Right out of the box, you'll notice this GPS feels different from your typical golf gadget. The G20 weighs just 5.2 ounces, which means it's lighter than most smartphones you're carrying around. When you clip it to your belt or toss it in your cart, you barely know it's there. The 2.6-inch color touchscreen might seem small at first, but here's the thing: it's actually the perfect size for quick glances between shots.
You don't need to be a tech wizard to get this thing running. Turn it on, wait about 30 seconds for it to find satellites, and boom, you're ready to play. The G20 comes preloaded with over 41,000 golf courses worldwide. That means whether you're playing your local municipal course or visiting Pebble Beach, chances are it's already in there. No downloads, no subscriptions, no hassle.
Unlock your best game with the Garmin Approach G20 GPS, a top portable golf device delivering precise distances, easy setup, and pro-level insights. Perfect for every golfer seeking an edge on the course.
Let me illustrate my typical golf GPS experience: charge it Friday night, play Saturday and Sunday, then panic when it dies on the back nine of my Monday twilight round. Sound familiar? The G20 eliminates this anxiety, and honestly, it's more liberating than I expected.
Garmin claims 180 hours of GPS use without any solar input. In my testing, playing four rounds a week, I got about 165 hours – close enough that I'm not complaining. But here's where it gets interesting: with even moderate sunlight (we're talking partly cloudy days in Ohio), the solar panel keeps this thing topped off indefinitely. I haven't plugged it into the USB-C charger in six weeks. The official specs promise up to 36 rounds with limited sunlight exposure, which aligns perfectly with my real-world experience. Incredibly, just 5 minutes of direct sunlight can add approximately 19 minutes of battery life to the device.
The solar page shows you exactly how much juice you're getting in real-time, measured in lux. Direct sunlight hits about 75,000 lux and keeps the battery at 100%. Even on overcast days, around 20,000 lux, I'm gaining charge faster than I'm using it. During a particularly gloomy week in March, it ultimately started dropping, but even then, I had days of battery left.
What really sold me was a buddy trip to Pinehurst in July. Five rounds in three days, 95-degree heat, and I never once thought about battery life. My playing partners were scrambling for chargers in the hotel room while my G20 just sat on the dashboard, solar panel up, ready for the next day. That's when I realized this wasn't a gimmick; it was solving a real problem.
Here's where opinions will vary, and I get it. The 1.3" x 1.7" monochrome screen feels prehistoric compared to the gorgeous color displays on devices like the Bushnell Phantom 3 or even Garmin's own Approach watches. But after extensive use, I've come to appreciate what Garmin did here.
Initially, the readability in direct sunlight is exceptional. The 240 x 320 pixel resolution might sound low, but on this small screen with high contrast, numbers are crisp and clear. I can read yardages from my cart without picking up the device, something I struggle with on my color GPS watch when the sun hits it wrong.
The interface is stripped down to fundamentals: front, center, and back of green distances dominate the screen. You can adjust pin position with simple button presses, and hazard distances appear as a scrollable list below. There's a "big numbers" mode that makes the primary yardage even larger (perfect for us over-40 crowd who left our readers in the car). The physical buttons ensure reliable operation even in wet conditions or when wearing gloves, unlike touchscreen models.
What you won't get is a full course map showing the hole layout, hazard positions, or that satisfying aerial view of the dogleg you're about to attack. For some golfers, this is a deal-breaker. For me? After the novelty of pretty maps wore off on other devices, I realized I mostly just need accurate yardages. The G20 delivers those perfectly.
The way the G20 handles hazards took some getting used to, and I'll be honest – it's not perfect. Instead of showing hazards on a map, you get what Garmin calls a "timeline" view. Imagine a vertical list showing distances to hazards in the order you'll encounter them from tee to green.
On a straightforward hole with a bunker at 220 yards and water at 250, this works fine. You scroll down, see "Bunker: 220 Front / 235 Back" and "Water: 250 Front / 265 Carry" and you're golden. But on a hole with multiple hazards scattered left and right? It gets confusing fast. The device might show "Left Bunker: 180" followed by "Right Water: 195," but without a visual reference, you're doing mental gymnastics to visualize the hole layout.
I've learned to work around this limitation by combining the G20's distances with my course knowledge or a glance at the scorecard map. Is it ideal? No. But once you understand what you're looking at, the information is accurate and useful. The yardages to hazard fronts and carries have been accurate compared to my laser rangefinder checks.
For golfers who play the same courses regularly, this becomes less of an issue over time. You know where the hazards are; you just need the number. But if you're playing new courses frequently or relying on your GPS for course strategy, this timeline approach might frustrate you.
Let's talk about what matters most: accuracy. I've spot-checked the G20 against my Bushnell Tour V5 laser rangefinder on dozens of approach shots, and the GPS distances are consistently within 2-3 yards. That's plenty accurate for club selection, especially considering factors like wind and lie that affect distance more than a 2-yard variance.
The device comes preloaded with over 43,000 courses worldwide. I've played 18 different courses with it across Ohio, Michigan, and North Carolina, including some pretty obscure municipal tracks, and every one was in the database. Course updates happen through the Garmin Golf app, which also enables some nice extras like wind speed and direction (though you need your phone for this).
One feature I didn't expect to use but now love: the magnetic attachment system. The magnet on the back is strong enough to stick to cart frames, and the belt clip has its own magnetic closure. I typically clip it to my bag's ball pocket, but when riding, I just slap it on the cart's frame near the steering wheel. No more GPS devices flying off when I hit a bump.
The IPX7 water resistance has been tested inadvertently several times (thanks, Ohio weather), including one complete downpour where I forgot it was clipped to my bag overnight. Still works perfectly. The operating temperature range of -20º to 60ºC means it handles everything from frosty November rounds to August heat without issues.
Unlock your best game with the Garmin Approach G20 GPS, a top portable golf device delivering precise distances, easy setup, and pro-level insights. Perfect for every golfer seeking an edge on the course.
Yes, you can use the Garmin Approach G20 outside the United States. It's preloaded with over 43,000 courses worldwide and works anywhere with GPS satellite coverage. You'll get accurate yardages to greens, hazards, and doglegs globally. The device doesn't require region-specific activation and pairs with the Garmin Golf app internationally for wireless updates. Just verify that your desired international course is included and check local regulations about electronic device use on courses.
You'll get up to 180 hours of battery life in GPS-only mode without solar charging, which equals about 36 rounds of golf on a single charge. With solar charging in ideal conditions (75,000 lux), you can achieve unlimited battery life when playing in direct sunlight. Even just a couple of hours of sunlight can add several hours to your battery. The actual duration depends on your usage patterns and environmental factors.
You'll find the device is water-resistant with an IPX7 rating, not fully waterproof. It can handle rain, splashes, and even accidental drops in shallow water - surviving immersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. You're protected during typical wet golf conditions and rainstorms, but don't submerge it for extended periods. The sealed construction keeps internal components safe from water damage while maintaining GPS functionality in challenging weather.
Yes, you can update course maps after purchase. You'll connect your Approach G20 to a computer using the USB cable and update through Garmin Express software, which lets you download all available courses or select specific regions. Alternatively, you can use the Garmin Golf app on your smartphone for automatic updates of frequently played courses. Both methods guarantee you'll always have the latest course data for accurate yardages and hazard information.
No, it doesn't work with Garmin Connect. You'll need to use the Garmin Golf app exclusively for all your golf data, scorecards, and statistics. The G20 pairs specifically with Garmin Golf via Bluetooth, giving you access to over 43,000 courses, tournaments, and leaderboards. Unfortunately, you can't integrate it with other popular golf apps like 18Birdies or Golfshot either. The device's functionality is enhanced solely for Garmin's proprietary golf ecosystem.
So, is the Approach G20 for everyone? Definitely not. If you're a golfer who loves analyzing hole layouts, checking elevation changes, or getting detailed green undulation data, you'll be disappointed. This isn't trying to replace your smartphone or compete with feature-packed GPS watches.
But if you're like me, someone who primarily wants accurate yardages, plays frequently enough that charging becomes a hassle, and values simplicity over bells and whistles, the G20 is brilliant. It's perfect for the golfer who leaves their GPS clipped to their bag year-round, ready for spontaneous rounds. It's ideal for buddy trips where you're playing 36 holes a day and don't want to think about battery life. And it's fantastic for anyone who's killed a GPS mid-round and had to guess yardages on the back nine (we've all been there).
After three months of use, the G20 has earned a permanent position in my bag. Yes, I keep my color GPS watch for courses I've never played where I want the full mapping experience. But for my regular rounds, local tournaments, and especially multi-day golf trips, the G20's combination of perpetual power and dead-simple operation is exactly what I need. Sometimes the best technology is the kind you never have to think about.
