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Are you looking to invest in a new golf watch, rangefinder or GPS? Take a look at the best Garmin has to offer to help make up your mind.
Technology is apart of all our everyday lives and golf is no different. The development of golf devices has been seismic over recent years and Garmin has been at the forefront of that. The brand are one of the leading lights when it comes to golf devices, making quality products that are designed to enhance your game and experience on the golf course.
In this article, we take a look at the best Garmin golf devices 2025. The NCG team has got their hands on watches, rangefinders, GPSs the lot, to see which would the most suitable for you. Here’s everything you need to know before investing in such a device…
The Garmin Approach S44 GPS Golf Watch is a lightweight and easy-to-use watch. It has the features you would expect in a golf watch in a smart package without any of the extra features that some premium watches offer.
The strap is robust, comfortable and flexible, so, all in all, the S44 is a pleasure to wear, and certainly could be your all-day watch if you wish.
Once you’ve pressed the top button and selected ‘Golf’ on the touchscreen, the GPS kicks into action and finds out where you are quickly and accurately.
The Garmin Approach S70 GPS Golf Watch is a delight to use. It has all the features you would expect in a golf watch in a smart package and offers so much more besides. It can be paired with a compatible Garmin rangefinder to offer even more information.
This is a premium GPS golf watch. I haven’t yet tested a watch that offers all the important information with such clarity and simplicity. The battery life is also outstanding with up to 21 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 20 hours in GPS mode. I certainly had over 60% of juice left after 36 holes in a day on a recent trip to Devon.
The Garmin Approach Z30 Golf Laser is an absolute joy to use and has a number of useful features. It’s not the cheapest rangefinder and, for optimum performance, needs to be paired with a Garmin Smartwatch.
Historically I’ve always favoured a rangefinder over a GPS watch. More recently I have enjoyed the simplicity and speed of a watch. I have to say that using the Approach Z30 paired with a Garmin Smartwatch really is the best of both worlds and I think this represents the future of distance measuring devices.
Ridiculously easy to set up, it is literally plug and play. Extremely good when using a premium golf ball especially indoors or in a net. Very portable and not intrusive or showy at the range. Surprising amount of club and ball data which is great feedback for working on swing changes. Like all Garmin stuff it looks cool, if that is possible for a launch monitor.
The Garmin Approach G20 Solar is an excellent addition to the golf tech market, combining simplicity, accuracy, and rugged design into a compact device. Designed for players who want reliable performance without the need for complex setup, it delivers a premium experience that stands out, particularly for those who frequently play in varying weather conditions.
So here we have a golf watch that offers all the important features you need on the course. The battery life is also outstanding with up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, and up to 15 hours in GPS mode. So that should be plenty for 36 holes in a day. Charging is quick and simple via an included proprietary charger.
This is Garmin golf watch that I can wholeheartedly recommend, and it works well as a standalone distance measuring device.
It also pairs seamlessly with the Garmin Approach Z30 rangefinder, and I do rather love that combination of watch and rangefinder.
On the course, I was really impressed with how it performed. From the tee, you can easily check yardages to bunkers or other hazards, then the approach shot gives you clear yardages to front-middle-back. It was easy to load the course you are playing – the GPS signal picked up the location straight away.
Although simple, I found the score-tracking function to be quite helpful. The S50 gently vibrates on your wrist to remind you to record your score as you approach the next tee, which is especially handy during competitions. Additionally, the device automatically silences smartphone notifications when in golf mode, meaning you can simply concentrate on golf when on the golf course.
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Outside of golf, this watch is superb for everyday wear. It offers a comprehensive range of health features, including heart health monitoring via HRV, blood oxygen levels with the Pulse OX sensor, detailed sleep tracking, and overall activity monitoring. This kind of information takes this watch beyond merely a golf watch but if you do not require such info then the S44 might be a more suitable option.
Pros:
Very lightweight
Packed with tech that is of use on and off the golf course
The first thing to say is that, once you’ve pressed the top button and selected ‘Golf’ on the touchscreen, the GPS kicks into action and finds out where you are quickly and accurately. There are over 43,000 courses preloaded on the watch. You are offered your tees of choice and, hey presto, off you go. You are also asked if you want to keep your score. It’s so easy to do that I tend to always press in the affirmative.
This is a golf GPS watch that I can wholeheartedly recommend, and it works well as a standalone distance measuring device. To make the best use of the watch, you will probably want to use some of the extra features, such as health monitoring and other activities.
As a standalone rangefinder, the Z30 is as good a device as you could hope for. It is simple to use, locks onto a target quickly and accurately, and offers crystal clear distances which are displayed in red. If you use the slope function, the adjusted yardage is shown, allowing for the elevation change. It’s all very clear and simple. I’m not generally a fan of ‘slope’ mode on rangefinders but the simplicity of this device works well.
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But the Approach Z30 is so much more than a standalone rangefinder. The real beauty of this device is pairing it (via Bluetooth) with your Garmin Golf smartphone app or, as I did, with a compatible smartwatch or handheld. I used the Garmin Approach S70 GPS Golf watch.
Pros:
Crystal clear display
Intuitive to use
Clever integration with compatible Garmin Smartwatch
To operate the R10 you need a device such as a phone or tablet that can display the information that is generated as there is nothing shown on screen. This is then displayed on the Garmin Golf app. You will need to create an account if you don’t already have one so that your data can be saved after use. Your devices will need to be paired via Bluetooth when placed in connecting mode. This was a very straightforward process where you simply connect the two and you’re good to go. Also, once the devices are paired there is no need to re-pair them as they will automatically connect.
The app has many different scenes and features. I found myself sticking to the driving range mode and in the screen that purely displays numbers as that was all I really needed the R10 for. For a little device, it gives you way more data than I was expecting. Carry distance, total distance, ball speed, club head speed, I guess are to be expected but the R10 also tracked club path, face to path, launch direction, club face angle, attack angle, launch angle and spin axis. I would say these are hugely helpful metrics for what is essentially a gadget to enhance practice. A huge win at this price point.
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Overall, this is still a pretty sizeable investment for many people; however it’s a great addition to any player’s practice sessions. The fact that its pocket size means that you can slip it in your bag easily and could even take it out on the course if you wanted, be it not during a Saturday medal.
The simplicity of which it takes to set it up and then use makes it extremely friendly to use for all golfers. It’s intuitive, ensuring even first-time GPS users, like me, can be ready to go within minutes. The GPS features are used to pinpoint your location so you can select which golf course you are playing. My golf club has a championship course and a nine hole offering, both are selectable and there is no confusion between the two.
The yardage information is abundant and accurate. It provides front, middle, and back readings with fantastic precision. Something that definitely inspires confidence when selecting clubs and put my mind at easy when stood over a shot.
If you’re looking for a reliable, accurate, and robust GPS device, the Garmin Approach G20 Solar is an outstanding choice. While it might not provide the full-course flyover visuals seen in some premium models, it covers the most critical features exceptionally well. Whether rain or shine, it’s a trusty companion for any round.
Pros:
Simple and quick to set up
Crisp, clear screen, even in bright sunlight
Water-resistant
Cons:
Doesn’t showcase an overview of the golf course, the only slight complaint I had
RELATED: Read our full Garmin Approach G20 Solar GPS here.
In summary, Garmin produce a range of different golf devices, all with their own strengths and capabilities. Included in this are rangefinders, GPS watches, Solar GPS and launch monitors. They also represent a range of different price points to cater to the wishes of the many rather than the few.
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If a premium golf watch, that is equipped with all the tastes and new golf technology that you could possibly need out on the golf course, is your desire then the Garmin Approach S70 GPS Golf Watch is the one for you. If a compact, more budget-friendly and easy to use device ticks all the boxes you require then may be the Garmin Approach G20 Solar GPS is the best option.
Either way, whichever option you choose to go with you’ll be met with a premium product.
