Here's the thing about the S70: it packs more golf features than you'd expect from something sitting on your wrist. The watch gives you distances to over 43,000 courses worldwide, which means you can play pretty much anywhere and still know exactly how far you are from the pin. That's like having a local caddie at every course you visit!
The 1.4-inch touchscreen display shows everything clearly, even in bright sunlight. You know how frustrating it is when you can't see your phone screen on a sunny day? Well, Garmin fixed that problem here. The screen stays readable whether you're playing at dawn or high noon.
Experience luxury on the greens with the Garmin Approach S70, a premium GPS golf watch blending high-end design and cutting-edge tech for pros.
Right out of the box, the S70 feels different. I went with the 47mm version because, well, my wrists aren't exactly dainty, and the first thing that hits you is that AMOLED display. It's gorgeous. I mean, genuinely stunning in a way that makes every other golf watch I've tested look dated. The colors pop, the text is crisp, and even in direct sunlight on the brightest summer days, I never found myself squinting or shading the watch to see distances. The new Emerald touchscreen technology replaces the outdated display of the S62, nearly doubling the resolution for incredible clarity.
The build quality feels premium too – more smartwatch than sports watch, if that makes sense. It's rated for 5 ATM water resistance, which means I haven't worried about it during those inevitable Florida afternoon downpours. The touchscreen is responsive (almost too responsive at first), and maneuvering through menus feels more like using a tiny smartphone than the button-mashing exercise of older models. The watch's tapered edges are a thoughtful design touch that prevents any interference with your swing, something I definitely noticed coming from bulkier models.
I've tested a lot of golf tech that promises to be your "virtual caddie," and most of it is about as helpful as that guy in your foursome who insists you should hit driver on every hole. The S70's Virtual Caddie feature is different. After playing five rounds with it (yes, you need to feed it data first), it started making suggestions that actually made sense.
Here's what blew me away: on my home course's notorious 14th hole – a dogleg right with water all along the right side – the watch suggested I aim left of my usual target and club down to a 3-wood. Why? It had analyzed my shot patterns and realized I tend to push my driver under pressure. It knew the wind was coming from the right that day. It was calculated that a 3-wood would leave me 140 yards out instead of 125, but with a much better angle and almost zero chance of finding water. The Virtual Caddie leverages real-time wind data to automatically adjust shot distances based on current conditions, making club recommendations more accurate than ever.
I listened. I stripped it. I made birdie.
The watch doesn't just tell you distances anymore – it shows you where you typically miss, overlays your shot dispersion patterns on the hole layout, and factors in altitude changes and wind. It's like having a caddie who's watched every shot you've hit and actually remembers them. The lively overlays showing your typical drive distances and dispersion areas have changed how I think about course management. Instead of always trying to bomb it, I'm playing to my actual patterns, not the ones I wish I had.
Let me back up and talk about what might be the S70's most impressive party trick – the course maps. If you're coming from an S44 or S50, prepare to have your mind blown. These aren't the basic overhead layouts you're used to. We're talking full-color, detailed maps that show individual trees, bunker edges, water hazard boundaries, and – this is huge – actual green contours.
The touchscreen maneuvering is intuitive. Swipe to move around the hole, tap to set a target, pinch to zoom. It's smooth, responsive, and actually useful during play. I can tap on a specific bunker and get the exact distance to carry it. I can see which side of the fairway gives me the best angle into tucked pins. On approach shots, those green contours have saved me countless three-putts by showing me where the real trouble spots are.
But here's what really sets it apart: the play-like distances. The watch doesn't just tell you it's 150 yards to the pin; it tells you it plays like 163 because of the altitude change and that 12 mph headwind. For someone who's always struggled with club selection on elevated greens (looking at you, every course in North Carolina), this feature alone has probably shaved two strokes off my average score.
The touch-targeting capability means I can tap anywhere on the hole and get an exact distance. Trying to lay up to your favorite number? Tap that spot in the fairway. Want to know how far it is to clear that creek that's not marked as a hazard? Tap it. It's the kind of functionality that makes you wonder how you ever played without it.
I've tried every shot tracking system out there. The ones that require tags on every club. The ones that need sensors in your grips. The ones that demand you pull out your phone after every shot. They all have one thing in common – they're a pain to use consistently. The S70's built-in shot tracking just... works.
You hit your shot, walk to your ball, and the watch has already logged it. No buttons to press, no clubs to tap, nothing to remember. It's not perfect – sometimes it misses a chip or a putt if you're moving too quickly – but it's accurate enough that I actually use it every round. If you want even more precision, you can pair it with Garmin's CT10 sensors, but honestly, I haven't felt the need.
The post-round analysis in the Garmin Golf app is where this data becomes gold. I can see my actual distances with each club (spoiler: I don't hit my 7-iron as far as I thought), identify weaknesses in my game with real data, and track improvements over time. Last month, I realized I was losing an average of 1.5 strokes per round from 50-75 yards out. That's not a guess or a feeling – that's hard data. Guess what I've been practicing?
The round editing feature in the app deserves a mention, too. If the watch missed a shot or recorded something incorrectly, you can fix it afterward. You can add penalty strokes, move shot locations, and even add notes about conditions or what went wrong. It's turned my post-round beer into a productive debrief session (okay, somewhat productive).
Here's something I didn't expect to care about: the S70 is legitimately great as an everyday smartwatch. The heart rate monitoring, blood oxygen tracking, stress levels, sleep tracking – it's all there, and it all works well. I've found myself wearing it constantly, not just for golf.
The multisport GPS tracking has been a pleasant surprise. I've used it for cycling, running, and even swimming (yes, it handles the pool just fine). The exercise guidance right on the watch means I don't need to bring my phone to the gym. The smartphone notifications keep me connected without being intrusive. And Garmin Pay? I've actually used it more than I thought I would, especially at the turn when I don't want to dig out my wallet.
For someone who plays 2-3 times a week and tries to stay active between rounds, having one device that handles everything is huge. The battery life is solid too – I'm getting about 5-6 days of regular use with one round of golf, which beats constantly charging an Apple Watch. My only gripe? Still no wireless charging or USB-C. Come on, Garmin, it's 2024.
Experience luxury on the greens with the Garmin Approach S70, a premium GPS golf watch blending high-end design and cutting-edge tech for pros.
Yes, you can wear your S70 while swimming or showering. Its 5 ATM water resistance rating means it'll handle shower water, rain, and recreational swimming in pools or calm water just fine. You shouldn't plunge with it or use it for high-speed watersports, though. After swimming, especially in chlorinated or salt water, rinse it with fresh water and dry it completely before charging to maintain the seals.
Yes, you'll find the watch works excellently on international golf courses. It comes preloaded with over 43,000 full-color CourseView maps worldwide and auto-detects courses via satellite wherever you're playing. You can download updates for courses globally through the Garmin Golf App, and it supports both yards and meters. The GPS features, PlaysLike distance calculations, and auto-hole detection function effectively on compatible courses worldwide, not just in the United States.
You'll receive CourseView updates about three times yearly, typically in spring, summer, and fall. Each update bundles thousands of courses from Garmin's database of over 43,000 golf courses worldwide. New courses and redesigns are added periodically, though timing depends on when clubs submit changes and Garmin's release schedule. Starting in 2025, you'll get more frequent single-course updates through the Garmin Golf app, reducing delays for recently renovated courses.
No, you can't easily replace the battery yourself. The Approach S70's internal lithium-ion battery isn't designed for user replacement. You'd need to open the sealed watch housing, remove multiple screws, and handle delicate connectors - risking damage or voiding your warranty. Since Garmin doesn't provide DIY instructions and the process requires specific tools and technical know-how, you'll need to send it to an authorized service center when battery replacement becomes necessary.
Yes, you'll find the Garmin Approach S70 works with both Android and iPhone devices. You'll need to pair it through the Garmin Golf app rather than your phone's standard Bluetooth settings. Android users get extra features like replying to texts directly from the watch, while iPhone users can view but not respond to messages. Both platforms support notifications, weather updates, and automatic syncing when you're within Bluetooth range.
So, is the Garmin Approach S70 worth the investment? If you're a serious golfer who plays at least once a week and values having every possible advantage on the course, absolutely. This isn't just an incremental upgrade – it's a legitimate leap forward in golf wearable technology. The combination of the brilliant display, intelligent shot recommendations, and thorough health tracking makes it the most complete golf watch I've tested.
But let's be real – if you're a casual golfer who plays once a month and just needs basic yardages, save your money and grab an S44. If you already have an S62 and it's working fine, the upgrade is nice but not crucial unless you really want that AMOLED display and Virtual Caddie feature. However, if you're coming from an older model or a different brand, or if you're someone who obsesses over course management and shot data like I do, the S70 is the best golf watch on the market right now. Period.
