Contents
- What to Consider When Buying a Golf GPS Watch
- Best Overall GPS Watch – Garmin Approach S70 GPS Watch
- Best Luxury Golf GPS Watch – Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Smartwatch
- Best Golf GPS and Tracker Combo – Shotscope X5 GPS Watch
- Best Fitness GPS Golf Watch – Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Edition GPS Watch
- Editor’s Choice – Bushnell iOn Elite GPS Watch
- Best Golf GPS Display – Skytrak LX5 GPS Watch
- Best Golf GPS Watch for Most People – Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch
- Best Value Golf GPS Watch – Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch
- Best Golf GPS Under $350 – Voice Caddie T9 Hybrid Golf GPS Watch
- Best Golf GPS Watch Under $300 – Garmin Approach S42 Golf GPS Watch
- Best Golf GPS Watch Under $200 – Golf Buddy Aim W11 Golf GPS Watch
- Best Golf GPS Watch Under $150 – Garmin Approach S10 Golf GPS Watch
- Best Golf GPS Watch Under $100 – TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS Watch
- Final Thoughts on the Best Golf GPS Watches for 2024
Updated January 2024 to add the Bushnell Ion Elite Golf Watch Review.
GPS golf watches have come a long way since they first came out a couple decades ago. I still remember the very first one I had, and thinking how cool it was that it gave me distances to the front, middle and back of every green after I manually downloaded the course I was playing.
My how times have changed. The GPS watches of today not only give you yardages, but they don’t require course downloads, and are capable of a whole lot more.
I spent a good part of this year testing different GPS watches and I’ve compiled a list of what I consider to be the Best Golf GPS Watches below.
Let’s dive in for a closer look.
What to Consider When Buying a Golf GPS Watch
As advanced as GPS watches have become, there are a lot of things you should consider as you’re making your buying decision.
The first is budget. I say this about every piece of golf equipment, but it’s true. The most advanced GPS watches are going to set you back several hundred dollars. But there are also cheaper options out there that more than get the job done. If you have your eyes on a particular GPS watch, just make sure it’s one you can afford.
Accuracy is next on the list of considerations. Believe it or not, some of the GPS watches I tested this year weren’t nearly as accurate as they claimed to be. If you can, test the GPS watch you’re thinking about buying out on the course. Another good resource are the many online forums where golfers share their experience with golf products. You can read honest consumer reviews and get an idea of what’s hot and what’s not.
Like I said, the GPS watches of today have all sorts of different features beyond just basic yardages. Do you want the ability to track shot data and stats? What about fitness data points? Before you buy a GPS watch, look at all the different features it has and ask yourself how important they are to you.
You’ve got to look to play good, so the saying goes. Modern GPS watches come in different styles and designs, so be sure to pick one you feel good wearing. This comes entirely down to personal preference.
Alright, now that we’ve tackled the different considerations you need to take into account when buying a GPS watch, let’s have a look at the very best ones for 2023.
Best Overall GPS Watch – Garmin Approach S70 GPS Watch
After testing the Garmin Approach S70 GPS watch, there was no question I was going to put it at the top of the list as the best overall GPS watch in 2023.
This watch comes preloaded with more than 43,000 courses which means you’ll never have to worry about downloading a new course unless you’re playing on another planet.
The virtual caddie feature is really cool too. After you’ve played a few rounds and the GPS has collected your shot data, it will suggest clubs you should hit from different yardages. While this isn’t a perfect science, it takes a lot of guesswork out of the equation.
Unlike a lot of GPS watches that only help you on full shots, the Approach S70 has a mode that shows you all the slopes on the green. This not only helps you better plan your approach shots, but it makes reading putts a lot easier.
Even more, when you pair the Approach S70 with the Garmin Golf app, you get access to all sorts of additional statistical data including health and fitness metrics.
The Garmin Approach S70 is the real deal. If you like lots of information and the latest and greatest in terms of tech, this is the watch for you.
Global Golf - U.S.
Amazon.com
Worldwide Golf Shops
PlayBetter.com
Best Luxury Golf GPS Watch – Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Smartwatch
If you have an appreciation for the finer things in life, chances are you’re familiar with the brand Tag Heuer. They make some of the most sought-after watches in the world.
They’ve recently come out with the Calibre E4 golf smartwatch.
This watch comes preloaded with some 40,000 courses and it gives you 2-D full-color maps of every hole. Simply by using your finger, you can pinpoint exact yardages to all the important spots on a given hole like doglegs, hazards, and precise hole locations.
For an even larger display, all you have to do is pair the E4 with your smartphone.
This watch also has the ability to track your shot data and store it over time. You can even share this data with your friends and instructor.
Lastly, you’ll want to download the Tag Heuer Golf app. It gives you access to a bevy of additional features that give you keen insight into your game.
This watch is on the expensive side, but it’s definitely worth it if you can afford it.
PGA TOUR Superstore
Best Golf GPS and Tracker Combo – Shotscope X5 GPS Watch
In recent years, Shotscope is a brand that’s garnered a lot of attention for making accurate and reliable GPS watches.
Their all-new XG GPS watch is really cool. It comes with thousands of preloaded courses, which shouldn’t come as a surprise.
What I like most about the X5 is its shot tracking capability. The watch comes with tracking tags that attach to the end of your grips. As you swing, these tags track all the key data points which are then stored on the free mobile app and accessed via the online dashboard. I’ve found this feature incredibly easy to use, and it’s done wonders in helping me identify strengths and weaknesses in my game.
In terms of navigation, the X5 is accurate to within a single yard.
Greenview mode also gives you a detailed map of all the high and low points on every green.
The Shotscope X5 GPS watch is the complete package. But don’t take my word for it, give it a try for yourself to see why.
Fairway Styles
shotscope.com/
playbetter.com
Best Fitness GPS Golf Watch – Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Edition GPS Watch
For golfers that take not only their game, but fitness seriously, there’s no better watch than the Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar GPS watch.
Concerning golf, this watch has more than 42,000 preloaded courses and its different modes let you see the course from up ahead, a bird’s eye view, and even topographic maps. And guess what, these topo maps even include more than 2,000 of the finest ski resorts in the world.
From a fitness perspective, this watch does it all. It curtails daily fitness routines based on your individual metrics and goals.
Activity-specific modes include those for swimming, biking, rowing, running, skiing, and surfing to name a few.
I’ve spent a lot of time with this watch and will fully endorse its wide array of functions and reliability.
Editor’s Choice – Bushnell iOn Elite GPS Watch
Ever since the advent of golf GPS watches, Bushnell has been a name that golfers trust.
Their all-new iOn Elite GPS watch comes preloaded with more than 38,000 courses.
But one of the things I like most about this watch is that it gives you not just flat-line yardages, but slope-adjusted yardages as well. This makes club selection a whole lot easier.
Additional features include Hole View, Green View, and Dynamic Green Mapping which give you an in-depth look at the entire course and take the guesswork out of course management.
I highly recommend downloading the Bushnell Golf app when you purchase the iON Elite. When you do, you gain access to all kinds of additional information that will help you improve and shoot lower scores.
Lastly, I love how functional this GPS watch is to use. Even though it has a ton of useful features and capabilities, finding your way around the system is easy.
At just $199.99, this watch gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
| Price history for Bushnell iON Elite GPS Watch 7003515 - Black | |
|---|---|
|
Latest updates:
|
|
Best Golf GPS Display – Skytrak LX5 GPS Watch
One of things I noticed as I tested different GPS watches this year was that the display was a lot clearer on some than it was on others. By far, the most vivid display was that of the Skytrak LX5 GPS watch.
It measures 1.39” across, and it’s super bright and easy to read no matter the lighting conditions.
But this watch also stacks up in terms of tech and features.
Hole View and IntelliGreen Imagery make it easy to see even the smallest details on every hole. You can even zoom in and pan out on key points of interest.
The LX5 also tracks basic fitness features like your steps and heart rate.
Between the graphics, on-course features, and ease of use, the Skytrak LX5 is one of the most complete GPS watches in 2023.
Best Golf GPS Watch for Most People – Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch
The majority of golfers in the Golfer’s Authority family don’t want to break the bank when it comes to their golf equipment, but they expect quality at the same time.
That’s why the Garmin Approach S62 gets my vote as the best GPS watch for most people this year.
This watch gives you both flat-line and slope-adjusted yardages on more than 41,000 preloaded courses.
The virtual caddie feature is also really neat. All of your shot data is tracked with Garmin’s Approach CT10 tracking sensors that attach to the end of your grips and the AutoShot analyzer. Not only does this feature give you in-depth insight into your game, but it makes club selection super easy.
When you pair the S62 with the Garmin Golf app, you can play in tournaments with other Garmin users and even get access to advanced statistics like strokes gained.
Last but certainly not least, you can shop for customizable watch faces in the Connect IQ store.
The Garmin Approach S62 has enough features to help you get the most out of your golf game, but not so many that it’s confusing to use. For the everyday golfer, this GPS watch is a great choice.
Playbetter.com
Best Value Golf GPS Watch – Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch
For golfers on a budget, the Garmin Approach S12 GPS watch is the best choice in 2023.
This watch has a lot of the same features as the S62 including interactive tournament play and shot tracking.
One of the features I really like is electronic scoring. It eliminates the hassle of keeping track of a paper scorecard and a pencil.
The battery life is impressive too. A single charge lasts for up to 30 hours.
Simple, reliable, accurate, and affordable, there’s no going wrong with the Garmin Approach S12.
Best Golf GPS Under $350 – Voice Caddie T9 Hybrid Golf GPS Watch
Voice Caddie may not have the recognition of brands like Bushnell or Garmin, but that’s changing quickly.
The all new T9 Hybrid GPS watch has a full-color touchscreen that provides golfers slope-adjusted yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green. For more precise yardages, just use your finger to designate your point of interest.
The Active Green feature gives you a detailed account of the slopes on every green so you can more precisely plan your approach and short game shots.
On the green, Putt View mode gives you a colored map of the greens undulations so you can read putts with ultimate confidence.
On the driving range, I love the T9’s Tempo mode. It makes it easy to establish the rhythm and timing of my swing.
For the price you pay and what you get, the Voice Caddie T9 Hybrid GPS watch isn’t to be overlooked.
Worldwide Golf Shops
Best Golf GPS Watch Under $300 – Garmin Approach S42 Golf GPS Watch
It’s hard to believe, but Garmin once again makes its way onto our list with the Approach S42 GPS watch.
More than 42,000 preloaded courses show up on this crystal clear 1.2” full-color display.
On every hole, you get front, middle, and back of green yardages, as well as those to hazards, bunkers, and other strategic points.
Just like the other Garmin watches on our list, the S42 uses Shot Analyzer and CT10 sensors to track all your shot data.
With the Garmin Golf app, you’ll gain access to strokes gained statistics and the ability to compete in friendly competitions with other users.
Concerning fitness, the S42 tracks stats like steps, sleep, and calories burned.
The S42 gives you a lot for a modest price.
Best Golf GPS Watch Under $200 – Golf Buddy Aim W11 Golf GPS Watch
Golf Buddy’s Aim W11 GPS watch is a great value at under $200.
While it might not have all the fancy bells and whistles like some of the other watches on our list, it has more than enough to get you around the course accurately and efficiently.
You get yardages to the front, middle, and back of every green, as well as to doglegs and hazards.
If you want more precise yardages, just toggle your finder on the 1.3” LCD screen.
With more than 40,000 preloaded courses, it’s easy to just plug in and play with the Golf Buddy Aim W11 GPS watch.
3balls.com
Best Golf GPS Watch Under $150 – Garmin Approach S10 Golf GPS Watch
Out of the Garmin family, the Approach S10 is the most affordable GPS watch.
One of the things I like most about this watch is its auto recognition feature. While a lot of GPS watches require you to manually change holes as you progress through your round, the S10 always knows exactly where you’re at.
You automatically get yardages to hazards, doglegs, and the front, middle, and back of every green.
Electronic scoring eliminates the need for a scorecard and pencil.
Just like every Garmin watch you can compete in tournaments with other Garmin users when you pair the S10 with the Garmin Golf app.
I love the S10’s simplicity and reliability. I think you will too.
Best Golf GPS Watch Under $100 – TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS Watch
For the golfer on a really tight budget, the TecTecTec ULT-G GPS watch is your best bet.
It gives you accurate yardages to the front, middle, and back of every green.
The oversized 2.4” display is incredibly easy to read too.
Basic, but useful and affordable, there’s nothing wrong with the ULT-G GPS watch from TecTecTec.
Final Thoughts on the Best Golf GPS Watches for 2024
Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch Review
Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Smartwatch
Shotscope X5 GPS Watch
Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Edition GPS Watch
Bushnell Ion Elite Golf Watch Review
GPS watches are here to stay in the game of golf. Every year, they become more and more technologically advanced and diverse.
This year is no exception, and there’s a plethora of different watches to choose from.
As long as you budget appropriately, know the features and functions you’re looking for, and do some of your own research ahead of time, I’m confident you’ll find the GPS watch that’s best for your game.
When you do, you’ll have more fun and shoot lower scores.
