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In this guide, we’ll talk about the best golf watches in a variety of price ranges. Every golfer knows that the best way to improve is to know how to handle the course. To get a perfect par, you need more than just the right set of clubs. This is because the terrain and the length of each hole all play a role. Golf watches help with this.
Many golfers prefer to wear a golf watch instead of a handheld unit because it’s easier to use and more convenient. However, there are so many options on the market that it can be hard to choose the right one, especially if you’re looking for a gift for a golfer in your life.
Best Golf Watches Comparison Table
Model | Screen Size | Sport Type | Color | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Garmin Approach S62 | 1.3 inches | Golf | Black, White | 47 x 47 x 14 | 61 g | $499.99 USD |
Bushnell iON Elite | 1.4 inches | Golf | Black, Blue | 44 x 14 | 67 g | $199.99 USD |
Garmin Approach S42 | 1.2 inches | Golf | Black, White | 42.0 x 42.0 x 11.4 | 36.0 g | $299.99 USD |
Garmin Approach S12 | 1.3 inches | Golf | Black | 43.4 x 43.4 x 11.7 | 43 g | $199.99 USD |
ShotScope V3 GPS watch | N/A | Golf | Black | 47 x 47 x 14 | 61 g | $219.00 USD |
Skycaddie LX5C GPS watch | 1.39 inches | Golf | Black | N/A | 51 g | $349.99 USD |
GolfBuddy WTX Golf GPS Watch | 1.2 inches | Golf | Black, Blue | 49 x 49 x 13 | 63 g | $199.99 USD |
Garmin Approach S10 | 0.9 inches | Golf | Granite Blue | 35.5 x 40.7 x 11.3 | 36 g | $149.99 USD |
Garmin Approach S62

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.3″ sunlight-readable color touchscreen |
Battery Life | Up to 20 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite reception |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
Connectivity | Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for smart notifications and updates |
The S62 is the best of the best Garmin watches, and it’s easy to see why many people, including us, think it’s one of the best golf watches you can buy. During testing, the watch was easy to set up, and the touch screen and side buttons worked well together to move through the different options.
With a bigger screen than the S60, it’s easy to move around and you can see more details on the color maps. In terms of other features, it has a built-in “virtual caddie” function that lets it figure out where the wind is coming from, tell you how you clubbed your shots in the past, and even give you advice on how to play the course.
The Good
- A color touchscreen display that is big and easy to read.
- In GPS mode, the battery can last up to 20 hours.
- High-accuracy GPS and GLONASS reception for accurate shot tracking.
- There are a lot of ways to keep track of your shots, scores, and stats.
- Smart alerts and easy updates are made possible by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Bad
- Compared to other golf GPS watches, this one is pretty pricey.
- May be too complicated for beginners who only need basic tracking features.
Bushnell iON Elite

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.2″ sunlight-readable color touchscreen |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS for accurate distance measurements |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
Slope Mode | Provides slope-adjusted distances for uphill/downhill shots |
As a follow-up to the Bushnell iON Edge GPS Watch, the iON Elite definitely feels more up-to-date. It has a color touch screen and a lot of other features that make it great for golfers who love gadgets. We liked that it was comfortable and didn’t look out of place on or off the golf course. This is one of the best Golf Watches that you can buy right now.
It was also very easy to use, with just one button on the side that turned it on and off. The touch screen lets you control everything else. We thought it was clear, detailed, and easy to use. The features of this watch are what make it stand out, though. In particular, the Slope Functionality, which is so rare that even the best golf watches don’t have it.
The Good
- A color touchscreen display is built into a design that is small and light.
- GPS that works well so you can measure distances accurately on the golf course.
- There are ways to keep track of your shots and keep score to help you get better.
- Slope mode lets you change the distance for shots that go uphill or downhill.
- Durable and water-resistant design that can be used in all kinds of weather.
The Bad
- During long rounds, the up to 10-hour battery life may need to be charged.
- Compared to other high-end golf GPS watches, it doesn’t have as many features.
- There is no way to connect to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi for smart notifications or updates.
Garmin Approach S42

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.2″ sunlight-readable color touchscreen |
Battery Life | Up to 15 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite reception |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
Smartwatch Features | Smart notifications, activity tracking, and more |
The Garmin Approach S42, which came out in March, is the best golf watch of 2021, according to us. It is in the middle of Garmin’s line of golf watches, between the full-featured S62 and the simple S12. Like the best Garmin golf watches, it comes with information about 42,000 courses around the world.
It also has Garmin Autoshot, which measures and records the distances of your shots. Green View lets you move the pin around by hand using the large color touchscreen and shows you the real shape of the green. The battery life is also impressive. In smartwatch mode, it can last up to 10 days, and with GPS turned on, it can last up to 15 hours.
The Good
- A color touchscreen display that can also be used as a smartwatch.
- In GPS mode, the battery can last up to 15 hours.
- GPS and GLONASS reception that is accurate for accurate shot tracking.
- There are a lot of ways to keep track of your shots, scores, and stats.
- Smartwatches have helpful features like smart notifications and activity tracking.
The Bad
- Compared to other golf GPS watches, this one is pretty pricey.
- There may be more features than casual or beginning golfers need.
- There isn’t much space to save course information or keep track of stats.
Garmin Approach S12

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.3″ sunlight-readable high-resolution display |
Battery Life | Up to 30 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS for accurate distance measurements |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
CourseView | Displays full-color course maps for hole-by-hole details |
The Garmin Approach S12 is a golf watch for beginners. It is one of the best in its price range. Its design and features belie its low price. It has detailed maps of 42,000 courses and a GPS that we tested and found to be very accurate. The Approach S12 works with the same Garmin Golf app as the company’s more expensive watches.
This gives you access to a huge amount of information and makes it a great value for the money. Even though it doesn’t have a color screen, which makes maps a little harder to understand, it’s easy to read in direct sunlight and has a great battery life. We easily used it for a few weeks before we had to charge it.
The Good
- Large, high-resolution screen makes it easy to read in any lighting.
- In GPS mode, the battery life is up to 30 hours, which is very long.
- GPS that works well so you can measure distances accurately on the golf course.
- There are ways to keep track of your shots and keep score to help you get better.
- CourseView has detailed course maps that make it easy to get around.
The Bad
- Compared to other golf GPS watches, this one may be big and heavy.
- Compared to more advanced models, this smartwatch doesn’t have as many features.
ShotScope V3 GPS watch

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.39″ sunlight-readable color touchscreen |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS for accurate distance measurements |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
ShotScope Performance Metrics | Analyzes data to provide insights and recommendations |
The ShotScope V3 has four different colored straps and does everything you’d expect from a standard GPS golf watch, like showing distances to the front, middle, and back of the green. But it does so much more than that. The ShotScope V3 golf watch comes with 16 sensors. You screw one onto the end of each club, watch can then automatically track every shot you hit.
Even though it doesn’t have the graphics features of some of its more expensive competitors, the V3 will be a popular GPS golf watch. It has a very smart system that gives you a lot of information, and the people who made it think that its dual satellite technology reduces the standard error margin from 3 to 5 meters to just 30 centimeters.
The Good
- A large, bright, color touchscreen display makes it easy to read.
- GPS that works well so you can measure distances accurately on the golf course.
- You can get better at the game by using advanced shot tracking and scoring tools.
- ShotScope Performance Metrics looks at data to find patterns and make suggestions.
The Bad
- During long rounds, the up to 10-hour battery life may need to be charged.
- Because it has more advanced features, it may take beginners longer to learn.
- Compared to more advanced models, this smartwatch doesn’t have as many features.
Skycaddie LX5C GPS watch

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.39″ sunlight-readable color touchscreen |
Battery Life | Up to 8 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS for accurate distance measurements |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
Dynamic HoleVue | Provides full-color HD views of entire hole layout |
Skycaddie has gone all out with this product, and the screen is much bigger than the screen on a typical GPS watch. In fact, it has the biggest and brightest color touchscreen (1.39in) and comes with more than 35,000 course maps already installed.
For more accuracy, you can even choose which tee box you want to play from, your gender, and whether you want distances in yards or meters. Like the brand’s bigger GPS devices, the LX5C lets you zoom in and out and calculates yardages to hidden hazards so you know how far you have to carry or lay up short of them.
The Good
- High-quality color touchscreen display for images that are clear and full of detail.
- GPS that works well so you can measure distances accurately on the golf course.
- You can get better at the game by using advanced shot tracking and scoring tools.
- Dynamic HoleVue gives you HD views in full color of the whole hole layout.
- The watch faces can be changed so that the watch looks unique.
The Bad
- During long rounds, the up to 8-hour battery life may need to be charged.
- Compared to other golf GPS watches, this one is pretty pricey.
GolfBuddy WTX Golf GPS Watch

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.2″ touchscreen display |
Battery Life | Up to 8 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS for accurate distance measurements |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
Smartphone Notifications | Receive notifications from your smartphone |
The Golf Buddy WTX has a large color screen that is easy to see even in broad daylight. This is a great way to look at information about the more than 38,000 courses that it has stored. With a “lift-to-view” screen, you can save battery and still get information with one hand. This means that you can track distance and hazards and get a bird’s-eye view of each hole.
The dynamic green view is a really nice feature. This lets you plan your pitch based on how your approach shot will go. GPS keeps track of where you are at all times, and as soon as the watch realizes you’ve moved on, it moves on to the next hole. Updates to the app on your phone also make sure that the information about your courses is always up to date.
The Good
- The design is small and light, and the touchscreen makes it easy to use.
- GPS that works well so you can measure distances accurately on the golf course.
- There are ways to keep track of your shots and keep score to help you get better.
- Get notifications on your phone to make things even easier.
- The design is water-resistant so it can be used in all kinds of weather.
The Bad
- Only lasts up to 8 hours, so it may need to be charged during long rounds.
- Compared to other golf GPS watches, the screen may be small and less bright.
- Compared to higher-end models, it doesn’t have as many advanced features.
Garmin Approach S10

Specifications | |
---|---|
Display | 1.3″ high-resolution display |
Battery Life | Up to 12 hours in GPS mode |
GPS | High-sensitivity GPS for accurate distance measurements |
Tracking | Measures shots, records score, and tracks stats |
AutoShot | Automatically records shot data for post-round analysis |
The S10 by Garmin Approach doesn’t have as many features as some other watches, but it does what a good golf GPS watch should: it gives you the most important information. The three most important things that the Garmin Approach S10 does are keep track of your score, tell you how far away the front, back, and middle of the green are, and tell you how far away hazards and doglegs are.
The GPS watch is very easy to use. Just turn it on, choose your course, and start playing. The S10 is loaded with more than 41,000 courses from all over the world. The black-and-white, high-resolution screen is easy to read even in bright sunlight. The rechargeable battery can last up to twelve hours, which is more than enough time to get in several rounds.
The Good
- High-resolution screen makes it easy to see and read in any lighting.
- GPS that works well so you can measure distances accurately on the golf course.
- There are ways to keep track of your shots and keep score to help you get better.
The Bad
- During long rounds, the up to 12-hour battery life may need to be charged.
FAQs
What is the most accurate golf GPS watch? One of the most accurate golf GPS watches on the market is the Garmin Approach S62. Keep in mind, though, that all of the devices on this list are very steady, accurate, and precise.
For golfers who have never used a GPS watch before, having something on your wrist can take some getting used to. The S40 makes this easier. It’s easy to keep track of shots, and the basic functions are easy to use and have the benefits that are obvious and well-known.
In a way, it is, because some of those things wouldn’t be allowed in a regular golf tournament. But you can turn them off and use the Garmin Approach S62 as a normal golf watch, which most amateur tournaments will let you do.
Even though golf GPS devices were usually accurate to five meters, which isn’t bad, it meant that the yardage given could be 16 feet higher or lower than the real yardage. This could be the difference between finding the green or a greenside bunker. Most golf watches today can tell the distance to the hole to within one or two yards.