Improve Your Golf Game with these 7 Handy Timepieces

The 7 Top Golf Watches to Experiment within 2023Courtesy of RetailerHearst Publications and Yahoo can potentially earn a commission or profits on certain items through these links."

IT WAS but notthat long ago when pricey, cumbersome handheld readers were the sole means to obtain a GPS reading of a golf course. Today, because of the progression in golf watches, you can possess a GPS system on your wrist that not only provides you with an overview of the terrain but also informs you about everything from the speed of the wind to your swing path. Pretty fantastic, correct?

The drawback of shopping for golf watches is that there are plenty of inferior products floating around. Fortunately for you, the editors and writers of Men's Health have assembled this guide to assist you in making an informed decision about the golf watch that will most effectively suit your style of play.

How Much Ought I Expend on a Golf Watch?

Cost is everything when shopping for a golf watch. Anticipate paying approximately $100-$150 for a high-quality golf watch that offers basic functions—imagine distance reading, mapping of the course, and scorekeeping. For high-tech watches that are loaded with features like tracking shots and virtual caddies, you will likely end up spending anywhere between $200-$500. Any golf watch surpassing $500 typically begins to take into account daily smartwatch wear, and by that, we imply golf watches that serve solely as fitness watches and casual watches.

No matter how much you wish to spend, there exists a golf watch out there specifically tailored to your individual style of play. Some people desire all of the information they can acquire, while others simply want to keep track of scores or ensure they won't send a ball into a sand trap. Continue scrolling to discover more about each watch below and grab the one that resonates with you the most.

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Approach S70

Thinner and lighter than its bestselling predecessor, the Garmin Approach S62, the Garmin Approach S70 is the most recent and greatest golf watch all players should consider when shopping for the finest golf watch. From an appearance standpoint, the S70 is by far the most fashionable golf watch we've seen in years. Normally, golf watches are slightly lacking in terms of design, but for us, this is one of the first high-priced golf watches that genuinely resembles a top-of-the-line smartwatch.

The S70 is equipped with a new AMLED touchscreen that's much more vibrant and colorful than the Approach S62's touchscreen, making it easier to view the greens (as well as bunkers) that lie ahead. The S70 screen is also a bit larger (1.4 inches across compared to 1.3 inches on the S62), reducing the need to squint when reading the watch. In terms of battery life, the S70 has an upgraded 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, surpassing the S62's 14 days.

Garmin wouldn't release a new Approach without updating its golf features either. The Approach S70 comes with an enhanced virtual caddie, which takes factors such as wind, elevation, swing data, and the club you use into account, providing personalized recommendations on how to play any of the preloaded 43,000 courses on the watch. The Playslike Distance feature has also been improved, providing more accurate readings on how your shot will be influenced by elements such as wind, elevation, and the environment.

The final aspect you should be aware of regarding the Approach S70 is that it also functions as a reliable everyday smartwatch. It includes all the features that many of the other Garmin smartwatches offer, such as heart tracking, blood oxygen reading, sleep scores, stress tracking, and more.

If you're in search of a golf watch that performs equally well off the course as it does on, then the Approach S70 is the ideal choice. No other golf watch on the market combines golf-specific features with a stunning design and a sleek user interface like this watch does. Start here before considering any other golf watch.

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Approach S70

amazon.com

9.99

Bushnell Ion Elite GPS Watch Black

The Bushnell Ion Elite offers a substantial touchscreen with an intelligent display that we ultimately grew fond of after our first round of wearing it. It's not as advanced as the Garmin S70, but it's also not costly (under $200). The Ion Elite will locate your position on the course and connect you to the course you're playing. On each hole, you have a view of the yardage at the center of the display, and then at the four corners of the watch, there are areas you can tap to access the Ion Elite's features: scoring, hole maps, greens view, and a hazards map. What's convenient is that the Ion Elite recognizes when you're transitioning from one hole to the next, so the watch will automatically switch to the new hole for you instead of needing to press or swipe on your watch to get started.

The Ion Elite can be slightly slow, particularly when attempting to select your course and the text on the screen moves at a leisurely pace.

This can become a hassle when you're at a club with various courses because you will desire to wait for the complete text of the course to display in order to make sure that the Ion Elite is linked to the course you're participating in. The Ion Elite is also more substantial, and there aren't actually any other characteristics that render the watch perfect for donning when you're not on the course as a typical smartwatch.

But keep in mind that the Ion Elite is priced below $200, and most of these concerns will be similar (if not more extreme) when shopping for a golf watch under $200.

If you're looking to save money on your golf watch but still want premium features and accurate GPS, then the Ion Elite is your choice. Just don't expect it to outperform the Garmin S70.

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Bushnell Ion Elite GPS Watch Black

amazon.com

$179.99

Approach S10

The Approach S10 is the most basic Garmin golf watch, making it ideal for beginners who are just starting to use a golf watch. The S10 provides all the necessary information on the course: yardage on each hole, hazards, and doglegs to avoid, scorekeeping, and total distance played with total time.

The yardage is helpful because you receive measurements on the front, middle, and back of the green, giving you a general understanding of ball placement. And at the end of your round, you'll receive a concise summary of your score.

You won't find advanced shot tracking features or a color display with the S10. However, you will have access to basic data, and the watch is thin, lightweight, and easy to read in daylight. Grab one of these for occasional use. It's worth mentioning that the S10 also makes a great golf gift.

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Approach S10

amazon.com

$114.47

Gen 3 Smart Sensors

The Arccos Golf Gen 3 Smart Sensors is not a golf watch, but it offers an incredible user experience when paired with the Arccos Caddie app on an Apple Watch. The Gen 3 package includes 14 sensors, allowing you to attach one to each club in your bag. These sensors are discreet and provide shot-tracking accuracy that surpasses regular golf watches.

By downloading the Arccos app on your Apple Watch, you can start a round directly from your wrist instead of using your phone. The app provides projected yardages, actual shot distances, and a unique method for capturing putting data where you can mark your location on your watch and putt from there.

One drawback of the Gen 3 is that it doesn't provide readings on environmental conditions, slopes, or weather like other golf watches do. However, if all you need is distance tracking and shot feedback, pairing the Caddie sensors with a 5th generation or newer Apple Watch is a great alternative to purchasing a dedicated golf watch.

Read more: Top Fitness Smartwatches

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Third Generation Smart Sensors

amazon.com

$199.47

Connected Golf

When it comes to the appearance of golf watches, the TAG Connected Golf is hard to beat. On the outside, one will immediately notice a sporty white rubber strap attached to a stunning 45mm matte black titanium case with a seamless crown.

Inside the watch, there are over 40,000 pre-loaded courses, displaying details like hazards in a vivid and vibrant manner on the screen. The most impressive feature is the shot-tracking function, which analyzes your previous shots and suggests the next club based on all the provided data.

The TAG Connected Golf serves as both a fashion statement and a functional golf watch. Say hello to the most fashionable golf watch out there.

Learn more: Top Luxury Watches

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Connected Golf

saksfifthavenue.com

$2750.00

Courtesy of Retailer

ULT-G Golf GPS Watch

The ULT-G is perfect for beginner golfers or those who simply want basic distance measurements. It provides front/middle/back distances on the green, as well as information on where the hazards are located. While it does not have a touchscreen, the watch's four-button design is user-friendly, and it can still connect to satellites to display course details.

It may be challenging to include a plethora of technology in a $100 device, but considering its limitations, the TecTecTec is definitely worth considering if you want an affordable golf watch.

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ULT-G Golf GPS Watch

amazon.com

.99

Courtesy of Retailer

Play 4-Mode Digital Scorekeeping Sports Watch

For those who simply want to keep score, the ScoreBand will effortlessly log your play on each hole and calculate your score after nine and 18 holes.

Here's a straightforward scorekeeping solution that beats the hassle of using a pencil and notecard.

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Play 4-Mode Digital Scoring Sports Timepiece

walmart.com

$27.99

Approach S12

The S12 achieves its targets in style, design, functionality, and—most importantly—price. For under $200 you receive front, middle, and back reading on over 42,000 preloaded courses in a minimalist graphic. The S12's rechargeable battery is long-lasting as well, it will retain a charge for nearly 30 hours straight on GPS mode. And what's excellent is you can purchase the Garmin CT10 club sensors and obtain measurements on your swing, should you decide to elevate your play.

• Mass: 1.12 ounces
• Display size: 0.9"

Discover more: Finest Timepieces

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Approach S12

amazon.com

$199.99

Courtesy of Retailer

Scoring Timepiece

For those who aim to simply maintain score, the ScoreBand will effortlessly record your play on each hole and then compute your score after nine and 18 holes. If you inquire with us, it's a straightforward scorekeeping solution that prevails over having to keep track with a pencil and notecard.

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Scoring Timepiece

amazon.com

$34.99

Courtesy of Retailer

LX5 GPS Golf Timepiece

SkyCaddie is commended for being an economical golf timepiece with advanced level technology. One of those features encompasses an advanced level touch screen, which exhibits courses in vivid, vibrant HD imagery. You can also magnify the course for precise calculations on layups and avoiding hazards. Other features include scoring logs, statistics, a heart rate monitor and step counter, and a battery that endures up to two full rounds.

• Mass: 2.3 ounces
• Display size: 1.39"

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Aim Golf GPS Watch

A multitude of golf watches are equipped with an application that can be downloaded to peruse all the data it captures. However, certain watches have superior compatibility with smartphones compared to others. Golf Buddy has the capability to pair with all kinds of smartphones, allowing easy access to your data. Additionally, the watch is packed with high-quality features such as a colored touchscreen, a waterproof case, and a battery that can last up to 45 holes when set to golf mode. Furthermore, the watch comes with interchangeable straps that can be swapped out to better complement your golf attire.

• Weight: 1.77 ounces
• Screen size: 1.3"

Read more: Finest Polo Shirts

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Approach S62

Although the S62 may be the epitome of value in terms of its features, this touchscreen golf watch still exceeds $400 in price. Nevertheless, if you are an avid golfer who frequents the course on a weekly basis, the S62 is the ideal choice for you. Apart from offering colored maps and green views for every hole, you also receive a CT10 club tracking sensor, a pinpointer arrow to guide your aim even on blind shots, and measurements for wind direction and speed. Additionally, it includes a fitness tracker, ensuring that you have all the extra functions you desire.

• Weight: 2.08 ounces
• Screen size: 1.3"

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G3 GPS Watch

The G3 is an excellent golf watch that comes at a reasonable price, making it wallet-friendly. It provides front, middle, and back readings on over 36,000 courses. Two features that have received rave reviews from numerous reviewers on various websites are the watch's lightweight design (0.4 grams) and its constant illumination of the time and battery level.

• Weight: 1.44 ounces
• Screen size: 1.34"

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G3 GPS Watch

$159.99

Courtesy of Retailer

What Is the Top Golf Watch for Novices?

If you have never purchased or utilized a golf watch before, it's ideal to experiment with some of the $100-$200 golf watches before upgrading to something pricier.

Commence with the Garmin Approach S10, as it will deliver the fundamental data on distance and scorekeeping while presenting a slim and easy-to-read layout. The TecTecTec is also excellent for distance measurement and scorekeeping. It's not as popular as the Approach S10, but it is approximately $50 less expensive.

What Is the Best Fitness and Golf Watch?

There is genuinely only one watch we discovered that's suitable for use as a golf watch and fitness smartwatch, and that's the Garmin Approach S70. It encompasses all the necessary components for fitness training and recovery, plus it is loaded with a plethora of golf features.

The Approach S70 also possesses a durable and sleek design that's on par with numerous fitness watches currently available on the market.

How We Chose

All of the golf watches chosen above were required to have a substantial number of ratings with an average of four stars or higher. The excellence of the watch technology, as well as the price range, were top priorities for consideration. The weight of the watch and graphics interface were also taken into consideration since these two functionalities contribute to the overall user-friendliness. Lastly, we ensured to select a diverse range of different golf watches that reflected various types of play and skill levels.

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