The best golf GPS watches combine both form and function. It is more than just a stylish accessory that you can wear even outside of the golf course. Instead, it is a functional piece that can provide valuable insights in the golf course, such as accurate measurements and advice on what to do for your next shot.
Are you looking for the best GPS golf watch? This article is for you! We will walk you through some of the best products that are available, as well as the things that make them incredible.
Table of Contents
Best Golf GPS Watches Review
Garmin Approach S60, Premium GPS Golf Watch with Touchscreen Display
Starting off our list of top golf watches is a model from Garmin. The reputation of the manufacturer is already a compelling reason to choose it over others. From the sleek design to the state-of-the-art features, it is worth every dollar.
Among others, one of our favorite things about this watch is that it is preloaded with more than 41,000 maps. This means that you can access a lot of golf courses wherever you are playing in the world. New maps are constantly added.
The 1.2-inch touchscreen is another reason why it is one of the top-rated golf GPS watches. The display is easily visible regardless of the conditions of the environment where you are playing. You can see it without any problem even under direct sunlight.
This Garmin watch for golf also stands out because of its long battery life. It can last up to ten hours, which is good enough for a couple rounds. More so, if you are using it only in watch mode, then the battery can last up to ten days.
To make the most out of the watch, connect it to Garmin App. The latter will unlock more functions, such as receiving notifications on the watch when there is a call, text, or email. The app can also function as a leaderboard, making it easy to compare your scores with your friends.
It is also notable that it is functional beyond golf. It has various sports profiles, so you can use it in other outdoor activities, such as snowboarding, skiing, and paddle boarding, among others.
Pros:
- Provides accurate distances
- Accesses more than 40,000 golf courses around the world
- Excellent battery life
Cons:
- Not for people on a budget
Garmin 010-03723-01 Approach S20, GPS Golf Watch with Step Tracking, Preloaded Courses
Like the product above, this is another model from Garmin, making it another notable option for the best golf watches. The main difference is that it is a cheaper alternative, which is because of its more basic functions. For instance, one of the most noticeable is the lack of a touchscreen display. Nonetheless, such does not make it any less in terms of its overall performance.
It has many features that make it deserving of a spot on our list of the best GPS watches for golf. For instance, it has auto-shot round analyzer. It has auto recording for measuring shot distances in an instant. Plus, you can pair this Garmin Approach watch with TruSwing, a sensor that can make your swings more consistent.
Another great function is the digital scorecard. This will make it easier to keep track of your performance, as well as that of your peers.
Like other Garmin golf watches, the battery life is also incredible. When you use the watch in GPS mode, the battery will last up to 15 hours. Meanwhile, if it is only on watch mode, the battery will last up to eight weeks.
Plus, it will make it easy for you to stay connected as it has smartphone notifications. By just looking at your watch, you can read text or email. All that you must do is to make sure that the Bluetooth connection is active.
Pros:
- Long battery life
- Can pair with Garmin TruSwing
- Has smartphone notifications
Cons:
- Does not come with a touchscreen functionality
Bushnell Neo Ion 2 Golf GPS Watch
This golf wrist GPS may not have the fancy features that you will find in its higher-end competitors, but that does not mean that the performance is subpar. We highly recommend it to novices who are looking for basic functionalities in a watch with a sleek design.
Looking at its functions, one thing that makes it stand out is its ability to measure accurate distances. It can track front, center, and back distances. More so, it will also measure four hazard distances for every hole.
We also love how it comes with reversible bands, so your watch is never boring. Each side has a different color, so you will feel like you are wearing a different watch. Regardless of the band that you choose, your comfort is a sure thing when you are wearing this wrist golf GPS.
When you use this watch, you will gain access to more than 36,000 golf courses around the world. It is functional in more than 30 countries. There is also an option to update the golf courses manually.
The watch also comes with an access to the Bushnell app. This way, you can control the watch through your smartphone and unlock its many functions.
As for the battery, the manufacturer is not specific about how long it can last, except by saying that it is good enough for up to three rounds before there is a need to recharge. This is pretty reliable compared to the performance of many of its competitors.
Pros:
- Comes with a comfortable and sleek design
- Provides accurate distances
- Has reversible bands
Cons:
- No feature for score tracking
Garmin Approach S62, Premium Golf GPS Watch, Built-in Virtual Caddie, Mapping and Full Color Screen
As you search for the best Garmin golf watch, this is another option that should be on your list. It is one of the most expensive on this list, but that should not be a reason to ditch the idea of choosing this product.
One thing that you will enjoy the most in this watch is the 1.3-inch touchscreen display. It is large and easy to read regardless of the conditions of the external environment. The best thing is that it is fully colored. Plus, it comes with an attractive ceramic bezel, which is also scratch-resistant.
It is loaded with over 41,000 golf courses around the world, which you can view in a colored display. The maps load quickly, which will make the entire experience less frustrating.
Aside from the preloaded maps, this Garmin golf watch has a long list of functions that will make it a cut above the rest. For instance, it has Virtual Caddie, which makes users feel that they are with a person who can give valuable insights about the game. It will suggest the right club to use depending on the evaluation of the situation that you are in.
Another notable feature is Hazard View. As the name implies, this will give you an accurate feature of the hazards around the golf course, so you will know the specific area that you must avoid.
The PinPointer feature is another function that many golfers will love in this watch. This way, even if you cannot see the location of a pin during a blind shot, the watch will let you know where to find it.
Pros:
- Allows tracking of different exercises
- Full-color display readable in different conditions
- Packs plenty of useful functions
Cons:
- Dated graphics for the hole map
Garmin 010-02028-00 Approach S10, Lightweight GPS Golf Watch
Another model that often receives high ratings in many Garmin GPS golf watch reviews, this is cheaper than the options mentioned above. It is affordable for a reason – it has basic functions. Nonetheless, this does not mean that the overall performance must suffer.
One of the most notable features of this product is the sunlight readable screen. It does not have the sophistication of its higher-end counterparts, but we like how the screen fights glare, making sure that it is easy to see every detail.
The watch will let you access 41,000 golf courses around the world. It can identify yardages in the front, middle, and back of the green, providing insights that will help you unleash your best shots.
Like many of the Garmin watches in the market, the battery is also incredible. When you use the watch in GPS mode, the battery can last up to 12 hours.
More so, it has a digital scorecard, so you do not need someone to manually track how the players are doing. At the end of every round, the watch will not only give an update about the score, but you will also know details like total time and distance.
Lastly, you don’t have to be scared about using the watch in the rain. It has a water rating of 5 ATM, so it won’t be easily damaged even if it gets wet during a game.
Pros:
- Affordable even if it is from a reputable brand
- Long-lasting rechargeable battery
- Sunlight-readable screen with a large display
Cons:
- Can be quite slow when loading golf courses
Garmin Approach S40, Stylish GPS Golf Smartwatch, Lightweight With Touchscreen Display
This is another golf and fitness watch from Garmin that deserves a spot on our list. The beautiful design means that you can use it even if you are outside of the golf course. Plus, it has an easy to release band, so you can quickly change the strap if you want to.
Feature-wise, you will find many things that make it a great investment for golfers. For instance, it has Green View, which will give you a more accurate visualization of the green wherever you are in the golf course. It also has Auto Shot tracking, which is useful for detecting shot distances. More so, you can access 41,000 golf courses around the world.
It is also great that it can provide you with smart notifications, which is one thing that is common in Garmin golf watches. You can read emails and texts straight from the watch.
As it is common with other Garmin golf GPS watches, the display is incredible. The 1.2-inch color touchscreen display is easily readable, even when you are under the sun. This is unlike others that can be a struggle to read the screen when it is too bright.
Best of all, you can go beyond the golf course when you are using this GPS watch. It is great for tracking your everyday activities as well. This makes it a great investment for fitness enthusiasts.
Pros:
- Has a stylish bezel
- Comprehensive statistics for tracking your performance
- Interchangeable bands for different looks
Cons:
- Clunky app can be improved
TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS Watch, Preloaded Worldwide Courses, Lightweight, Simple, Easy-to-use Golf Watches
The best GPS watch for golf does not have to be expensive. If you are on a budget, this is one watch that you will love. It has basic features that make it economical. Despite being affordable, its quality is notable.
Among others, one thing that we love the most in this watch is its simplicity. We can attribute the latter to having minimal buttons. The user-friendly interface will make it the perfect option even for newbies.
Aside from its simplicity, the watch face is also impressive because of the backlight. It provides the necessary illumination, making it effortless to see the display.
Another good thing about this product is that it has automatic course recognition. There is no need to manually input your location. With this watch, you can access more than 38,000 golf courses around the world.
If you are not yet convinced that this is a good product, you might change your mind after learning about the 30-day money-back guarantee. You can get a full refund if you are unhappy with its performance.
Lastly, the watch is also water and dust-resistant. It may be cheap, but we love how it is designed to withstand many years of use.
Pros:
- A great pick for people on a budget
- Easy to use even for new golfers
- Does not require any subscription
Cons:
- Basic display with limited functions
SkyCaddie LX5, GPS Golf Watch with Touchscreen Display and HD Color CourseView Maps
Wrapping up our list of the best golf watch GPS is a product from a company that has made a name for its golf accessories. The company claims that they have the smartest and fastest smartwatch that will benefit any golfer.
While many features make it a worthy addition in our recommendations for the top golf GPS watches, one thing that we love the most in this product is its 1.39-inch touchscreen display. It is large and bright, so you can see everything. Not to mention, it has full-HD graphics while offering functions like zoom and pan for a more accurate look at the golf course.
The multi-course processor is another good reason to choose this product in your search for the best wrist golf GPS. The latter means that it will provide an instant response to your commands. This is unlike others with significant lags.
Another great thing about this watch is IntelliGreen, an exclusive feature that has been developed by the manufacturer. The latter will give you an accurate look at the green while also providing front and back distance to your approach.
With the Wi-Fi connectivity of this smartwatch, you can unlock a plethora of features that will take your game to the next level. From scoring to target list, you will find the information that you need to elevate your game.
Pros:
- Bright touchscreen display with high-definition graphics
- Allows zooming and panning for more details
- Changeable watch face
Cons:
- Feels chunky on your wrist
How to Choose Good Golf GPS Watches
Buying a GPS golf watch is not a walk in the park. Some people will decide based on price and others will consider aesthetics. Both are important, but you should also consider other factors, such as the specific functions of the watch. This section looks at the other things that you should consider as you narrow down the possibilities.
Style
For most people, emphasis would be on the style of the watch. It might be expensive, so it is good if you can find one that is casual enough for everyday wear. Choose one with safe colors and design, making the watch look good regardless of your outfit. Whether it is on a night out with your friends or a day at the office, the watch must look good even outside of the golf course.
Comfort
Simply looking good isn’t enough reason to buy a golf wristwatch. Another important consideration is how comfortable it is when worn. If it is uncomfortable, then it will compromise your performance. For instance, such is common when the watch is too bulky, especially for people who have small wrists.
Display
If you want a modern golf sport watch, then one of the must-haves is a touchscreen display. This will make it easy to control the different functions of the watch while also adding a hint of elegance to its aesthetic. More so, the display should also be easily readable, especially under direct sunlight. Otherwise, you will have a hard time seeing and interpreting whatever the watch shows.
Accuracy
Top-rated golf watches deliver a high-level of accuracy, making sure that the readings are reliable. One of the most important is to have high-end sensors that can process the right information regardless of the conditions of the environment. It also helps to read reviews and learn from the real-life experiences of other people as you narrow down your options. The reputation of the manufacturer can also have a huge impact on the accuracy of the watch.
Distance Information
Speaking of accuracy, one of the details that your watch should always get right is distance. It must show accurate yardages, which will help in planning your next move. This way, your watch can also function like a caddie providing advice. Some watches will also provide the distance to the hazard, so you will know what you need to avoid.
Golf Courses
In your golf GPS watches comparison, you should also look at the preloaded maps. Many will have tens of thousands of golf courses available, but the specific number will depend on one model to another. Pick one with the most maps available while also offering instant recognition around the world. This means that when you turn the watch on, it must instantly recognize your location and load the map.
Battery
Choosing a watch for golfers also requires looking at the battery. It is frustrating to have a watch that quickly runs out of battery, especially when you are in the middle of an intense game. Most models will have a battery life that ranges from 10 to 18 hours. Using more functions will drain the battery quicker. Also, consider how quick it is to recharge the battery before it is full.
Ease of Use
Not all golfers are tech-savvy, especially the elders. Many may end up struggling as they figure out how to use the watch. It is a must to have a user-friendly interface. The buttons and controls should be large enough, so that they are easily accessible. The watch should also come with comprehensive instructions.
Fitness Tracking
This is important if you want the golf watch to be functional as an everyday accessory as well. It is good for the golf GPS watches to be useful for tracking your fitness activities, such as your steps, heartrate, and calories burned, among others. Some will have sport-specific programs that will make it easy to track your performance.
App Integration
The top GPS watches for golf should offer a seamless app integration. This means that it must be easy to connect to an app, which will let you make the most out of the watch. This way, you can use your smartphone for controlling the different features of the app. It will provide you with a larger platform to see what is happening.
Conclusion
Go beyond the price when evaluating your choices for the best golf GPS watches. Consider our recommendations above and it will be hard for you to go wrong. They pack plenty of features that will elevate your golf game, providing valuable insights to unleash your best performance.