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10 Best Garmin Golf Watches 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch, Full-Color CourseView Maps AMOLED Display, Advanced Shot Execution & Putt Alignment, Immersive Golfing Experience w/Signature Stand Power Bundle

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,273
GPS Accuracy
Course Coverage
Battery Life

Most important from
89 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The Garmin Approach S70 provides exceptional GPS accuracy, making it a standout feature for golfers.
Course Coverage
The watch's ability to show yardages to various hazards such as bunkers and water is highly appreciated.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, easily lasting through two rounds of golf without needing a recharge.
Display and Usability
Upgrading from an older model like the S-60 to the S-70 reveals a significant improvement in performance and usability.
Advanced Features
The watch's advanced features, like the virtual caddie, provide valuable insights and suggestions to improve one's game.

The Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch is designed for golf enthusiasts who want to enhance their game with advanced technology. One of its standout features is the impressive GPS accuracy, offering access to over 43,000 full-color CourseView maps that provide detailed information about each hole. The 1.4-inch AMOLED display is vibrant and easy to read, allowing for quick navigation through the various features, which is helpful on the course.

Battery life is another strong point, lasting up to 16 days on a single charge, meaning you won’t have to worry about recharging frequently, even during extended play. The watch also includes advanced features like a virtual caddie that suggests clubs based on your historical data and environmental factors, along with the innovative PlaysLike Distance feature that gives you adjusted yardage based on terrain characteristics.

The watch is waterproof and durable, making it a reliable companion on the course. The included charging accessories like the watch stand and portable power bank add extra value. The Garmin Approach S70 is a solid choice for serious golfers looking for advanced functionalities to help improve their game, but it may be more than what a beginner might need.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,273
GPS Accuracy
Course Coverage
Battery Life

Most important from
89 reviews

GPS Accuracy
The Garmin Approach S70 provides exceptional GPS accuracy, making it a standout feature for golfers.
Course Coverage
The watch's ability to show yardages to various hazards such as bunkers and water is highly appreciated.
Battery Life
Battery life is impressive, easily lasting through two rounds of golf without needing a recharge.
Display and Usability
Upgrading from an older model like the S-60 to the S-70 reveals a significant improvement in performance and usability.
Advanced Features
The watch's advanced features, like the virtual caddie, provide valuable insights and suggestions to improve one's game.
#2

Garmin Approach® S44, Essential Golf GPS Smartwatch, AMOLED Display, On-Course Features, Silver Aluminum Bezel with Twilight Silicone Band

Rating
9.4
GPS Accuracy
Course Coverage
Battery Life

Most important from
287 reviews

GPS Accuracy
Adjusting the pin position on the green is simple and enhances distance accuracy, helping players make more precise shots.
Course Coverage
Some frustration exists over Garmin's subscription model for enhanced course maps and slope data, which users feel should be included as standard features.
Battery Life
Battery life impressively supports multiple rounds, with only about 15% drain after a full 18-hole round, enabling extended use without frequent recharging.
Shot Tracking and Analytics
The intuitive vibration prompts for club selection after each shot streamline shot tracking, though it requires some adjustment as it also triggers after practice swings.
Display and Interface
The watch transforms the golfing experience by providing instant yardages and strategic data right on the wrist, eliminating the need for a separate rangefinder.
Comfort and Durability
Its lightweight, slim design and smooth glass screen make it comfortable and stylish for both on-course and daily wear.
Smart Features
Smart notifications add convenience by delivering emails, texts, and alerts directly to the watch, integrating golf and daily life seamlessly.

The Garmin Approach S44 is a slim and stylish golf GPS watch featuring a sharp 1.2-inch AMOLED color display, making course details clear and easy to read. It comes preloaded with over 43,000 courses, primarily covering North America, providing quick access to important distances like front, middle, and back of greens, as well as hazards such as bunkers and water. Battery life lasts up to 15 hours in GPS mode, sufficient for an extended day on the course.

For shot tracking, it pairs with optional club sensors (sold separately) to offer useful insights into your game, helping you focus on areas needing improvement. Scorekeeping is simple directly on the watch, and stats can be synced to the Garmin Golf app for more detailed analysis and handicap tracking. Comfort-wise, its slim design and lightweight build make it easy to wear without feeling bulky. The watch also supports smart notifications, allowing you to receive emails, texts, and alerts right on your wrist when connected to your phone.

Some users may find that the battery requires daily charging if used heavily with GPS and smart features. Advanced shot tracking requires purchasing additional accessories, and while course coverage is strong in North America, it might be less comprehensive in other regions. The Approach S44 is well suited for golfers seeking a handy, stylish GPS watch with solid on-course functions and basic smart features, without involving overly complex technology.

Rating
9.4
GPS Accuracy
Course Coverage
Battery Life

Most important from
287 reviews

GPS Accuracy
Adjusting the pin position on the green is simple and enhances distance accuracy, helping players make more precise shots.
Course Coverage
Some frustration exists over Garmin's subscription model for enhanced course maps and slope data, which users feel should be included as standard features.
Battery Life
Battery life impressively supports multiple rounds, with only about 15% drain after a full 18-hole round, enabling extended use without frequent recharging.
Shot Tracking and Analytics
The intuitive vibration prompts for club selection after each shot streamline shot tracking, though it requires some adjustment as it also triggers after practice swings.
Display and Interface
The watch transforms the golfing experience by providing instant yardages and strategic data right on the wrist, eliminating the need for a separate rangefinder.
Comfort and Durability
Its lightweight, slim design and smooth glass screen make it comfortable and stylish for both on-course and daily wear.
Smart Features
Smart notifications add convenience by delivering emails, texts, and alerts directly to the watch, integrating golf and daily life seamlessly.
#3

Garmin Approach S12, Easy-to-Use GPS Golf Watch, 42k+ Preloaded Courses, Black, 010-02472-00

Rating
8.2
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Display and Usability

Most important from
2863 reviews

GPS Accuracy
Takes a couple of minutes to acquire GPS signal initially, but very accurate once connected.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional; it retains 90% charge even after a 3.5-hour round.
Display and Usability
The display is highly reflective and easy to see in bright sunlight.
Advanced Features
Provides more information than needed for average golfers, but useful for those looking to improve.
Durability and Water Resistance
Lightweight and not bulky, making it comfortable for long rounds.
Connectivity and App Integration
Works great even with the Bluetooth on, connecting seamlessly to the Garmin phone app.

The Garmin Approach S12 GPS Golf Watch is designed with golfers in mind, offering several useful features that cater specifically to this sport. One of its standout strengths is the preloaded database of over 42,000 courses worldwide, ensuring that golfers have access to accurate and comprehensive course information. The GPS accuracy is reliable, providing precise yardages to various points on the course such as the front, back, and middle of the green, as well as hazards and doglegs. This can significantly enhance gameplay strategy and decision-making on the course.

The watch's battery life is impressive, lasting up to 30 hours in GPS mode, which means it can comfortably handle multiple rounds of golf without needing a recharge. The high-resolution sunlight-readable display ensures that the screen remains clear and easy to read, even on bright days outdoors. The watch also offers scorekeeping features and connectivity with the Garmin Golf app, allowing users to upload scores, participate in leaderboards, and track their performance over time. However, the advanced club tracking features require additional sensors (sold separately), which might be an extra cost for users looking to utilize this functionality.

Durability and water resistance up to 164 feet make it suitable for various weather conditions and environments, adding to its robustness. Connectivity via Bluetooth is straightforward, but users must pair the watch with a compatible smartphone to access some features fully. The Garmin Approach S12 is a solid choice for golfers seeking a functional and user-friendly GPS watch with extensive course coverage and reliable performance on the golf course.

Rating
8.2
GPS Accuracy
Battery Life
Display and Usability

Most important from
2863 reviews

GPS Accuracy
Takes a couple of minutes to acquire GPS signal initially, but very accurate once connected.
Battery Life
Battery life is exceptional; it retains 90% charge even after a 3.5-hour round.
Display and Usability
The display is highly reflective and easy to see in bright sunlight.
Advanced Features
Provides more information than needed for average golfers, but useful for those looking to improve.
Durability and Water Resistance
Lightweight and not bulky, making it comfortable for long rounds.
Connectivity and App Integration
Works great even with the Bluetooth on, connecting seamlessly to the Garmin phone app.

Buying Guide for the Best Garmin Golf Watches

Choosing the right golf watch can make your time on the course more enjoyable and help improve your game by providing helpful insights and data right on your wrist. When selecting a golf watch, it's important to consider which features will genuinely benefit your playing style and how user-friendly the watch will be for you. Understanding the key specifications will help you filter out models that aren't a good fit and focus on those that will truly enhance your golf experience.
GPS AccuracyGPS accuracy refers to how precisely the golf watch can determine your location on the course, including distances to greens, hazards, and doglegs. This matters because more accurate GPS means better distance readings, helping you choose the right club and plan your shots more effectively. Watches can vary in their accuracy, with some offering basic tracking and others using advanced systems for higher precision. For casual golfers, standard GPS accuracy is usually enough, but serious players who want very precise yardages should look for watches advertised with advanced GPS technology to ensure every shot is measured as closely as possible.
Course CoverageCourse coverage is about how many golf courses are preloaded or available to download on the watch. This is crucial because the more courses your watch recognizes, the more likely it is to be useful wherever you play. Some watches only have local or regional courses, while others provide access to tens of thousands of courses worldwide. Golfers who travel or like to play at different locations should opt for watches with global and regularly updated course databases, while those who stick to a few club courses may not need extensive coverage.
Battery LifeBattery life indicates how long the golf watch can operate between charges, especially with GPS mode active. This matters because you want your watch to last through rounds without shutting off. Battery performance can range from just one or two rounds per charge to several rounds or even multiple days. If you often play long rounds or participate in tournaments, go for a watch with extended battery life in GPS mode; if you’re a shorter, casual player, standard battery performance might be enough.
Shot Tracking and AnalyticsShot tracking and analytics describe the watch's ability to monitor your shots and provide detailed feedback about your performance, like shot distances, club usage, and patterns over time. This feature is important for players looking to improve, as it helps identify strengths and weaknesses in your game. Some watches offer automatic shot detection, while others require manual input. Beginners might find this less crucial, but golfers interested in improvement will benefit from built-in tracking and easy-to-read analytics.
Display and InterfaceThe display and interface encompass screen size, readability in sunlight, and how easy the watch is to use. These affect how quickly and efficiently you can access information while playing. Some watches offer color touchscreens, while others stick to basic monochrome displays. If you value fast, clear visuals, look for bright color screens and intuitive menus; if you prefer simplicity, basic screens may suffice and offer longer battery life.
Comfort and DurabilityComfort and durability refer to how the watch feels on your wrist during play and its ability to withstand daily wear and golf course conditions. Since you’ll wear it for hours, the watch should be lightweight and have an adjustable, breathable strap. Water and shock resistance are also important to handle sweat, rain, or the occasional bump. Active golfers or those playing in varied weather should prioritize robust, comfortable builds for long-lasting wear, while occasional golfers can opt for regular comfort features.
Smart FeaturesSmart features go beyond golf, such as notifications, fitness tracking, and connectivity with your phone or other apps. These can make your golf watch useful off the course, combining it with everyday smartwatch functions. If you want a multi-use device, consider watches packed with extra smart features. If you only care about golf performance, focusing on golf-specific functions is generally the best choice.

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