The Best Golf Watches of 2024

The market for golf watches is flooded with numerous brands and models. Here, we aim to shed some light on the matter and provide buying advice. We have personally tested and compared most of these models. We are confident that this article will help you choose a golf watch, and we have strived to be as objective as possible. Let’s take a look at the golf watches:

What makes a good golf watch?

We asked 30 golfers this question on the golf course and combined their answers with our own experiences. The following factors were mentioned most frequently, and we have ranked them by importance:

1. The golf watch should be easy to use
2. A golf watch should have a good display and be easy to read
3. The golf watch should have a long battery life
4. The golf watch should cover as many golf courses as possible
5. A golf watch should have useful features
6. The golf watch should provide relatively accurate distance readings
7. Updates should be free and not require a subscription

To make things a little clearer, we've established two main categories into which all golf watches are divided:

• Good value for money
• Wide range of features

Golf watches offering good value for money

RocketGolf 4

Highlights: Easy-to-use golf watch with a clear display and essential features, over 38,000 courses preloaded, statistics, activity tracking, shot distance measurement, long battery life.
Suitable for: Golfers looking for a precise and easy-to-use golf watch with a focus on distance measurement.

Price: €179

Garmin Approach S12

Highlights: Affordable entry-level watch with essential features, over 20,000 golf courses preloaded, Garmin AutoShot feature, step counter, calorie counter, smartwatch notifications.
Suitable for: Golfers looking for an affordable golf watch with basic features to get started.

Price: MSRP €199

Golf watches with a wide range of features

Garmin Approach S62

Highlights: Extensive golf course database with over 42,000 courses worldwide, detailed performance statistics, Garmin AutoShot feature for automatic shot tracking, color touchscreen, sleek design, long battery life.
Suitable for: Golfers looking for a premium watch with all the features and the highest precision.

Price: MSRP €549

Garmin Approach S42

Highlights: Compact and lightweight watch, easy to use, over 41,000 golf courses preloaded, Garmin AutoShot feature, Virtual Caddy with club recommendations, fitness tracking features, affordable price.
Suitable for: Golfers looking for an easy-to-use watch with essential features at an attractive price.

Price: MSRP €299

Bushnell Ion Elite

Highlights: Highest precision and reliability in GPS distance measurement, easy operation via a rotary knob, large, easy-to-read display, over 36,000 golf courses pre-installed, built-in PlaysLike feature to adjust distances for slope, affordable price.
Suitable for: Golfers looking for a precise and easy-to-use golf watch with a focus on distance measurement.

Price: MSRP €279

GolfBuddy Aim W12

Highlights: A GPS golf watch featuring innovative functions, an elegant design, and excellent value for the price.
Suitable for: Golfers looking for a precise, easy-to-use watch with innovative features and a modern design.

Price: €299

Garmin Approach S70

Highlights: Premium GPS golf watch with an elegant design, a high-resolution AMOLED display, and a wide range of features: Over 43,000 golf courses preloaded, automatic course and PlaysLike distance display, Virtual Caddy and Garmin AutoShot, performance statistics, fitness tracking, and smartwatch functions.
Suitable for:Golfers looking for a watch with all the features, maximum precision, long battery life, fitness tracking, and smartwatch functions in a sophisticated design.

Price: MSRP €735

Key factors influencing the purchase decision

Features

• GPS distance measurement: The accuracy and reliability of GPS distance measurement are crucial factors for golfers.
• Shot tracking: Automatic or manual shot tracking allows golfers to track their statistics and improve their game.
• Statistics: Detailed statistics such as strokes per hole, distances, putts, and greens in regulation can help golfers identify their strengths and weaknesses.
• Fitness tracking: Built-in fitness features such as a step counter, calorie counter, and heart rate monitor can be beneficial for golfers who want to improve their overall fitness.
• Smartwatch features: Smartphone notifications, music playback, and contactless payments can make golf watches practical everyday companions.

Design and User-Friendliness

• Size and weight: The watch should be comfortable to wear, especially while playing golf.
• Display: The display should be easy to read, even in direct sunlight.
• Usability: The watch should be easy and intuitive to use, even with one hand.
  Water resistance: The watch should be water-resistant so it can be worn even in the rain or when sweating.

Battery life

Battery life should be at least 10 hours in golf mode, ideally longer.

Price

Value for money is an important factor, as golf watches are available in a price range from €100 to €500 or more.