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Best Golf Watches

Updated January 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Garmin Approach S62
Garmin
Approach S62
Check Price
Feature-packed
Bottom Line

This Garmin watch has all the bells and whistles you could possibly imagine to enhance your golf game and proved to be a truly incredible tool during our tests.

Pros

1.2-inch display and 240p resolution are easy to read. Over 41,000 courses available with full-color topographical maps. Can adjust yardage based on slope with "PlaysLike" feature.

Cons

May take a few minutes to locate satellites and orient to local courses.

Best Bang for the Buck
Garmin Approach S40
Garmin
Approach S40
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Most Stylish
Bottom Line

This good-looking and lightweight golf watch has a crisp design and high performance.

Pros

Feels light and comfortable on wrist. Distances available on up to 41,000 global courses. Batteries included. Clean, white design is popular among consumers.

Cons

Doesn't offer the same features as other popular watches.

Garmin Approach S42
Garmin
Approach S42
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Best for Golfers
Bottom Line

The perfect golf watch, allows you to track your score and stats on the course.

Pros

Battery lasts up to 10 days in watch mode and 15 hours in GPS mode, long enough to track a full day of golf. AutoShot feature automatically records shot distances. Comes pre-loaded with 42,000 gold course maps. Ultra-bright screen is legible even in high-sun conditions. Syncs with smartphone notifications.

Cons

Does not work as well in wet or rainy weather conditions.

Shot Scope V3 GPS Watch
Shot Scope
V3 GPS Watch
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Bright Color Display
Bottom Line

This golf watch offers a vibrant screen and a wide selection of preloaded courses.

Pros

Bright color display. Boasts accuracy with FMB distances on greens and hazards within a yard. Shot measurement and automatic hole progression. 36,000 worldwide courses. Comes with tracking tags.

Cons

Does not display hole layout. Some Bluetooth issues reported.

SkyCaddie LX5
SkyCaddie
LX5
Check Price
Best Screen
Bottom Line

From a well-known name comes one of the most detailed displays on a golf watch available.

Pros

Big, bright, Full HD graphic display with highly detailed course and hole maps with directionality and zoom. Shows FMB distances for greens on over 35,000 worldwide courses. Includes score and step tracking.

Cons

Smartwatch features are not up to par. Best with Sky Caddie subscription.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

36
Models
Considered
75
Consumers
Consulted
8
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best golf watches

For anyone who enjoys hitting the links, a game of golf is the perfect way to spend an afternoon, but it can be pretty frustrating, too. If your skills aren’t progressing as quickly as you’d like, a golf watch can help you improve your game while having a little more fun on the green.

Equipped with GPS, a golf watch can provide a wide variety of helpful readings that can shave strokes off your score. But there are so many models on the market that choosing the right one can be difficult.

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Many golfers find that they can shave a few strokes off their score within the first few games they play using a golf watch.

What is a golf watch?

Like many modern fitness trackers, a golf watch is a piece of wearable technology. However, unlike other trackers that provide general readings for sports and fitness activities, a golf watch is designed specifically to maximize performance on the links.

It does most of the things that any fitness tracker can do, such as alerting you about calls and messages on your phone, but it can also map out the course, alert you to possible obstacles, provide accurate distance measurements, and keep track of the score, all from the convenience of your wrist.

Golf watch benefits

There are plenty of reasons why a golf watch is handy on the course.

  • Helps lower your handicap: Because a golf watch can help you improve your game, you’ll be able to shoot better scores.

  • Offers course distances: With GPS, a golf watch can provide accurate distances from your location on the course to the next green. That means you don’t have to guess before you take your shot.

  • Provides insight for hard-to-see shots: If you hit your ball into a spot that doesn’t provide a clear view of the green, a golf watch can help you find out exactly where you need to aim.

  • Allows you to play more efficiently: A golf watch provides accurate course distances and insights about where to hit the ball so you can play more quickly.

  • Helps you make the most of your clubs: Your golf watch can keep track of how far you hit the ball with each club, so you’ll always know the best club for a particular shot.

  • Lets you track your progress: A golf watch keeps score and tracks other game statistics for you, allowing you to analyze your play after the game and track how your skills are improving.

Golf watch features to consider

Operating system

The first thing to consider when choosing a golf watch is whether it works with your smartphone’s operating system. Nearly all golf watches work with both the Apple iOS and Android, but you’ll have fewer options if you have a phone that runs Windows OS. Read the product specifications carefully to make sure that the watch will work with your phone.

Band/strap

For the most comfort, you want a golf watch with a lightweight, flexible band or strap. Most watches feature rubberized bands that have a soft feel but provide just enough texture to keep the face from moving around as you play. Some manufacturers offer bands in different sizes, so be sure to check the sizing chart to find the option that will be most comfortable for your wrist.

Bluetooth

Nearly all golf watches are equipped with Bluetooth, so you can wirelessly transmit the data to your phone. Pay attention to the Bluetooth range of any model that you’re considering, so you know how close your phone has to be to connect properly.

Battery life

Golf watches usually run on a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery that can last for over a week before needing to be recharged. However, the battery drains more quickly when you enable the GPS mode to receive information about the course you’re on, meaning it will likely last only 10 to 15 hours on a charge. That’s usually enough time for a weekend full of golf games, but make sure to choose a model with a battery that can last through your usual golfing schedule.

Screen

Many golf watches have a basic digital or LCD screen with buttons that act as controls and allow you to scan through the menus. Higher-end models usually have a color touchscreen for even easier navigation. If you opt for a touchscreen golf watch, look for one that can be used even if you’re wearing gloves.

Anti-glare

Sunny days are great for golf, so it’s important to find a watch with an anti-glare screen so you can read it even if the sun is particularly bright.

Water resistance

While you obviously won’t be swimming while wearing your golf watch, it’s a good idea to choose a model that offers some water resistance. It enables you to play in inclement weather without worrying about your watch getting damaged.

Preloaded courses and updates

Most golf watches come preloaded with over 30,000 course maps from around the world, so you’ll always know the layout no matter where you play. Check that any model you’re considering features the courses you play most often.

Many golf watches also enable loading free updates on the courses to make sure that you always have the most up-to-date course information when you play.

Green distances

A golf watch can provide the distances for the front, middle, and/or back of the green for the course that you’re playing to help you select the proper club for each shot. Look for a model that offers the most complete information possible to help you improve your game.

Accelerometer

To verify the accuracy of the distances a golf watch provides, look for a model with an accelerometer to measure the speed of your swing. This helps calculate distance even if there are issues with the GPS.

Green view

In addition to distance information, some golf watches offer a view of the green on the screen. This allows you to get a better sense of the layout, so you know what type of shot to take on each hole.

Hazard detection

Most golf watches include a hazard detection feature that alerts you to water hazards and sand traps on the course, with the distance to them, so you can avoid them more easily.

Automatic scoring

Many golf watches feature automatic scoring to make it easier to keep track of your game. They also record how far you’ve hit the ball and how many shots you’ve taken, so you don’t have to manually keep score with pencil and paper.

Performance analysis

Most golf watches come with a coordinating smartphone app that stores your game and play data. This enables you to study your previous games to evaluate how well you played and determine what areas need improvement.

Notifications

Some golf watches are equipped with smart notifications that alert you when you receive a text, email, or call on your phone. This feature enables you to stay in touch with friends and family when you’re on the course without having to take your phone out of your bag.

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Did you know?
Most golf watches are water resistant to a depth of 50 meters, so you’ll have no issue wearing yours when you play in the rain.
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Golf watch prices

Golf watches typically range in price based on the type of display and features they offer. In most cases, you’ll pay between $100 and $300 for a golf watch.

Inexpensive

A golf watch with an LCD or digital screen that provides basic features like GPS, course maps, and hazard detection usually costs between $100 and $150.

Mid-range

A golf watch with a touchscreen that provides all the basic features, as well as some advanced features like a green view and accelerometer, usually costs between $150 and $225.

Expensive

A golf watch with a touchscreen that provides all the basic features, as well as a full range of advanced features like a green view, accelerometer, automatic scoring, and performance analysis, usually costs between $225 and $300.

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Some golf watches use GPS to automatically detect what your golf course you’re on.

FAQ

Q. What’s the difference between a golf watch and a fitness tracker?

A. Fitness trackers are designed to track multiple sports, so one can certainly be used to track your golf game. However, it doesn’t offer all the same features as a dedicated golf watch, such as an automatic scoring system. Golf watches may include a pedometer to count steps, but they don’t keep track of advanced statistics for other sports. If you play multiple sports, a fitness tracker may be the best option, but if you only play golf, opt for a model specifically designed for the sport.

Q. Can a golf watch distinguish between practice shots and game shots?

A. Some golf watches may mistakenly count a practice shot in your game score, but most models are able to use GPS to determine where you take your swing. If you take multiple shots in the same spot, the unit usually only records the most recent swing to keep an accurate score.

Q. Will a golf watch fit a woman’s wrist?

A. Most golf watches have adjustable bands that allow you to loosen or tighten them as necessary. Women or anyone with a smaller wrist can comfortably wear a golf watch, though they might have to wear the band on the tightest or smallest setting.