Apple is still considered the leader in the highly competitive market for smartphones, thanks to its iPhone with the revolutionary touch screen technology as applied to consumer electronic products.

Fortunately, for golfers, this is the same technology being applied in the latest golf GPS devices to hit the market. Said rangefinders provide for many benefits such as aerial images of the golf course, near-accurate distance measurements and scores/stats tracking. An added merit is that distances are measured without need for the limited maps offered by the manufacturers of other golf rangefinders.

One of these rangefinders is the Golf Guru 4 Touch Screen, which is a multi-functional device. It plays music and videos for your enjoyment as well as offer road navigation features at an extra cost, which can be availed of by a software download from Odyssey.

But of course, being the avid golfer that you are, your purchase of the Golf Guru 4 is closely connected to its ultra-useful GPS software. With said software comes a host of features that can elevate your game to greater heights, if and when used appropriately.

Let's start with the AerVu technology, which is the main brain behind the over 20,000 Aervu maps. Said maps include aerial images of the golf hole as shown on the largest screen on any golf GPS device by far - 3.5 inches. Take note, however, that these Aervu maps come with a price although the range of options are relatively reasonable starting at just $9.50 for one map to as much as $70 for 10 maps.

Just with far assumption that your favorite golf course has not been mapped, you can always map it yourself. The Golf Guru 4 includes mapping capabilities for up to 30 targets per hole so that you can actually make an outline of the green.

The shining jewel on the crown of the Golf Guru 4 is, of course, the Shot Plan feature. Basically, a tiny yellow rectangle can be moved on any spot in the course, which the device will then calculate the distance to that spot and from that spot to the green. Think of it as having complete control of the direction your course management is heading into.

Lest we forget, the Smart green technology is also one of the best in the market, a feature that rivals the intelligence of SkyCaddie's IntelliGreen. It works in this way: Place the pin on any spot on the green. The device will then calculate three distances with the green and the pin as the points of reference - near the side of the green, far side of the green and to the pin. As you approach the target, the green's shape automatically rotates so that it is always aligned on the screen. Other rangefinders do not have this feature.

The main downsides of the Golf Guru 4 are its size and its style. You will find that it is bulkier than most other GPS device, not to mention that it looks suspiciously like a road navigator.

But all in all, the Golf Guru 4 is one of the most reliable products of its kind. You can always purchase it and then see for yourself.