How to Put a Rangefinder on a Golf Bag or Cart
To put a rangefinder on a golf cart, use a magnetic mount or strap; to put one on a golf bag, use a metal landing pad or a strap. Check first whether your rangefinder has a built-in magnet, since not every model does.
On this page (9 sections)
- Match the mount to how you play
- Does your rangefinder have a built-in magnet?
- Mount it on a riding cart with a magnet
- Use a strap when your rangefinder has no magnet
- Use a strap and mount on a push cart
- Put a rangefinder on a golf bag with a metal pad
- Carry it on your belt when you walk
- Check the mount before you walk to the next hole
- Pick the way to put a rangefinder on your golf bag or cart
To put a rangefinder on a golf bag, slide a metal landing pad onto the bag's edge and stick a magnetic rangefinder to it, or wrap a magnetic strap around a unit that has no magnet. On a cart, a magnetic mount or strap holds it to the rail.
This guide matches each mount to how you play, then covers the magnet check that decides which options will work. If you're new to the device itself, start with How to Use a Golf Rangefinder, Step by Step.
Match the mount to how you play
Use a magnetic mount or strap on a riding cart, a strap with a push cart mount when you push, and a metal pad when you carry the bag. The table shows the pairing at a glance.
| How you play | Best option | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Riding cart | Magnetic cart mount or strap | The unit stays on the rail, within reach from the seat |
| Push cart | Strap on a push cart mount | The unit stays at hand while you walk the course |
| Carry bag | Metal landing pad | The pad holds magnetic gear on the bag itself |
If you switch between a cart and a bag, a strap is easier to move than a mount that sticks to the unit. Best Golf Rangefinder Cases and Magnetic Holders compares more options if none of these fit your setup.
Does your rangefinder have a built-in magnet?
Check before you buy any mount, because not every rangefinder has a magnet and the right mount depends on it. Hold the unit against a steel object, such as a steel cart part, and see whether it sticks, or look for a magnet in the manual.
Some models have one built in. Callaway gives the 300 Pro a Magnahold cart mount, Bushnell gives the Tour V6 Shift a BITE magnetic mount, and REDTIGER includes a magnetic strip.
A magnet holds to steel and iron, not to aluminum or plastic, so check the cart rail too. The golf rangefinders buying guide compares models by feature if you're still choosing.
Mount it on a riding cart with a magnet
On a riding cart, a magnetic mount on the rail is the simplest option, since it needs no clamps or straps. It works only when the rail is metal that a magnet grips, so check that first.
If your rangefinder has no magnet of its own, a holder with an adhesive side can carry one for you. A2C's holder is one piece, with the adhesive on the rangefinder side and the magnets on the cart side.
Decide where the unit sits before you press the holder down, since a strong adhesive bond is hard to reposition.
Check the surface before you stick anything
A2C says to apply the holder only to completely flat surfaces, and to avoid soft, textured, uneven, silicone, rubber or leather. Some rangefinders, such as the Bushnell Pro X3+ with its rubber-armored housing, have a rubber finish, so check the spot where the holder will bond.
Hold the holder against the cart rail first to check the fit before you press anything down.
Use a strap when your rangefinder has no magnet
A strap works even when your rangefinder has no magnet, because the magnet sits in the strap rather than in the unit. The strap wraps around the rangefinder, and its magnet grips the cart.
Check the strap's size against your unit before you buy, because the strap has to wrap all the way around it. ZOEA says its adjustable velcro strap fits most rangefinders up to 11 inches around.
A snug fit reduces movement, so tighten the velcro before each round. Put the strap where you can reach the unit from the seat.
Use a strap and mount on a push cart
On a push cart, Stripebird's strap works with its push cart mount, which is sold separately. Stripebird says its 2.0 version has 45% less bulk than its earlier strap.
The strap has two neodymium magnets and a nylon elastic band. Stripebird says the band uses SBR for shock absorption and has an anti-skid surface.
Stripebird says the strap fits all types of rangefinders, with buttons exposed on most of them. It comes without a rangefinder, so you'll need your own unit.
Put a rangefinder on a golf bag with a metal pad
A metal landing pad slides onto the bag's edge and gives magnetic gear a place to stick, but it does not come with a rangefinder. Brother Stick says the pad holds magnetic accessories, such as a rangefinder, a towel or a speaker.
The pad also has room to hang small bags, towels or gloves. Brother Stick says its clip fits all types of golf bags, from men's and women's bags to youth sizes.
Brother Stick also says magnetic gear goes on the top of the pad, and gear with carabiners goes on the bottom.
Test the pad with your own magnet at home before the first round, so you know it holds.
Put a rangefinder on a golf bag without a built-in magnet
If your rangefinder has no built-in magnet, the pad will not grip it by itself. A magnetic strap gives the unit a magnet to grip the pad, so pair the two and check the hold before you walk to the first tee.
Carry it on your belt when you walk
A magnetic belt clip keeps the unit on you when you walk, with no mount needed on the cart or the bag. REDTIGER says its included magnetic belt clip can attach to your belt or your golf bag.
Keep the unit in the same spot on your belt each time, so you can reach it without looking. Check that the clip sits firmly before each walk, because a loose clip can let the unit slip.
Check the mount before you walk to the next hole
Give the mount a gentle tug before each walk to the next hole, so you know it's still holding. A mount that held on the first tee can loosen after a bumpy cart path or a sharp turn.
If the unit has moved, reseat the magnet or strap before you go on. Check the pad's grip on the bag too, and move the gear if it has shifted.
If the rangefinder sits in the right spot but won't switch on, the mount isn't the problem. For Bushnell models, the battery guide and the not working fixes cover the usual checks.
Pick the way to put a rangefinder on your golf bag or cart
Pick a magnetic cart mount if you ride and your rangefinder has a magnet, or a strap if it has none. Pick a metal landing pad if you carry the bag, and a strap with the push cart mount if you push.
Before you buy, check the cart rail or bag edge for a magnet's grip, and check the rangefinder for its own magnet.
If you haven't bought a unit yet, How to Choose Your First Golf Rangefinder covers the features to check before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put a rangefinder on a golf cart?
Use a magnetic mount on a metal cart rail if your rangefinder has a magnet, or a magnetic strap if it has none. Hold the mount or strap against the rail first to check the grip before you press any adhesive side down.
Can a rangefinder go on a golf bag without a magnet?
Yes, with a magnetic strap, because the magnet sits in the strap rather than in the rangefinder. A metal landing pad then gives the strap a place to grip, but test the hold at home before you rely on it during a round.
Does my rangefinder need a built-in magnet?
No, since a strap or an adhesive holder can carry the magnet for you when the unit has none. A built-in magnet lets the unit stick straight to a metal rail or pad, which keeps the setup simple and cuts down on extra parts to carry.
How do I know if my rangefinder has a magnet?
Hold it against a steel object, such as a steel cart part, and see whether it sticks. If the test is unclear, check the manual, and remember that a magnet only holds to steel or iron, not to aluminum or plastic parts.
