10 Best Garmin Golf Watches 2025 in the United States

The Garmin Approach S44 is a versatile and well-designed golf watch that stands out with its vibrant 1.2” AMOLED display, making course maps clear and easy to read. This watch comes preloaded with over 43,000 courses, which is great for golfers who travel to different locations. The GPS accuracy is excellent, providing precise distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as hazards on the course. This can significantly improve your game management and decision-making.

The Approach S44 also offers advanced features like shot-tracking capabilities when paired with optional club trackers, and detailed stat tracking through the Garmin Golf app, which can be very insightful for dedicated golfers looking to analyze their performance. Battery life is decent, with up to 15 hours in GPS mode, which should cover a few rounds of golf before needing a recharge. However, heavy users might need to charge it more frequently. The watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and its design is sleek, combining a silver aluminum bezel with a durable black silicone band. The water resistance adds to its durability, making it reliable in various weather conditions.

On the downside, some users might find the need for a Garmin Golf membership to access enhanced course maps and other features a bit restrictive. Additionally, while the smartwatch connectivity for notifications is a useful feature, it may not be as essential for everyone. The Garmin Approach S44 is a strong contender for golfers seeking a feature-rich GPS watch, especially those who value precise course details and advanced game tracking.

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.

The Garmin Approach S50 is a well-rounded golf GPS smartwatch designed for golfers who want detailed course information and smart features on their wrist. Its standout 1.2-inch AMOLED color display is bright and sharp, making it easy to read distances and course layouts, with over 43,000 preloaded golf courses included. The GPS accuracy is reliable for getting distances to the front, middle, and back of greens, as well as hazards, which helps in making better shot decisions. Battery life is solid, lasting up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and 15 hours when using GPS, enough for multiple rounds without frequent charging.

The watch offers smart features like Playslike Distance that adjusts yardages based on elevation, and it supports Garmin’s Golf membership for enhanced course views and green contours, improving usability for serious players. Additional health tracking like heart rate and stress monitoring adds value for those interested in overall fitness. Connectivity via Bluetooth allows syncing with the Garmin Golf app to keep score, track stats, and calculate handicaps, plus Garmin Pay and music app support add convenience off the course.

The ComfortFit nylon band keeps the watch lightweight and comfortable, though it may not be as rugged as some other models, with no specific water resistance rating highlighted. A unique bonus is the included Wearable4U power bank, which helps extend usage during long days. Potential drawbacks include the lack of built-in club sensors (sold separately) for full shot tracking and a slightly premium price. This watch is ideal for golfers looking for an easy-to-use, smart, and stylish GPS watch with good battery life and solid course data, especially if they plan to integrate it with Garmin’s golf ecosystem.