certainly helps in picking out the flag a little more easily.

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That said, the shape fits perfectly in the hand and the textured surfaces at the top and bottom ensure you can maintain a solid hold of the device. The slope function can be turned on/off using the small switch on the side, which is quite fiddly and stiff and requires decent-sized nails to do so.

GPS v Laser Rangefinder - Which Is More Accurate?

Interestingly, the red light comes on when the slope function is turned off. We were expecting the red light to act as a warning light to playing partners that the slope function is active, but that’s not the case here.

It has two different main modes, the first (M1) being a scanning mode that displays distances almost instantly and constantly, allowing you to scan the horizon and pick out various points of interest. The second mode (M2) is where the flag icon in the display appears. It managed to pick out the flag from the background most of the time although we’d have liked it to have had a higher success rate and it does take quite a long time for the distance to display, longer than most other lasers we’ve tested.

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When it has been detected, the vibration provides the assurance you need that the distance is correct and to have distances to the nearest 0.1 of a yard provides an extra layer of accuracy that some golfers will find useful. The included carry case looks great and it matched our bag colours perfectly, which was a bonus, and you can potentially match it too given the two colour choices available.

Joel Tadman
Technical Editor

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 12 years covering both instruction and more recently equipment. He now oversees all product content here at Golf Monthly, managing a team of talented and passionate writers and presenters in delivering the most thorough and accurate reviews, buying advice, comparisons and deals to help the reader find exactly what they are looking for. So whether it's the latest driver, irons, putter or laser rangefinder, Joel has his finger on the pulse keeping up to date with the latest releases in golf. He is also responsible for all content on irons and golf tech, including distance measuring devices and launch monitors.


One of his career highlights came when covering the 2012 Masters he got to play the sacred Augusta National course on the Monday after the tournament concluded, shooting a respectable 86 with just one par and four birdies. To date, his best ever round of golf is a 5-under 67 back in 2011. He currently plays his golf at Burghley Park Golf Club in Stamford, Lincs, with a handicap index of 3.2.


Joel's current What's In The Bag? 

Driver: Titleist TSR3, 9° 

Fairway wood: Titleist TSR3, 15° 

Hybrid: Titleist TSi2, 18° 

Irons: Ping i230 4-UW

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM8, 54°. Titleist Vokey SM9 60° lob wedge, K Grind

Putter: Evnroll ER2V 

Ball: 2023 Titleist Pro V1x