Best Garmin Golf Watches 2024

Garmin is a well known brand in the world of technology and over the past few years it has lunged itself into the golf market as well. A brand synonymous with high-quality products, it is arguably one of the top names when it comes to the best golf GPS devices on the market. However, it's not just golf GPS devices where they excel in, but especially amongst the best golf watches, with the company arguably the most recognized in this section of the market. There are also plenty of different options available at a range of price points. Whether you want basic front-middle-back yardages, a bright and easy-to-view display, or an out-and-out fully-fledged smart watch with golf capabilities, there's a Garmin to suit your needs. Why are they so good? Well, Garmin has found a delicate balance between usability, convenience and powerful features in all of their watches.

Acknowledging all of this, here we list the best Garmin golf watches on the market right now. However, if golf watches aren't for you, then why not check out some of the best budget golf rangefinders, best golf launch monitors, or the best golf shot tracking apps and devices too.

The Quick List

Best Garmin Golf Watches

Best overall

Perhaps the most user-friendly GPS watch to date, the Garmin Approach S70 is a really great option for any gadget loving golfer looking to add more data to their game. Besides getting accurate yardages to greens, bunkers and other features on the course, it is capable of tracking your score, your shot distances and even make club selections. You'll even be able to see the weather forecast and integrate that into your round, making this one of the most comprehensive and best GPS golf watches on the market. 

Visually, it looks fantastic when placed on your wrist. The screen is large and bright and looks colorful when you pull up the hole-by-hole maps on the device. It comes preloaded with more than 43,000 courses and with the flick of a button, you can go from an interchangeable watch face, to full-on golf mode. While it doubles as a fitness tracker, it's golfing functionality is vast and comprehensive. 

When you get to the course it'll automatically download the course you're on via satellite and start your round. Unlike many smartwatches on the market, and certainly golf watches, the battery life on the Garmin Approach S70 is impressive. The Approach S70 can hold a charge for up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours when using GPS. It really really is oone of the most comprehensive GPS systems around! 

• Read our full Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch Review

Garmin Approach S62 GPS Golf Watch

The brilliant S62 watch has a slightly bigger face than some other Garmin golf watches and the screen also has more contrast to give a clearer view. Additionally, it comes with a built-in virtual caddie function where it can detect where the wind is coming from, gives information on shots from the past in regards to clubbing and therefore suggests to you the strategy on the course.

As you'd expect, for the money, there are plenty of distances at your disposal. We found it really easy to access all the information available, such as elevation changes and yardages to hazards. You can also move the pin position for more accurate numbers if you need to go on the attack. It's no wonder that the S62 made it into our Editor's Choice awards.

In terms of styling, it's very versatile and can be easily worn off the course too, while there is plenty of fitness information that can be garnered for those who take an all-round approach to their golf. In short, if you want to spend a little more than the S42 above, this is the ideal watch for you.

• Read our full Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch Review

Garmin Approach S42

There is so much to like about this watch. First of all, it's a great size and feels very well made from the moment you put it on your wrist. We also really liked the analogue display that makes it suitable for wearing in social settings too.

Moving on to the course, this is where the touchscreen comes into its own. One click of the button on the side sparks the S42 into 'golf mode', from there it's easy to scroll through the host of features. From there, front, middle and back yardages are available but, if you know the pin locations, you can click on the display to move the flag and get an exact yardage.

Other great golf-related features include things like the AutoShot round analyzer that tracks and records shot distances, as well as yardages to bunkers, hazards and ideal lay-up zones. It doesn't stop there though, because once off the course, golfers who have paired their watch to the Garmin app will be able to look through their strokes gained stats, which will highlight areas of their game that could be improved.

One final thing well worth mentioning is the fitness aspect. Included in the S42's repertoire is the ability to show steps taken, distance covered, calories burned and how well you've slept. If you're willing to invest a little bit of time and money, our testing revealed this to be a truly a superb product.

• Read our full Garmin Approach S42 GPS Watch Review

Best value

While not as stylish as the more feature-packed S42 and S62 models, the S12 comes in at a slightly lower price point that represents excellent value. With access to more than 40,000 preloaded courses, finding your desired venue is extremely quick and easy.

From there, we found the usability of this watch to be brilliant. Off the tee, it provides loads of information on things like distances to bunkers, water hazards and ideal lay-up yardages, while you can also move the flag around to get a more exact number for your approach shots.

Another performance aspect we really liked was the measure-shot feature that does as you'd expect - it tracks how far you've struck a given shot. It's also really easy to input scores and a few stats at the end of each hole, giving golfers an idea of what they've done well and perhaps not so well after the round. Finally, Big-Numbers mode, coupled with the sunlight-readable dial, is great for those whose eyesight maybe isn't what it once was. All in all, this is a tremendous yet affordable product from Garmin.

• Read our full Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch Review

Garmin MARQ Golfer GPS Watch

The MARQ Golfer GPS watch from Garmin is built with premium materials that includes a 46-millimeter titanium case and ceramic bezel with custom etched 1-18 golf hole markings. Like many modern golf GPS watches, its uses are not limited to the course. Far from it, in fact.

As well as the ability to account for elevation changes and provide insight on wind conditions and club selection, you can set this watch up to play music, make contactless payments, monitor your heart rate and track your daily activity, among other things.

Unsurprisingly then, we really enjoyed testing this high-quality product that has a premium feel as soon as you strap it to your wrist. One obvious drawback is the price as all this doesn't come cheap. However, for those fortunate enough to be able to afford this model, you will not be disappointed.

• Read our full Garmin MARQ Golfer GPS Watch Review

Garmin Approach S10 GPS Watch

The S10 may be an older model but it is still a model to consider if you want a golf watch because of the combination of solid performance and value. It offers up front, back and middle yardages, allows you to enter your score, tracks your round time and steps and has a rechargeable battery that works up to 12 hours in GPS golf mode. It's also available in a three different colors as well.

We really liked how compact and lightweight it was, while it came with most of the same golf-related features as the others in this guide. It has to be navigated through using the buttons on the side, but we found that to be straightforward enough, while the battery life is excellent.

Admittedly, the versatility is limited somewhat, you wouldn't want to wear it off the golf course really, but we think this is only a minor drawback given the tremendous value for money on offer here.

• Read our full Garmin Approach S10 GPS Watch Review

How we test golf watches

At Golf Monthly we have a comprehensive testing procedure around golf watches. This involves using different models out on the course, over a number of rounds and importantly in different conditions too because this gives us an idea on how particular models deal with sunlight, rain and wind. 

As the entire team are regular golfers, watches usually get a thorough testing and often get compared to one another side by side to test for things like accuracy, waterproofing, durability and other features. That way we can give honest and insightful feedback to you, the reader. We also look to try out watches off the golf course too if they have been designed as such, because this gives us an idea on versatility. The final thing we wanted to mention in this section is no manufacturer can buy a good review. Our testing team reviews golf equipment and makes its own opinion on how good or bad the product is. 

How to choose the right GPS watch

Features

If you have decided you want a GPS watch you need to think about what features are important to you. If you’re looking for your standard front, middle and back GPS yardages, then a budget watch will do the trick. However, there are some incredible watches out there that offer much more. Alternatively, there are watches which can go into much greater detail when providing yardages, course detail, hazard information and so on. Obviously there are models with larger screens too which can be a particularly useful feature. Some also can help you record your score, track your shots, and many also have fitness features for off the golf course as well.

Versatility 

Speaking of off the golf course, many brands make models that can be used on and off the golf course because of the range of features and overall styling. If that is important to you, then several models will cater to this need.

Your routine 

When looking at buying a golf watch it is important to think about what you do during your routine on the golf course. Are you a fast player who just needs a quick glance at numbers on a screen, or are you more of a deliberate player that wants as much detail as possible before committing to a shot? There are models that fit into different routines and styles so be aware of how you play the game. Ultimately, a glance at a watch is much quicker than taking a device out of its case or dragging pointers on the screen, so weigh up if extra detail or less disruption is most important to you.

Golf course 

Next it is worth considering what type of golf course you play on regularly. We have found that courses with lots of doglegs and blind tee shots require the in-depth GPS information of a watch, whereas courses that are more out in front of you are perhaps more suited to the simplicity of a laser. Additionally if you play at other clubs in matches or socially, then you may want the extra information a GPS offers over a laser. Additionally be aware of how many golf courses are preloaded onto different watches as well. Finally for more buying advice around GPS handhelds, take a look at out guide on the best golf watches for ladies.

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