Assembling all of these factors, as well as preparing for a well-rounded game would for sure take a huge amount of time. However, in this day and age, technology has improved for the better. Now players can get themselves the best golf GPS watches on the market that make life in the golf field a whole lot of tech savvier.
Golf is an extensively analytical sport. In order to go forward, players need to constantly calculate their next move way ahead of their game. It is a competitive sport that requires lots of professionals, specialized people, and costly gear.
With golf GPS watches, you can be notified of the movements of the golf ball, be advised about the kind of equipment to use, and even get a review of the quality of your swings.
Our Top Picks Golf GPS Watches (Quick Summary)
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The 12 Best Golf GPS Watches On The Market (2022 Review)
1. Garmin Approach S20 GPS Golf Watch (Best GPS watch under $200 )
Author Rating:
4.5/5
Let’s start off with the Garmin S20 which is the best golf gps watch under $200. A top of the line GPS Golf rangefinder watch that is packed with a load of amazing features. It has courses that are already prepared for you, and it can also track your steps.
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To make your life even easier, it has the ability to record, analyze, and take note of the distance covered by the golf ball after you make each shot.
With its ability to keep track of your best and worst shots, it can give you a rounded up review to get your riled up for your next best shot. It even has the “Garmin TruSwing” technology to let you know of the uniformity of your swings. With this technology, you will be able to analyze the strengths of your swings and understand your weaknesses and develop methods to improve them.
You can even share your scores with the online golf community with a downloadable app on your smartphone that can be linked to this watch. This is a great way to connect and share your experiences with professionals and amateur golfers.
Just like any other smartwatch, with the Garmin Approach S20, you’ll still be able to receive texts and calls, even when your cellular device may be far away from you.
The watch even gives you advice on how to improve, gives you reminders, and also keeps track of your sleep hours. With all these cool features intact, you have yourself a stylish watch that is not only super comfortable to wear but is able to look the part with any outfit and event you decide to wear it to.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Can be used as an everyday watch
Battery life is excellent
Accurate representation of yardage
Button accuracy
Affordable
Lightweight and comfortable
[/i2pros][i2cons]No full course layouts
No touchscreen
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
2. Garmin Approach S2 GPS Golf Watch (Black)
Author Rating:
4.5/5
If you are looking for a watch that will notify you of your instant scores and give you the cheer you need, the Garmin Approach S2 is the watch to go. The watch will act as a digital scoreboard to keep you up to date with your progress which you can download and keep to yourself or even show off to your competitors
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The numbers that you need are always available and ready to display on this watch. Unlike the previous Garmin Approach S20, the Garmin Approach S2 has way more worldwide courses that are not only lifetime courses but are also already loaded into the watch.
This has to do with its incredible GPS system that can track any nearby courses, no matter where in the world that you are.
The GPS system is so powerful that it can receive signals even when you happen to be under a shade or a tree. The watch can also give you accurate measurements of the distance of the green, all the way up to the front of the course.
You’ll be able to tell whether or not you’re standing in the right spot before making your shot because of this watch. The watch can even count the number of steps you’ve taken in the field.
Other great features include it being able to take the pressure of water down until ten meters deep.
Regardless of its heavy-duty work, it weighs a lot less than it seems. You won’t be able to feel a thing and will be able to play comfortably throughout your matches. The watch comes in a variety of styles and colors which makes for a stylish companion.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Band options
Rechargeable battery
Can store loads of data
Great display
Affordable
[/i2pros][i2cons]Battery doesn’t last so long
Too many buttons
Controls are overcomplicated
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
3. Bushnell Neo Ghost Golf GPS (Best watch for beginners)
Author Rating:
4.5/5
This handy little gadget packs a punch. The Bushnell Neo Ghost is your best friend and best golf watch for beginners when it comes to analyzing the most accurate yardage and shot distance. You can focus on your shot as soon as you check on the yardage and calculate how far you’ve got until you reach the flag.
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The Neo is so easy to use that it doesn’t even need detailed instructions.
Yardage can even increase and decrease as you walk. Since it isn’t technically a watch to wear around your wrist, it comes complete with a belt that you can wear around your neck and a clip that you can attach to the belt of your pants.
You can even keep it in your pocket and not worry about losing any of the data because all the analytics and numbers that you need to check on will be right there on the screen.
The most striking feature of them all is that the Neo has an auto-hole recognition. This means that it doesn’t matter where you are standing in the course, the Neo will be able to recognize the hole closest to you and establish the total distance from you to your shot.
Not only will this make for a precise shot, but also will give you a head start every time you make a shot. When it comes to the fairways, the Bushnell golf watch will be able to notify you of the distance of four hazards per hole.
It will help you save some shots whether or not it might be water, fairway bumps, ditches or creeks across the fairway. A quality gadget with more than 35000 courses, if you go on a holiday, you can take it aboard with you and find out your nearest golf courses.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Easy to use
Extremely portable
Accurate distance
Inexpensive
Live yardage
[/i2pros][i2cons]Doesn’t stay on for very long
No place to attach it except to carry/hang it around
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
4. Bushnell Phantom Golf GPS
Author Rating:
4.5/5
Another portable watch on this list is the Bushnell Phantom. This modern like device comes with Bluetooth, which makes connecting, receiving, and sending data and all other sorts of information so much easier. You’ll even be able to receive the latest updates on courses at the nearest area to you.
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You won’t need to whip out your smartphone every now and then for signal because the Phantom will be able to receive updates itself due to the presence of the Bluetooth with the GPS.
Instead of hanging it around somewhere or clipping it into your belt, the Phantom uses sticks of magnet built into the device that could let it mount itself to different surfaces of metal.
With every hole in the course, the Bushnell can detect four different hazard distances. It also has the ability to detect holes with its auto-hole system as well as recognizing various courses near to you.
An added bonus is that it comes with a golf-specific app that will help you keep organized and read about tips and tricks that can be utilized for your next game. This app will be the connection between your smartphone/laptop and the Bushnell.
With an interface that is extremely simple to use, you can chuck this bad boy into your pocket and expect to receive information on over 36000 courses from 30 different countries. Its analysis of distance is very precise. You’ll be able to route your courses without breaking a sweat.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Water-resistant
Can be easily charged with any USB cable
Picks up local courses fast enough
Useful backlight
Long battery life
[/i2pros][i2cons]Magnet mounts aren’t strong enough
Viewing the time is difficult
No indication of battery life
Functions aren’t usable when in charge
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
5. Golfbuddy Voice GPS (Best gps watch under $100)
Author Rating:
4.5/5
What’s cool about the Golfbuddy Voice, as the name suggests, is that it speaks. And what’s even cooler? It speaks eight different languages.
You don’t need to keep taking it out of your pocket or fiddle with the buttons in order to know all the different facts regarding your game because it will speak for you and tell you what you need to hear.
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Besides it showing you the front green, center green, and the back green distances, it also automatically shows you the updated distance you have covered or yet to cover as well as actually showing you the angles of the green. You can even view the distance you need to make a shot.
As this is a voice-based watch, it will notify you of the information through an audio system. The voice is very clear enough to hear, but it isn’t loud enough that it would distract your partners or other nearby players.
This tiny little watch is also filled with more than 35000 free courses from all around the world. Whether you are in your home country or out on vacation wanting to cover some holes, you’ll know where to go because the Golfbuddy Voice will let you know for sure.
There is no need for you to individually select a course neither is there any need to even select a city because they will all show up automatically once you turn on the power.
The Golfbuddy Voice is extremely portable and useful, not only because of its small and handy size but because it is also extremely easy to use. Obviously, the most attractive feature is its capability to speak to you which makes it set apart from the rest of the best golf GPS watches under $100.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]The battery can be recharged
Availability of multiple languages
Lightweight
Fewer functions to deal with
Very accurate
Unobtrusive
[/i2pros][i2cons]Battery dies abruptly
Locks up easily
Not as intuitive
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
6. Golfbuddy Voice 2 Golf GPS
Author Rating:
4.5/5
A more updated version of the Golfbuddy Voice is the Golfbuddy Voice 2. Not only does it let you hear the simple distances of the green, whether front, back, or center, it also reads the distance as accurate as to where the golfer is standing from the hole. It can also read out the distance needed to make a shot.
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This device is extremely easy to use, and it already has more than 38000 golf courses loaded into the system, for free! You are also allowed to carry this around with you during tournaments, which is why it is quite popular among professional players as it helps them view the game clearly.
Just in case it gets splashed with rain or you drop it into a pond by accident, you won’t need to worry because this little device is waterproof. It also has a long battery life which can last you up to 14 hours before every charging session.
This golf buddy automatically follows you around even if you skip holes or change gold courses, it uses satellite technology to draw in and tell you exactly where you are and how far away.
The design for this gadget is sleek and has a nice and smooth LCD screen smack dab in the middle. The portability of it is one of the greatest advantages of this device.
You can get full access to all the gold buddy courses and the other golf buddy databases. With a press of a button, you will know exactly where you are, and you won’t even have to look at the screen because it will let you hear it.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Great price
Quick and precise
Simple to use
No downloading fee
Super portable
Huge time saver
[/i2pros][i2cons]The LCD screen cannot handle too much pressure
Failure to grasp the hole you are currently playing
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
7. Garmin Approach X40 GPS Golf Band
Author Rating:
4.5/5
The Garmin Approach X40 is preloaded with 40000 courses from various countries in the world. Even though the screen of the watch may be small, it has a high resolution which makes it easy to read. It is also water-resistant, and each charge lasts a couple of rounds.
It displays yardage to layup spots, doglegs, and other hazards.
Whatever it is, it will show everything on the screen and be very accurate.
As the company works on the improvement of the watches, they constantly or at least once in a while add new features or updates but the great thing about that is that these are all automatic and there are no additional charges.
The features include a “Green Viewer” where the watch literally shows the shape and contours of the greens. Another cool feature found in this watch is the flag that is displayed on the screen. This flag lets you see particular yardage on certain spots which will help you with your short game and also help you dial upon where you want to land the golf ball.
Its TruSwing technology also helps you keep track of your golf swing and other related metrics which will help with optimizing your game.
It also has the ability to count your shots and keep your score as well as tracking your results and uploading your data to the internet. This helps to compare with other people’s scores with the “Garmin Connect” technology.
You can use this watch for other things besides golf such as counting your steps taken, measuring your burned calories and monitoring your heart rate.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Availability of Bluetooth features
Very accurate
Movable pin locations
No memberships
Scorecard features
[/i2pros][i2cons]Expensive
Small screen
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
8. Bushnell Neo Ion Golf GPS Watch
Author Rating:
4.5/5
This watch comes with over 36000 courses from 30 different countries programmed in. It will give you different hazard distances, shot distance, the number of steps you take, and of course the usually front, back, and center of the green distances.
You can even wear it out when you’re not playing golf as this watch is super stylish and smart.
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It is just as versatile.
The watch itself is pretty simple to use since it’s pretty basic with only a few buttons. The performance of this watch is great with its GPS and gives accurate results. Even with the high performance, the battery life is really good. The battery lasts about three rounds of a game.
You can get a bird’s eye view from the Bushnell app that comes with it which will give the 3D overview of the hole layouts. With the compact style and light-weighted factor of it, you won’t even notice that you’re wearing it because it’s so comfortable. It won’t affect your swing.
It can be used as an everyday watch. You don’t have to connect it to the computer for updates you just need to connect it to WIFI or Bluetooth. Bushnell products have a lot of accuracies so you know you’ll get the finest results. Not to mention that it has anything that a golfer needs.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Great battery life
A lot of courses already in the watch
Rainproof
Doesn’t take long to charge
Useful app
[/i2pros][i2cons]Not so comfortable
You can’t see the course layout
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
9. Garmin Approach G6 GPS
Author Rating:
4.5/5
This modern golf GPS watch comes with a touch screen golf range finder. It has a range of features that help improve your golf game.
The GPS is extremely easy to set up as it only comes with a quick start guide, a USB cable, and a belt clip. The GPS is also accurate within 5 to 8 yards, and it also shows the shape of green and yardage to pin.
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The watch comes right out of the box preloaded with over 27000 golf course maps. With it, you can easily see how far away hazards, water, and greens are from wherever you are standing.
It can also measure shot distance and tack your fairways or greens in regulation and putts per round. It also comes with a digital score feature.
One of the main features of this watch is that it has a touchscreen. It requires no annual fees. The yardage finder is also very good in this device.
This one is extremely durable and waterproof. It is important that it can stand up to whatever is thrown at it.
To update this device and get new courses, all you have to do is hook it up to your computer and click download. Garmin is always updating the courses and adding new ones so keeping up to date is important but also is a no-hassle activity.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Cleanest and easiest interface
No fees
No setup
Tracks score and club distance
[/i2pros][i2cons]Weak battery life
Difficult to touch accurately on the screen
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
10. Garmin Approach S1 GPS Golf Watch
Author Rating:
4.5/5
One of the most standard looking golf watches that you can get is the Garmin Approach S1. This easy to wear slick wrist candy can be worn on an everyday basis and can be used as a regular watch.
But when you’re taking it into the field, be sure that it can provide you with amazing features that will get you with the greatest and the most accurate shots.
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From any location on the course that you may be, be satisfied with the fact that you’ll be constantly up to date with distances of your shot as well as the getting the yardages to the various angles of the green including front, center, and back.
And with the Garmin Approach S1, you won’t even need to wait that long to get these numbers. With one look at the field, this watch will tell you exactly what you need to know.
The battery for this watch is rechargeable and can last up to three weeks if you’re just using it for regular use without the special golf-related features. The cool thing is that it acts like a regular watch, but as soon as you actually press the OK button, you can go ahead and use the GPS options for golf.
There is no need for subscriptions nor is there any need to separately download anything because the watch is already packed to the brim with thousands of courses.
With its lightweight design, the watch is the same size as any other standard watches. It won’t hamper your golf swings in any way. You can set sounds and alarms into it but if you aren’t into all that, you can have it in quiet mode to make sure you aren’t distracted by it nor are you disturbing anyone else in the field.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Easy to use
Automatically switches to a timepiece when it is not in satellite mode
Lightweight
Great battery life
Available in different sizes
[/i2pros][i2cons]Very basic functions
The battery doesn’t last very long when playing
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
11. Garmin Approach X40, GPS Golf Band
Author Rating:
4.5/5
Garmin is one of the most leading golf GPS watch brands out there. So with the Garmin Approach X40, you know you’ll be getting the best of the best. It is already loaded with 40000 different courses available to various countries in the world.
The watch doesn’t require you to pay for any sort of memberships, so there are no additional fees or subscriptions.
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There are also free updates and addition. So every time there are new features or courses, it will be automatically updated into your watch without you having to do anything extra. It displays yardage to layup spots, doglegs, and other hazards.
Whatever you need to know, it will show it to you on the screen and everything is pretty accurate. Like the other Garmin golf watches, it has some of the coolest features such as the Green Viewer, TruSwing, and AutoShot Round Analyzer.
With the Green Viewer, you will be able to view the shape and contours of the green, and you’ll also be able to control the flag around the screen to view the yardages. It also acts like a health watch, where it can track your heart rate or steps are taken.
The TruSwing technology is also cool as it allows your club to keep track of your golf swings and other metrics and help optimize your game. The more data you have, the more you have to offer in order to improve your game.
Its Bluetooth feature will also let you receive texts, emails, and alerts on your watch. So you don’t need to carry your phone around.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Some of the best features on the market are on this device
Very accurate
Moveable pin locations
No memberships
Has a scorecard feature
[/i2pros][i2cons]Expensive
Small screen
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
12. Puksic IZZO Swami 4000+ Golf GPS (Best budget gps watch)
Author Rating:
4.5/5
The IZZO Swami comes clean with 30000 courses. Once you buy it, all these courses are yours for free. You can also record the distance if you hit any particular shot. A simple and straight forward interface, with one touch of a button, you’ll be able to track your scores as well as to measure the distance.
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You’re good to go with 10 hours of battery life and will run a couple of rounds with the backlight on, which is pretty remarkable because of the screen light is so bright. The bright screen makes it extremely readable even on a sunny day.
The device itself is big, robust, and colorful. It is also water-resistant and lasts a very long time.
One of the most useful features of this device is that you can edit the data of your courses. You can add any new information on courses to the unit customizer of the device and find out how the upcoming yardages might reflect that. So if you’re looking for a basic unit that will certainly do the job without breaking the bank.
A good feel in the hand as it is not too heavy and not too light either. You can easily carry it in your pocket without feeling too weighed down. The design of this golf GPS watch is also very playful and comes in a bright color.
IZZO Swami watch is known to be one of the best budget golf gps watches out there, so it is prevalent among golfers everywhere.
[i2pc pros_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-up” cons_icon=”icon icon-thumbs-down” show_title=”false” title=”Pros & Cons” show_button=”false” pros_title=”Pros” cons_title=”Cons” ][i2pros]Inexpensive
Convenient features
Very fast updates
No annual fees
[/i2pros][i2cons]Difficult to carry around
Slow usual service
[/i2cons][/i2pc]
How I Selected The Best Golf GPS Watches
To find the best golf GPS watches that have made it to this list, I had to go through a rigorous period of researching. The process of selecting the top watches to include in this article involved me thoroughly studying user experiences.
I observed how professional golf players, as well as novices, use the watches, how they have improved their playing, and how it has benefitted them in different situations. I also researched all the advantages, as well as the drawbacks that the users have experienced from these golf GPS watches.
Noting these experiences, I have come down to twelve products that put out the best results amongst common users.
At the end of the day, the customer is always right. So it is vital to consider their experiences when choosing the best kinds of golf GPS watches. That is how these products have made it to this list.
Final Verdict
When it comes to golf GPS watches, the most important thing is accuracy. You are dealing with measurements and distances, so accuracy is the vitality to a great game of golf. Therefore, you need to make sure the watch you decide to buy gives you the best results.
Whether it is calculating fairways, predictive shots, yardage, or the distance of green from the front, center, and back! Here, you need to look out for the things you feel you need to improve in your game or the factors you think would best be suited for you to consider when you choose the best golf GPS watches for you.
Golf is evolving every second and with every match, you have different brands competing with each other. I hope this article has helped you figure out which golf GPS watch is right for you and how each of these would benefit you.
Before you leave, why not check out our Best Golf Shoe Reviews – and see what our top picks are.