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Best GPS Golf Watch

A Caddy for your Wrist: The Best Golf GPS Watches

If you’re like most golfers, you’re always looking for ways to improve any aspect of your golf game. Whether it’s buying the latest clubs, getting lessons, or researching blogs like this to find the tip that can help you. 

While all those can help, let’s not forget about showing up prepared to course. The more information you have about each hole can help you create a plan on each tee box, avoid trouble, and shoot lower scores.

One way to do that is with a golf GPS watch.

Since not every course has a traditional yardage book or GPS in their carts, a scorecard isn’t enough. You need more information to help you navigate each shot and choose the right club.

Best Golf Watch

Best Golf GPS Watch

A golf GPS watch is one of the best accessories to help you do just that. A golf watch is like a caddy on your wrist that is there to ease your mind and make the game just a little bit easier.

But if you’ve done any research, you might have found that there are so many choices on the market. To help you navigate the market like a watch does the course, use this guide to make the buying decision easier. When you’re done reading this post you will:

  • Learn the best GPS watch for any budget. 
  • Figure out if you should use a GPS watch or handheld device.
  • Have a clear understanding of what to look for in a GPS watch to make the buying decision easy.

Key Takeaways

  • Golf watches are a great alternative to a laser rangefinder as they provide more details about the hole – including front/middle/back distances and hole overviews.
  • Some modern golf GPS watches also include more details such as slope, wind speed, temperature, and more to provide more accurate distances.
  • Some watches come with an app – like the Garmin Golf App – which can provide more details on or off the course with health/activity tracking.

Golf watches are a great way to learn more about your game and improve your overall health.

Here are our top picks to improve your golf watch game:

1. Garmin Approach S70 Golf GPS Watch

In the quest for the best golf watch it’s hard to beat the S70 from Garmin. They have a myriad of watches with Golf GPS features and other health/fitness features as well. Plus, ith as a long battery life in GPS mode and standard mode.

Garmin Approach S70, 47mm, Premium GPS Golf Watch, Black

Features of the Garmin Approach S70

  • Easy to read in direct sunlight.
  • Available in two sizes (42 mm or 47 mm).
  • Green contour data (with the paid Garmin golf app).
  • 43,000 golf courses around the world (with regular updates).
  • AutoShot round analyzer tracks distance and pairs with the Approach CT10 sensors.
  • Virtual caddie features. This is a huge perk as it provides club recommendations on wind speed and direction. Plus elevation and even a shot dispersion chart to show what hazards could come into play based on past shots.
  • Impressive health features. This gps golf watch has everything you need to reach your health and fitness goals. It measures everything from heart rate, stress tracking, sleep score, hydration tracking, and more.

Click here to learn more about the Garmin S70.

If you want to save money there are plenty of other Garmin golf watches too including:

2. Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch

Bushnell is primarily known for their world-class rangefinders but have a few great golf watches too. As Bushnell said, “The ION ELITE is an evolutionary Golf GPS watch that features Bushnell Golf’s patented Slope compensated distances. This stylish watch also features a color touchscreen and is easy to use right out of the box.”

Bushnell Ion Elite GPS Watch Black

Features of the Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch

  • 38,000 Preloaded courses including auto course recognition.
  • Green view with the ability to move the pin for every better accuracy.
  • Shot distance calculator to easily understand how far you hit each shot.
  • The HoleView screen allows you to better understand the layout of the hole and distances to any target. Plus, front, middle, and back distances too.
  • Pairs With Bushnell Golf App: This lets you receive even more data with 3D Flyovers, hole layouts, and wireless course updates (via phone). The app is available on the App Store and Google Play.

While not as advanced as some on this list, it’s got plenty of features to help improve your game. The only thing I’d like to see improved is the 12-hour battery life. Make sure you have a USB charging port in the golf cart or a separate device just in case it’s losing battery life during the round.

Click here to learn more about the Ion Elite Watch.

3. SkyCaddie LX5 GPS Watch 

The Sky Caddie LX5 is a touchscreen golf watch that delivers HD color full hole mapping. The touch screen display is very easy to use, the battery life should last two rounds, and is water resistant.

SkyCaddie LX5, GPS Golf Watch with Touchscreen Display and HD Color CourseView Maps, Black, Small

It’s a great addition to their product line and upgrade from the Skycaddie Linx GT. This watch is sleek and does more than just help your golf game. 

Features of the SkyCaddie LX5 Golf GPS Watch

  • 35,000 Ground Verified Golf Courses: Unlike some of their competitors, SkyCaddie has personally mapped out every course on their list. It also has a three-year prepaid membership to get access to all their courses.
  • Dynamic RangeVue and HoleVue: SkyCaddie has several options to help you find exact distances so you can select your club quickly. Zoom in on hazards, carries, and layup distances so you don’t waste any shots. 
  • Large Color Display: The 1.39” screen is equal to the S62 from Garmin and has stunning hole and green graphics. Plus, it has a large, easy to read numbers option so you won’t need your glasses. 
  • Intelligreen Features: This allows you to learn more about the exact shape of the green to know where to land it on your approach. Hopefully this will help you find more uphill putts and avoid those momentum crushing three putts.  
  • Additional Features: Customize the watch with analog or digital options with multiple watch faces. Plus, it has a heart rate monitor to help your fitness by tracking your step count, step goal, alarms, and a stopwatch.

This is a great watch from SkyCaddie and warrants the higher cost thanks to all the features. While it doesn’t have as many features as the Garmin S70 (or the Garmin Approach S62), it’s also significantly cheaper as well. 

Click here to learn more about the Skycaddie LX5 watch.

4. GolfBuddy Aim W11 Golf GPS Watch

If you’re looking for a watch with a few more features including full hole overviews, you will love the Golf Buddy Aim W11. It has a 1.3 inch full color touchscreen display, IPX7 waterproof (not water-resistant) and one of the most affordable on this list. 

GOLFBUDDY Aim W11 Golf GPS Watch, Premium Full Color Touchscreen, Preloaded with 40,000 Worldwide Courses, Easy-to-use Golf Watches

Like all of the best golf watches it provides front, middle, back distances as well as distances to targets. The GolfBuddy Aim W11 is a great upgrade from the W10 – here’s why…

Features of the Golf Buddy Aim W11 Golf GPS Watch

  • Large full color screen: With its 1.3” LCD display, you’ll have a clear view of every hole before hitting your tee shot. Plus, the Golf Buddy watch is touch screen and super easy to use.
  • Green undulation data: While having full shot information is great, this GPS watch does what most don’t by providing help on the greens as well. This isn’t an extra paid feature like it is with Garmin.
  • Preloaded with 40,000 courses. Not to mention, it has courses in 170 different countries with free wireless course updates with the Bluetooth smartphone app.
  • GolfBuddy app: Like the Bushnell, there is also an app that syncs with this watch as well. 

Since it does have a color screen the battery life isn’t as long as some (around 10 hours) but should last you two full rounds. It also has a digital scorecard, shows pin placements, a pedometer, and more. 

The only downside is that it doesn’t have any health or fitness features.

Click here to learn more about the Aim W11 watch.

5. TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS Watch (Best Budget Watch)

While not as well known as a brand, TecTecTec is making quite a splash in the golf market. After releasing their wildly successful rangefinder, they’ve now ventured into additional golf gear as well.

TecTecTec ULT-G Stylish, Lightweight and Multi-Functional Golf GPS Watch, Durable Wrist Band with LCD Display, Worldwide Preloaded Courses - Black

The TecTecTec ULT-G golf watch is arguably the best bang for your buck. It provides a simple, easy to use device that makes it simple to find the right yardage for each shot. While it has some drawbacks such as only comes in black, no color interface, or extra features, it still has plenty for the everyday golfer. 

Features of the TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS Watch 

  • Easy to Use: If you hate using your phone or get overwhelmed with all the gadgets on your golf equipment, you will love this golf watch. With only four buttons to navigate the screen with, you’ll have your distance in no time. 
  • Extreme Accuracy: This golf watch gets within one yard accuracy and provides distances to the front, middle, and back of the green. 
  • Pre Loaded Courses = 38,000: Despite being in the new golf watch world, this watch has tons of pre loaded golf courses. And they are always updating more as well.
  • 10 Hour Battery Life: This should last you two full rounds at the golf course.
  • No subscription costs and free updates come with this golf watch. 

As they say on their Amazon listing, “Everything you need and nothing that you don’t.” While you probably won’t wear this golf watch out much after the round, it’s a great low-cost option. If you’re looking for simplicity and don’t want to spend a fortune on your golf watch, this is the one for you.

Click here to learn more the TecTecTec ULT golf watch.

Older Model Alternative: Garmin Approach S62 Golf GPS Watch 

The Garmin Approach S62 is another premium golf GPS that provides everything you need on even the toughest courses. I’d argue it’s one of the best watches on the market!

This is a nice upgrade from the Garmin Approach S60 (which I was a huge fan of) with a 17% larger display than its predecessor and has even more features. While the Garmin Approach S60 was legendary, this one finds a way to make it even more effective for avid golfers.

Garmin Approach S62, Premium Golf GPS Watch, Built-in Virtual Caddie, Mapping and Full Color Screen, White

Let me say, this device is not the watch for the beginner golfer and is more designed for a player who wants an all-in-one device. While it is more expensive than any others on this list, I think that you 100% get what you pay for. 

Features of the Garmin Approach S62 Golf Watch 

  • Virtual caddie feature (like the S70).
  • Large Display: The S62 golf watch comes with a 1.3″ sunlight-readable color touchscreen display. Whether it’s bright and sunny, overcast or any other type of condition, this device is very easy to read in all conditions.
  • Tons golf features: This watch will quickly provide your location using advanced GPS to show precise yardages to greens, hazards, and doglegs. It also features like “PlaysLike” distance to factor in uphill/downhill shots and a PinPointer feature for blind shots. 
  • Full-Color Map: Unlike almost every other golf GPS, this watch provides a full-color hole overview on the right side of the watch. This makes it easy to set up an effective tee box strategy and not lose any shots to unknown hazards. 
  • Easy to Customize: This golf GPS is as much of a normal watch as any of them on this list. The Garmin Approach S62 allows you to quickly switch out the bands without any tools so you match with outfits or wear casually.  

Like all Garmin devices, you have access to more than 43,000 preloaded courses from around the world with constant updates. You can sync the S62 to your compatible smartphone so you can get smart notifications for incoming calls, texts, emails, and other alerts.

Click here to buy the S62 watch.

Best Premium Golf Watch

The previous ones on the list of best golf watches are no doubt the most common for the everyday player. All have a good battery life, tons of golf features, and other metrics that a rangefinder can’t provide. They range from $100 to $700 which is a fair price for buying one of the best golf GPS watches out there.

But, if you consider yourself a watch connoisseur and don’t mind spending a lot more money on a golf watch, here are two premium options.

Garmin Marq Golfer (Gen 2) – new

While the S70 is a premium golf watch, the Marq Gen 2 is even more premium and great for all day wear.

As Garmin said, “This luxury modern tool watch features a tritone green jacquard-weave nylon strap, stunning AMOLED touchscreen display with traditional button controls and a 46 mm case made of Grade-5 titanium for an ultradurable design.”

Features of the Garmin Marq Golfer Watch

  • Virtual caddie mode (like the S62 and S70) – including wind speed and direction.
  • Longer battery life than most golf GPS units or watches. It lasts up to 16 days and up to 6-days in “always on” mode.
  • Advanced golf features like pinpointer, hazard view, green view, club tracking, and playslike distance. Not to mention green contour data with the Garmin Golf app membership.
  • Health snapshot feature alongside a “morning report” of your training readiness and weather. Plus, advanced sleep score and sleep monitoring features.
  • Tons of other features including Garmin Pay contactless payments, music apps, ski maps, stock tracker, and more.

This is not your everyday watch and why it had to make the list of the best GPS golf watches. Garmin makes high-quality products and this is definitely the most advanced in their lineup.

Click here to learn more now.

TAG Heuer Golf Watch

TAG Heuer is a premium brand of watches that now has a great option for golfers in the Calibre E4. The watch is available in two sizes – 42mm and 45mm.

Here’s what makes this such a great premium watch.

Features of the Tag Heuer Calibre E4 Golf GPS Watch

  • 30% longer battery life than previous model.
  • Track your heart rate so hit your fitness goals.
  • Incredible design with a new white band. With the price of this golf watch, I hope it never leaves your wrist! Luckily, this will look good as a golfer on the course or a lifestyle watch on any occasion. You’re bound to make quite a splash with its amazing design and sure to impress anyone who spots that it’s a Tag Heuer.
  • Stats and Scorecard Features: The TAG Heuer golf app makes it easy to track your game on the app. It will learn your distances and track your distance for each club and provide a detailed analysis of your game. Plus, the dashboard is easy to view on your phone and incredibly simple to understand.
  • Pairs with App: Available on the App Store and Google Play to make your golf GPS even better. Get 3D visuals and high resolution 2D maps on more than 40,000 golf courses around the world.

If you’re an avid golfer looking for the ultimate choice, you’ll love this amazing watch on and off the course for years to come.

Click here to learn more about it directly on the TAG Heuer website.

Honorable mention: deWiz Golf Watch

Want more of a swing analyzer than a golf watch? You’ll love deWiz – as it’s a wearable device that teaches you more about your swing than you thought possible.

Go here to read our full review of this promising new golf tech.

Additional Option: Smartphone Apps (Apple Watch for Golf)

Apple Watch Series 8 [GPS 41mm] Smart Watch w/Midnight Aluminum Case with Midnight Sport Band - M/L. Fitness Tracker, Blood Oxygen & ECG Apps, Always-On Retina Display, Water Resistant

If you’re an avid Apple fan, you might be thinking… “How can I use my Apple Watch for golf?” It’s a great question because there are a few apps to help turn your Apple watch into a wearable GPS device for golf. 

Pros of Apple Watch for Golf 

  • Lower cost. There are free and low-cost apps that will help you save money upfront but won’t get nearly as much as a golf GPS watch. A lot of course information and game tracking tools simply isn’t available with these apps but can help you get general stats.
  • Don’t have to buy another watch. While this is a great way to save money, you’ll see that some of the apps don’t actually have as many features as a standard golf watch.

But I’ll say, I don’t think an app is nearly as good as a Garmin golf watch or a Bushnell Neo Ion type for a few reasons…

Cons of Apple Watch for Golf 

  • Battery life. Using apps like the ones in the next section will zap your battery life. If you do choose to go this route, make sure your phone is fully charged and probably bring a portable charging unit as well. Not to mention, this could zap your monthly data as you won’t have Wi-Fi on the course.
  • You still need your iPhone to make the most of the app including hole maps. This also means you might be checking your emails and getting caught up in life outside of golf and cause you to lose focus. 
  • Lacks shot tracking that a normal golf GPS watch provides. This means less data about your round which makes it harder to figure how to improve. 

If you want to start here and work your way up, here are the best apps to help you get started on your Apple Watch:

GolfShot App

The GolfShot app is the first app alternative on this list and has a free and paid version to act as a GPS tracker. With the free app you get:

  • 45,000 courses total.
  • Book tee times for most courses using the Golfshot website.
  • Distances to the middle of the green (not front/back of green).

With the paid app, you get:

  • Augmented Reality. Their award-winning AR view of the distances on the course is unlike anything out there. This helps you identify hazards, find the right landing area, and get a 360 degree view of the hole.
  • Dynamic 3D flyover view of each hole. This is great because you can see tee to green and not miss any hazards or out of bounds you might not see on the tee. 
  • You also get a zoom function, additional distances to over 40,000 courses, and syncs with your GHIN number. This way you don’t have to worry about posting your scores separately.

Also, they even offer golf instruction using their personalized coaching from top instructors including Martin Chuck, Sean Foley, and Andrew Rice. This is separate from the paid app but for a low price, can help you practice better and shoot lower scores.

The paid plan is $29.99 per year or $4.99 per month.

Golf Game Book App 

Golf Game book is another top golf app in the App store with a free and paid version. Here is what’s included in the free version:

  • Digital online scorecard (plus live leaderboards for any side games).
  • GPS rangefinder and course map to help you know the correct distances on each shot.
  • Tournament features and “leaderboard in real time” which is great for large groups. 

With the gold membership you also get:

  • No ads, just focus on golf.
  • Multi-group tournaments with live scoring. Plus a friends comparison to measure all parts of your game.
  • Improved stats to learn about everything from bunker shots, up/down percentages, first put distances, and more.

The gold membership costs $2.90 per month and offers a 6 month or one year pricing as well. This is a low-cost investment to help your game! 

Hole19 Golf App

The last Apple app for golf that we recommend is Hole19. Like Golfshot and Golf Game Book, there is a free and a paid version in the app store. Once you’re registered, here is what comes with the free app:

  • GPS distance to hazards.
  • Book tee times directly through the app. 
  • Offline compatible. Download course details so you can save battery and data. 

Meanwhile, with the paid app (aka the Premium Pro), you get tons of additional features:

  • No advertising.
  • Club recommendation tool based on your individual distances.
  • AR (Augmented Reality): Provides an immersive experience to see the golf course.
  • Advanced statistics to know how far you hit each shot, driving accuracy, greens in regulation, and more.

The paid version is $7.49 per month, $29.99 per six months, or $49.99 annually.

Read our full article on Apple Watch golf apps or our article on the best golf apps for your phone.

Best Golf GPS Watch

How to Pick the Best Golf GPS Watch

Are you still not sure about which is the best golf GPS watch for you? No worries, I know there are a ton of great options and it’s easy to get confused on finding the right one for your game. Use this golf GPS watch comparison tool to pick the best one for you! 

Screen Display  

The first thing you want to consider is the display and style of your golf GPS watch. Some of the watches on this list provide black and white data, while others have full on hole overviews with amazing color display. 

If you want a watch to act more like a yardage book or a GPS that is installed in some golf carts, go with the color view. These watches aren’t much bigger than GPS golf watches with black/white display and provide so much more valuable data.  

All watches will provide front/center/back of green, the color ones tend to have way more information. Some numbers include dogleg layups, distance to hazards, and even the shape of the green.  

The one downside to a color screen is that they usually have a shortened battery life. Since a color screen requires more power, that means you need to charge more frequently in most cases. Make sure that you charge before each round, buy a separate power source, and/or bring a USB cable if you play a golf course with carts that can charge them. 

Type of Watch (Band vs. Watch)

The second thing to consider is the style of GPS watch that you want to wear.

As you can tell from this list, some look more like a watch while others look more like an exercise band. If you’re new to wearing anything on your wrist, a band might be an easier transition than going straight to a watch since it’s so much smaller.

Also, do you want to wear this off the course as well? Or, is it only being worn on the golf course?

If you do want to wear it off the golf course, make sure that you think ahead and buy one that is more stylish. Some like the Bushnell Neo Ion are great golf watches but not the most stylish off the course.

Also, look for other features to make it look good off the course. Some of the GPS golf watches on this list have interchangeable bands, custom interfaces and look a lot more stylish than others. 

Extra Golf Features

Once you find one that is the right style and screen, don’t forget to check the extra features that come with your golf watch. For example, the Garmin S62 has a virtual caddy that helps you pick the right club for each shot! While others golf GPS watches simply display the numbers to the front, center, and back of the green.

Some golf GPS watches also track your score, track your distances, and even track your stats. Some even have an app to sync with and provide even more data after the round. While others simply provide measurements and the time during the round. 

In general, the more details it provides, the higher the investment. But if you’re a serious golfer, it’s worth having all these extra features in my opinion. 

When you can get more data about your game, it makes it easier to know what to practice and where you need to improve. If the goal is to keep lowering your handicap, spend the extra money so you can track your stats and improve faster! 

Price

Obviously, we can’t forget about the price as every golfer knows accessories aren’t cheap. Some of the golf GPS watches on this list are under $100 while others are $400 or more. Or, in the case of the Tag Heuer model, over $2,000!

While price is important, it’s also important to consider your current skill level and overall investment in the game too. If you only play occasionally and are not an avid golfer (yet) or have too much else going on in life, a simple watch like the TecTecTec will work great. 

Plus, the cheaper golf GPS watches will also help you find distances quickly, speed up play, and help you avoid overwhelm on the course. If you’re a new golfer some of the GPS devices might have too much data and make it easy to get flustered trying to understand it all on the course. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Not to mention, if you’re just getting started it’s better to spend money on clubs that are easy to hit instead of accessories like a golf GPS watch. While these devices will help your game, it won’t matter as much if you’re playing old, heavy, outdated clubs. 

Durability

Luckily, this isn’t as much of an issue as watches don’t have as much wear and tear as a handheld GPS device. Since the watch will stay on your wrist during the round, you shouldn’t have to worry as much about damaging it. 

The one caveat for durability of your golf watch is if you play in a lot of rain. If you’re out there battling the weather, make sure that you double check the device is equipped to handle the water and extra moisture. The last thing you want is one day of rain to ruin your golf watch.

Also, when you aren’t using your golf watch, make sure to keep it in a carrying sleeve or case to not damage the face too. It’s also not a bad idea to remove it from your bag so that it doesn’t accidentally get crushed when loading other bags on top of it. 

Additional Health Features

A golf GPS watch does more than just help your game these days. Now, a lot of the watches on this list help you track your steps, monitor your heart rate, record your sleep, and more to improve your health. 

If you plan on using this as an all-in-one golf watch, make sure to check the feature that each one provides. Some are geared more towards golf while others are meant for improving your golf and health. 

An activity tracker is a great way to stay on top of your health so that you can keep playing this sport for years to come!

Number of Courses Included

When picking the right golf GPS, make sure you find one that has plenty of courses available.

Luckily, this isn’t as big of a deal in today’s world but still something to consider, especially if you aren’t very tech-savvy. All of the ones on this list have 30,000 or more and continually add more courses too.

Also, double check if there is a yearly subscription to keep getting updates. While most don’t have a subscription, some higher end ones do as they provide tons of data (like green information) and might cost you down the line.  

FAQs About Best Golf GPS Watches 

Do you have even more questions about finding the right watch for your game? If so, hopefully we have the answer for you in our most commonly asked questions below.

Do I need a golf GPS? 

Yes, you need a golf GPS (whether it’s a watch or a handheld GPS device) or a rangefinder to help you start shooting lower scores. You can’t rely on a course that may or may not have a GPS in the cart or a yardage book as some courses don’t offer either.

Remember, golf is hard enough but when you don’t know much about the course or your exact distance, things get even more difficult!  If you are a more visual person, I suggest a golf GPS or golf watch instead of a standard rangefinder.

A golf GPS will either give you a preview of the hole and/or the distances to the front, middle, and back of the green. This is instrumental in making sure that you pick the right club for each shot and don’t make an unforced error.

If you find yourself playing new courses regularly, a golf GPS (handheld or watch) is a great idea. Since most courses don’t have yardage books or GPS devices installed on their carts, this is a great way to learn more about each hole. It can save you tons of strokes by showing you distances to hazards, lay up distances, and proper distances to the green. 

Plus, you don’t have to do all as much math calculating the front/middle/back of the green as you would with a rangefinder. Not only should this help your game but also speed up the pace of play as well. 

Finally, as you saw in this list of best golf GPS watches, so many of them provide additional details about your game. From shot tracking, digital scorecard, and a connected app, they help you even when you’re off the course too.

What is the best golf GPS watch to buy?

If it made this list of best golf GPS watches, you can’t go wrong with any of them. Make sure to use our comparison tool to compare a few watches that you are considering.

Remember, there are a lot of different factors when choosing the right golf watch for you. I would say the biggest factor is the screen display itself. Since watches are much smaller than a handheld GPS, it depends  on how much information you want displayed. 

Personally, I like a watch that has a hole layout so that I can get a good sense of the hole from the tee box. This makes it easier to pick a club off the tee and play with more confidence on each shot. 

While other golfers don’t want too much information as they get overwhelmed with all the data. It depends on you and your personal preferences.

But remember, at the end of the day it should make the sport easier, not harder! 

How accurate are golf GPS watches?

Extremely accurate! Most golf GPS watches are within 3-5 yards (at most) and some are even more accurate. 

Are they perfect?

No, any GPS device is not 100% accurate but overall, they can help save you strokes every single round. 

Are golf watches worth it?

Yes, golf watches are very worth it in my opinion. Golf watches are a great accessory to add to your game so that you can minimize as many mistakes as possible. 

Plus, since a watch is attached to your wrist, it’s a lot less likely to lose the device. Since some handheld golf GPS devices are so small, it’s easy to have them fall out of your cart or pocket without even realizing it. This is obviously extremely frustrating for any golfer and if it happens more than once, an expensive replacement. 

For a relatively low price, you can use your watch to help you every time you tee it up. This should make it easier to pick the right clubs, lose fewer golf balls, and hopefully, shoot lower scores too. 

Watch or handheld GPS? 

This is the ultimate debate for most golfers. In reality, it comes down to personal preference more than anything else. Some golfers happen to wear watches most of the time so it’s an easy transition to wearing on the golf course. But other players might not like the extra distraction on their wrist.

The one advantage that a handheld GPS device has is that you can get a larger display than a watch. This makes it easier for you to see everything on the hole and create a clear tee box strategy. A good example is the SkyCaddie SX500 handheld GPS which boasts a five inch screen and has tons of features outside of a normal GPS device.

Plus, if you don’t have the best vision, a larger golf GPS makes it easier to find the right distances as well. Again, this is 100% personal preference.

Can Apple Watch do Golf GPS? 

Apple Watch can do a lot of things like use Siri, tap into thousands of apps, and monitor calls/texts/emails. Since Apple is always innovating and golf companies are adapting, there are now golf apps to turn your Apple Watch into a golf GPS.

Scroll up to see the best apps to turn your Apple Watch into a wearable device for golf. 

Do pro golfers wear watches? 

In general, no, most pro golfers do not wear watches while they’re playing in competitive events. The one notable (and high profile) exception is Phil “Lefty” Mickelson. He’s worn a leather watch on his wrist for as long as I can remember and worn it during his biggest victories.

But no, most professional golfers tend not to wear watches for a few reasons. First, unless they practice with one, it might distract them from their normal routine. 

Second, professional golfers don’t use a golf GPS device or rangefinder. Instead, they rely on their extremely detailed yardage books and their trusted caddies. These two resources, plus a ton of practice rounds and past experience at certain courses, are how they navigate the course. 

Not to mention, most of them have detailed yardage books that show every foot of the green as well. Needless to say, professional golfers have tons of support when playing a golf course and don’t usually need or want a watch.

My Experience

The best golf watch can change your game – whether you go with the Garmin Approach s62, TecTecTec, or something else. Since we don’t get caddies like professional golfers, these leading golf watches are the next best thing.

They provide so much more information about the hole compared to a rangefinder. This should make it easier to pick the right club and choose the right target more often to develop a rock solid approach shot strategy.

Plus, with automatic shot tracking you can learn more about your game too. Not to mention the additional fitness features that can help improve your workouts and overall health.

Final Thoughts on Best Golf GPS Watch 

We’re lucky to live in a time with so many amazing golf accessories like a GPS golf watch. Golfers can make the game a little bit easier by using these awesome tools. If you’re someone that prefers a watch vs. a GPS handheld device, these are all super effective.

Not only will they help you navigate each hole, you can use the game tracking tools, and course information to shoot lower scores! Plus, it should help you speed up play as you won’t have to search for sprinkler heads or use a yardage guide.

From the Garmin Approach to the Bushnell Neo to the GolfBuddy Voice 2, you can’t go wrong with any on this list. Invest in one now so that you can start tearing up golf courses and make more birdies than ever.