10 Best Golf GPS Watches (Review) in 2020

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 GolfBuddy GB9 + SmartWatch Golf GPS is a simple and fast touch screen golf watch having a sensitive user interface which also doubles as an everyday lifestyle watch. It is preloaded with more than 38,000 courses with worldwide dynamic green views and distance readings in relation to the instantaneous position of the golfer. It has the ability to recognize both the course and the hole as well as automatically display distances to the front, back, and center of the green. On top of all these innovative features, the hazard distance, and attributes are also measured with excellent yardage.

As for usability, the screen is bright and very user-friendly even in bright sunlight. Its great battery power offers a full round of golf without using up to half of its capacity when fully charged. And as for the fit, it is slim, lightweight and very attractive and comfortable to wear.

If you’ve got a bit more money to spend, then you have to consider the Garmin Approach S60. Okay, so it might be twice as expensive as a lot of the products on this list, but it is one of the best golf GPS watches money can buy. The first thing to mention is the way it looks – it has a stylish white band with a mesmerizing 1.2” display (big for a watch) which still manages to look great in the sunlight.

Then you get to the golf tech. Like the Garmin Approach X40, it has Greenview and Autoshot to gives you distances and shot information. Then, on top of that, it has PinPointer, an advanced compass to help line up shots; Swing Analysis, which provides data to improve your swing; and Touch Targeting, which lets you measure the distance to specific points on the green. Basically, it has everything you need to take your golf game to the next level.

TomTom is another company name synonymous with in-car Satnav. No surprise then, that they also have a pretty solid golf watch to offer. The TomTom Golfer 2 has a smart shot detection system that automatically records your shots so you analyze your potential. It’s also got a hazard view system, to keep you out of bunkers and water, and an automatic scorecard, so you don’t have to mess around with pencils and paper. Like the Garmin watches it has over 40,000 international courses, and lets you sync your data with your smartphone, so you can truly understand your game.

Another well-designed watch, the TomTom Golfer 2 will look great with any golf outfit. It’s built for comfort and has pretty impressive features for the price. This would also make a great golf gift for your loved ones.

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.

Here’s another one for the advanced golfers out there. At around $349.99, you know the SkyCaddieLinx GT is going to be a pretty serious piece of kit. Well, it delivers on that promise. It has every feature you would expect in a golf watch – distances, shot tracking, course maps, hazards, and scorecards. But when you compare these features to a cheaper option, you’ll find they’re a lot more advanced. SkyCaddiemakes sure they walk every course to ensure their maps and distances are accurate.

Probably the coolest piece of tech on this watch are the 15 smart tags that come with it. You attach these to the ends of your clubs and it gives you even more accurate information about your swing and shot in general.  Then, you can upload your information into the corresponding app for analysis. If you’re crazy about golf and want accurate data, this watch is a serious contender. You can find more grear reliable watches in our list of top G-Shock watches.

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 Garmin Approach S6 is the smaller and cheaper version of the Garmin Approach S60 featured at number 2 in this list. It has a lot of the same features, including Autoshot and Greenview technology, and also features a beautifully designed screen. Having this advanced screen gives you a much better course overview and provides you a real sense of the course you’re playing.

It’s not as high tech as the Garmin Approach S60 but won’t leave you feeling left out in terms of tech. A great all-black watch for the serious inter0mediate golfer.