Best Golf GPS Watches in 2021

Another top-rated golf GPS watch from Garmin, the Garmin Approach S20 has to be one of the most strikingly designed watches on this list – the display looks like something Apple would make and the strap is full of little holes to make it breathable. Like the other Garmin products in this list, it boasts an impressive list of features. In terms of golf tech, it has Garmin’s Autoshot and Greenview features, as well as precision GPS technology, that allows you to drop pins on the map and avoid doglegs and layovers.

It’s also compatible with your smartphone and will receive your notifications, as well as all the activity tracking features of the other Garmin products. Another great all-rounder from Garmin. If you are an outdoor lover, you may like to check our compass watches review for more great watches like this.

You probably know Garmin as a GPS manufacturer. In the 90s and 2000s,it was best known for in-car Satnav equipment, so it makes sense that the company has now branched out into the world of golf GPS watches. The Garmin ApproachX40 is the perfect all-in-one golf GPS watch and activity tracker. It’s got over 40,000 courses built into its memory, as well as an advanced heart-rate monitor, step counter, and calorie counter.

Garmin has developed two different bits of tech for its golf watches called Greenview and Autoshot: Greenview technology allows you to see accurate distances to the course from your position on the green, and Autoshot gives you accurate information about your shot. This gives you the data you need to improve your game. 

The Bushnell Neo Ion 2 is a bit more old-school. The design reminds you of the digital watch phase of the 2000s, which makes it looks more like an actual watch than a FitBit or Apple Watch. Having said that, the design is really hardwearing and extremely practical. It has 36,000 international courses preloaded and can provide you with accurate distance information and up to 4 hazards per hole. It’s also got an integrated step counter, so you can get home and boast about all the great exercise you’ve done.

The battery life is great (up to 12 hours) and it’s Bluetooth compatible, to keep you up-to-date with any course developments.  Perfect if all you want is a Golf GPS watch, but it doesn’t have enough features to compete with the smartwatches. Be sure to also check out our list of the top golf coolers for more great golf related items like this. 

The GolfBuddy WTX is the best-rated entry level golf GPS watch. It’s great value at only $169.99 and has a lot of the same features as its more expensive rivals. The display is really attractive and allows you to view the green, calculate distances to the green and/or hazards, and drop your pin anywhere on the map. In addition, it has a step counter and a corresponding app where you can analyze your game.

If you read into the Amazon reviews, you will notice a mixed response. There have been concerns about reliability, but, on the whole, customers are satisfied. It has every feature you need in a golf GPS watch but isn’t going to break the bank. Our handy guide to golf balls features more great watches like this. 

Another watch from Bushnell, the Golf 2017 Excel is a step up from the  Bushnell Neo Ion 2. It has a much more attractive display and is a lot closer to a smartwatch. In terms of golf-tech, it has over 35,000 courses, back and center distances, up to 4 hazards per hole, a shot distance calculator, and 3D flyovers of the course. The battery life is also impressive at around 12 hours, which sets it apart from a lot of cheaper smart Golf GPS watches. In addition to all this, it has advanced activity tracking technology and is compatible with your smartphone, so it can receive your notifications. For more really accurate watches, check our pilot watches guide.

When you hear the name “Callaway”, you think of golf. The company has been making golfing equipment since 1982 and is now sold in over 70 countries. That means that they are coming from a completely different angle. GPSy Golf GPS Watch comes loaded with useful golf tech including accurate distances, shot measurement, scorecards, and hazard warnings.

It’s cheaper than a lot of its competitors at around $129.99, but then it doesn’t have any smartwatch or activity tracking features. Perfect if you’re looking for an affordable, sleek, and golf-specific GPS watch. One of the best watches under $1000, for sure.

The TecTecTec ULT-G is a no-frills golf watch that provides all of the important information without any of the unnecessary gimmicks. The result of that is a golf watch that is super easy to use and simple to understand for the less tech-savvy golfers. What we’re trying to say is, if you’re over 60, this is the watch for you. One of the biggest selling points is that this watch comes with access to over 38,000 courses worldwide and you don’t need to buy a subscription. 

You can use this watch to measure distances on the green, distances to hazards, the distance of your shots, access information about the course, and tell the time. It’s accurate to within +/- one yard and it automatically progresses as you move holes. All of this is easily accessible on the watch – you don’t need to carry around a smartphone with complicated, battery-draining apps.

The Approach S10 is Garmin’s entry-level golf GPS watch. It comes with a lot of the same tech seen in their high-end models but with a simple interface and a cheaper price tag. It has a sleek and lightweight design, a high-resolution display, and over 41,000 preloaded courses from around the world. You can keep score on the watch, monitor the total distance played, and (of course) keep track of time. Honestly, this isn’t the most beautiful or impressive golf watch on the market. In fact, the tech seems a little outdated. But we like it because it focuses on doing one job well – allowing you to keep track of your golf game. 

The Garmin Approach S60 brings together the latest in golf GPS technology and modern style that you can wear on and off the course. If you’re an avid golfer in the market for a new watch, this should be at the top of your list. It features a 1.2-inch display that’s easy to read (even on a sunny day) and a 10-hour battery that will keep going until you’ve teed off for the last time. With over 40,000 preloaded courses and information about hazards, doglegs, and precise yardages, the Garmin Approach S60 will make you the most informed golfer on the course. Plus, it can connect to your smartphone, so you can receive all of your incoming calls, texts, and emails. 

Samsung has an impressive pedigree when it comes to smart technology. For golfers, the news that Samsung was releasing a Golf GPS Watch was pretty exciting. So, how does it stack up against the Garmin and SkyCaddie watches that are already dominating the market? First of all, underneath all of the golf-based extras, it has the same technology as the standard Samsung Galaxy Watch, so as a smartwatch it blows the other products on this list out of the water (providing you have a Samsung smartphone). As a golf watch, it’s pretty stacked too. It has over 40,000 preloaded courses, calculates accurate distances on the course, and allows you to score your game with ease. Plus, it provides detailed metrics to help you reach your fitness goals. 

SkyCaddie might not be a household-name brand like Garmin or Samsung but they’re big in the golf world. That’s why, when they released the SkyCaddie LX5, we knew it was going to be a big deal. They have basically taken the technology from the SX500 (their super popular handheld GPS) and condensed it into a watch. It has an amazing 1.39-inch screen with full HD graphics, which is probably the best in its class. It has IntelliGreen technology with amazingly detailed course maps and super accurate distances. Plus, it comes with a three-year membership with over 35,000 ground-verified course maps.