Of all the products I’ve received to review in the past several months, the Garmin Approach G20 Solar just might be the one that surprised me most.

It’s a solar-powered handheld GPS unit.

Who knew we needed one of these?

Or, do we need it?

It’s novel, certainly. But is it actually useful? And can it stand up to a fairly aggressive $300 price tag?

I’ve now had the chance to get out on the course with the Garmin G20, and I’m ready to share some thoughts.

First Impressions of the Garmin Approach G20 Solar

Alright, one thing that’s not surprising about the Garmin G20 is its packaging and presentation.

It’s a Garmin.

It’s one of their Approach series products.

And it’s packaged exactly like all of the other products in that line. Same gray box. No frills. Nothing terribly impressive.

But again, it’s Garmin. They’ve got the reputation that allows them to go with a straightforward approach that doesn’t require them to spend more on packaging.

So in the box, you’ve got the device itself, a clip, a USB-C charging cord, and an instruction manual. Very simple.

The thing that jumped out to me upon opening the box was that I thought the G20 was going to be a bit bigger. The fact that it’s smaller than what I was expecting, I think, is a good thing. It’s just 2.1 x 3.5 x 0.7 inches and weighs only 3.8 ounces without the belt clip and 5.1 ounces with the belt clip.

As we’ll get into, this GPS actually has a built-in solar panel. So, like I said, I thought that would require a bigger-sized build. But as it turns out, I think the size is just right for most use cases.

A Solar-Powered Handheld GPS

Garmin Approach G20 Solar GPS

The G20's built-in solar panel means you'll never have to worry about charging your GPS device.

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G20 Clip-On Convenience

The G20 includes a magnet on the back, so it’s totally convenient for sticking onto a golf cart, similar to the Bushnell Phantom 3. In fact, I think the Phantom 3 is going to be one of the biggest competitors to the G20.

The G20 comes with a nice little clip, which also includes a magnet. So it’s a really simple, quick magnetic snap-on to attach the device to the clip. It works great.

I carried my clubs when I was testing the G20, and I found it really convenient to attach the G20 to the clip and then snap that onto a carabiner on my golf bag. I was able to look down and get my distances whenever I wanted. And I found the whole experience to be really easy.

Discovering the Approach G20’s Solar Features

One of the coolest features on the G20 is a solar page that reports exactly how much solar power you’re getting at any different moment. 

It will show you how much battery life is remaining, how intense the solar energy that it’s receiving is, and how much battery power you’ve gained from the sun on that day.

When I first pulled the G20 out of the box, I took it outside in direct sunlight for like five minutes, and it added 19 minutes of battery life to the unit. I mean, that’s pretty cool.

I initially thought the solar-powered thing might be more gimmick than an actual useful feature. I was skeptical about how much power that little solar panel would actually add to the battery life. So, I have to admit, I was kind of shocked to see what you can actually gain in a very short amount of time.

Honestly, I’m not sure I’m ever going to have to worry about battery life with this thing. Right out of the box, it was already at like six days of life. Then, when I discovered how quickly it charges in the sun, I realized that battery life was going to be a non-issue with the G20.

Now, if it does ever die and you need a quick charge, there’s a USB-C port on the side of the device, so it’s a simple plug in and you’re good to go.

I’m definitely taking back whatever skepticism I had about the solar feature being a gimmick. I actually think it’s not only cool but potentially really useful.

But… The Garmin G20 is objectively expensive for what it does. So, is it worth it?

Does the Garmin Approach G20 Do Enough for $300?

Three hundred bucks for a handheld GPS is a little steep, at least on the surface.

At that price point, you kind of expect some more advanced features. Like a color screen or detailed hole maps.

And you don’t really get any of that with the G20. When you look at it in the context of all of the advanced features that are available within the Garmin ecosystem, this device is pretty basic.

The G20’s GPS data is similar to what you’d get in the Garmin G12 handheld GPS or their S12 watch.

In fact, I think the S12 watch is basically just a smaller version of the G20. Of course, without the solar feature.

But if you’re considering buying a G20, I’d also look at the S12. It’s a watch versus a GPS, of course. But functionality- and navigation-wise, they’re very similar. And the S12, at $199.99, is $100 less expensive than the G20.

Or you could spend the same amount and get the new Approach S44 watch which has a color screen, basic hole maps, and a lot more.

But again, the S12 or S44 can’t be powered by the sun.

G20 Button Navigation

The G20 is not a touchscreen device. Instead, everything is operated by four buttons.

On the left side of the G20, there are up and down buttons, which allow you to scroll through menus. The up button also doubles as the power button.

On the right, there’s a “select” or “OK” button. And then below that, there’s a “back” button, which allows you to get to the previous screen.

I found using the G20 to be super intuitive. And, personally, I like the fact that there are physical buttons. I think with a handheld unit of this size, navigation by buttons is going to be much easier than if you had a touchscreen.

But for the price, giving the golfer the option to do both would be nice.

As for the G20 display, I think it’s great, even though there’s no color. It’s very easy to read outside, whether it’s cloudy, sunny, or rainy. I’ve had no issues at all seeing the screen and getting my information quickly.

This device also includes a Big Numbers mode, so that you can get your front/center/back information even more easily if you have any vision issues.

Pairing the G20 with the Garmin App

Just like most Garmin products, the Approach G20 Solar does pair with the Garmin Golf app. And I’ve got to say, Garmin is really doing a nice job of building out an extensive ecosystem. If you’re all-in on Garmin—like you’ve got a Garmin launch monitor, rangefinder, and GPS or watch—to be able to get all of your data in one central location I think is really smart.

Beyond your basic yardages, you can use your G20 to keep score and track stats. But I don’t really find those use cases with a handheld GPS to be too practical.

It’s one thing to input things like my score or club selection on my watch, where it’s constantly accessible. But to have to go back to my bag or cart to enter numbers into the G20, I don’t see myself doing that consistently.

So for me, a device like the G20 is really about the GPS yardages. That’s the main function I see as practical and the real reason I think most people would buy this product.

As far as accuracy when it comes to those yardages, the G20 is dead on. Garmin has proven that they’re the best in the business at GPS data, and the G20 is no exception. It worked flawlessly for me.

Another cool feature you get if you pair the G20 with the Garmin app is wind data. But I’ve got to say that I’m not so sure wind data on devices like this is always as useful as it’s made out to be. The problem, as I see it, is that you’re never totally sure where that data is coming from. I mean it could be pulling information from a tower 20 miles away. And even if it’s a closer location than that, there’s always going to be fluctuations from hole to hole out on a golf course.

My Slight Concern with This Garmin Handheld GPS

As I mentioned, the G20 retails for $300. My concern is that for that price, I just find the hole maps to be very basic. The whole visual and interactive experience is pretty plain. There’s no color, and there’s no real detail. Like I said, it’s the same experience as with the G12 and S12.

So while this isn’t necessarily a huge deal, I think it could be a frustration for some people when you consider the price you’re paying.

Now, you can obviously use the G20 to get front/center/back green distances. And you can button-click through multiple pin locations to get more accurate distances to that day’s flag.

You can also get hazard data. But this where the lack of built-in maps really holds it back. Essentially, you get a green and then kind of like a timeline of hazards that you can scroll through.

But honestly, without that map visual, it wasn’t always obvious to me which hazard distance I was looking at.

Really, these are the same kinds of limitations you’d find in most handhelds and basic GPS watches. It’s just that the Garmin G20 costs $300. And I think for that price, I would like to see a bit more, including things like hole maps.

That said, I get that the point here is the solar feature. So if you’re including all that extra data, then the solar aspect probably doesn’t work.

Should You Buy the Garmin Approach G20?

I think it’s a hard “maybe’ when you consider whether or not the G20 is worth buying.

If you’re looking for a GPS device that’s simple, that you can use with a cart or when you’re carrying, that’s small enough that you can clip it to your belt without any intrusion, and that has really cool solar-power capabilities that actually work better than I expected, totally buy the Garmin G20.

The problem for a lot of people, as I’ve said, is that beyond the solar, this is a basic GPS. The fact is, you can get a similar experience for half as much as this.

Now, the Garmin ecosystem I think is always a factor in any Garmin-buying decision. If you’re in with Garmin, or you do want to use this device to keep score and keep track of statistics, then the G20 probably makes more sense than if you’re not in those situations.

And that is a caveat worth considering. If you did want to save the money and buy something like the Bushnell Phantom 3 (or even a discounted Phantom 2) for $150, you’d be giving up access to that Garmin ecosystem.

Then there’s the other direction. You could look at this as, if you’re already spending $300, you could step up another $200 to get the Garmin G80, which gives you full-color, detailed hole maps.

And the G80 is also a golf launch monitor! Granted, it’s fairly basic in that function, but it does work. You can simply set it on the ground, and you’re going to get some basic shot data. Is it the most accurate in the world? Of course not. But, for some people, this might really be all they need to get a general idea of how far their ball is going and what they are doing in their swing.

The G80 also has a slightly bigger display for you to see those better hole maps.

The point being that, for some people, the G80 is going to be pretty compelling. It provides a lot of useful features for only $200 more.

I do have to note that the G80 has not been updated in several years. So it doesn’t include a built-in magnet or as sleek of a case—some of the more modern features that have become standard with newer Garmin products.

Personally, as someone who loves using a Garmin GPS watch, I’m probably skipping the whole handheld GPS thing, whether it’s the G20, the G80, the Phantom 3, or whatever else. My watch can give me so much more information.

But if you’re in the market for a GPS, the G20 does exactly what it says it’s going to do and does it very well. I think it’s worth buying, even if I don’t necessarily think it’s the best value at $300.

A Solar-Powered Handheld GPS

Garmin Approach G20 Solar GPS

The G20's built-in solar panel means you'll never have to worry about charging your GPS device.

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Honestly, about a year ago, I was starting to think that this product class had kind of plateaued. Like, rangefinders had kind of become a commodity, with all of them very similar to each other and little differentiation between models.

That idea has been completely blown up. Recently, all kinds of cutting-edge technology is being introduced on the rangefinder front to the point that we’ve got an entirely new product class: Smart rangefinders.

Suddenly, we’ve got multiple options, especially when it comes to GPS integration, that are not only really technologically impressive but that might actually help your golf game.

I’m going to highlight what I think are the five best smart GPS rangefinders on the market.  I’ve tested every single one of thse extensively.

I’m going to walk you through the pros and cons, compare features, and discuss pricing. By the end, you’ll know which one—if any—is right for you.

Quick note: I have not yet had the opportunity to review the new LINK-Enabled technology from Foresight and Bushnell or the upcoming i4 rangefinder from FlightScope. In each case, those rangefinders allow you to actually get launch monitor data and personalized club recommendations right in the rangefinder. Pretty cool in theory, and from what I saw at the 2025 PGA Show, they look very promising. I’ll update this post if those products end up making the cut.

What Is a Smart GPS Rangefinder?

Before the “smart” distinction, most rangefinders functioned pretty much the same way. You look through the lens, you hit a button, and the rangefinder gives you the distance to the flag, or whatever target you’re shooting.

But GPS-enabled rangefinders take things a step further. They integrate GPS data to provide additional information, such as distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, hazard distances, and even hole overviews.

How this information is displayed varies from device to device. Some models provide an on-screen display, while others pair with an app or watch. Not every unit will be for everyone. You may prefer the features or functionality of one type of smart rangefinder more than another.

Or, you might find that smart GPS rangefinders aren’t your thing at all. Because, honestly, I’m not sure this type of product is right for all golfers.

The Downsides of GPS Rangefinders

For all their benefits, which we’ll get into, GPS rangefinders do have some drawbacks.

For one thing, most of them require USB-C charging, which could be an issue if you’re the type of person who regularly forgets to charge your electronics. If that’s you, and you can envision yourself constantly showing up at the golf course with a dead rangefinder, maybe you’re better off with a traditional battery model.

The good news is that GPS rangefinder battery life has improved significantly since these were first introduced. Most of them will now go at least 10 rounds, if not many more, before needing a charge.

Another thing is that some of these smart rangefinders need to be paired with an app. That means there’s an extra step before you start your round. You’ve got to wait for the GPS to locate your course, you have to select your course and what tee box you’re playing from. You then decide if you’re going to keep score, etc., etc.

If you just prefer a simple, no-fuss rangefinder that you never have to think about until it’s time to get a yardage, a smart rangefinder might not be the right choice for you.

That said, if you are open to the game-improvement benefits that golf technology can unlock, I do think there are very real benefits to be gained by adding a GPS rangefinder to your bag. But not just any one. These are the five smart rangefinders that I’d buy today.

Best Value: Voice Caddie SL2

At first glance, the older SL2 and current SL3 are nearly identical. They share the same laser and GPS display, but the SL3 includes additional green contour and slope features.

Originally retailing for $549, the SL2 is now available on Voice Caddie’s site for $399. Not bad, right?

Well, it gets better. With special Breaking Eighty pricing, you can get an SL3 for $259! That’s an insane deal and as good as any value you’re going to find in golf technology.

This is only going to last until they sell through their remaining stock, and last I heard there were only around 200 units left.

So at $259, the SL2 is really tough to pass up. No, it doesn’t include the green contour and slope features of the SL3. But it’s almost $350 less expensive!

The SL2 won’t be for everyone. Some people aren’t going to want the built-in screen. Others will want some of the functionality of other options on this list. But if you’re in the market for a smart rangefinder and you want the best deal out there, this is it.

Best Smart GPS Rangefinder Value

Voice Caddie SL2 Rangefinder

The SL2 has now been discontinued and is no longer for sale. Click the link below for a special price on the newer, SL3 model!

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Precision Pro Titan Elite: Best Traditional Rangefinder with GPS Data

This might be the best GPS rangefinder for most people: the Precision Pro Titan Elite.

This one’s super convenient in that, once you pair the rangefinder with the Precision Pro app, you can see GPS distances to the front and back of the green right in the view finder. To get that GPS yardage combined with the actual laser-measured shot distance just works really well.

Precision Pro took all of the best features of their previous flagship NX10 rangefinder, as well as their older R1 GPS rangefinder, and combined them into one to make the TItan Elite.

The result? A well-built, highly accurate, and reliable rangefinder that I really enjoy using.

The only knock I’d have on it right now is the price. Considering there are a lot of really good rangefinder options out there for less money, you’re paying a bit of a premium here. But in my experience, it’s worth it for the build quality, and killer warranty/support.

Best Traditional Rangefinder with GPS Data

Precison Pro Titan Elite Rangefinder

$369

The Titan Elite improves upon other Precision Pro rangefinders in nearly every way. The GPS integration is well done, yet it's also a great high-end rangefinder in its own right. Highly recommended.

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Garmin Approach Z82: Most High-Tech Smart GPS Rangefinder

Alright, if you’re a tech gadget geek, just stop right now and go get the Garmin Approach Z82. 

The Z82 packs more technology into a rangefinder than any other device. It’s unbelievable what this thing can do. Hole maps, hazard data, score keeping, and all right in the viewfinder. There’s honestly no other rangefinder out there like this.

But there are some things about the Z82 that are going to disqualify it as a candidate for many shoppers.

One is the price. Like the Voice Caddie SL3, the Z82 is $599.

The other big thing is that the Z82 is not a traditional rangefinder in the sense that there is no optical glass. Instead, when you look into the viewfinder, you see a digital screen, similar to a mirrorless camera.

On that screen, you get an incredible amount of data. You can scroll through options that include GPS hole maps, yardages, hazard data, and scorekeeping. The amount of information available right in the reticle is insane.

Personally, I find it to be a little distracting at times. Because there is so much stuff in the viewfinder, when I use it, I spend a lot of time choosing between menu options and looking at all the cool stuff. It ends up taking away from the game in a way I don’t really prefer.

The Z82 is also starting to show its age. It’s still got the USB mini connection, and the rechargeable battery life isn’t up to the most current standard. You pretty much have to charge the Z82 every round or two.

Overall, for as cool as the Z82 is, it’s probably not for most people. But for gadget guys, it might be a must-have.

Most High-Tech Rangefinder

Garmin Approach Z82 Golf Rangefinder

$599

Looking for the most high-tech golf rangefinder on the market? Your search is over, get the Garmin Approach Z82.

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Garmin Approach Z30: Best for Garmin Watch Wearers

Out of all the options on this list, the Garmin Approach Z30 is the one I personally enjoy using the most.

This is a traditional rangefinder, meaning you look through optical glass rather than at a digital screen. But it pairs with the Garmin app to provide GPS data.

But not just any data. The Z30 will display distances from the pin to the front and back of the green. For example, if you see a “16” on the top of the screen and a “4” on the bottom, that means the pin is 4 yards from the front and 16 yards from the back.

Many GPS devices give you yardages to the front, middle, and back of a green, but the way this Z30 factors in the pin’s actual location and shows you how much room you have to work with on either side of your target is awesome.

But the real reason to buy this rangefinder is if you’re someone who regularly wears a Garmin golf watch. That’s because you can pair the Z30 with your watch, and in my experience, once you’ve made that initial connection, it syncs automatically every time you start a round. It just works really well.

Here’s where it gets cool. After shooting the flag, your Garmin watch will update to show you a GPS-mapped green with the exact pin location. You’ll still see the front and back yardages, but now you’ll also have the precise flag position for that day right on your wrist.

And it gets even better. Once you’ve locked in that pin location, the watch remembers it. No matter where you move on the hole, you’ll get updated yardages to the actual pin placement, not just the green in general.

I have had some occasional times where the flag location was slightly off, but it’s always close and hasn’t been a big concern overall.

I will say this isn’t the fastest rangefinder. It can take a couple of seconds to pull in the GPS data.

But if you already use a Garmin watch, this rangefinder honestly feels like magic. Since getting it, I’ve kept it in my bag at all times. Even when testing other rangefinders, I find myself coming back to this one just because of how seamlessly it works with my watch.

Best for Garmin Watch Wearers

Garmin Approach Z30 GPS Rangefinder

$399

If you use a Garmin Smart Watch on the golf course, this is hands down the rangefinder you should buy. Combining the two is kinda like magic.

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Voice Caddie SL2 vs. Precision Pro Titan Elite

After I originally reviewed the SL2, I had a lot of people asking if they should get that rangefinder or the Titan Elite. Really, it depends.

The SL2 is better on paper. You’re getting that dual OLED display and the built-in screen (though I will say that’s one of those love-it-or-hate-it features). Overall, the SL2 really is a nice device.

But as far as just a traditional rangefinder feel, I like the Titan Elite. It’s a little bigger and heavier, so it feels more stable. The target vibration is great. The GPS data is quick and right in the viewfinder. It’s just rock solid, and I really like it.

I personally prefer having my data in the viewfinder, like with the Titan Elite, even if that means sacrificing some of the information I’d get if it were on the screen, like with the SL2.

Really, the Garmin Z30 is the best of both worlds. I can get that data from the flag to the front and back in the viewfinder and then get all the additional data on my watch.

But between the SL2 and Titan Elite, it really comes down to whether you like the extra features and the extra information and are OK with having the screen right there, or whether you just like getting everything you need in the viewfinder.

The other consideration, of course, is price. The Titan Elite is $399. And you can get the SL2 for $259.

So, while I probably prefer the Titan Elite, do I prefer it by an extra $140? No, probably not.

Best Smart Caddie: FlightScope i4 or Bushnell Pro X3 Link

In 2025, we’re seeing a new category of smart rangefinders come out. These new models still use GPS data from an app to factor in things like wind, altitude, and temperature – but they take things a step further with club data.

Both the FlightScope i4 and Bushnell Pro X3 Link will take your actual launch monitor data and make real time club recommendations anywhere on the course.

It’s pretty cool tech, that for the right person can be genuinely useful.

These are both niche products that won’t be for everyone, and which one is best for you comes down to which products you use.

The Bushnell Pro X3 Link is hands down the better rangefinder. But you only get that extra club data when you also use a Foresight GC3, GC3s, or Bushnell LPi. 

The FlightScope on the other hand, works best if you use the Mevo Plus or higher-end XC3, but you can input launch monitor data from another device – so this one is best if you don’t have a launch monitor of your own.

Both are cool, but at $599 for the Bushnell and $499 for the i4 – there’s likely a better option for you unless you’re invested in one of their ecosystems.

FlightScope i4 Rangefinder

$499

A high end rangefinder that promises to take your FlightScope data and bring it to you on the course.

Buy from FlightScope

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Best Bushnell Rangefinder

Bushnell Pro X3+ Link Rangefinder

$599

Bushnell updated their flagship Pro X3 rangefinder to include launch monitor data from Foresight launch monitors. Not only that, if you buy a GC3 or GC3s, you get one of these units included for free.

Buy Pro X3+ Link Buy Previous Gen Pro X3+

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Final Thoughts on the 5 Best Smart GPS Rangefinders

You’re definitely going to be in good shape with any of the options from this list. I’ve used them all extensively, and I love each one. These are the contenders as I see it.

If you’re looking for the best value, get the Voice Caddie SL2. At $259, that deal is insane.

If you want a traditional rangefinder experience with a little GPS data thrown in, the Precision Pro Titan Elite is a great choice.

If you wear a Garmin watch, just get the Garmin Approach Z30. Seriously. The experience is seamless.

And if you love the idea of a virtual caddie, then either the FlightScope or Bushnell will provide a very unique experience.

Any of these smart rangefinders are going to be great. 

If you have any questions, I’ve probably tested more rangefinders than anyone on the planet. Just let me know in the comments.

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The post My 5 Favorite GPS Golf Rangefinders (For Every Budget) appeared first on Breaking Eighty | Best Golf Courses and Golf Product Reviews.

This watch is so jam-packed with features. It’s got everything, including an AMOLED display that looks just as good as the S70’s, and even things the S70 can’t match. All at a $349.99 retail price that’s half of what the S70 costs!

See what I’m saying? In theory, the T11 Pro is a no-brainer and legitimately is the Garmin killer some people have claimed it to be.

But…

Theory and reality don’t always match up.

Now, listen, there’s unquestionably a lot to like about the Voice Caddie T11 Pro. And I’m going to cover all of it.

And there is undoubtedly an outstanding value proposition available to anyone considering this watch. On top of that, with our Breaking Eighty link, you can get the T11 Pro for $299.99. Like I said, the value proposition is legit.

But there are also some things about the T11, especially compared to the Garmin line, that, well, don’t quite measure up. At least not perfectly.

As is so often the case, this golf watch is definitely right for the right golfer but not quite right for another type of golfer. Read on to find out if it’s a fit for you.

First Impressions of the Voice Caddie T11 Pro Golf Watch

I’ve made this point before. I’ve been very impressed with the quality and functionality of the Voice Caddie products of late.

When it comes to their rangefinders and golf watches, they’ve been putting out some wonderful options at some very reasonable prices. I’ve really liked recent products like their TL1 and Laser Fit rangefinders, and I was impressed with the T9 golf watch they released a few years ago.

And that feeling of Voice Caddie quality includes the product packaging and general first impressions. The T11 Pro is no exception.

The design of the packaging, the box itself, the presentation upon opening, it’s all great. Everything about it feels very high quality.

You open the box, and you’ve got the watch itself, a portable charging dock, a user manual, even a strip of stickers, which is kind of a fun extra.

You also get an extra strap. Cool, right?

Well… Kind of.

The strap that comes installed on the T11 is all black. It looks great. But then they include only the top part (from the buckle down to the watchface) of an extra strap. Weird, right? Well, even more weird, at least to me, is that this half-of-a-strap replacement is in all white. So if you do want to use it, you’ve got this two-tone look with white on one half and black on the other. I don’t quite get it.

But, hey, it’s nice that they include the option.

Another oddity is that the packaging includes a charging cradle that’s compatible with USB A-to-C and C-to-C USB charging cables, but they don’t include a cable in the packaging. 

As for the build quality of the watch, I’d rate it as solid. It’s not quite as solid as the Garmin Approach S70 or some of the other high-end Garmin watches. But it’s by no means cheap-feeling.

The T11 is also a bit of a thicker watch. Sitting on the wrist, it’s a higher profile. Even for me, someone that tends to wear chunkier watches, I noticed this one as sitting pretty high on my wrist. So, if you’re someone who prefers a more svelte watch—something more like the new Garmin Approach S44 or S50—this could take some getting used to.

Best Bang for the Buck Golf Watch

Voice Caddie T11 Pro GPS Golf Watch

$349

This is hands down the most feature-packed GPS watch under $500. And it costs way less than that. This is a wonderful value in GPS golf watches and does just about everything you could want it to do.

See Special Breaking Eighty Pricing

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The T11 Pro’s Beautiful AMOLED Display

When you turn on the T11 Pro, the first thing you notice is its gorgeous screen. It’s got an 1,100-nit AMOLED 1.2-inch screen that looks great.

In fact, I’ve got to say that this T11 screen looks just as good as any of the Garmin watches I have. And I’d even rate it as just shy of the very best Apple watches, which is really saying something considering I think they have the definite best-in-class displays for smartwatches.

So, right away, before we even get out onto the golf course or explore all of this watch’s features, there’s already a lot to like.

A quality first impression.

A solid build quality.

A screen that’s every bit as good as the Garmin watches.

Maybe this is the real-deal Garmin killer.

And we haven’t even got to its strongest selling point—value.

The T11 Pro Value Proposition: Where This Watch Really Shines

The T11 Pro retails for $349.99. But with the Breaking Eighty link, you can get one for $299.99.

Considering that’s less than half of the Garmin Approach S70, which is clearly the watch the T11 is gunning for, this watch is quite intriguing.

Even better is the fact that, on paper, the T11 Pro has some features that the S70 doesn’t include. Plus, there are no subscriptions at all with this Voice Caddie golf watch.

So, all of the sudden, we’ve got a really compelling offer on our hands.

But, in practice, is the T11 Pro actually better? Does it work as well as expected? And should you buy it?

Features: The T11 Pro Includes All the Important Stuff

No sense in having a screen this beautiful if you can’t get full-color GPS maps on every golf hole you’re going to play. And, just as you’d expect, the T11 Pro delivers exactly that.

Also on this touchscreen watch, you can click any hazards to get distances to the front and back of each one. You can click any point on the fairway to get distances to specific spots as well as what remains from that spot to the pin.

Also, as is similar to the S70, you can manually input your individual average club distances, and the T11 Pro will show you a halo across the fairway, showing you where your shot would be expected to land. That allows you to strategize and avoid potential trouble spots.

In other words, the T11 Pro includes some of the very same advanced features that make the S70 so special.

Voice Caddie T11 Pro Green Heat Maps

Where the T11 Pro really ramps things up comes with its green data.

You can get green heat maps with a device like the S70 (or S50 and S44 for that matteR), but only if you pay the $9.99 a month or $99 a year Garmin Golf Membership.

With the Voice Caddie T11 Pro, those maps are free. And you actually get even more green data with the T11 than you would with the S70 even if you did pay that Garmin subscription.

So that alone is a huge selling point. In fact, it might be the overall biggest separator for the T11 Pro. More green data for even less money? Not a bad deal.

Let’s look at what that green data includes on the Voice Caddie T11 Pro.

For starters, you’ll get a heat map showing you where the most severe breaks are on each green. Voice Caddie calls it their Smart Approach View.

So, say you’re unfamiliar with a green that you’re hitting into. You can double tap on the watchface and see that shelf or tier that you otherwise wouldn’t know was there. That allows you to more strategically aim at the portion of the green where you’d be better off landing.

Then the T11 Pro takes things even further by helping you to read the green for your putts with Voice Caddie’s Smart Putt View. It will tell you, right on the watchface, that, for example, your putt is uphill to the pin and then downhill after the pin.

There’s even a built-in Long Putt Guide that will help you aim on long putts, taking into account the break on the green. So it will give you instructions like, “Aim left, one club or more.”

These are all incredibly advanced features that are really cool to see in a golf watch that you can get for $300.

But…

Are These Advanced T11 Pro Features Actually Useful?

The question is, how practical are these features? Like, are you really going to use them?

I mean, if I’m on a green lining up my putt, am I really going to be looking at my watch to tell me how the putt is going to break? Probably not. I’m just going to look down at the ground right in front of me and make those determinations from what I can see right on the putting surface.

I don’t need my watch to tell me that it’s uphill to the pin. I’m probably going to be able to see that for myself.

I do think that as you use this watch regularly and become more comfortable with all of its features, you’ll probably find scenarios where some of these green features come in handy. There may be times where you’re not sure what a putt does. Having an extra resource like your watch in that instance could be helpful.

I also think that there’s definite value in the Smart Approach View feature. When you’re playing a course you’ve never played before, being able to see that a green is multi-tiered gives you a way to plan strategically on your approach shots.

But on the whole, for as much as I wanted to love all of these advanced green features, in reality, I just found them to get in the way more than anything else.

Built-In Tempo Mode

Another cool feature on the T11 Pro is an auto shot tempo display. So, after each swing, the watch will give you a Yellow (for too slow), Blue (for just right), or Red (for too fast) readout that tells you how you’re doing with your swing tempo.

I love this as a training tool or for something to use at home when you don’t want to hit balls but just want to work on your tempo.

But in the few rounds that I used this watch, I was annoyed that the watch automatically displays the swing tempo after each shot. It’s a feature that Voice Caddie brags about as a selling point, but I found it to be a nuisance.

Personally, when I’m on the course, I want to focus on my game rather than any adjustments. I really don’t want to know if I’m having swing tempo issues. That’s information I’d prefer to reserve for practice sessions.

Extra Features in the Voice Caddie App

By pairing your T11 Pro with the Voice Caddie app, you can get even more features.

For example, you can use this as a smartwatch and get notifications and text messages directly to your watchface.

You can also get wind speed and direction, which can definitely be useful.

And the Voice Caddie T11 Pro can even give you personalized club recommendations after the app gathers enough shot data if you take the time to input your club selection after each shot. That’s another next-level feature that’s a big-time selling point in a watch at this price point.

Also, it has a built-in shot-tracking feature. So, again, if you take the time to input what club you hit after each shot, the watch will interface with the app to keep track of your performance with each club.

The downside is that the Voice Caddie app experience leaves a little bit to be desired. It’s not as robust, refined, or easy to use as other golf watch apps. And for those reasons, I don’t find myself gravitating to the app to take advantage of these extra features.

I found the plays-like distances on the T11 Pro to be accurate though not quite as advanced as what you get with the S70, where it’s taking wind and other environmental factors into account. But as for slope-adjusted yardages, the T11 Pro is solid.

Best Bang for the Buck Golf Watch

Voice Caddie T11 Pro GPS Golf Watch

$349

This is hands down the most feature-packed GPS watch under $500. And it costs way less than that. This is a wonderful value in GPS golf watches and does just about everything you could want it to do.

See Special Breaking Eighty Pricing

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Comparing the T11 Pro to the Voice Caddie T9 and the New Garmin Options

The T11 Pro is meant as the upgrade to the T9 golf watch that Voice Caddie released a few years ago. Functionality-wise, these two watches are very similar. Essentially, the T11 Pro takes what the T9 does and just does it all much better. Plus, the T11 Pro features a far better screen.

So, the fact that with the Breaking Eighty link you can get the T11 Pro for $300, while the T9 costs $250, I think choosing the T11 Pro is well worth the extra $50.

It’s also interesting to consider how the T11 Pro stacks up against the newest golf watches from Garmin, the S44 and the S50.

After the discount, the T11 Pro is the same $300 as the S44. It also features the same-quality AMOLED display. And a lot of the same limited smartwatch functionality.

But golf features-wise, I think the T11 Pro has the S44 beat. You can upgrade the S44 to access Garmin’s best golf maps, which include green heat maps. But that’s going to require you paying the $9.99 a month or $99 a year Garmin subscription. With the T11 Pro, those features are included without paying a subscription.

The S50, at $399.99, is $100 more than the discounted price of the T11 Pro. But, for the right user, I think it’s well worth the extra money.

The S50 blows the T11 Pro out of the water in terms of fitness and lifestyle features. It is a very impressive watch when it comes to things like sleep, stress, and heart rate monitoring, not to mention all of its ways that it can track pretty much every kind of activity that might be part of your life.

For those reasons, if you’re looking for an around-the-clock watch, I think the S50, even for $100 more, is a better option than the T11 Pro.

Then again, there are golf features that the T11 Pro includes that the S50 can’t match. So, it really comes down to how you intend to use the watch.

The other thing to consider is the size comparison between the new Garmin watches and the T11 Pro. Even though they all have the same 1.2-inch watchface, the T11 Pro is considerably bulkier on the wrist. The S44 and S50, by comparison, are much sleeker and just kind of disappear on your wrist.

Let’s Get Down To It: Should You Buy the Voice Caddie T11 Pro?

The Voice Caddie T11 Pro is one of the most capable and feature-filled watches on the market.

That said, my personal problem with it is that it’s just not the most intuitive or easy to use golf watch.

I don’t like that it’s so reliant on touchscreen navigation. With just one button, I constantly find myself scrolling the wrong way, or trying to figure out where to go, or trying to get data, and it’s just not working the way I expect it to.

To be clear, the more you use this watch, the more familiar you’re going to get with the navigation and the more intuitive it’s going to become for you.

But for me, after three rounds with it, I haven’t been able to crack through to that second-nature level. I find myself trying to get a yardage, and it’s not working. Or I’m trying to go back to enter my score from a few holes ago, and it’s not doing that in a way that I expect it to. Or I’m hitting my shot, and then I’m getting tempo data that I don’t need.

I’ve just found the useability and the user experience to not be nearly as friendly as what I get with comparable Garmin devices.

But the good news is that you’re paying a fraction of the cost of what you’re paying for the Garmin S70. There’s no subscription with the T11 Pro. And, in some ways, this watch has just as many features, if not more, than that similar Garmin.

I also can’t recommend the shot-tracking feature on the T11 Pro. If you’re buying this watch as a substitute for what you can get through a system like Arccos or Shot Scope or Garmin’s CT sensors, I wouldn’t. The built-in shot tracking on the T11 Pro isn’t robust or accurate enough, and you can’t get the granular data detail you’ll find in those better options.

Final Thoughts on the Voice Caddie T11 Pro

The bottom line is that this golf watch represents one of the absolute best values in the world of golf GPS’s.

And I think that the more you use this watch and become familiar with the navigation and its features, the more some of my complaints will become non-issues. I just haven’t personally been able to get there. And part of that is probably because I’ve just used Garmin watches for so long.

I don’t think the T11 Pro is a great option if you’re looking for a smartwatch that you want to wear around the clock. The size is a bit too big, and the smartwatch functions are a bit too limited. But you totally can do that if you choose to.

Is the T11 Pro a perfect device? No.

But does it represent one of the best, if not the best, values in the golf watch world? Absolutely. Especially considering you can get the T11 Pro for $299.99 here.

So if you want a high-quality golf watch with cool features that isn’t nearly as expensive as the Garmin S70, this is definitely one I would consider.

Best Bang for the Buck Golf Watch

Voice Caddie T11 Pro GPS Golf Watch

$349

This is hands down the most feature-packed GPS watch under $500. And it costs way less than that. This is a wonderful value in GPS golf watches and does just about everything you could want it to do.

See Special Breaking Eighty Pricing

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Recent Updates:

February 25th, 2025: Added the written review to go along with the video which was published in August 2024. Added comparisons to the new Garmin S44 and S50. Apparently when I did the the original video, I didnt take any photos of the T11. Will update this review soon with better photos of the watch on the course.

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, we may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.

The post Voice Caddie T11 Pro Review: Is it Really a Garmin Killer? appeared first on Breaking Eighty | Best Golf Courses and Golf Product Reviews.

Honestly, my initial reaction was, “Why?”

I just didn’t see where the S50 fit in Garmin’s line. They seemed to have it covered with their budget S12, mid-tier S44 (the upgraded replacement to the S42), and their top-end S70 (the upgrade to the on-the-way-out S62).

I wondered, how does a $400 S50 that seems at first glance, to be a confused mashup of all these watches really fit?

And then I started using it, wearing it, testing it. And, man, have I changed my tune.

Not only do I think the S50 fits. I think it stands out. In fact, I think it just might be the best golf smartwatch for most people.

Let me give you all my reasons for coming to that conclusion in this, my full review of the Garmin S50. I’m going to tell you what I like and what I don’t. And I’ll compare the S50 to some of Garmin’s other golf watches to help you decide if this is a golf watch worth buying.

Let’s get into it.

First Impressions of the Garmin Approach S50

I’ve said it many times before, Garmin’s already got such a good reputation that they don’t need to go above and beyond with packaging and presentation.

You know you’re going to get quality when you see the brand name.

And that’s exactly what you get with the S50. The box features the exact same design as all of the other Garmin golf watches, with the same graphics layout as all of their tech products.

And, sure enough, inside you find the quality that you’d expect.

Actually, when I first picked up the Garmin S50, I thought, “Oh, it’s so nice and cute and so much smaller than the other Garmin watches I’ve used.”

The S50 is a 42 mm golf watch with a 1.2-inch face diameter.

There’s actually a version of Garmin’s flagship dedicated golf watch, the S70, with that same size-sized watchface. But the practical wearability of those two watches is quite a bit different.

The S70 is considerably thicker than the S50. Whereas the S70 is a bit chunky when you wear it, the S50 kind of just disappears on your wrist.

The S50 is also Garmin’s first golf watch to come with a nylon ComfortFit band, which adds to that lower profile.

Everything about the Garmin S50 just feels more sleek, more svelte, and, overall, a little bit smaller.

Personally, I really like the look and feel of the S50 and the nylon band. I like how low profile it is.

But, keep in mind, if you’re planning to go swimming with this watch or plan to wear it in the shower, that nylon band is going to take a bit longer to dry out than the standard-issue silicone band.

But considering there is no shortage of watch bands and accessories that you can get from Garmin or from third parties on Amazon for not much money, this is probably a non-issue.

Garmin Approach S50 GPS Watch

$399

The Approach S50 might just be the best Garmin golf watch for most people. Fantastic feature set, with upgradability is a great combo.

Buy Now

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Favorite S50 Features I Noticed Right Away

Both the S50 and Garmin’s new S44 have Garmin’s AMOLED screen, which was first introduced with the S70. This screen looks absolutely fantastic.

One of my big complaints with the older-model, mid-tier Garmin golf watches was that they had that dated MIP display that just wasn’t very bright and crisp and just really didn’t look very good in a modern setting. Especially if you were coming from an Apple watch where you’re used to that big, vibrant screen.

I think it’s very exciting that Garmin is now including their AMOLED screen with all of their new watches. It’s a big deal to get that quality of a screen in the $300 S44 and $400 S50, considering that you used to have to go all the way up to the minimum-$650 S70 to get that kind of display.

And, like I said, on the S50, this AMOLED screen looks excellent. The colors pop. The screen is super responsive. And it might be because the S50 is a little bit smaller, but to my eye, it even looks a bit brighter and crisper than the Fenix 8, which is Garmin’s flagship fitness watch that costs almost three times as much.

Another feature I noticed right away was the 1 through 18 markings around the S50’s bezel. It’s just a really nice way to keep track of your score when you’re playing. Next to each number, as you enter your score, it will have a different color based on what your score was on that hole in relation to par. I really like being able to see those trends throughout my rounds.

That’s one of my favorite Garmin golf watch features compared to their more broad fitness watches, like the Fenix 8 or the older Epix line, that don’t include those 18 golf hole numbers around the bezel.

Getting Started With and Navigating Through the Garmin S50

Pairing the S50 with the Garmin Golf app is simple. It’s super seamless, and after you do it the first time, it works flawlessly.

Another thing I really like about the overall Garmin ecosystem, as someone who has multiple Garmin watches and devices, is that you can easily switch between Garmin products and it will automatically upload the data. They make it very easy to be a Garmin power user.

I recently did a video about how I’ve gone all in on Garmin over the past year:

One thing you’ll notice about the Garmin golf watch line is that, the more expensive the watch, the more buttons that are included. For instance, Garmin’s flagship golf watch, the S70, includes three buttons. And when you get to the Fenix line, you actually get five buttons.

As someone who likes physical buttons and prefers not to have to use a touchscreen for all of my watch navigation, I really like watches that give you more buttons.

With the S50 and the S44, you only have two buttons. And even though I do prefer more buttons, I’ve actually found navigation with the S50 to be pretty straightforward.

Again, the touchscreen is very responsive. And once I figured out that a long hold of the start button unlocks all of the settings and options for the watch, everything got a lot smoother.

As you’d expect in a dedicated Garmin golf watch, getting started with a round is very easy. You hit the start button. You’ll see an option to “Play Golf.” You tap that, and away you go.

The watch’s internal GPS will locate all of the courses in the area and give you options in order of the proximity to where you’re standing. So, almost always, the first choice will be the golf course that you’re physically at when you hit that start button.

The watch is preloaded with more than 43,000 golf courses, so it’s highly unlikely that you’re going to arrive at a course that’s not an option with the S50.

Garmin S50 vs. Garmin S44

Golf-wise, out of the box, the Garmin S50, for $399.99, isn’t too much different from the S44, which costs $299.99.

The one golf feature difference between the two is that the S50 includes basic plays-like distances, meaning it will factor elevation into the yardages to your targets.

Beyond that, the S50 and S44 are the same in terms of golf features. Both include things like:

• Yardages to front/middle/back
• Yardages to layups and doglegs
• Shot distance measurement if you prompt the watch after you hit
• Digital scorecard
• Compatibility with Garmin’s CT-10 and CT-1 shot tracking sensors
• Green view with manual pin position
• PinPointer, which allows you to see where the green is located on blind shots
• Swing tempo

The thing about Garmin golf watches is that they work. Like, flawlessly. They are totally dependable. You know exactly what you’re going to get.

The pairing with the app, when you want to use it for things like shot data storage or to upload your scores, is seamless. All of the features work as advertised. It’s easy and intuitive to move from feature to feature. When it’s Garmin, it just works.

But if the S44 is $299.99 and the S50 is $399.99 and the only golf feature difference is the plays-like distances that come included with the S50, why would anyone pay an extra $100 just for that one feature?

It’s because the S50 provides far more than $100 worth of off-the-course benefits.

Which brings me to my original point.

Why I Think the Garmin Approach S50 Is the Best Golf Smartwatch for Most People

If you just want a great Garmin golf watch, I’d get the S44. The new AMOLED screen is awesome, and the $100 savings compared to the S50 makes it a simple choice.

It’s when you want more than just a plain golf watch that the S50 really shines. In fact, it shines so brightly that I think more people are likely to choose the S50 than any other Garmin golf watch.

The big reason is that the S50 includes a heart rate monitor, whereas the S44 does not. That allows the S50 to do all  kinds of fitness and activity tracking that the S44 can’t do.

That means things like:

• Daily resting heart rate
• Abnormal heart rate alert
• Respiration rate
• Fitness age
• Body Battery
• Stress tracking
• Relaxation reminders
• Meditation and breathwork
• Sleep tracking, analysis, and coaching
• Hydration

So while the S50 doesn’t have all of the advanced fitness tracking and the built-in maps or overall ruggedness of the fenix series, it does have just about all of the health and fitness features that you were going to find in the S70, which costs almost twice as much as the S50.

So, why would you pay so much more for the S70 when the S50 exists?

Garmin S50 vs Garmin S70

First of all, the S70 comes in both 42 mm and 47 mm options. So if you like a bigger watch, the S70 is going to be your better golf watch choice.

But the biggest difference is that, out of the box, the S70 includes more golf features than the S50. The most obvious thing you’ll notice is that, with the S70, the graphics and detail quality on the hole maps are much better than with the S50.

The hole maps on the S70 are just much more representative of what the in-person golf holes actually look like.

With the S50, the hole maps are far more basic.

Another difference is that, with the S50, when you’re scrolling between bunker and hazard distances, you’re not able to use the physical buttons like you can with the S70. With the S50, you have to use the touchscreen.

Also, with the S70, the plays-like distances are more advanced and take into account things like altitude, weather, and wind. On the S50, the plays-like distances are only factoring in slope data.

And finally, the S70 comes with a virtual caddie right out of the box. So the watch itself can track your shots and, over time, learn your game and eventually even make personalized club recommendations. Out of the box, the S50 can’t do that.

So, clearly, the Garmin S70 is the superior golf watch, right?

Well…

It’s Compatible with Garmin Accessories

As Garmin has evolved it’s eco-system, they’ve got a number of products that play well together to improve your call experience and data collection.

Perhaps the coolest device is the Approach Z30 rangefinder. This pairs with the S50 to give you GPS yardages to the green and pin directly in your rangefinder.

For instance, you can shoot the pin, and then on your watch it will show you exactly where the pin is on the green. It then remembers that location, so as you continue playing the hole, the yardage to the pin will update in real time.

It’s even cooler in person, and feels kind of like magic.

If you’re interested in enhanced shot tracking, you can pair the S50 with both the new CT1 sensors, and the higher end CT10 sensors to track every single shot you hit.

The data you’re able to get is amazing. The experience isn’t quite as good as what you get from Arccos, but it’s still well worth considering if you have a compatible Garmin watch like this one.

Here’s Where Things Get Interesting: You Can Upgrade the S50

For the first time ever, Garmin is giving you the option to upgrade your golf watch, specifically with their new S44 and S50 models.

That means that if you pay the $9.99-per-month or $99-per-year Garmin subscription, you can make it so that your Garmin S50 has all of the golf features that the Garmin S70 has. The only exception being wind speed and direction factoring into your plays-like distances – that’s still limited to the higher end watches.

So, all of the sudden, we’ve got a sleeker, potentially more comfortable, and certainly less-expensive-out-of-the-box S50 that can, basically, do everything that the higher-priced S70 can do.

Personally, I love this. I know people hate subscriptions, and I get that. I’m one of those people. But I see this as an opportunity. It allows you to choose whether or not you want the extra data or the enhanced experience.

Or, maybe you don’t want or need these extras initially but don’t want to close the door on the possibility of adding them down the road. With the S50, you now have that flexibility.

And at $99 a year, I think it’s actually a pretty good value considering that this works across all of your Garmin devices. Let’s say you have a Garmin Approach R10 or R50. That same subscription is going to get you Home Tee Hero access, which allows you to play simulated rounds on more than 43,000 golf courses.

The subscription also gives you green contour data on your golf watch, meaning you can see the breaks on all of the greens that you’re playing.

The subscription really provides quite a lot of features and benefits. And the deeper you are in the Garmin ecosystem, the better value it becomes.

So, if you know that you just want a really solid, svelte golf watch that’s going to do a great job, the S50 is an awesome option. But if at some point you decide that you want things like the virtual caddie or the better-looking graphics, you’ve got the option to upgrade.

And comparing the $400 S50 to the $700 S70, you could own the S50 and pay the annual subscription and it would take you three years to catch up to the price of the S70.

You have the same upgrade options with the S44, but with that watch, I’m not sure it’s such a great deal. With the S50, for the right user, I think it’s actually pretty compelling.

To me, the reasons why someone might still prefer the S70 comes down to size and buttons. If you like the idea of a larger watch, the 47 mm version of the S70 remains the choice. And if, like me, you prefer button navigation, the S70’s three buttons versus the S50’s two means that the S70 is the better option.

On a personal note, I’m wearing a watch 98% of the time. Usually it’s the larger Fenix 8 or a mechanical watch. I was kind of excited to try out the smaller S50, and thought it might be a really good change of pace.

For me personally, I do find it a little bit too small. Not due to screen size or anything like that, it just feels a little dainty on my wrist for lack of a better term. So just something to think about if you have larger wrists or prefer larger watches.

Should You Buy the S50?

I think the Garmin S50 is a very compelling package.

While I didn’t initially think that Garmin needed another golf watch tier, the S50 does fit a very specific use case that I think is going to resonate with a lot of people.

If you just want a good-looking golf watch that fits great, has a beautiful screen, is going to allow you to keep score, get yardages, and do all of the basic golf functions, get the Garmin S44. For $300, it’s excellent.

If you want all of those things but you also want a watch that’s going to track your health, fitness, stress, sleep, activities, and a lot more, and if you like the idea of being able to upgrade the golf features, then the S50 for $100 more is a no-brainer.

So where does that leave the S70?

Well, honestly, it’s now a little bit tougher for me to recommend Garmin’s flagship golf watch, considering you’re able to get so much of what the S70 provides with the S50.

Yes, you’d have to pay the $99-a-year subscription to get those advantages with the S50. But a lot of Garmin users are already paying that subscription for things like the added green contour features and Home Tee Hero simulation option.

Again, size options and more buttons do remain as advantages for the S70 and the reason that, for some golfers, it’s still the clear-cut winner.

But for most golfers who are looking for fitness features and a kilelr golf watch? I think the S50 may be the move.

And if I’m looking for even more robust fitness features and more of a lifestyle watch that’s really getting into the nitty gritty of tracking my health and fitness, personally, I’m probably going to spend a little bit more and go for the Garmin Fenix 8, which has been my daily driver for all of those reasons. It’s expensive, sure, at over $1,000, but it gives you way more quality of life, fitness tracking, and health features.

When you shake it all out, I see the S50 as the way to go for a lot of people. It really does hit that sweet spot in the Garmin line.

Final Thoughts on the Garmin Approach S50

If you’re trying to figure out whether to buy the S50, you’re probably also comparing that watch to the S44, S70, and maybe even something from the higher-end lines, like the Fenix 8. Hopefully, this review has helped you with those comparisons.

I’ve used all of these watches extensively. What I can tell you is that there are no wrong answers. All of them are great, it just depends on what you’re looking for.

The S50, because it lands right in the middle of the road, is the likely best golf watch for most people. It’s the one that does enough and costs enough that it’s not the most basic. And also the one that doesn’t go all the way with every last feature so that there is still a savings opportunity.

And now, with the option to upgrade the S50 for those that are interested or really want to go all-in with the Garmin brand, I think it makes it that much of an attractive option for a lot of people.

Garmin Approach S50 GPS Watch

$399

The Approach S50 might just be the best Garmin golf watch for most people. Fantastic feature set, with upgradability is a great combo.

Buy Now

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

The post The Garmin Approach S50 Hits the Sweet Spot of GPS Golf Watches appeared first on Breaking Eighty | Best Golf Courses and Golf Product Reviews.

Nowadays, all of the “best” golf watches go well beyond golf. The category, especially in the case of Garmin, has jumped to include smartwatch features, fitness and lifestyle metrics, and generally a lot of functionality that has nothing to do with golf.

But you know who doesn’t care about a lot of those expensive extras?

A lot of golfers!

Some people just want a golf watch. Something that gives them reliable yardages, is comfortable to wear when they swing, and is simple to use.

One of the problems is that we’ve been stuck in this period where if you wanted “basic,” your only choice was “very basic.” In the Garmin line, that has been the S12. It’s, well, pretty bare bones.

Garmin tried to introduce a more advanced entry-level option with the S42, but the MIP display and the cumbersome map features left a lot to be desired. I personally found it kind of a weird middle ground, and gravitated either towards more basic or the higher end S62/S70.

So, now, with the introduction of the Garmin Approach S44, we’ve got something to study. It’s the replacement to the S42. It’s what the S42 should have been but never really was. It’s the “basic” but also “nice” Garmin golf watch.

So, did Garmin get it right this time?

What’s new and better about the S44 compared to the S42? And is it worth upgrading from the S12?

While we’re at it, how does the S44 compare to Garmin’s other new golf watch, the S50?

Most importantly, is the Garmin Approach S44 worth $299.99, and should you consider buying one?

That’s what we’re covering today. If this is where you’re at in your golf watch shopping, this S44 review is for you!

First Impressions of the S44: Garmin Golf’s Most Affordable AMOLED Display

The packaging for the S44 is very typical Garmin.

Which is to say that, while it’s solid and certainly does the job of protecting the contents, it’s nothing awe-inspiring.

Same Garmin grey box as with all of their golf tech products. Same branding. Same everything.

Again, solid, but not necessarily inspiring.

But it’s Garmin. They’ve got the name and the established reputation. They don’t need to do anything fancy with their packaging.

Now, the S44 watch itself, well, that’s a different story. It’s not the Garmin same-ol, same-ol.

And that’s because the S44 includes Garmin’s gorgeous AMOLED display. At $299.99, it’s now Garmin’s least-expensive golf watch with this big-time selling point.

This was one of my biggest beefs with the Garmin S42. For the same $300, it’s MIP screen, well, it kind of sucked compared to other golf watch options. Especially in direct sunlight, it was often dim and difficult to read and compared to an Apple Watch or an OLED-based competitor, it felt outdated.

The S44 fixes that in a huge way. With its vibrant, high-contrast AMOLED display, yardages, hole maps, and hazard details pop off the screen, making it much easier on the eyes in any lighting condition.

So, to now get Garmin’s beautiful AMOLED display without a price increase makes the S44 a very compelling product right out of the box. It immediately renders the outgoing S42 obsolete. That is, assuming the S44 doesn’t lag behind the S42 features-wise.

A Great Golf-Only Watch

Garmin Approach S44 Golf GPS Watch

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The Approach S44 is Garmin's replacement for the S42. Now with an AMOLED display, it's a big improvement.

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Garmin Approach S44 vs. S42: Meaningful Upgrade or More of the Same?

I was never a big fan of Garmin’s older golf watch MIP displays, including with the S42. And I always found it a little cumbersome to use the S42 map features.

Really, with the S42, I’ve always felt that you were probably better off just going with the very basic and less-expensive S12 or jumping up to the performance-worth-owning and much more expensive S70.

That’s why I’m intrigued by the S44. It’s the same price as the S42. And, as I’ve mentioned, it’s already far better in my eyes just because of the display. So, what about the rest of it?

As for appearance, beyond the major screen upgrade, the new S44 is quite similar to the S42. It includes the same 1.2-inch watch face, the same silicone band, the same 1.5-ounce weight, and the same 43 x 43 x 11.4 mm dimensions.

Battery life is the same for both the S44 and S42 (up to 10 days in smartwatch mode) as is the water rating (5 ATM).

The S44 features a silver aluminum bezel compared to the black metal bezel on the S42. And I love the 1 through 18 numbers around the bezel that denote what hole you’re on while you’re using the golf feature.

There’s one thing that really jumped out to me in comparing the S44 and S42 physically, and that is the buttons. The 42 has one button. The S44 has two.

As you may know, I’m a button guy. I prefer button navigation to touchscreen navigation. So twice as many buttons is twice as good, as far as I’m concerned.

Both of these watches are definitely designed for the touchscreen to factor heavily into the navigation, but the extra button on the S44 means that watch allows you more options to work through the menus and features via button pushes as opposed to touchscreen taps and swipes. For me, that’s a plus.

Generally, the more expensive the Garmin golf watch, the more buttons it will have. The five buttons on the fenix 8 is one of the features I love enough to make it my daily driver. But that’s also a $1,099.99 watch.

Even the S70 which features 3 buttons, is enough to make a noticeable improvement in usability.

What I’m saying is that to get a second button with the S44 without having to pay anything more than the one-button S42 is a win in my Garmin golf watch comparison book.

Remember, my big complaints with the S42 were mostly about the display and the navigation. So, with the S44, both of those things are upgraded.

Another significant improvement with the S44 is much better hole maps. The maps on the S42 were super basic. As I’ll talk about in a minute, the new maps on the S44 don’t quite touch Garmin’s highest-end options, but they are much better than on the S42.

Let’s look at how the S44 performs on the golf course.

Playing Golf with the Garmin Approach S44

Golf features-wise, the S44 is still in that “good not great” category. Actually, aside from the improved hole maps, it’s pretty much identical to what you got with the S42.

And for golfers who are looking for a really solid, well-built golf watch that’s not trying to offer every last frill, what’s so bad about that? Remember, it’s not any more expensive than the S42. And we’ve already established that it’s an upgrade.

Here are some of the key golf features:

• Preloaded with 43,000 courses worldwide
• Front/Middle/Back yardages
• Yardages to layups and doglegs
• Measures shot distances (if you manually prompt the watch after each shot)
• Digital scorecard
• Stat tracking in the Garmin Golf app
• A green view on each hole with the option to manually move the pin location
• Hazards
• PinPointer (a feature that allows you to see in which direction the green is on blind shots)
• Swing Tempo
• Compatibility with Garmin’s CT10 and CT1 shot-tracking tags

Notice that it doesn’t include all of the top-end golf features you’re going to find further up the line in something like Garmin’s flagship S70. Things like plays-like distances, a virtual caddie, and wind speed and direction.

Score keeping works great, and exactly how you’d expect it to. It reliably prompts you to enter your score as you walk off each hole (assuming you want it to).

I also love the 18 hole bezel that shows different colors based on what you shot for each hole. This is my favorite feature that’s missing when you use one of Garmin’s more fitness focused watches for golf, like the Fenix 8 or Epix Gen 2.

I haven’t tested with CT10 or CT1 sensors yet, so will link to a review when I do that.

Another big difference between the S44 and something like the S70 is the golf hole map quality. As I mentioned, the S44 map layouts are much improved over the S44, but they still lag well behind what you get with the S70.

The bunkers for instance, aren’t typically the exact layout of the hole. They’re more shown in general locations relative to the hole – as opposed to the S70 where it feels much more exact.

This isn’t a huge deal in practice, but if you’re playing a course you aren’t as familiar with, there may be times you need to do a double take to make sure you’re looking at the correct hazard distances.

The S70 gives you a much more lifelike representation of how the golf hole looks, with far more hazard and tree details to go along with all of those other advanced golf features.

But Garmin is actually giving you an opportunity to upgrade your S44 hole maps all the way up to the same maps you get on the top-of-the-line S70. But is that a good deal? Let’s find out.

S44 Upgrade Options with the Garmin Subscription: Is It Worth It?

At the 2025 PGA Show, Garmin announced upgrade opportunities for their new S44 and S50 golf watches.

Here’s my Show recap if interested:

Golfers can now pay the $9.99 per month or $99 per year Garmin Golf subscription to essentially turn their S44 or S50 into a souped-up model.

In the case of the S44, here’s what the subscription unlocks:

• Playslike Distances (adjusting for elevation changes)
• Enhanced CourseView maps (those detail-rich maps we were talking about)
• Green Contour Maps
• Touch Targeting (meaning you can tap on specific spots on a hole map to get precise yardages)

So, are those features worth $9.99 per month or $99 per year?

Well, I do think those are very significant upgrades. I mentioned how much better the Enhanced CourseView maps are. And any golfer who’s played with a rangefinder knows the advantages of having slope-adjusted yardages. Also, even for someone who’s not a touchscreen guy, the Touch Targeting does give you some advantages. It’s nice to be able to zero in on a specific yardage to a place where you want to aim. The Green Contour Maps are nice to have, but mostly only for approach shots into greens you haven’t yet played.

But the S50, for $100 more, already comes with Playslike Distances. Plus, as I’ll cover in a minute, the S50 gives you a lot of additional off-the-course advantages.

So, to me, I think the upgrade option is interesting with the S50. You do have to pay the subscription for the upgrades beyond the already-included Playslike Distances, but once you do, it allows you to basically turn that watch into an S70 and be money ahead for a few years.

But for the S44, the subscription opportunity is a little less compelling. I think with this watch; you might be better off going all-in on your stance of saving money by choosing the S44. If you’re going to pay for the subscription, I might just bite the bullet and go for the S50 from the start. But that’s me. You’ll have to work through how that math works with the features you value for yourself.

S44’s Off-Course Limitations Plus How It Compares to the S50

To put it simply, the S44 is a golf watch and not too much more than a golf watch.

And as I said at the beginning, for a lot of golfers, that’s exactly what they want.

The fact that you can now get an AMOLED display on a $300 Garmin golf watch that also features better navigation and better hole maps, makes the S44 a golf watch win.

But it’s probably not the right fit if you’re looking for a smartwatch that encompasses all of your life’s activities.

Yes, you can get texts and emails and calendar updates and weather forecasts with the S44. You can even control your smartphone music. It’s definitely not a dumb watch.

But relative to Garmin’s full suite of fitness and lifestyle features, the S44 is pretty stripped down.

You’ve got a step counter and a calories-burned tracker. And the activity profiles include running and cycling. But the S44 does not include a built-in heart rate monitor, which very much limits what it can track. That means no sleep tracking, no stress monitoring, no abnormal heart rate alerts, no relaxation reminders, no hydration tracking, no breathwork or meditation exercises.

But here’s the thing: Garmin just rolled out their new Approach S50. It’s pretty much the same golf watch as the S44 but it goes far beyond the S44 when it comes to fitness and lifestyle tracking.

All of those things you don’t get in the S44? All of them and a bunch more are included in the S50.

And because the S50, at $399.99, is only $100 more than the S44, I actually think the S50 is likely the best golf watch for most people.

But you might not be most people. And $100 is $100. Why pay anything extra if you don’t need more than the basic golf functionality that the S44 delivers?

Who Should Buy the Garmin Approach S44?

I think the S44 fits very nicely in Garmin’s newly narrowed down golf watch line. To me, it offers excellent value for the price.

If you want all of the benefits that come with owning a Garmin product—things like reliability, build quality, compatibility with the extensive Garmin ecosystem, brand reputation, and guaranteed tech support—I think the S44 is the perfect entry point.

I also think it’s worth the extra hundred dollars to go beyond the $199.99 Garmin S12. That watch’s black-and-white MIP display just looks dated in comparison to the modern AMOLED screen of the S44. To me, that aesthetic upgrade is worth the price increase.

This says a lot considering, I wouldn’t have recommended you upgrade to the S42. But the S44 truly is a modern golf watch at a great price.

The $299.99 S44 price is about right. You’re getting that AMOLED display that leaves the S12 and S42 in the dust. And you’re getting the better maps and navigation than the S42 can deliver.

Beyond that, the S44 is a comfortable, nice-looking golf watch that you know is going to perform consistently.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the S44?

I do think that there are some shoppers who might be at risk of being a little short-sighted in choosing the S44. Not all shoppers, mind you. But some.

You might not be into the whole fitness tracking thing now, but think carefully about what you envision for your next few years.

These Garmin watches are built to last. And with the new AMOLED displays, which is also a feature in the S50, it’s even more likely that if you buy one of today’s Garmin golf watches, you’re going to own it for at least a few years.

If, in that time, you think you might like to tap into some of the fitness and lifestyle tracking benefits that are still relatively new to all of us, you might want to reconsider your choice of the S44. 

I’ve got to say, from personal experience, that having things like sleep tracking and heart rate monitoring can be pretty powerful. And that’s to say nothing about the activity profiles that allow you to keep track of how you’re doing on all of your different outdoor adventures.

So, again, I think the S44 is right if you just want a golf watch. 

Want some better health and fitness features? Consider the S50.

Final Thoughts on the Garmin Approach S44

The Garmin S44 is night-and-day better than the S42. And for the same price.

It’s worth $100 more than the very basic S12.

That means, to me, it’s the perfect entry-level Garmin golf watch.

I think everybody should be excited about the fact that we can now get Garmin’s AMOLED display at the $300 price point.

I think most people should be excited about the navigation and course map upgrades in the S44.

But I think some people should think carefully about whether or not they want to limit themselves to just a golf watch.

Because that’s how I see the Garmin Approach S44. It might not be an overly fancy golf watch. But it’s also an excellent golf watch for the basics and well worth the asking price. If that’s what you’re looking for, look no further.

A Great Golf-Only Watch

Garmin Approach S44 Golf GPS Watch

$299.99

The Approach S44 is Garmin's replacement for the S42. Now with an AMOLED display, it's a big improvement.

Buy from PlayBetter.com

We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

Recent Updates:

February 20th, 2025: Added photos of the S44 on the course. Added commentary on scoring, 18 hole bezel, and map quality.

The post Garmin Approach S44 Review: A Huge Upgrade Over Outgoing S42 appeared first on Breaking Eighty | Best Golf Courses and Golf Product Reviews.

“Value” and “Quality” are the two overarching considerations, it seems, for golfers who find themselves on either side of the Shot Scope debate.

Those who love Shot Scope proclaim its value as exceptional, unparalleled, the best in golf. And, as we’ll get into in this review, there’s a definite strong value case to be made for the V5.

And those who aren’t quite onboard with Shot Scope sometimes complain that the products just feel a bit, well, budget and find the user experience to be a tad clunky. Once again, the V5 serves as a perfect example.

Where do I stand on Shot Scope? I see it both ways. In the case of the V5, I think there’s some pretty overwhelming evidence that this watch offers too good a value to ignore.

Shot tracking included? No subscription fee? A round strategizing tool that’s actually really useful and innovative? A price of just $249.99 (and possibly for less than $200 when you apply our BREAKINGEIGHTY coupon code to a Shot Scope sale)? I mean, come on, this thing is the poster child of value.

But… It comes with some frustrations. Quality, you see, just isn’t quite up to the level of the top brands in either the golf watch or shot tracking spaces. And the user experience? Yeah, I’m afraid it does lag behind the leaders at least a bit.

It all makes the Shot Scope V5 a very interesting product. For the right golfer, I think they’re going to have a hard time finding a golf watch that they like (or at least like paying for) more than this.

But for a different type of golfer, I think a V5 purchase is going to lead to buyer’s remorse.

So let’s sort it out. I’m going to help you figure out if you’ll love this golf watch or wish you had bought something different.

Shot Scope V5 First Impressions

Out of the box, the Shot Scope V5 is fairly straightforward. It’s clear from the start that Shot Scope is more about delivering value than flash.

The box and its contents don’t really lack anything. All of the important stuff is there. But there’s nothing overboard. Nothing sexy or luxurious.

Inside, you’ve got the watch, a proprietary charger, and 16 shot-tracking tags.

If you’re not familiar with shot-tracking or a system like Arccos, these are tags that screw into the butt end of each of your golf clubs. Then, when you play, the tags and watch work in tandem to keep track of where you’re hitting each one of your shots. We’ll get into it more below.

The watch itself feels lightweight, and I have to say, I think it’s very comfortable. And while I can’t put it on the same level as the top-of-the-line from Garmin (or even their mid range), I’d rate the build quality and aesthetics as overall quite solid.

But… There’s the same weird issue as with the other Shot Scope watches I’ve reviewed. And that is that the watch clasp is backward from what you’d find with a traditional watch.

I gotta say, this is a funky and frustrating design quirk. Apparently, this backward design has to do with the watchband’s built-in RFID shot-tracking technology. Although, I really can’t understand why that makes it so that it has to be backwards. All I know is that I don’t like it.

But, again, once it’s on the wrist, it’s a nice-feeling and looking golf watch. It’s a round 1.2-inch face. And while the display isn’t on the level of a top-end AMOLED Garmin or Apple Watch model, it’s actually clear and bright, even in direct sunlight.

As I’ve said before about the Shot Scope X5, if your display standard is an Apple Watch, you’re going to be disappointed. But, compared to all but the highest end of other golf watches, the V5 looks just fine.

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Button Navigation a Big V5 Plus for Me

One thing that jumped out to me right away was that this watch features exclusive button navigation. Personally, I really like that.

I know a lot of golfers prefer touchscreen navigation. And the best of the best—something like the Garmin Approach S70—includes both buttons and touchscreen.

But if I’m having to choose between the two, I’m a button guy. I just find that, often, out in the elements, sometimes with fingers that might include sweat and sunscreen, buttons provide a more reliable way to navigate through the watch’s menu options.

So, for me, the four buttons on the V5 immediately make me like it better than the Shot Scope X5, which is designed for primarily touchscreen navigation. I found using the touchscreen on the X5 to be a little tricky at times. It was often a problem to accurately tap the specific thing I wanted.

If you also love buttons, this is one reason you may love the V5. And if you’re definitely a touchscreen person, well, then this might be what disqualifies it from your list.

How Smart Is the Shot Scope V5?

If you’re looking for a golf watch that you’re going to wear around the clock to track fitness, sleep, and all of your activities, the V5 isn’t it.

It has a step counter, which is nice And I love that it actually shows the time even when you’re in golf mode. Surprisingly, that’s a very rare feature even for the most expensive golf watches.

But this isn’t the watch that’s going to track your stress, or give you a sleep score, or keep track of your hydration, or monitor your blood oxygen saturation. It’s also not a watch that you can use to receive texts, phone calls, or emails.

Then again, did you really expect all of that for a $249.99 price that includes shot-tracking tags?

If you do want all of that on a budget, the closest you’ll get is the new Garmin S50.

I do think that the Shot Scope V5 is nice enough looking and comfortable enough that if you wanted to wear it as your all-day timepiece, you certainly could. But I think most people are going to use this watch just on the golf course. That’s really where it’s designed to deliver all of its value.

Playing Golf and Tracking Shots With the Shot Scope V5

Here’s where we unlock all of the serious bang for the buck that the V5 delivers.

A reminder: We’re talking about a watch that includes shot tracking but doesn’t include a subscription.

You compare that to what you have to pay if you want to use a system like Arccos or if you want to pair a Garmin golf watch with their shot-tracking sensors, and the Shot Scope solution is by far the least expensive.

But this is also where we unlock some of the frustrations. To put it bluntly, using the V5 to track shots on the course and to edit them afterwards is not as seamless of an experience as with Arccos (my favorite, by far) and even Garmin.

So, there’s a little bit of “you get what you pay for.” But, considering you’re not paying much, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

First of all, I found the V5’s GPS yardages to be very accurate. I also thought that the full-color hole maps looked really good, and the shape of the holes and greens, as well as the hazard placements, were all spot-on.

And as I mentioned, I really like the four-button layout on the V5. It took me a few holes to become completely familiar with what each button does and how to navigate intuitively, but that’s the same with most new products when I first test them out. Once I got the hang of it, navigation was simple.

The watch gives you front, middle, and back distances, hazard distances, and layup yardages. However, this watch does not include slope-adjusted yardages. That’s another feature you’re leaving on the table in exchange for the attractive price.

Shot tracking for no additional fee is, of course, where the V5 truly differentiates itself. The system automatically registers shots without the need for manual tagging.

Shot Scope’s Shot Tracking Analysis

While I found that most shots using the V5 and the Shot Scope club tags were accurately recorded, I did experience a few missed shots and phantom reads. To be fair, that happens with both Arccos and Garmin as well. But, to be honest, it happened a bit more frequently with Shot Scope.

But when it gets it right, which is definitely the majority of the time, the game-improvement insights available to view in the Shot Scope app are fantastic.

There’s a ton of really useful information, including things like club distances, strokes gained analysis, approach shot accuracy, putting performance, short game stats, tee shot analysis, percentage of greens hit, and a lot more.

Again, is the overall experience of reviewing all of this information as fluid and well designed as with Arccos? No, it’s not.

But, especially for the money, Shot Scope’s solution isn’t at all bad. And I think any golfer who’s serious about improvement stands to gain a lot by using some kind of shot-measuring system, including this one.

But that leads me to one of my biggest struggles with the V5.

What I Don’t Like About the V5

My biggest issue with this watch and the Shot Scope shot-tracking feature is when it comes to editing your shots. Unlike Arccos, where you can correct mistakes on the fly, Shot Scope requires post-round editing in the app, which can be cumbersome.

That means that if a shot is missed or mistakenly added, you have to remember that detail and manually edit it after the round.

But what if you stop for drinks or dinner? Or you don’t remember to get to the editing until a few days later? Are you really going to always accurately remember all of those details?

That editing limitation is my biggest concern with using a Shot Scope watch to track your golf game. That said, you’re not going to find a more economical way to do it. So maybe the answer is to just accept that limitation and remind yourself to be diligent about timely editing.

I also think the overall Shot Scope user interface could be a bit smoother. While functional, the app isn’t as polished as competitors like Arccos. Syncing rounds sometimes takes longer than expected, and making adjustments post-round isn’t as seamless as it could be.

Beyond that, as I mentioned, I find the reverse clasp design to be annoying. And, of course, off-the-course features are very limited.

But, generally speaking, the pros outweigh the cons with the V5.

Why I Think the V5 Offers Great Value for the Right User

Despite whatever its limitations, the Shot Scope V5 shines in terms of value. Here’s why I think it’s a great fit for a lot of golfers:

• No Subscription Fees. This is a major selling point. To get shot tracking tags included with the golf watch AND not have to pay an ongoing subscription… That’s a pretty killer deal.

• Accurate GPS and Shot Tracking. While not flawless, the V5 provides reliable GPS yardages and accurate shot tracking with a lot of really useful information.

• Straightforward Button Navigation. Maybe it’s not for everybody, but personally, I prefer buttons over touchscreens.

• Discount Code. With the 15% off BREAKINGEIGHTY code, the V5 becomes an even better deal. And, considering that Shot Scope will often leave that code active even when they’re running sales, that means that you could potentially pick this watch up for under $200. At that price, this becomes one of the best golf deals available.

There’s another feature that I really like and that I think adds interesting value. And that is the MyStrategy feature in the Shot Scope app. It allows you to add your personal shot data to any golf course.

Where this can be really cool is for planning a round. Maybe you’re not familiar with the course you’re going to play. Using this feature, you can see ahead of time how your dispersion patterns are going to play out on each hole map. So you can plan to adjust your target lines and club selections accordingly to stay away from trouble spots.

For someone that’s going to take the time to prepare like this, I think this feature is pretty cool and potentially adds a lot of value.

Comparing the V5 and X5

There are a few different reasons that I think the Shot Scope V5 is a better overall option for most golfers than the X5 model, which I’ve reviewed previously.

First of all, the X5 is designed to be the more premium watch and is priced $50 higher. But, to me, “premium” and “Shot Scope” aren’t really synonymous. They make great products, no question. But they aren’t luxurious. And I just don’t find their attempts at high end to be that compelling.

For me, the more interesting angle with Shot Scope is the value that they deliver. I’d rather lean into that if I’m shopping their line.

Feature-wise, these watches are almost identical. They offer the same GPS yardages, the same shot-tracking tag compatibility, and the same off-course limitations. The X5 does allow you to overlay your own data onto the hole maps on the watch. But the V5 also gives you more colors to choose from for your yardage readouts.

The main differences are in the aesthetics and the navigation.

The X5 has a ceramic bezel compared to the V5’s plastic bezel. That is a more premium touch, but it’s just not enough to sway me.

Also, as I’ve noted, I prefer the button navigation on the V5 to the mostly touchscreen navigation with the X5.

The X5 is a bit more customizable with different band colors available, while the V5 only comes in black.

So I do think that you can legitimately call the X5 the better-looking watch.

But if it’s me, I’m taking the savings and the buttons. Especially in a watch that doesn’t have the advanced lifestyle features I’d want if I was going to wear it off the golf course.

Shot Scope H4: A Better Option for Users Who Want to Track Fitness Separately

Some golfers are going to want to track their golf activity using their smartwatch. And unless they’re going to wear multiple watches at the same time, that scenario disqualifies the V5 as a good option because of its fitness and lifestyle tracking limitations.

If that’s you, but you still like the idea of affordable shot tracking with no subscriptions, the Shot Scope H4 Golf GPS Handheld, for $149.99, might be the way to go.

Instead of getting your yardages from your wrist, you can get most of the same information from this small device that you can easily fit in your pocket or clip to your belt. And, like with the V5, the H4 comes with 16 shot-tracking tags and no ongoing subscription fee.

Just be aware, that with the H4 you’ll need to manually tap the device before each shot to get them to register. Whereas the V5 system is automatic.

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Final Thoughts on the Shot Scope V5

I find myself in the same spot I often do when reviewing Shot Scope products. The company delivers a product with undeniable value, yet one that still leaves a little to be desired in certain areas.

And I don’t see that as a bad thing at all. In fact, I think it’s a very good thing. Not every golf product has to be of the absolute best quality or include all of the most cutting-edge features.

When you consider all that the Shot Scope V5 includes—shot tracking, accurate yardages, easy navigation—for a price of $249.99 with no subscription fees added, it is unquestionably a great value product.

Throw in the 15% off BREAKINGEIGHTY code (which is usually still active when Shot Scope runs sales), and it might be a no brainer.

No, you’re not getting the highest-end golf watch with the V5. Or the best off-course option. Or the very best shot tracking. But you’re also not paying for those things. And for the right golfer, I think that’s a very attractive tradeoff.

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This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, we may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.

The post Shot Scope V5 Review: A Solid Budget Golf Shot Tracker appeared first on Breaking Eighty | Best Golf Courses and Golf Product Reviews.

But there is, of course, another option for getting your distances – and we’re not talking sprinkler heads.

Golf watches are the stealthy, practical alternative to rangefinders, and many golfers find them to be preferable.

Why?

The best golf watches include comfort, performance, simplicity, and even style – and some of them can even cost less than your typical rangefinder.

For some golfers, GPS golf watches beat the cumbersome and time-consuming routine of pulling out a rangefinder each time you want a distance.

Just as smartwatches are becoming more prevalent among an ever-increasing range of lifestyles, golf watches have evolved to incorporate features that may appeal to a wider range of golfers.

I’ve tested more than 2 dozen watches over the last 4 years, and these are the best of the best.

If you’re looking to put something around your wrist that will give you the information you need quickly and reliably all while you add a little something to your on-course style, these are your best options.

Best Overall Golf Watch for Most People: Garmin Approach S70

The Garmin Approach S70 came out a year ago, and is still top of the heap when it comes to a dedicated golf watch.

Everything about it is an upgrade from the outgoing Approach S62.

With its release, the S70 solves two of the biggest problems facing nearly every other watch on this list:

Screen resolution and lifestyle features.

The super bright AMOLED screen is a joy to look at, and is miles better than any other Approach series watch from Garmin.

But almost more importantly, they’ve finally packed in many of the health and fitness features that Garmin is known for into a reasonably priced golf watch.

Body battery, stress levels, sleep tracking – it’s a huge step up from previous Garmin golf watches.

This makes it the best choice out there for people who want a watch they can wear all day, every day.

And when it comes to golf? It’s the most advanced GPS golf watch to date.

It has built-in shot tracking, advanced “plays like” distances, compatibility with Garmin’s CT10 shot tracking system, green contour data and more.

Normally, in these “best of” posts I try and spread the love around to different products based on what different people are looking for.

But in this case, I’m a bit more adamant. If the Approach S70 is within your budget? Buy it. It’s the best-dedicated golf watch on the market, and it’s not even close.

Best Overall Golf Watch

Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch

$699

Let's make this very clear: the Garmin Approach S70 is the best overall GPS golf watch ever made. Period. If you're in the market for a watch, and this is in budget? Just buy it.

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Best Golf Watch for Fitness Nuts: Garmin Fenix 8

I never thought I’d get rid of my Apple Watch Ultra as my day-to-day watch – until the Approach S70 came around. 

I wore it every day for a few months and loved the fitness features it provided.

But then I learned about the Garmin Epix series

It has even more robust fitness tracking features than the S70 (especially for runners and cyclists), and it represents the most comprehensive and high-tech fitness watch Garmin makes.

Well, now Garmin has released the Fenix 8. It takes the best stuff from the Epix (the AMOLED screen) and ALL of the high-end golf features of the S70 – and puts it in one watch.

Plus it adds quality-of-life features like a microphone and voice assistant.

For people who want the best of the best in fitness tracking, golf, and smartphone features – this is the very best watch on the market. It’s also what I’m personally wearing every single day.

The downside? It’s expensive. It starts at $999, which is $300 more than a comparable S70 – which already isn’t cheap.

But if you want it all? And you’re ok with it not being an Apple Watch – this is the one to get.

Best High End Golf Watch

Garmin Fenix 8

$999

Want a golf and fitness watch that can do it all? The Fenix 8 might be exactly what you're looking for. It's not cheap, but this is what I personally wear both on the golf course and off.

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Best Bang for the Buck: Voice Caddie T11 Pro

The previous generation T9 was (and still is) one of the best golf watches on the market, especially at the current sale price of $249.

But for just a little bit more, you can pick up the newer T11 Pro.

This is by far the most feature packed golf watch under $500. It’s got built in shot tracking, a beautiful screen, wind and environmental slope adjustment, and even green heatmaps.

All with no subscription. The retail price is $349, but Breaking Eighty readers can snag it for $299. 

It’s easily the best deal in golf watches. 

The downside? Because there’s so much packed into it, navigating it can be a challenge at times. I also don’t love the fact it’s primarily a touch screen. But once you learn your way around it, this is going to be the best option for a lot of people out there.

Best Bang for the Buck Golf Watch

Voice Caddie T11 Pro GPS Golf Watch

$349

This is hands down the most feature-packed GPS watch under $500. And it costs way less than that. This is a wonderful value in GPS golf watches and does just about everything you could want it to do.

See Special Breaking Eighty Pricing

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Best GPS Golf Watch Under $200: Garmin S12

I used to give the nod in this category to the Bushnell ION Elite. And to be clear, that’s still a great watch.

But Bushnell stopped supporting previous generations of the ION watches, which has left a few users less than happy. 

Because of this, I’d recommend picking up a Garmin S12. Garmin is the best in the business when it comes to GPS accuracy, and you get the added benefit of being in the Garmin ecosystem. This gives you enhanced benefits when using the CT10 sensors, Approach Z30 rangefinder, or other Garmin devices.

I also think when looking for budget watches under $200, it’s best to just focus on distance numbers. As watches with GPS hole overviews and more elaborate graphics, are usually quite cumbersome in this price range.

Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch

$149.99

If you want to get into the Garmin CT10 shot tracking ecosystem, this is the most affordable watch that is compatible. And it's a reliable, and accurate watch in it's own right as well.

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06/12/2025 11:01 pm GMT

Best Golf Smart Watch: Apple Watch Ultra 2

If having a day-to-day smartwatch is more important than a dedicated golf watch, then the Apple Watch is tough (impossible?) to beat.

With the release of the Apple Watch Ultra (and subsequent 2), so much of the watch has been improved upon, and you have multiple options for golf apps to make it function like a dedicated golf watch.

If this is the route you want to go, then my recommendation is simple: Get Arccos Caddie, pair it with your Apple Watch, and thank me later.

Arccos Golf just keeps getting better and better.

And when using it with the Apple Watch you’re able to not only get all your GPS yardages directly on your wrist, but you can track every single shot you hit on the course.

After the round? You can see the exact distance of ever shot, every statistic you could ever want, and more.

It’s really a fantastic experience.

Best Everyday Golf Watch

Apple Watch Ultra 2

$779.00

It might not be a dedicated golf watch like the Garmin S70, but if you're looking for one "do it all" watch? The Apple Watch Ultra is the one to beat. Especially when used with the Arccos system.

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06/13/2025 12:05 am GMT

Best Overall Gift

Arccos Caddie Sensors - Use code "BE15" for 15% off

$199.99

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Best All-In-One Shot Tracking Watch: Shot Scope V5

So let’s say you like the idea of shot tracking, but you also want a dedicated GPS watch.

That rules out Arccos.

And for a Garmin watch and CT10 sensors, you’re starting to get up there in price.

The new Shot Scope V5 is likely the one for you.

At $249, this is the latest device in Shot Scope’s lineup and despite being $50 less than their X5 watch, I like this one better.

Main reason? It has physical buttons as opposed to a touch screen. This makes it easier to navigate quickly on the course, and saves some money in the process.

There is a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to using the watch and editing your rounds in the app after you finish, but once you get it, it’s pretty straightforward

So to have an accurate GPS watch with shot tracking, and no annual subscription? That’s a pretty compelling package. And the fact you can save an additional 15% using our Shot Scope coupon code “BREAKINGEIGHTY” makes it even better.

Shot Scope V5 GPS Watch and Shot Tracking - Use code "BREAKINGEIGHTY" to save 15%

$249

Looking for a game tracking system and GPS watch combo? Hate subscriptions? Then this is absolutely a product to consider.

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Best Under $100: TecTecTec Ult-G

Let’s face it. A lot of golfers don’t need all of the features that a lot of expensive golf watches or rangefinders offer.

They really just need to know how far it is to the green without having to pace off distances from the nearest marker.

If that’s you, there’s no need to spend more than $99.99. 

The TecTecTec Ult-G gives you everything you need – distances to the front, middle and back of the green and distances to various hazards. 

And that’s about it.

But do you really need anything more? 

If not, save some money and pick up this solid, reliable option.

Review: TecTecTec Ult-G Review: Solid Watch. Solid Price.

TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS Watch

$109.99

Looking for a no-frills GPS golf watch that just works? The Ult-G from TecTecTec is just that. Accurate distances. Easy to use. Less than $100. What more do you need?

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06/12/2025 11:01 pm GMT

Best Luxury Golf Watch: Garmin MARQ 2 Golfer

Over $2k for a Garmin watch? Seems steep. And honestly? It is.

But the MARQ 2 Golfer is more than just a smartwatch, it truly is a luxury timepiece. And it both looks and feels like one.

The benefit of this, over say the luxury golf watch from Tag Heuer is that Garmin has been perfecting not just its golf watches, but its fitness watches for years now.

So you get the wonderful Garmin Golf eco-system, plus all of the health and fitness benefits that Garmin is known for.

Better yet, it just got an update that rolled out some of the most high-tech features from the new Approach S70 – so it’s better than ever.

If you’re looking for a smartwatch that looks just as good in the board room as it does on the course? Look no further.

Best Luxury GPS Golf Watch

Garmin MARQ 2 Golfer GPS Watch

$2,399

I never thought I'd see myself wanting to spend over $2k on a smartwatch. But the MARQ 2 Golfer may have just convinced me to change my mind...

Buy Now

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What to Look for When Buying a Golf Watch

Still not sure exactly which one is for you? Here are a few more things to consider.

First of all, you’ve got to settle the internal debate you’re likely having about whether to go laser (as in rangefinder) or watch.

We could throw hand-held GPS devices into this conversation. But based on what I’m seeing on the courses I’m playing, rangefinders and watches far exceed hand-helds in popularity.

The best golf rangefinders are going to give you that seeing-is-believing, pinpoint accuracy. For some golfers, there’s no substitute for looking through a telescopic lens, seeing their target, and getting the exact distance.

But let’s face it, you’re not a good enough golfer to need an exact, down-to-the-tenth-of-a-yard distance to the pin.

A modern GPS golf watch will also give you accurate yardages, but typically with tolerances of plus/minus a few yards. 

With a watch, you’re getting your yardages based on GPS that does not (usually) factor in that day’s specific pin locations. So instead of an exact number to the pin, you get yardages to the front, middle, and back parts of the green.

Another area where rangefinders shine is battery life. While with a rangefinder, you may only change the battery once a year (if that), with a golf watch you’ll usually need to recharge after every couple of rounds.

But what a lot of rangefinder users might not realize is that golf watches have evolved to the point that they can do things – a lot of things! – that a rangefinder cannot.

When you’re searching for a golf watch or comparing them to a rangefinder, consider which of these readily available golf watch features are most important to you:

• Wind speed and direction
• Slope
• Scorekeeping
• A compass
• Swing speed
• Stats about your distances with each club
• A shot-by-shot breakdown of your round
• A 3D flyover of each hole
• Distances to multiple hazards
• A virtual caddie to recommend club selection based on your shot data
• Touchscreen technology
• Step and calorie-burning counters
• A heart rate monitor
• Ability to receive and send email and text messages
• Ability to pay for transactions

The best golf watches today are absolutely loaded with technology and features. They are far more versatile and offer so much more data than a rangefinder.

But are you cool with wearing a watch while you play golf? Some people find it to be uncomfortable or distracting. Think of how it might feel when you’re sweating. And what about the sweet tan lines you’ll get?

You might want to play a round with a different athletic watch that you already own to see if you find wearing a watch while you play to be a problem for you.

On the flip side, a number of golfers look at a watch as an additional fashion accessory to complement their on-course style. If that’s important to you, there are a wide range of different sizes and looks to consider when shopping.

Of course, you’ll also need to consider your budget. The good news is that you can get good functionality for very reasonable prices. However, it can be tough to resist some of the slick features that come as you ratchet up the price list.

No matter your budget or what features are tops on your list, there is a perfect golf watch option for you. With this list, we give you our top picks for some of the most common consideration factors.

Final Thoughts on Buying a GPS Golf Watch

Alright, hopefully by now you have a good idea of what type of golf watch might fit your game, style and budget.

We’ve picked out 10 surefire winners, ranging in price from $100 to $2,000+.

If all you need is yardage, grab the TecTecTec Ult-G.

If you want a top-of-the-line experience and a classy look, go with the Garmin Marq 2 Golfer

Are you an Apple Watch devotee? If you add Arccos Caddie to the mix, you’ll have one of my personal favorite golf watch setups.

Are you anti-IOS? You can still get great shot-tracking functionality with the Shot Scope X5.

If you truly just want the best and most well-rounded golf watch available? Get the Garmin Approach S70.

And if you want that, plus a whole bunch of fitness features as well? Then grab a Garmin Epix Pro.

Whatever you choose, realize that golf watches offer an unbelievable array of features. If you’ve only considered rangefinders to date, you might want to stop to consider what this alternative option might bring to your game.

And if you’re still set on a rangefinder, don’t miss our top picks for 2025.

Where do you come down on the golf watch vs. rangefinder debate? Do you have experience using both? Let us know in the comments.

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.

Recent Updates:

December 17th, 2024: Updated pricing. Added a video review for Voice Caddie T11 Pro. Changed dates to 2025. Added Table of Contents.

September 17th, 2024: Added the Garmin Fenix 8 and removed the Garmin Epix Gen 2. Added comparison video for Fenix 8 vs S70.

The post Best GPS Golf Watches of 2025: 8 Great Rangefinder Alternatives appeared first on Breaking Eighty | Best Golf Courses and Golf Product Reviews.

But that’s exactly what you get with the Voice Caddie SL3 rangefinder.

We’ve seen GPS “Smart Rangefinders” before.

On the lower end, there was the ill-fated Precision Pro R1.

Then there’s the most high-tech rangefinder out there, the Garmin Approach Z82.

The SL3 is aiming squarely at the latter. It has many of the same high-tech features as the Garmin, but it takes a bit of a different approach.

Rather than building all of it’s GPS data into the viewfinder itself, it has a secondary display where you can get everything from yardages, to hole overviews, to even green heatmaps.

It’s undoubtedly impressive.

But is it worth the $600 price tag?

Let’s find out.

Update October 2024: This Deal is Insane

Before you read the rest of this Voice Caddie SL3 review, I need to let you in on a pretty insane deal.

It’s for the previous generation SL2.

I’d never used the SL2 until recently, and I was pretty shocked to find out just how similar it is to the SL3.

In fact, they’re almost identical.

It has the same high-end looks and construction. 

It uses the exact same laser, which is also the one found on the excellent TL1.

And the only difference in the GPS is the SL3 introduces some more detailed green reading features (that I personally don’t find all that useful.).

Otherwise, the SL2 and SL3 are the same device.

But the SL3 still retails for $599, which is a ton of money.

Right now, you can get the SL2 for $259.

Yes, that’s over $300 LESS for a nearly identical product.

What’s even cooler is that only Breaking Eighty readers are getting that price. If you go to their website the SL2 is still selling for $399.

So if after reading this SL3 review you’re sold on it, just go get the SL2. You’ll save a ton of money and have essentially the exact same experience.

Best Smart GPS Rangefinder Value

Voice Caddie SL2 Rangefinder

The SL2 has now been discontinued and is no longer for sale. Click the link below for a special price on the newer, SL3 model!

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First Impressions of the Voice Caddie SL3

I’ll be honest, I don’t fully understand when a device gets the “Voice Caddie” brand vs. the “Swing Caddie” brand.

I suppose the name Swing Caddie is just for its launch monitors? Either way, they’re the same company.

Voice Caddie always does a nice job with their packaging, and things are no different with the SL3.

Taking it out of the box, the first thing you notice is the white leather rangefinder case. Whether you like the white or not is up to your personal taste, but there’s no denying it differentiates itself from other brands and is high quality.

The SL3 both looks different and feels different.

The case is a nice touch, but it’s the chrome and leather design of the device itself that was most surprising.

I love the look of it.

It’s kind of what I’d imagine the result would be if a luxury brand designed a rangefinder.

The leather body of it is a very nice touch, and feels comfortable. And the aluminum metal accents look very nice.

The device is much lighter than I expected, especially when compared to the Bushnell Pro X3, Cobalt Q-6, or even the Precision Pro NX10. I think it looks nicer than all of those, but doesn’t necessarily feel more high end. Yes, the leather is a very classy touch. But because it isn’t quite as heavy, it feels a little less indestructible than other high-end rangefinders.

Upon picking it up I immediately noticed one thing that I knew right away I wouldn’t love about this device: it’s USB-C.

A standard rangefinder can run for years off a single battery. But, as is the case with every other “Smart Rangefinder” you’ll need to charge it via USB before each round.

This may not bother you at all, and if so, great.

For me, I’m just both lazy and forgetful. So to remember to bring my rangefinder in and charge it after every round is tough. It’s not built into my routine yet, so I’ll often find myself with a dead rangefinder on the first tee. Just something to be aware of.

But outside of that, the Voice Caddie SL3 presents very well and first impressions of it are that it looks fantastic.

Best Hybrid Rangefinder

Voice Caddie SL3 GPS and Rangefinder

$599.99 ($387 for B80 readers!)

Looking for the best hybrid laser rangefinder and GPS? Look no further. The Voice Caddie SL3 is the one you want. And the best part? You can pick it up for over $200 off retail as a Breaking Eighty reader.

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Setting up the Voice Caddie SL3

I imagine a lot of people considering the SL3 will be comparing it to the Garmin Z82 – as it’s the other major player in the “Smart” rangefinder world.

But they approach things a bit differently.

The Z82 essentially has a computer screen within the device, so you’re not looking through an optical lens, but rather looking at a screen when you use the viewfinder.

The SL3 on the other hand has a traditional lens, and then uses an external screen to provide all of the GPS features.

Even better, is the fact that to access all of the GPS data you don’t need an app. To get the most out of the Z82 you need to pair it with the Garmin Golf App. With the SL3, you don’t need to use an app to get GPS distances, green heatmaps, or hole overlays.

This means if you don’t want to deal with the “Smart” features for a round? You don’t have to. You can just use it like a regular rangefinder, which I really like.

Setting up the GPS for a round is very easy. 

You simply hit the golf icon, and the GPS will go to work locking in your location, allowing you to select your course and tees.

It takes about 20-30 seconds to lock onto the satellites, which I think is a perfectly acceptable amount of time.

The screen itself isn’t the most responsive touch screen I’ve ever used, but it’s totally solid. It’s easy to swipe left and right to switch views depending on what data you want to see.

There are some smaller icons that are displayed for unlocking the screen or zooming in – and I never had any issues getting those to work. So within a round of using the SL3 I felt confident in navigating the GPS side of things, which was nice to see.

Breaking Eighty Rangefinder Quiz

Which Golf Rangefinder is Right for You?

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How Well Does the Voice Caddie SL3 Work?

Before we jump into the GPS features, let’s talk about how the SL3 works just as a traditional rangefinder.

Overall, it works very well.

The display is a beautiful, dual-colored OLED screen that reminds me of the Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized with its red text and green accent that appears when a distance is registered.

There’s a second button on top that lets you easily adjust the brightness of the text as well, which works as expected.

The display gives you a lot of information. In fact, it’s a little busy in my opinion. But once you adjust to where everything is, it allows you to quickly get the info you need.

The actual yardages and slope yardages are laid out clearly, and it’s easy to get both numbers at once to help you figure out how to play your shot.

One downside to the SL3 is that it’s 6x magnification, as opposed to 7x, which you’ll often find in more expensive rangefinders.

However, this is one of the best 6x displays I’ve seen, and is still a pleasure to use.

When I first started using the SL3, I found it difficult to lock onto the flag. It was bouncing around a lot, and picking up a lot of trees in the distance.

This surprised me based on all of the extra tech built in that’s specifically designed to not do that.

I’d turned on “GPS Pin Assist” in the menu, thinking that, “Yeah, that sounds like something I want!”

But when I turned it off after a few holes, it completely solved my problem. 

This feature is supposed to help use topography and GPS data to give a little extra help in identifying the flag, but I didn’t find it to help at all.

This feels like an example of a brand trying to get too fancy and do too much.

With it off, I had no issues locking on the flag after that.

It’s very fast and responsive and gives a nice vibration when it locks onto the flag.

From a feel and usability standpoint, I don’t like it quite as much as the Bushnell X3 or Cobalt Q-6 Slope.

Those are high-end rangefinders designed to basically do nothing but give you an accurate distance as quickly and comfortably as possible.

The SL3 is very good, and better than most rangefinders I’ve tried, but it’s not quite the best of the best in terms of my confidence in the numbers it gave me.

But, where the SL3 sets itself apart is with its versatility.

Best Hybrid Rangefinder

Voice Caddie SL3 GPS and Rangefinder

$599.99 ($387 for B80 readers!)

Looking for the best hybrid laser rangefinder and GPS? Look no further. The Voice Caddie SL3 is the one you want. And the best part? You can pick it up for over $200 off retail as a Breaking Eighty reader.

Buy from Voice Caddie

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The Voice Caddie SL3 GPS

I’ve already mentioned a little bit about the usability of the GPS on the SL3, and honestly? I’ve found it very nice to have!

It’s easier to quickly reference numbers than either the Garmin Z82 or the Precision Pro R1, since all you have to do is pick it up.

It’s worth noting that the SL3 does not have a built-in magnet, so if you’re a fan of that feature when using a cart, you won’t find it here.

It’s a little bit of a bummer, because I do think with the screen, being able to mount it would enhance its usability for a lot of people.

But aside from that, the data on the GPS (as with nearly all GPS devices these days) feels very accurate. It’s easy to drill down on hazards for distances, and like many Garmin devices, you can tell it what you’re average drive is, and it’ll display a line across the fairway. This is really useful if you’re trying to figure out if you can clear a hazard or a bunker off the tee.

One neat feature is the green heatmaps. When you zoom into the green, it will give you additional data on both the severity and the direction of the breaks on a green.

In practice, this won’t help you much when it comes to reading a putt. But it’s extremely helpful for helping you choose where to hit your approach – especially if it’s a green you’re not familiar with.

This is implemented in a nearly identical way to the Voice Caddie T9 golf watch.

Garmin has also released this feature on most of their GPS devices like the Approach S70 watch, Z82 rangefinder, and Approach G80 GPS unit.

But it’s part of the “Garmin Golf Club Membership” which is $120 a year.

It’s totally free with the SL3, which is something that really sets it apart.

How Does the SL3 Compare to the TL1?

If you’re set on a “smart” rangefinder, then you should just go ahead and pick up the SL3 now. But if you’re also considering other Voice Caddie products, then you may be curious as to how it compares to their flagship standard rangefinder the TL1.

Our video review of the TL1 puts them head to head:

Final Thoughts on the Voice Caddie SL3

After 2 rounds with the SL3, I’ve gotta say, I really like it.

Once you’re able to navigate the GPS like it’s second nature, it becomes a really helpful tool. It’s probably my favorite integration of GPS data to date in a rangefinder.

If you’re a tech geek and you love all the latest tech products? You’re going to love the Voice Caddie SL3 rangefinder.

If you’re just looking for a high-end rangefinder and don’t care about the GPS stuff?

Skip this and pick up the Bushnell Pro X3 or Cobalt Q-6 Slope.

Those are easier to use, and felt more reliable in terms of just quickly getting me the exact distance I needed.

But if you love the idea of having additional GPS data, green heatmaps, hole overviews – and a very capable laser rangefinder as well?

This is the device to get.

And if you’re debating between this and the Garmin? It’s a tough choice, but I’d lean toward getting this one.

The Garmin has a few additional high-tech features, but the fact that you can more easily use this as just a regular rangefinder when you want? That’s what does it for me.

The Garmin Approach Z82, for as cool as it is, just sometimes feels like too much.

This can give you most of that extra stuff, or it can be dumbed down, depending on what you need for the day.

As it sits right now, I’d say the Voice Caddie SL3 gets my pick for best “Smart Rangefinder” currently on the market.

And even better? If you use the code “B80-VC50 ” you can save an additional $50 when you buy from Play Better.

(Just remember, you can also get the nearly identical SL2 right here and save over $300.)

This Voice Caddie rangefinder not feel like the right fit for you? Here’s the full list of the best golf rangefinders on the market.

Best Hybrid Rangefinder

Voice Caddie SL3 GPS and Rangefinder

$599.99 ($387 for B80 readers!)

Looking for the best hybrid laser rangefinder and GPS? Look no further. The Voice Caddie SL3 is the one you want. And the best part? You can pick it up for over $200 off retail as a Breaking Eighty reader.

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But it’s not just a smart watch with industry leading fitness and activity tracking: it’s also one of the best golf watches ever made.

In fact, it’s just as good as the Garmin Approach S70 in nearly every way.

But what are the differences? And can you justify the big price difference? I go through everything in this video.

I’ll have a full review of the Fenix 8 for golfers soon. Here’s are my reviews of the Approach S70 and the Epix Gen 2.

Best High End Golf Watch

Garmin Fenix 8

$999

Want a golf and fitness watch that can do it all? The Fenix 8 might be exactly what you're looking for. It's not cheap, but this is what I personally wear both on the golf course and off.

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Best Overall Golf Watch

Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch

$699

Let's make this very clear: the Garmin Approach S70 is the best overall GPS golf watch ever made. Period. If you're in the market for a watch, and this is in budget? Just buy it.

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The post Garmin Fenix 8 for Golfers: How Does it Compare to S70? appeared first on Breaking Eighty | Best Golf Courses and Golf Product Reviews.

I’d have said there is absolutely, positively, no way that will happen.

I’m deeply engrained in the Apple eco-system, and the idea that another smartwatch could offer enough value over the Apple Watch to get me to switch?

It honestly, seemed downright impossible.

Fast forward to May of this year.

I ventured out to Missouri to meet the Garmin team to get a firsthand look at their new Approach S70 golf watch.

Its golf features were a notable improvement to the previous GPS watch champ the Approach S62, but that’s not what makes the S70 so special.

Rather, it’s the updated screen and heavily updated fitness features that made the S70 the best golf watch I’d ever used.

In fact, the health and fitness features are so good on that watch, it got me to ditch the Apple Watch entirely.

The major reason I adopted the Apple Watch was to help my fitness motivation. And for 3 years, the “rings” and activity tracking did that. But eventually, it got to the point where it felt like it was lacking. 

When I started using the Garmin, it did the same thing the Apple Watch used to do for me: it made me want to get healthier and be more active.

After a few months of using the S70, I continued to love it. But as I dug deeper into Garmin watches, I discovered the Epix 2 Pro.

It features even more health and fitness features than the S70, and it still has nearly all of the golf functionality as well.

So, I put my Approach S70 in the drawer and for the last few months have used the Epix 2 Pro as my daily wearer and golf watch.

I also recently received a Garmin Epix Gen 2, which sits between the S70 and Epix Pro in terms of cost.

In this review, I’m going to cover everything you could want to know. I’ll detail the health and fitness features of the watch, the usability of it, how it compares to the S70 both on the golf course and off, as well as the major differences between the Epix 2 and the newer Epix 2 Pro.

My goal here is to help you decide which of these 3 watches you should consider, if you’re looking for a golf watch that can do more than just give you numbers on the golf course.

Whether you’re a golfer or not, if you’re in the market for a high-end feature-heavy fitness watch, you’ll definitely want to read this review.

First Impressions of the Garmin Epix 2 Watch

So, I’ve now had two different Epix models for review: a 47mm Epix 2 and the larger 51mm Epix Pro.

For the purposes of this review, I’m going to focus primarily on the original Epix Gen 2, as it’s the closest in price to the Approach S70. I’ll do a separate review of my experience with the Epix 2 vs the Epix 2 Pro and what that means for golfers.

From a size perspective, the two watches feel nearly identical. Both are 47mm wide, although there is a smaller 42mm option on the S70. If you opt for the newer Epix Pro, there’s also a smaller 42mm, as well as a larger 51mm option.

While they feel very similar, the Epix is slightly thicker at 14.5mm thick vs 13.4mm on the S70.

It’s enough to be noticeable when looking at them, but they both feel similar when wearing.

The biggest difference between the S70 and Epix you’ll notice out of the gate is the 3 button layout of the S70 vs the 5 button layout of the Epix.

At first, I found myself preferring the simpler approach of the S70. However, I realized that this was more due to my familiarity of the layout than anything else.

After getting used to the Epix for a week or two, I found myself loving the ability to use the bottom left two buttons for scrolling up and down through menus vs. doing this via touch on the S70 (which you can also do on the Epix if you prefer).

Overall my initial impressions of the Epix 2 is that it’s definitely a utilitarian watch. The Apple Watch Ultra has some serious style, and you don’t get that as much with the Epix 2. It looks and feels very similar to any other Garmin watch. For some this will be a good thing, but despite loving this watch, I don’t necessarily love the fact I feel like I have a big black strap on my wrist at all times.

If I were to do it over, I’d probably pick up the steel bezel model, rather than the black one.

But as you’ll see, it’s what’s inside that has led to me converting from Apple to Garmin full-time.

Golf Features of the Epix 2 vs. Approach S70

If you’re not a golfer, you can skip this part. But since this is a golf site, I wanted to make sure I covered the major differences between the S70 and Epix 2 early on, since many of you will be debating between these two watches.

When the Approach S70 was released in May, it had an updated Virtual Caddie features that no other golf watch had. It could take into account not just distances, but wind, elevation, and your personal strengths and weaknesses to make a club recommendation.

Now months later, Garmin has updated both the Epix and Marq golf watches to have these same virtual caddie enhancements – which is awesome to see.

It’s pretty remarkable that a watch that no one would consider a “golf watch” could be such a good golf watch. 

That said, if you’re looking for a dedicated golf watch, there are definitely still reasons to go for the Approach S70.

Three of them to be exact.

1. User Interface is Better for Golf on the S70

With the latest update to the Epix, I was expecting the user-interface to be updated to be more in line with the S70. It wasn’t.

While the Epix golf interface is perfectly serviceable, the S70 is a much more refined golfing experience. You notice this most when inputting data like whether or not you hit the fairway, or how many putts you had.

It’s both easier to see and more pleasing aesthetically on the S70.

The S70 also has hole numbers located around the bezel. After each hole, it will add a color next to it to indicate your score. It’s a seemingly minor feature, but I really found myself enjoying the easy ability to glance and see how the round has progressed.

This isn’t to say the interface is bad by any means on the Epix. It’s actually very good, and when it comes to looking at yardage data and hole maps – it does a fantastic job. The graphics aren’t quite as nice as the updated S70 graphics, but it’s better than any other Garmin golf watch that has come before it.

The one usability feature where I give the nod to the Epix is in the extra buttons. Being able to easily scroll through hazards on hole for example is faster and easier with dedicated buttons as opposed to swiping the screen.

2. The S70 Has Enhanced Plays Like Functionality

While the Epix got updated Virtual Caddie features, it still doesn’t have the same level of “plays like” distances that the S70 has.

It will give an adjusted distance based on slope, but it does not take into account wind or elevation like the S70 does. 

3. The Approach S70 is Less Expensive than the Epix 2

Finally, the 47mm S70 costs $699. If you want to pick up an Epix, the cheapest version is $799, and climbs up to as high as $1099 if you want the Pro Sapphire model in the 51mm variant.

So if you’re solely looking for a golf watch and don’t care about anything else – the S70 is the way to go.

If you’re looking for a health and fitness watch that also has golf functionality, keep reading and hopefully by the end of this review you’ll have a sense of whether or not one of these watches is right for you.

How is the Screen on the Epix vs. Epix Pro vs. S70?

Garmin’s latest AMOLED screens are fantastic. While for outdoor athletes the transflective screens used on most other Garmin watches are better in bright sunlight, I’ve never loved them.

After using both the S70 and 51mm Epix Pro for months each, I expected the screen to be pretty much the same on the original Epix – and it almost is.

The S70 has a pixel density of 454×454. Same goes for the 51mm Epix Pro.

But on the original Epix 2, it’s only 416×416.

You don’t notice it much when it’s fully illuminated, but when the screen dims, you can just barely start to make out individual pixels on the Epix 2, more than you can on the others.

It’s still a very good display, but it’s not quite as good as the 51mm Pro, the S70, or frankly any Apple Watch.

I’d expect this to be the same on the 47mm Epix Pro Gen 2 as well, as it has that same 416×416 screen.

Best Fitness Watch

Garmin Epix Pro GPS Fitness Watch

$799+

The Garmin Epix Pro is the ultimate fitness watch. But it ALSO has nearly all of the golf functionality of the dedicated golf watch: the Approach S70. Also look out for an original Epix Gen 2 if you want to save a little money.

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Day-to-Day Functionality of the Epix Gen 2

Everyone who buys and wears a smartwatch will have their own reasons for doing so.

Some do it for the health and fitness tracking features.

Others do it for the “smartwatch” features like making payments, getting notifications, taking calls etc.

And others simply want a dedicated watch for their activity of choice (like golf.)

From the standpoint of someone who has been wearing the Epix 2 on a daily basis for a few months now, it’s a perfectly serviceable smartwatch.

I get notifications mirrored from my phone, the “Garmin Pay” features work similar to how “Apple Pay” works, and I can easily set timers, get weather, and so on.

It’s good enough.

But compared to the Apple Watch Ultra? The Garmin Epix Pro doesn’t hold a candle to it in terms of being a high-end smartwatch.

The Apple Watch’s deep integration with the iPhone is impossible to beat. And I’ve definitely found myself missing things like easily being able to control Spotify from my wrist, using Siri to dictate text messages, and having direct integration with Arccos Golf.

So if you’re looking for the best of the best when it comes to just being a smartwatch, for as good as the Epix is, it’s still not an Apple Watch.

Why I Switched from Apple to Garmin

However, despite not being as good as a smartwatch, the Epix series is quite simply the most amazing health and fitness watch I’ve ever used.

And this is the primary reason why I’ve switched from Apple to Garmin.

Right now in my life, tracking my health is more important than smartwatch convenience. 

I got a taste of what a Garmin watch can do with the S70, as it has some of the essentials that Garmin is known for.

A few favorites:

• Body Battery – A real-time number between 5 and 100 of your “body battery.” It takes into account sleep, activity, HRV, and more to give you a surprisingly accurate representation of your energy levels and ability to perform.
• Stress Tracking – A number between 1 and 100 of your current stress levels. It’s interesting to see how even after having a single alcoholic drink, you start to see this bump up.
• Sleep Tracking – My favorite sleep tracking device I’ve used. Vastly prefer it to Whoop, and despite the tracking being very good on my Eight Sleep, I continue to wear the Epix because I want the watch to have as much data as possible.
• Training Status – Are your current activity levels helping you get in better shape? Helping you maintain current fitness? Or are you being lazy and regressing? Training status will tell you all of this.
• Jet Lag Advisor – Have a trip coming up? Plug in your travel details, and Jet Lag Advisor will recommend when to sleep, when to avoid light and more to help make the transition between time zones as seamless as possible.

I’m a pretty active person, and one of my favorite ways to exercise is to run.

As I dug into Garmin watches more, I realized that many of them have advanced features for tracking runs and other workouts, that the S70 doesn’t have.

The Epix truly allows you to track and customize pretty much any activity you could want to do.

It’s Pace Pro and other pacing features have legitimately helped me improve my running and set new PRs for some of my favorite runs near my house.

The Apple Watch has made some strides here over the last couple of years, but it still pales in comparison to what Garmin offers.

The sheer amount of data that the Garmin Connect app gives you about your activities is staggering compared to the Apple Activity app.

So while Apple is a gateway to more casual fitness tracking, the Garmin Epix 2 has reinvigorated my desire to track my fitness and stay in shape.

The Epix 2 has all of the features I listed above, but here are some that it has that the S70 does not:

• Training Readiness – Are you ready to perform? Do you need to rest? Are you in peak condition to go for a PR? Training status takes all of the elements above into account to give you an indication of your current performance ability.
• Hill Score – How adept are you at maintaining endurance when running up hills? This number will give you an idea of where you’re at.
• Endurance Score – This takes into account all of your fitness stats and training numbers and is a dynamic number that gives you an idea of how long you’ll be able to perform during an activity.
• Tons of Map and Navigation Features – I honestly didn’t expect the maps to be very useful. But I’ve now been on a number of hikes where the trail maps proved way more useful than I expected. 
• Pace Pro – No matter how you want to be paced during a run, the Epix is there for you. Not only can it pace you based on a time or a previous performance, but you can even go in and tell it if you want your runs to be faster or slower throughout different sections of the run. For instance, my normal loop is downhill for the first 2/3 and uphill at the end. So I have it set to pace me much faster for the beginning than at the end.

If you’re just looking for a golf watch or you’re not a fairly active person, most of these extra features in the Epix series won’t be worth it to you.

If you’re just looking for a basic fitness watch to track steps and activity, there are plenty of much less expensive Garmin watches to choose from.

But if you’re reading about some of these features and getting excited? Then I’m happy to report that the using them is both easy and genuinely useful.

Battery Life on the Garmin Epix

If you’re coming from an Apple Watch, the most immediate thing you’ll notice when switching to any Garmin watch is just how much better the battery life is.

It’s a little tricky to give an exact battery life number for Garmin Smartwatches, because it can vary by days, if not weeks, depending on your settings.

The Epix 2 has a battery life of 6 days in “always on” smartwatch mode.

If you have it in battery saver mode? This goes up to 21 days.

Here are more exact numbers for the Epix.

I prefer to use always-on mode, and I’ve been getting right around 6 days off a full charge on the Epix.

I noticed a considerable difference wearing the Epix Pro 51mm, which has a larger battery than others. I’d routinely go 9 or 10 days without having to charge it.

So while that watch is bigger and more expensive, if battery life is your primary concern it’s worth considering.

Regardless of which watch you get, battery life is great, and it charges quickly.

So if it does die, you can plug it in for 5 minutes and have enough juice to get you through whatever activity you have planned.

5 Additional Thoughts on the Garmin Epix 2

As I’m finishing up this review, I’m realizing there are a handful of things I haven’t mentioned that I think are worth bringing up. 

I love the ability to create “Hot Keys”

For the first few months of having a Garmin Watch, I was annoyed that it took so many button clicks to start a stopwatch or a timer.

Then I discovered “Hot Keys”.

This allows you to customize the watch buttons in the form of a long hold or a combination of two buttons at once to engage basically any function on the watch. They’re fantastic, and make it extremely convenient to get to the functions you use most often.

I like how easy it is to get the information I need

The quick-view menus that you get to by simply swiping up and down (or hitting the up and down buttons) are great. You can customize which ones you see, so whether it’s fitness data, weather, my calendar, or whatever else – it’s very easy to access.

There’s also one watch face that I love that makes it very easy to get all of the most important numbers for me.

But….

The watch faces could use some work

Generally speaking, I don’t love the Garmin watch faces. I’ve found the options Apple has to not only be more visually interesting, but I’m able to customize those more easily to my liking.

I mentioned there is one watch face I like on Garmin and I’ve enabled that with each watch I’ve had.

This face comes with both the S70 and the Epix Pro models, but oddly does not come with the Epix. 

I had to go to the IQ store where I was able to find one that was basically the same, but it’s still not quite as good as the built in one from Garmin.

Which brings us to…

The Garmin IQ App Store is Good, Not Great

I’m happy that Garmin has their version of an “App Store” but the experience, especially compared to Apple is lacking.

I’ve found apps like the Hydration Tracker, Spotify, and Sauna Tracker to be useful – but the integration in most cases is just so so. 

Also, most of the apps on the IQ store feel like they’re not as high quality as some of the big-budget apps you get from Apple and Android.

So it’s serviceable, but could certainly be improved.

The Number of Activities is Impressive

The level of data you can get about so many different activities is truly staggering.

Let’s just go back to golf for a second. The fact this is a dedicated golf watch that is better than 95% of dedicated golf watches on the market, and it’s simply a bullet point on their sales page is pretty wild.

Throw in the fact it’s also a dedicated ski watch, surf watch, running watch, swimming watch – the list goes on.

The fact it not just has these features, but has them in a well implemented and truly useful way is one thing that sets Epix and high end Garmin watches apart from other fitness watches.

Final Thoughts on the Garmin Epix 2 

A Garmin watch won’t be for everyone.

And more than that, the Epix Gen 2 won’t be for every Garmin user.

It’s a fitness watch that can provide detailed data for just about every sport, so much so that it will be overkill for most people.

If you’re a casual person just looking for a Fitbit replacement, consider the Venu.

If you’re a diehard runner, then save a few bucks and get the Forerunner.

If convenience and style is more important, then stick with an Apple Watch.

But if you want a watch that can track and support you in any activity you throw at it, while helping you become healthier in the process? I’m not sure there’s a better watch out there than the Epix line of watches from Garmin.

If it were me, I’d probably spend a few extra bucks to get an Epix Pro over the original Epix. It never hurts to future proof yourself, and the flashlight on the Pro models is legitimately useful.

If you’re a golfer and you only care about a golf watch, then stick with the Approach S70.

But if you’re a do-it-all kind of person, and you want a watch that can keep up? The Epix Gen 2 is among the best options out there.

Update August 2024: Frustrating Heart Rate Issues

Since I initially published this review about 9 months ago, I’ve worn my Epix 2 every single day.

I still love it, and everything I wrote above holds true.

I have had one frustrating issue pop up, that I believe is localized just to the Epix Gen 2 models specifically.

And that is that there are heart rate tracking issues.

It only happens when I’m beginning a running activity. But for the first 5-10 minutes, it won’t accurately read/display my current heart rate.

It will stay at 110-115, even if I’m sprinting. Then without fail, 7-10 minutes into the run it will immediately spike to 160+ or whatever my actual heart rate is.

This is frustrating in that it leads to false metrics. If I do a mile sprint, it thinks I barely exerted myself at all – which obviously isn’t true. And I’m clearly not the only one having this issue.

It’s a relatively minor quibble on a watch that I still absolutely love, but it’s the first major issue I’ve encountered that really affects the data output.

Best Fitness Watch

Garmin Epix Pro GPS Fitness Watch

$799+

The Garmin Epix Pro is the ultimate fitness watch. But it ALSO has nearly all of the golf functionality of the dedicated golf watch: the Approach S70. Also look out for an original Epix Gen 2 if you want to save a little money.

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We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.

This page contains affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and buy one of the products on this page, I may receive a commission (at no extra cost to you!) This doesn’t affect our opinions or our reviews. Everything we do is to benefit you as the reader, so all of our reviews are as honest and unbiased as possible.

Recent Updates:

August 14th, 2024: Added long term update going into detail about heart rate issues, dropped the performance score from “10” to “9”, 

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