Indeed, a quality golf watch can significantly impact your golf performance.
A good golf watch for folders of all levels in one that provides shot data and course mapping.
Unfortunately, finding the best golf watch is challenging because of the many available varieties.
If you’re wondering why you need the best golf watch as a golfer, then know it helps you make the right decisions.
Of course, you can instantly see distances to the hazards and greens. The right watch also records your productivity over time.
This is why having the best golf watch keeps you on track when playing the game.
Here is an overview of the best golf watches for your golf game:
- Shot Scope X5 GPS Watch: Best for more accurate putting statistics
- Garmin Approach S70 GPS Watch: Most feature-rich
- Bushnell iON Elite GPS Watch: Best for slope-adjusted distances
- Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch: Offers long battery life in GPS mode
- GolfBuddy Aim W12 GPS Watch: Best for easy pin placement and slope adjustments
- Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch: Most Innovative
- Garmin Approach S20 Golf Watch: Best budget option
- SkyCaddie LX2 GPS Watch: Best for detailed hole mapping
- GolfBuddy GB9 WTX+ GPS Watch: Most recommended
1. Shot Scope X5 GPS Watch
This is one of the best golf watches available for 2024.
It provides accurate GPS and a superior shot-tracking feature, ideal for the performance-oriented golfer.
Since the Shot Scope X5 GPS Watch boasts 16 club tags, it enables tracking every shot without requiring a smartphone.
There are always results after every round to summarize your strengths and weaknesses.
In terms of material, the Shot Scope X5 GPS Watch has a ceramic bezel. As a result, you will notice it feeling strong.
When it comes to functionalities, the touch screen is remarkably sensitive.
Key Features
- Advanced shot tracking
- 36,000+ courses
- PinCollect technology
- Waterproof, fitness tracking
| Pros | Cons |
| – Offers free performance tracking with 16 club tags, – No annual fees – Dynamic yardages | – Confusing Interface |
2. Garmin Approach S70 GPS Watch
Garmin Approach S70 is another of the best golf watches out there and can be considered a contender to the above-mentioned model.
It has GPS to offer high-end accuracy and fitness features that can be used while playing golf and other activities.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display of the Garmin Approach S70 watch is bright and clear. Still, you can adjust the brightness to enhance visibility even in direct sunlight.
This watch is ideal for measuring distances to any point on the golf course.
The virtual caddy will recommend the appropriate club for the particular shot.
Other impressive highlights of the Garmin Approach S70 include monitoring steps, sleep, and even heart rate.
All this makes it a full-package gadget.
Key Features
- AMOLED touchscreen
- 43,000+ courses
- Virtual caddie
- Fitness tracking, 16-hour battery
| Pros | Cons |
| – Good GPS – Advanced fitness tracking – Virtual Caddie helps choose the club | – Some of the features are challenging to use |
3. Bushnell iON Elite GPS Watch
The Bushnell iON Elite is one of the best golf watches for any golfer who wants a simple device to help him with his game.
This watch’s design is large, with a round dial that provides a clear view of the hole and zooms in.
With 38,000 courses preloaded, you can strike any course without any interruption.
The GPS feature of the iON Elite watch offers front, middle, and back yardage at the touch of a button.
It’s worth noting that no subscription is required, and it comes with full-color hole layouts to assist with the next shot.
They also record the distance of your shot and your statistics for after-round analysis.
Key Features
- Slope-adjusted distances
- Color touchscreen
- Dynamic GreenView
- 36,000+ courses
| Pros | Cons |
| – Easy-to-use interface – No subscription fees – Detailed hole layouts – Preloaded courses. | – Zooming on the hole layout can be slow – Battery life could be better. |
4. Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch
The Garmin Approach S12 is perfect for golfers seeking an easy-to-use device. On top of that, it won’t cost you too much.
Due to Garmin Approach S12’s lightweight element, you can wear it the whole day.
It will show you yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green, as well as the position of the hazards.
More than 42,000 courses are preloaded in Garmin Approach S12, and the high-definition screen is readable under direct sunlight.
This watch lacks some of the features of the more expensive models, but it is enough to give golfers a great experience.
Key Features
- Sunlight-readable display
- 42,000+ courses
- Green View
- 30-hour battery
| Pros | Cons |
| – Lightweight – User-friendly – Affordable – Clear display in all lighting conditions – Long battery life | – Limited advanced features – No shot tracking |
5. GolfBuddy Aim W12 GPS Watch
The GolfBuddy Aim W12 is unique because of its touch-screen feature and its ability to update the course on its own.
This watch gives one full hole view, distance to hazards, and the green.
Some striking features include zoomable hole maps for planning your shots.
The device will have an integrated scorecard and green reading function, which means you will have all the information you need right on your wrist.
Also, it is water resistant; therefore, you can wear it anytime.
Key Features
- Color touchscreen
- Slope-adjusted distances
- 40,000+ courses
- Water-resistant
| Pros | Cons |
| – Waterproof – Touchscreen is responsive – Includes green reading – Accurate GPS – Built-in scorecard | – Battery life drains quickly with constant GPS use – The user interface could be smoother |
6. Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch
This Garmin Approach S62 is one of the best golf watches because of its features.
It has a large, sunlight-readable color touchscreen with very impressive course mapping.
Virtual Caddie is one of the most useful.
The application uses wind speed, height, and data from previous shots to suggest which club is best for the shot.
The Garmin Approach S62 watch features over 41,000 preloaded courses and distances to hazards and greens.
It also allows you to monitor your fitness, such as your heart rate and calories burned, making it a multi-functional device for golfing and fitness.
Key Features
- 1.3″ touchscreen
- Virtual caddie
- 42,000+ courses
- 20-hour battery
| Pros | Cons |
| – Virtual Caddie for better decision-making – Excellent battery life – Fitness tracking – Easy to read in sunlight | – It’s pricey – Range of features can be overwhelming for casual golfers. |
7. Garmin Approach S20 Golf Watch
The Garmin Approach S20 is another inexpensive golf GPS watch for golfers who want an easy-to-use device that provides accuracy.
This unit is portable, with no heavy feel on the wrist, and over 41,000 courses.
Further, it gives distances to the hazards and the greens and has an auto-shot finder.
An interesting fact about Garmin Approach S20 is that it can be synchronized with Garmin Connect to monitor your performance statistics in the long run.
It also has a digital scorecard feature that enables you to record your scores without having to write them on a piece of paper.
Key Features
- 40,000+ courses
- AutoShot round analyzer
- Activity tracking
- 15-hour battery
| Pros | Cons |
| – Lightweight – Affordable – Has preloaded courses – Shot tracking – Digital scorecard – Long battery life | – No color display – Lacks the advanced features of premium models |
8. SkyCaddie LX2 GPS Watch
The SkyCaddie LX2 is quite good if you’re after an accurate golf watch. It gives distance to the greens’ front, center, and back and has dynamic hole view mapping. You can see up to four per-hole hazards that are updated in real time.
LX2 has a user-friendly touch screen and includes over 35000 courses when purchased. Simply put, this simple device is for golfers interested in high-quality GPS options.
Key Features
- Touchscreen
- Dynamic HoleVue
- 35,000+ courses
- Water-resistant
| Pros | Cons |
| – Simple to use – Clear hazard distances – No subscription fees – Large display | – Lacks advanced fitness tracking – Limited customization options |
9. GolfBuddy GB9 WTX+ GPS Watch
The features of GolfBuddy GB9 WTX+ are aimed at players who seek features that sufficiently enhance their game.
While this golf watch isn’t costly, it can still provide distances to hazards, greens, and bunkers.
Notably, the ‘green side’ innovation is adjustable according to the user’s line of attack.
Looking at how GolfBuddy GB9 WTX+ functions, the touch screen is quite intuitive.
You can pair this gadget with a smartphone to receive instant notifications for more enjoyment.
It also has the means for automatic course updates, so you are always updated with the latest information.
Key Features
- Color touchscreen
- Dynamic GreenView
- 38,000+ courses
- Bluetooth notifications
| Pros | Cons |
| – Affordable – Dynamic green view – Automatic course updates – Smartphone compatibility | – Shorter battery life – Requires manual shot tracking |
FAQs
The vast majority of golf watches available in the market today are quite precise and have an error margin of a few yards.
Garmin and Bushnell are some of the companies famous for manufacturing some of the best golf watches, which are accurate due to GPS technology and frequent updates.
Battery life of golf watches typically varies from one model to another.
Another determinant is how the device is the frequency of device usage.
Simple models such as the Garmin Approach S20 are capable of lasting up to 15 hours in GPS mode, while the advanced watches with many other features may require recharging after a few rounds.
In either case, looking at the manufacturer’s guidelines for more specific battery duration is always advisable.
Indeed, most golf watches are made to work as regular watches.
They can also include intelligent functions such as smartphone notifications or fitness tracking, which can be applied outside of golfing.
The prices of golf watches are relatively moderate and can cost as low as $150 and as high as $700 or even more.
The exact price of a golf watch mostly depends on the type of brand, its features, and the material used in its construction.
Some golf watches contain basic information about the golf game, while others with higher prices contain more information, such as the shots taken and the course.
Wrap Up
If you can get the best golf watch for yourself, that is an added advantage when you are out on the golf course.
It will provide accurate yardage for the greens and hazards to help you know the right type of club to use.
Most watches have statistical features that keep records and analyze your performance in the round.
Some models go further to have fitness tracking so that you can monitor your health.
For any golf watch that you buy, it’s not only about the GPS data.
The best golf watch provides detailed course maps, the possibility of shot tracking, and even the evaluation of the player’s physical condition.
While you review each golf watch above, ensure you get the right one to play your best round.
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