Best Golf Watches 2024

When it comes to golf watches, users are truly spoilt for choice. Not only do the likes of tech giants, Garmin, produce an array of different models, but a number of manufacturers create golf watches that cater from the most tech-savvy, to those who just want a model that does the basics correctly.

As mentioned, the market is swamped with excellent performing models and, in this guide, we have sought the best and the category they fall into. For those who are unsure what the difference is between golf watches and the best rangefinders and GPS', a golf watch can perform on the course as well as off it, providing plenty of features that aren't just golf related.

Along with the functionality, their looks mean they can be used in regular day-to-day life, with their ease of use opening a wide range of details and information that you may not have been able to access before!

VIDEO: Joel Tadman compares eight of the best golf watches in 2023

Joel Tadman

Joel has worked in the golf industry for over 15 years and as the Technical Editor oversees all equipment testing. One of his areas of expertise is distance measuring devices and specifically GPS watches. As such, he knows what makes the perfect golf watch - performance, features, versatility, battery life, looks and value for money. Joel has personally used most of the watches in this guide. 

The Quick List

Best Golf Watches 2023

Best for features

Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch

What you need to know: Launched in 2023, the brand new Approach S70 embodies Garmin’s commitment to producing high-quality smart watches that can deliver data that you can use to improve your game. It is an upgrade on the impressive S62 GPS golf watch and comes with a bigger screen, brighter display and a longer battery life. Its extensive feature list is the highlight. 

Design: The S70 really is one of the best looking smart watches we’ve tested lately, with the watch coming with a sleek ceramic bezel, that similarly to its predecessor. We found that this also gives it a lot of versatility. While this watch has the capability to help you track your fitness and shots around the course, we think it looks great worn in social or work settings too. The large ‘superbright’ AMOLED touchscreen display features bright, eye-catching colors that make it easy to read and use. It’s also very lightweight.

Features: Preloaded with more than 43,000 courses, the S70 packs a lot in for its price. When you get to the course, the watch will automatically download up-to-date maps for the track you’re playing and will display them on its colorful face. It’ll also flick between holes automatically and delivers fast and accurate distances to bunkers, trees, hazards and, of course, the hole. It will also provide players with accurate weather updates.

The S70 will also keep track of your score, and work as your personal caddie, offering up recommendations on wind and elevation based on your swing data. We also enjoyed the new ‘Playslike Distance Feature’ that provides estimations of how far each shot is playing depending on yardage, elevation and the conditions. It’s also worth noting that the watch won’t just help you on the golf course, with golfers also able to monitor their emails, messages and keep track of their health and well-being, meaning it is, perhaps, one of the most versatile golf watches in the game. 

Performance: While some may feel the vast array of features on this watch are overwhelming, Garmin have built the S70 with usability in mind. One thing we really loved was that the watch will hold a charge for up to 16 days in smartwatch mode. When in GPS mode it’ll run for 20 hours, while also being charged via a USB-C cable. It’s water resistant, meaning if you do get caught in a downpour, which you shouldn’t considering the watches’ weather applications, you’ll be safe in the knowledge the watch will be okay. While it does come in at a hefty price point, that’s to be expected considering this is one of the best Garmin golf watches on the market and the premium features it delivers. 

• Read our full Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch Review

Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch

What you need to know: A comprehensive upgrade on the Bushnell ION Edge, the brand has upgraded the design, face and features on this ION Elite GPS Golf watch. Right out of the box, we loved the visuals on the 2023 offering and feel this will be a real winner among those looking for a feature-packed wearable they can use on and off the course. The watch is primarily a GPS Golf watch and while it does come with the same features you’ll find on many of the top models on this list, it does lack some versatility in terms of the fitness and lifestyle features it delivers. That being said, it does what it sets out to achieve, offering plenty of style and functionality that will help golfers enjoy their round more.

Design: Comparing the Ion Elite against its predecessor, you can really see the difference between both offerings. This watch comes with a much brighter and premium look, thanks to the metallic bezel and vibrant touch screen. It’ll compliment any outfit well and we really loved the white strap that it came with, that was tacky and comfortable, holding the watch in position nicely. It’s also water-resistant to an IP67 rating, one of the highest levels of protection offered by an IP rating which is a reassuring thing to consider if you regularly find yourself playing in wet conditions. 

Features: While it may not be as versatile as the Garmin Approach S70, this is an out-and-out golf watch that packs in a ton of features that all golfers will enjoy on the golf course. Arriving on the course, it will locate where you are and deliver accurate maps to the front, middle and back of the green. Then there are icons in the four corners that you press to access other display modes and functions - scoring, hole-maps, green view and hazards/lay ups. We found the hole-maps to be very useful, delivering an excellent view over the course that’ll help you plot your strategy. The scoring screen is intuitive too, not only logging what you shot on each hole but also helping you track fairways hit and missed. The slope functionality on this watch was the highlight and delivers yardages that are compensated for the terrain in front of you.

Performance: Performance-wise, we struggled to find faults in this watch. Yes it can be a little laggy at times when loading different applications and features, but on the whole it was fast and delivered accurate distances throughout our round. We enjoyed the visual display the watch delivered and it also comes with 12+ hours of battery life, allowing you to squeeze in around two rounds of golf from just one charge. Pair it up with the Bushnell Golf app and you’ll be able to see all your swing stats, data and scores laid out in an easy-to-navigate display.

• Read our full Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch Review

Voice Caddie T9 Golf GPS Watch

What you need to know: This watch is a gadget-lover’s dream. It comes with plenty of bells and whistles that make it one of the most technologically advanced products on this list. Voice Caddie are known for producing some of the best rangefinders and best launch monitors in the game and they’ve implemented a lot of their experience designing that technology into this excellent golf watch. It’s the latest edition to the T-series line-up and offers a technological and visual upgrade on the excellent T8 smart golf watch. The highlight of this watch is its ability to deliver accurate yardages and combine that with V-Algorithm 3.0 (Voice Caddie’s slope calculation software) to deliver slope compensated yardages to the green. This watch also endeavors to give golfers undulating green maps which can be really helpful if you’re trying to reduce the number of putts you’re hitting. 

Design: Visually we loved the design of this watch. It’s minimal, modern and sleek and we can already see many players will enjoy it. The shiny silver bezel adds to the off-course versatility this watch delivers and that enhances its value. The watch also comes with a full color reflective LCD Touch screen, which is bright and readable in all light conditions.

Features: This has the basics covered and will deliver yardages to the green on the main screen and will also factor in slope in those distances too. Players are able to turn that off by enabling or disabling tournament mode if you’re playing in a competition. Meanwhile players can also access full-color hole maps to strategize how to play a particular hole. In fact you can zoom in and out on the maps and locate how far you are from key hazards too. The watch will also deliver heat maps of the greens and also comes with a Practice Tempo Mode that you can use to monitor how fast your swinging  as well as shot and putt tracking functionality that can help you keep track of each shot you hit on the golf course.

Performance: In terms of performance, this is a comprehensive golf watch that is responsive and delivers a full-intuitive summary of your game via the MyVoiceCaddie application. What we loved about this watch was how responsive and clear the screen was. It is a reflective LCD optimized screen that is designed specifically for use in strong sunlight and we loved how it delivered a clear and bright screen showing course maps clearly. We were a little let down by the automatic shot tracking functionality, which did require us to enter each shot on the watch. 

• Read our full Voice Caddie T9 Golf GPS Watch Review

Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch

What you need to know: Garmin has been producing golf GPS watches for over 13 years now, since the launch of the Approach S1 in 2010. The S62 is yet another cutting-edge wearable that provides players with a variety of features that can assist their strategy, decision-making and club selection. First released in 2020, the S62 delivers a larger display than its predecessor, the Approach S60, while also promising a longer battery life, a Virtual Caddie and over 42,000 preloaded courses. 

Design: Visually, this is one of the best looking golf watches in the game. It comes with a notched ceramic bezel that offers a sporty yet elegant look. We felt at home wearing it both on and off the course. The S62 also comes with a large color touchscreen display that makes it very easy to use. Even while walking out on the course, you can utilize the large face to easily navigate the display and see hole details more clearly. You can also customize this watch to match your style with one of the colorful QuickFit accessory bands.

Features: When it comes to functionality, there’s plenty to talk about with this watch, which is undoubtedly one for the gadget lovers who want to access lots of information and assess their play in more detail. As with most GPS golf watches, you’ll be able to pull up a satellite view of the hole you’re on and move the pointer around with your finger to help you plan out your route to the pin. We enjoyed how quick and easy it was to get accurate distances to targets and hazards. 

The S62 also features a handy Virtual Caddie tool that does require a bit of input at the start, but will recommend a club to use on an upcoming shot after five completed rounds. This really came in handy when we were between clubs over a shot. Pairing the watch with a phone also allowed us to receive real-time updates on the wind conditions, a feature we’ve not readily seen on many of the best smart gps watches. 

Away from the course, players can utilize the watch to keep tabs on things outside of golf by utilizing the smart email and text notification functions. You can also use Garmin Pay to make contactless payments and, if you’re into staying fit, the S62 comes with plenty of preloaded activity profiles for running, cycling and swimming. 

Performance: We really enjoyed what this watch delivered for its price. Akin to many of the best value golf watches in the game, the S62’s functionality for its price is a real highlight. We particularly enjoyed how seamless it was to use, with the easy-to-navigate display combining with the functionality on offer, allowing us to get distance readings quickly. Those yardages seemed to stack up well against our rangefinder as well as other leading GPS devices and we really enjoyed using the Pin Pointer feature, which showed an arrow in the direction of the green and became very useful when we couldn’t see the flag. 

• Read our full Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch Review

Samsung Galaxy5 Pro Golf Edition Watch

What you need to know: Samsung is well-known within the phone industry, but it’s their Galaxy5 Pro Edition watch that we are interested in here, with it already preloaded with a really good golf app. If you possess an Android phone then it is easy to pair but, if you are an iPhone user, then this won’t be for you. However, for those with a Galaxy phone, Android 8 or higher with 1.5 GB of RAM or more, this might be one of the best golf watches available right now, with the ability to download courses and then scroll through the various options easy and efficient to do.

Design: First things first, the watch is very sleek and smart with five band options meaning there will be a look and color for everybody. At 1.8” and 46.5g, it is also very lightweight and will look at home off the course, with the Galaxy5 an extremely versatile option that will appeal not just to golfers, but fitness enthusiasts as well.

Features: As mentioned, it comes preloaded with the Golf Buddy Smart Caddie, a special app developed for the Galaxy smartwatch by GolfzonDeca. It’s worth noting that we had to download the course first before playing but, from there, you can easily activate it prior to the round on the first tee. The basics of this watch are hole-maps, distances and scoring but, for those who want to take a deeper dive, the Smart Caddie app really has it covered.

Other features include club and shot tracking, which we thought were incredibly accurate and very handy. Because it has shot tracking, it also charts your fairways hit, greens in regulation, putts, etc, with the app also recommending what clubs to hit in certain situations once you start entering data. There's also a compass feature to tell what direction the centre of the green is from where you are and there is also a greens heat map available on certain courses, which can help you read breaks and slopes. Again, it really depends on your needs and personality.

Performance: The distances that were provided were extremely accurate and, also, the battery life was good. Certainly, if you take the watch out on the course fully charged you will have no problem getting through the round with plenty of power left over. Charging it is very easy and, if you aren’t playing golf, you will be able to get a couple of days of use without having to re-charge. Importantly though, it is easy to navigate through the various menus on the watch and, when paired with your phone, it opens up a whole world of use as you can trawl through various apps. 

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy5 Pro Golf Edition Watch Review

TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition Watch

What you need to know: Tag Heuer introduced itself to the golf GPS watch scene around the turn of the decade and, since then, they have continued to improve their product with multiple-time DP World Tour winner, Tommy Fleetwood, a brand ambassador. Introducing the Connected Calbre E4 golf edition watch, Tag Heuer have introduced a number of new additions, including an automated shot-tracker, redesigned golf software and a new buckle with magnetic ball marker built into the strap. 

Design: The Tag Heuer design and feel remains sporty and premium. A big positive is that the dial on the side is a little more responsive than that of previous models and the overall display of the watch is detailed and crystal clear. Although we preferred the maps to be a little brighter, the dial means you can scroll through the various options easily.

Features: As expected, the Tag Heuer is crammed with features, such as a 2D view of the hole on the screen. When out on the course, a red dot indicates where you are, moving with distance, suggesting a club for that yardage and, thanks to a tap of the screen, you get front and back numbers, as well as the par of the hole.

One of the standout features is the driving range feature. Essentially, it tracks drives automatically and, using the watch’s accelerometer and gyroscope, it marks the tee shot and then subsequent shots seamlessly to collect the data it needs. Over time, a heat map is created for every hole in the app which then shows where shots landed on previous rounds color-coded by your score. This allows you to see what clubs work best on each tee shot, ideal for optimizing strategy.

Performance: We begin with the battery life of the Tag Heuer which, despite all the features being in play, easily lasted 5+ hours. This is one of the longest we’ve tested and 30% more than its predecessor. What’s more, the ability to use the toggle or the touch screen means that it is easy to operate, as the performance and features make this a great watch. However, we couldn’t help feel that there are other options that do a similar job for considerably less money.

• Read our full TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition Watch Review

Sky Caddie LX5 GPS Watch

What you need to know: A GPS watch is known for simplicity but, in the case of the LX5, it is essentially a shrunken down version of the impressive handheld SkyCaddie SX400 and SX550. Because of this, the company has crammed in an enormous amount of detail and features into a wearable device, with a HD color touchscreen preloaded with 35,000 golf courses. Not only can it be used for golf, but you can also use it for off-course activities, with multiple features and designs available.

Design: Speaking of the design, the main standout is the touchscreen, which is bright and crystal clear, meaning it is easy to read in different conditions. Importantly, it is lightweight and the styling, along with the fitness features, encourages you to wear it away from the course. In testing, we did feel it was a tad clunky on the wrist but, overall, the design is very appealing.

Features: The LX5 has a number of features that work both on and off the golf course, with a Big Numbers screen displaying front, middle and back yardages, a swipe of the finger allows you to see the hole-map, hazard list, scores and measure distances. In testing, the hole graphics were stunning as they allowed you to see every detail of what lay ahead and, what we really liked, was that the LX5 recommends the optimum driving position based on feedback from the SkyCaddie mappers who have walked the holes.

The final golf features include the exact green shape and yardages from their approach angle, while multiple yardage arcs overlaid on fairway landing areas and greens assist with club selection. Off-course wise, there is access to a Step Counter, Heart Rate Monitor and five watch faces to choose from when wearing the LX5.

Performance: From the main Big Numbers screen, you swipe in different directions to access the other features and, although they are useful, moving the crosshair is a little fiddly as your finger always seems to be slightly in the way. However, the generous screen size helps to negate this. Importantly though, The battery life comfortably lasts two rounds, which means you won’t have to constantly charge it.

• Read our full Sky Caddie LX5 GPS Watch Review

Voice Caddie A2 Golf Watch

What you need to know: Voice Caddie is a name that has really established itself in the GPS and rangefinder markets, with the SL2 Active Hybrid rangefinder crowned the best golf rangefinder of 2022. Here though, we are focusing on the A2 Golf GPS watch, a model which is seriously impressive as it mixes comfort, style and lots of features to give you one of the best GPS golf watches on the market.

Design: First things first, the design of this watch is stylish and modern, with protection coming from the fact that the A2 is fully waterproof. In testing, we instantly noticed that it is lightweight, with the flexible strap featuring a significant amount of buckle holes that allow for a secure yet comfortable fit. 

Screenwise, the graphics are basic but the layout is clear enough and, handily, there is a combination of the color touch screen and four corner buttons. You can use either, depending on your preference - for example, the right hand buttons double as up and down functions on certain menus, but you can swipe the screen up or down to achieve the same thing.

Features: There are a lot of features available with the A2, such as the option of slope-adjusted distances or Tournament mode that disables them.  However, it’s the touch screen itself that we were impressed with, as it is very responsive and becomes brighter when you lift it up to look at it, a clever feature that no doubt saves on battery life too.

Another good feature is the amount of information displayed on the screen, which is also in an easy-to-digest format. Like many on the list, you get the front, middle and back yardages, but you also get the time, battery life, hole and par, yards or metres, and current score. If that isn’t enough, it will also tell you the number of steps you’ve taken and, if you swipe to the side, you access the full color hole-maps.

Performance: Overall, the performance of the A2 is solid, but we did find the automatic course detection was inconsistent for us. Sometimes, it took less than 10 seconds, other times it took over a minute. To get going, it also requires you to be near the first tee, which won’t be a problem most of the time but could be an issue if you’re playing in a shotgun start. All in all though, this is a comprehensive golf GPS watch that is both insightful and intuitive. Not only does it provide the user with the requisite information but also a whole lot more, and it presents it in a clear fashion that is simple to navigate.

• Read our full Voice Caddie A2 Golf Watch Review

Shot Scope X5 GPS Watch

What you need to know: For golfers looking to combine shot tracking and GPS information in a wearable device, Shot Scope has always made compelling products and the new X5 looks to build on what was on offer from the impressive Shot Scope V3. Certainly, with the amount of features on offer, as well as the looks, it deservedly earned a spot in our 2023 Editor's Choice.

Design: The new watch is sleeker and offers more off-course appeal without sacrificing its popular shot tracking capability, which comes from new and improved lightweight, second-generation tracking tags that screw into the tops of your clubs.

The set-up process is pretty straightforward although, to access the statistics, you’ll need to screw the tags into the tops of your grips, which takes some time. The design of the X5 means it needs to be worn on your lead arm and, because it needs to be within 10cm of the tags to pick up shots, we found that it did miss a few shots occasionally.

Features: After the set-up process, and on arrival at the course, there is the option of GPS or GPS+ Track depending on if you are using the tags. However, the home screen displays front, middle and back distances, as well as the hole number and current score. There is also a lock function, which we’d recommend turning off before play.

Other features include the ability to see the distances to reach and carry hazards, with the map of the green and the ability to move the pin also available via a swipe left-or-right. There’s also shot distance measurement, doglegs and lay up distances and the ability to add penalty shots, with the sensors allowing you to track shots and also give you free access to over 100 performance statistics which includes Strokes Gained.

Performance: Along with the features, the performance is also impressive, with the X5 taking around 20 seconds to locate the course once you arrive. The touchscreen also worked fine but it’s worth noting that the small screen can be a tad fiddly, although you do have the option of rotating and pressing the button in the top right corner, which works better and the watch will also vibrate on each setting as you scroll through. You can also press this button to scroll through the game menu in golf mode instead of swiping, so there are alternatives that allow you to get to where you want to go. For around $300, you’re undoubtedly getting a lot for your money and, while the user experience wasn’t perfect, it is certainly an enjoyable product to use that has the potential to improve decision-making and club selection. 

• Read our full Shot Scope X5 GPS Watch Review

Best for value

Garmin Approach S12 GPS Golf Watch

What you need to know: Garmin is arguably the most recognized manufacturer in the GPS watch market, with the Approach S12 the brand’s entry level GPS watch. This doesn’t mean that it performs badly, far from it in fact, as you get something that’s easy to use and provides accurate distance information throughout the round. 

Design: The black and white screen of the S12 is slightly smaller than some of the other, more expensive Garmin options. This gives it a basic, inexpensive look and, one thing we loved about this watch, was how lightweight and sleek the strap was. Because it’s so light at 34g, it meant we were able to swing the club without it catching on clothing or our other wrist. In fact, we barely noticed that we were wearing it. 

Features: There are plenty of features available on the S12, with the standard front, middle and back yardages available and, for the most part, this was all we needed. However, along with those yardages, you also have access to the numbers for layup areas and hazards which was very handy. You can also manually move the pin position to get a more precise number when hitting into the greens. One last feature is the Big Numbers mode, which can be accessed via the settings. You can change the format of the display to make the key information a little bigger and easy to see.

Performance: We had no problems locating the golf course once we turned the watch on, with the correct yardages being displayed within a minute or two of starting the set-up. Where this watch did suffer in relation to the more expensive models is the lack of touch screen functionality. To scroll through the different yardage information on each hole you need to press the buttons on the side of the watch which, although this sounds simple and it is, can be more fiddly than when using touchscreen watches. This doesn’t detract from the fact that this is a great watch that does the basics well.

• Read our full Garmin Approach S12 Review

GolfBuddy Aim W12 Golf GPS Watch

What you need to know: GolfBuddy provides a range of GPS watches and, with the Aim W12, you get a lot for the price tag of $250. Not only can it be worn on the course, with the range of features available helping in a number of ways, but you can also wear it off the course, as there are fitness features including a step counter. This watch has been designed to look more like a golf watch though, but that shouldn’t put you off.

Design: As mentioned, the look of this watch is more like a traditional golf watch but, visually, the Aim W12 is a decent improvement over the Aim W11 from 2021. We personally think it looks slicker and a little more streamlined thanks to the flatter button in the corner. Also, it comes with a premium leather strap as standard (as well as an extra silicon one in the box), with two band options that are IPX7 waterproof. This means that there is peace-of-mind if you do get caught out by the conditions.

Features: For the price, you get a lot of features on the W12, such as a color touch screen, a 2D flyover of the hole which has front, middle and back yardages, a green undulation map and even the ability to measure shots and distances to hazards. Where this stands out though is the slope functionality which takes into account the changes in elevation when providing the distances. This is particularly useful when playing hilly courses and a small icon will be displayed on the left of the main distance screen when it is turned on so you don’t use it in tournament play.

Performance: The user experience with the Aim W12 was near faultless. Despite taking longer than expected to locate the course, it was quick and easy to grasp how to access the different screens and there wasn’t much repeat swiping required. The battery life in golf mode has come down from 13 hours on the Aim W11 to 10 hours here, so you might only get two full rounds from a full charge rather than three. Overall, the user experience goes a long way to justifying the modest price tag

• Read our full GolfBuddy Aim W12 GPS Watch Review

Shot Scope G5 GPS Watch

What you need to know: Not everyone wants the fancy bells and whistles that many of the best golf watches offer. Simplicity is often the number one consideration for golfers and not many offer a more intuitive experience than the Shot Scope G5.

Design: The screen size is generous and yet we thought the G5 had a minimalistic feel to it, perhaps because of how lightweight the case and straps are. We also liked how the outer ring of the display is slightly raised, which should reduce the risk of scratches, with the sporty look appealing to many tastes.

Features: Golf-wise, once we selected the course, the front, middle and back distances are displayed clearly on the main screen. There’s plenty of other useful information on there too, like the time, battery level, the hole number and its par as well as your current score. Hazard information is a click away and the fact the G5 provides distances to reach and carry the hazard is particularly useful, as well as distances to doglegs and lay up points, shot distance measurement and a digital scorecard to keep track of your round. 

Performance: Overall, we were very impressed with how the G5 performed, with all of its features proving to be useful. What's more, the G5 is sporty and incredibly lightweight and compact, which means we didn’t really notice on our wrists when out on the course or at home. 

• Read our full Shot Scope G5 GPS Watch Review

Bushnell iON Edge GPS Watch

What you need to know: Bushnell is a name known for producing some of the best golf rangefinders that money can buy, with their GPS watches also starting to gain attention. Certainly, with the iON edge, the main eye-catching point is the price, which is considerably less than other models on the market and, with a number of basic features available, it does all the things it should do.

Design: Although the styling isn’t a knockout, it is still a decent addition to the wrist as it isn’t overly bulky or heavy. There are also two straps available, both sleek and quite soft-feeling and, importantly, they don’t interfere with the swing or cause discomfort.  

Features: Annoyingly, there was no instruction manual provided in the box but, thankfully, the operation of the watch isn’t overly complicated. Feature-wise, there are the usual front, middle and back yardages, as well as a section where you can input scores and stats. It is nowhere near as in-depth as strokes-gained analysis available on some of the other watches but, in our opinion, we think these stats still have their place as they provide users with the basics.

Performance: In all honesty we were slightly disappointed with the touchscreen, which is unresponsive while at the same time being sensitive to a misplaced finger. During our round and testing, it would take multiple attempts to complete and, occasionally it would navigate us to another menu entirely. If you are able to control it then the iON Edge is a solid product which can help provide yardages and point out hazards, with the price very competitive for this section of the market.

• Read our full Bushnell iON Edge GPS Watch Review

Best for versatility

Garmin MARQ Golfer GPS Watch

What you need to know: The MARQ Golfer is Garmin’s most premium, feature-packed model you can buy. In fact, the golf features only make up a small section of its capability (it can track your breathing, blood oxygen levels and even pay for things in shops). Littered with features, it works both on and off the course but, with the hefty price tag, some may struggle to justify it.

Design: There’s no denying that the MARQ is a stunning watch that has lots of premium touches, such as the 46-millimetre titanium case and ceramic bezel with custom-etched 1-18 golf hole markings. It is a watch that can be worn both on and off the course and even opening the box is an experience. 

Included is a spare strap and three CT10 sensors that screw into the ends of your clubs and allow you to try Garmin’s automatic shot tracking system and, during testing, we found that the silicone rubber strap helped the watch stay in position during the swing better than the tritone green jacquard-weave nylon strap because the MARQ Golfer, at 88g, is on the heavy side. It’s also a little bulky compared to others we’ve tried, but not to the point that it gets in the way. Lastly, it is a touchscreen and it has five buttons scattered around that navigate you through the relevant menus.

Features: Like the other Garmin models on this list you get the 2D overhead view of the hole, as well as the front, middle and back yardages and the PinPointer feature, which points in the direction of the pin when it isn’t in view. What’s more, by pressing a button you can scroll through the hazards that lie ahead in distance order, seeing how far it is to reach and carry them, while also seeing lay up points. You’re also able to relocate the pin position for a more accurate distance.

The last feature we liked was the Virtual Caddie which, after five rounds have been logged, will suggest clubs for upcoming shots based on your history. They’re even more accurate than you think because they can take slope and current wind speed and direction into account. It’s not just golf features that are available, you are also able to toggle on and off smartphone notifications, with the watch vibrating when you receive an email or text message. You can turn this off and also connect it to fitness, maps and contactless payments.

Performance: Once charged and powered up, you’re left to work out how to navigate through the menus using the touch screen and the five buttons scattered around. We thought that it was confusing at the start and, while it improves with practice, you never feel like you’re in complete control of where you’re heading. However, when you do get used to it, it performs just like it should!

• Read our full Garmin MARQ Golfer GPS Watch Review

Garmin Approach S42

What you need to know: Fitting between the Garmin S12 and premium S62 options, the S42 delivers the best of both worlds, with the set-up of the watch extremely easy to perform.. All you have to do is download the Garmin app and pair with an iPhone; this then allowed you to access the benefits of shot tracking, as well as a number of other features.

Design: To begin with, this is a sleek and stylish watch that can be worn in social settings and, what’s more, it is crammed with lots of non-golf related features. Arguably, the most important design feature is that we barely noticed the watch on our wrist as we swung the golf club. Plus, the 1.2-inch color screen is  extremely clear, adding to the ease of use. In fact, just these features alone, we think, make it a worthwhile investment. 

Features: Starting with the usual features, yardages to the front, middle and back of each green were very useful. As well as more than 43,000 preloaded courses worldwide, there is also the option to pair with the Approach CT10 club sensors for automatic club tracking. When used in conjunction with the Garmin Golf app, this allows golfers to take advantage of the AutoShot round analyzer that records shot distances and plots your way round the course. Once you’ve finished, you can look through your scores and review various performance stats that help to target potential areas of improvement.

Performance: Regarding setup, the S42 was very easy to get going and, after downloading the Garmin app and pairing it with an iPhone, it allowed us to see the benefits of the shot tracking. Put simply, it performed superbly out on the golf course.

• Read our full Garmin Approach S42 GPS Watch Review

Specifications table

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 Golf GPS Watch

Features

If you have decided you want a GPS watch, now 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 above 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. 

Battery power

Laser rangefinders run on powerful batteries that are easily replaced every six months to a year, while GPS devices normally need charging regularly via a USB, so consider if you have the discipline to keep it topped up ready for your next round.

Budget

Finally we should mention budget. If you want a simple model then there are budget-friendly options. However if you want to spend more you can with Garmin and TAG Heuer in particular offering ultra-premium models.

FAQs

We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best golf watches and for more gear content, like the best golf simulator or best golf GPS apps, check out the Golf Monthly website. We also recommend checking out our guides on the best golf GPS devices, best golf rangefinders, best golf launch monitors, and the best golf watches for ladies should you be looking to expand your arsenal of golf gadgets.

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