Garmin is a well-known name in the field of technology, and over the course of the past few years, it has also made a significant push into the market for golf equipment. Due to the fact that it is a brand that is connected with high-quality products, it is arguably one of the top brands when it comes to the best golf GPS devices that are now available out there. Additionally, they excel not only in golf GPS devices but also in golf watches, which are among the best in the industry. In fact, the firm is likely the most well-known provider of golf watches in this particular segment of the market. Additionally, there is a wide variety of solutions accessible at a variety of pricing points among the available choices. Whether you are looking for a simple front-middle-back yardage, a display that is bright and easy to see, or an all-out fully-fledged smart watch with golf skills, there is a Garmin that will meet your requirements. What makes them so wonderful? In each and every one of their watches, Garmin has managed to strike a careful balance between the usability, convenience, and significant features that they offer.
Taking into account all of this, the following is a list of the top Garmin golf watches that are currently available on the market. If, on the other hand, you do not feel comfortable wearing a golf watch, you might want to consider looking into some of the best golf rangefinders available at a reasonable price, the best golf launch monitors, or the best golf shot tracking apps and devices.
BEST OVERALL
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SPECIFICATIONS
Courses Preloaded: 43,000
Battery Life: 20 hours
Screen Size: 1.4″ (35.41 mm) diameter
Weight: 56g
Straps: One
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REASONS TO BUY
- Packed full of technology and features
- Can track shots and make suggestions
- Improved looks and interface
- Extended battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
- Abundance of tech and features could overwhelm some
When it comes to GPS watches, the Garmin Approach S70 is among the most user-friendly options available. It is also among the finest choices for golfers who are more tech-savvy and enjoy using gadgets. There are a lot of amazing features that come with the S70. Not only can it calculate the general yardages to greens, bunkers, and hazards, but it can also keep track of your score while you are playing and pick up club selections for you so that it can give you the yardages that you hit them. Another incredible feature is the integration of the weather forecast, which will assist in providing you with yardages and data based on the weather that is now occurring. Because it possesses all of these characteristics, there is no question that this is one of the most comprehensive and greatest golf watches that you can purchase.
This watch has a huge screen that is bright and colourful while looking at the hole map, and it looks amazing when worn on your wrist. The visual elements of this watch are fantastic. At the touch of a button, this watch can quickly go from watch face to golf mode, and it comes pre-loaded with more than 43,000 different courses. Golf is the primary function of this watch, and it performs really well in this regard; but, you may also use it to measure your physical activity in general.
Once you have arrived at the course you are playing, the watch will immediately begin downloading that course over satellite, and your round will start immediately after that. When it comes to smartwatches, there are a lot of options available, and golf watches in particular often have a short battery life. However, the S70 does not have this issue. When used as a conventional wristwatch, this watch has the ability to maintain its charge for up to sixteen days. However, when you use it in golf mode with the GPS, you will receive twenty hours of battery life, which is more than sufficient for a round of golf. This watch is without a doubt one of the best GPS watches that can be purchased today.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Courses preloaded: 41,000
Battery life: 20 hours
Screen size: 3.3cm
Weight: 61g
Straps: Two
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REASONS TO BUY
- When paired with phone, watch can gauge wind conditions
- Aesthetics are slick and stylish
REASONS TO AVOID
- Hole maps a little basic
One of the most attractive watches is the S62, which has a face that is slightly larger than the faces of some of the more affordable Garmin models. You are able to see more clearly because to the increased contrast that comes with this larger screen. In addition, this watch comes with a feature that provides you with a Virtual Caddie. This Caddie can determine the direction in which the wind is blowing at the moment and provide information based on prior shots, ensuring that you have the appropriate club for the shot that is being played.
The information that is at your disposal is really simple to acquire, and the amount of additional features and distances that are provided for the money that is paid is rather substantial. There is no difficulty in obtaining elevation changes as well as the yardages to risks. As an additional feature, you have the ability to change the location of the pin, which provides you with more precise yardages than the conventional front, middle, and rear yardages. Given all of these wonderful characteristics, it should come as no surprise that it was selected for inclusion in the Editor’s Choice awards at Golf Monthly.
When it comes to the way it is styled, the S62 is really adaptable, and even when you are not on the course, you will have no trouble wearing this watch in your regular life. In addition, if you are someone who participates in sports other than golf, you may use this watch to track your fitness data for other activities.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Courses preloaded: 42,000
Battery life: 15 hours
Screen size: 3cm
Weight: 43g
Straps: Three
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REASONS TO BUY
- Stylish watch that can be worn on and off the course
- A host of features like strokes gained stats and fitness tracking
REASONS TO AVOID
- Takes a few rounds to get the hang of all its uses
The Garmin S42 is a product that has a lot of positive qualities. Before anything else, the watch is a wonderful size, and the quality of the craftsmanship is immediately apparent the moment you put it on. The analogue display that this watch possesses is something that struck us as particularly appealing, since it makes it suitable for use in more social settings.
This watch is most comfortable when worn on the course; all it takes to enter golf mode is a single click on the button located on the side of the watch. You are able to easily navigate through the many functions that are accessible for use from this vantage point. You will initially have the front, middle, and back yardages as you would normally have them, but you also have the option of include the pin location, which will provide you with the most exact yardage possible when you are pin hunting on the course.
There are additional fantastic golf-related features that you can get your hands on, such as the AutoShit round analyzer, which monitors your shots and keeps a record of how far you hit your shots. In addition to this, it will provide you with the yardage to bunkers, hazards, and the locations of the best areas to lay up. As soon as it has compiled all of the data from your round, you can load it into the linked Garmin Golf app on your phone and view all of this data immediately within the app. This will provide you with a summary of where you have saved and lost strokes, as well as areas in which you can improve.
Last but not least, it is important to highlight the fact that this watch is capable of measuring fitness. Additionally, the S42 allows you to monitor not only how well you sleep but also how many steps you have taken, the calories you have burned, the distance you have travelled, and how many steps you have done. If you are able to devote the necessary amount of time and money to purchasing this watch, you will be able to have a fantastic golf watch at your disposal.
BEST VALUE
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SPECIFICATIONS
Courses preloaded: 42,000
Battery life: 30 hours
Screen size: 2.3cm
Weight: 34g
Straps: Three
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REASONS TO BUY
- Very easy to use right from the get-go
- Big-Numbers mode a great feature
REASONS TO AVOID
- Not as stylish as the S42
It is possible that the S12 is not as fashionable as its sister models, the S42 and the S62; nonetheless, given the price range, it may be a realistic option for some individuals. This watch comes with access to more than 40,000 courses already preloaded, making it simple and quick to be set up with the course you are now enrolled in.
The overall use of the watch was found to be quite satisfactory after we arrived at the location where we were going to conduct the tests. When you are standing on the tee, it provides you with a wealth of information, including the distances to hazards and bunkers, as well as yardages from which to lay up the optimum shot. When you are seeking to be more direct at pins, one of the excellent features is the option to shift the pin around. This helps you to get a more precise yardage so that you can play more accurately.
The shot measuring tool, which enables you to see how far you struck each shot, was one of the features that we found to be most useful during testing. It is simple to enter your scores for each hole, along with certain statistics; this gives you the ability to determine areas in which you can make improvements once you have completed a round. This is the last feature that we will discuss, and it is the big numbers mode. This mode is wonderful for people who have weak eyesight, and when combined with the sunlight-readable dial, it truly does make it more accessible. Due to the fact that it is available at a price that is not prohibitive, this watch is without a doubt an excellent investment.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Courses preloaded: 41,000
Battery life: 28 hours
Screen size: 3.4cm
Weight: 88g
Straps: 12 (price varies)
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REASONS TO BUY
- Stunning looks and feel
- Packed with useful features on and off the course
REASONS TO AVOID
- Weighty versus the competition
In addition to having a titanium casing of 46 millimetres in diameter and a ceramic bezel that has been etched with 1-18 hole indications, the MARQ Golfer GPS Watch has been constructed using stunning premium materials. You will find that this watch is not limited to only being used on the course, as is the case with many golf watches that are available today.
This watch has the capability to accommodate variations in elevation, provide you with information regarding the direction in which the wind is blowing, and provide you with the optimum club choices. This watch features a number of additional features, including the ability to play music, process payments using contactless technology, monitor your heart rate, and keep track of your daily activities, among other things.
When it came to putting this high-end device through its paces, we found that it was not only simple and enjoyable to use, but it also exuded a sense of premium quality when worn on the wrist. The price of this watch is the only item that can be considered a drawback, as it is not inexpensive. This is the only thing that can be considered a negative point. If you are able to purchase this amazing watch, then you will have a great deal of pleasure wearing it.
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SPECIFICATIONS
Courses preloaded: 41,000
Battery life: 12 hours
Screen size: 2.3cm
Weight: 35g
Straps: Three
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REASONS TO BUY
- Great value for money
- Battery life is great
REASONS TO AVOID
- Looks very basic
The Garmin S10 is a model that is a little bit older, but it is still one that you can get your hands on, and if you are interested in golf, it is a model that you might want to consider purchasing. In the beginning, it will provide you with the typical front, middle, and rear yardages. This watch is an excellent blend of performance and value. When you delve a bit deeper into the features, however, you will find that you are also able to keep track of your score, the amount of time you have spent playing a game, and the steps you have taken. If you use this watch in GPS mode, you will get approximately 12 hours of battery life out of it. Additionally, it is available in three different colours for people who want a certain style of design.
In spite of its small size and low weight, this watch comes equipped with all of the basic features that are found in other golf watches that we have discussed in this article. The navigation of this watch is accomplished through the use of buttons located on the side, as opposed to the touchscreen that is seen on some of the more advanced watches.
The overall versatility of this watch is restricted when compared to other models; nevertheless, if you are looking for a watch that is specifically designed for golf, then this watch is sufficient for the money that you pay, making it an excellent bargain.
HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT GPS WATCH
Features
Having a clear idea of the features you need and want in a GPS watch is an essential step in the process of purchasing one. This is significant since it has a significant influence on the overall satisfaction of a product as well as the cost of the product. The basic front, middle, and back yardage is something that all watches will provide, but some of them are considerably more affordable than others. If this is the only requirement you have, then you should go with a watch that is on the cheaper end of the price spectrum. If you want more features and versatility off the course, then you should spend more money.
Versatility
Many brands and watches do not work off the course so if you are looking for something versatile then make sure you check the range of features that watch is offering.
Your routine
When contemplating the purchase of a golf watch, it is essential to take into consideration the activities that you frequently engage in when you are out on the course. Do you consider yourself to be a quick player who only requires a brief glimpse at the numbers on a screen, or are you more of a deliberate player who wants as much information as possible before committing to a shot? It is important to be conscious of how you play the game because there are models that may be incorporated into a variety of routines and styles. When it comes down to it, a short glance at a watch is considerably quicker than taking a device out of its case or moving pointers on the screen. Therefore, you should consider if you would rather have more information or less disruption.
Golf course
After that, it is important to think about the kind of golf course that you play on on a daily basis. In our experience, we have discovered that courses that feature a significant number of doglegs and blind tee shots call for the comprehensive GPS information that a watch provides. On the other hand, courses that are more in front of you may be more suited to the straightforwardness of a laser. In addition, if you play at other clubs for matches or for social purposes, you might discover that you like the additional information that a GPS provides over that of a laser. It is also important to be aware of the number of golf courses that are preloaded into various timepieces. In conclusion, if you are looking for additional purchasing guidance about GPS handhelds, you should look at our article on the finest golf watches for women.
FAQS
WHICH COMPANY MAKES THE BEST GOLF WATCHES?
Garmin are arguably the most recognized name when it comes to the best golf watches, but there are also companies like Bushnell and SkyCaddie who also offer premium performers.
CAN I USE GOLF WATCHES FOR NON-GOLF ACTIVITIES?
You certainly can as most double up as not just a watch for golf, but for fitness and work as well. Along with on course activities, golf watches can be used to check email and make calls, as well as track steps and your heartrate during a workout.
IS IT WORTH GETTING A GOLF WATCH?
Yes, we think certainly think that golf watches are worth it. Firstly, they save a lot of time, last a long time, are convenient and simple to use, offer in-depth detail of the shot you face, and can sit easily on your golf bag or wrist. With a golf watch you no longer have to find a sprinkler, or guess yardages because you can simply look at the screen to help you plot your way around the course.