The best golf watches may not punch your ticket to the PGA Tour, but they can certainly help you keep track of your progress on the green. With features like rangefinding, scorekeeping and slope reading, these wearables make it easier to navigate the course and gain valuable insights that might otherwise go unnoticed. Whether you’re in need of a dedicated golfing smartwatch or an all-purpose timepiece with add-on golf functions that can travel with you when the round concludes, options abound. So if you're looking to up your game, or just want an excuse to wear more gadgets, then a golf watch should be on your short list of investments.
Suit up with one of the best golf watches to refine your game.
The best golf watches come to you in a variety of sizes, styles, functions and price points. You can don a device that could rub crowns with Rolex or Omega by spending $3,000 and upward. You can also play golf wearing a more traditional smartwatch design that reads distances to the pin for less than $100. The following collection offers you the best options to satisfy such choices. Ranging from high fashion to serviceable, and bells and whistles to basic functions, this gathering of the best golf watches will offer something to fit your game, and your budget.
Looking for expert advice and answers to your biggest golf watch questions? Read on to the end—we spoke with Clarke Fry, Product Marketing Manager for Garmin and its line of golf watches, to discuss the broader industry and what you should look for in a quality golf watch.
- Best Golf Watch Overall: Garmin Approach S62
- Best Budget Golf Watch: TecTecTec ULT-G GPS Golf Watch
- Best Value Golf Watch: Garmin Approach S12
- Best Golf Watch For Style: TAG Heuer Connected Golf Edition
- Best Golf Watch For The Techie Golfer: Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch
- Best Golf Watch For Off-Course Wear: Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro Golf Edition
- Best Newcomer: Garmin Approach S70
How We Chose The Best Golf Watches
Here at Vetted, we pride ourselves on delivering comprehensive and unbiased reviews to help readers just like you make informed investments. When it came to selecting the best golf watches, we began by consulting the experts, including Clarke Fry, Product Marketing Manager for Garmin, to gather insights on what features and functionalities are crucial for a top-notch watch. We also delved into the nitty-gritty details of each model, reviewing specifications and features before examining factors such as GPS accuracy, preloaded course databases, shot tracking capabilities, swing analysis and ease of use. We compared the battery life of each watch, and considered factors like water resistance, durability and overall design.
In addition to our own research, we scoured the internet for customer reviews and opinions from regular golfers just like you. After gathering all this information, we meticulously evaluated each watch against our predetermined criteria and ranked them based on their performance, features, accuracy, user experience, value for money and overall customer satisfaction.
Keep in mind that the golf watch market is always changing, which is why we review our top picks regularly for accuracy and honesty. And we update this list to reflect our findings. It was last updated May, 2023.
What To Consider When Shopping For A Golf Watch
When the time comes to invest in a golf watch, there are several variables to consider that will ensure you find the perfect timepiece for your needs. These include:
Course Database
Make sure any watch you may want comes with a comprehensive and up-to-date preloaded course database, as this will allow you to access detailed information on a wide range of courses. For example, our top pick on this list, the Garmin Approach S62, comes with over 41,000 preloaded courses.
Shot Tracking
Consider whether the watch offers shot tracking capabilities, which can provide valuable insights into your game, including distance, accuracy and other helpful statistics.
Swing Analysis
Some advanced golf watches offer swing analysis features that can help you analyze your swing mechanics, tempo and more. While this feature isn’t essential, it can prove useful for those looking to take their game to the next level.
GPS Accuracy
A golf watch with precise GPS technology will provide accurate distance measurements to various points on the course, from hazards to greens.
Battery Life
Consider the battery life of the watch, especially if you play multiple rounds in a single day. If possible, opt for a model with sufficient battery capacity to last through your rounds without frequent recharging.
Display
Look for a watch with a clear and easy-to-read display, and consider options with high-resolution screens and adjustable brightness settings that make it easier to read the display in direct sunlight.
Water Resistance
Golf watches should have adequate water resistance to withstand rainy conditions, or the occasional trip to the pond.
Connectivity
Determine if a watch offers connectivity features like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, as these will allow you to sync any data with apps, or receive firmware updates that keep your watch ticking.
Price
Assess the price of the watch and its overall value for the features and performance it offers. Compare it to other models on the market to ensure you’re investing in a watch that will keep up with your play and personal life.
Should I Buy A Golf Watch Or A Smartwatch For Golf?
There are apps available that transform a straightforward Apple Watch or Android smartwatch into a golf device capable of finding your distance to the pin, keeping score, etc. Those products usually don’t do everything a good golf watch can do, but they can come close. You can save hundreds of dollars if you can live on the difference of function and accuracy.
Clarke Fry says a links-focused watch is the answer for someone who has the game top of mind and wants to get the most out of their game.
“When golfers go to start an activity, golf is already loaded up as the first option,” Fry explains. “As a result, our golf watches are always going to get our newest golf-related features first. In comparison to other Garmin smartwatches, there are watches that include our great golf features and also have extra bells and whistles to enhance other fitness interests.”
If you have the fever for golf and you want the most efficient technology and tools intended to aid your game, it’s worth it to invest in a proper golf watch. How much you spend depends on your enthusiasm and the width of your wallet.
How Much Should I Spend On A Golf Watch?
To answer this question, you must confront those classic data points that pinpoint where your passion for golf, the quality of your game and your budget meet. And because some golf watches are designed with appearances in mind, we’ll also take into account the fact that some people just love to collect watches of all sorts and styles.
If those elements meet in the stratosphere—an individual love of both golf and watches greeting an ample budget—you can spend north of $2,000. You’ll end up with a handsome watch that fulfills your golf needs, but you’ll pay for it.
On the other side of the counter at Garmin, Fry says it’s good business to give customers options at different price points. “If a golfer is just looking for the golf info—and only needs a watch for the course—the S12 is for you at a lower price. If they wanted a watch for everyday use, and have all of the golf features, the S62 is the clear choice. Not only are there good fits for different skills, but there is also a good fit for different budgets.”
If a more modest smartwatch design is adequate enough, you can spend a great deal less for a device meant only to serve you on the course. As with all golf accessories, only you know your needs as a player.
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