Best golf GPS watches: 7 amazing golf GPS watches that will keep your game on track

November 27, 2019

In the market for a GPS golf watch? We've got you covered.

When it comes to finding the best golf products, every golfer needs a little guidance. Don’t sweat it, we got you covered! For our new Best of Everything series, we’ve canvassed the golf accessories, apparel and game-improvement space to identify the very best stuff for your game. Think of us as your personal shopping assistant.

Remember when golf watches simply meant having a watch with a tacky golf club and golf ball motif? Yeah, we were gifted and regifted dozens of those in our day. But, today’s GPS watches are definite keepers and must-haves. Modern GPS watches are so smart, they’re taking the place of scorecards, yardage books—even some handheld GPS and laser rangefinders. Nowadays, judging how far you are from the pin doesn’t require much—just a flip of the wrist and boom—a precise distance between you and your target is acquired.

It doesn’t stop with distance, either. You can see and view course maps and elevations, keep score, track progress and much more—again, all on your wrist using Bluetooth and GPS technology.

We put together a small handful of some of our favorite GPS-equipped watch models for this season. Each will not only help you hone in your shot distances — they should help speed up your game as well.

BEST GOLF GPS WATCHES

Best golf GPS watch for overall performance

Garmin Approach S60

Built for golfers who want way more than just accurate yardages, the Approach S60 can tell you actual distance, “PlaysLike” distance that factors in elevation changes, and, when paired with Garmin’s TruSwing swing analyzer, it can help you track your swing speed and club path angles. It’s 1.2-inch display is easily viewable in the bright sun, and QuickFit bands make it easy to swap in bands of different color. Of course, you can also sync the Approach S60 with your phone to receive text messages, calls, emails and other alerts. It’s also preloaded with activity profiles for running, cycling, swimming and more.

$499.99

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Best golf GPS watch for compactness

Garmin Approach X10

Small, discreet, lightweight — the Approach X10 from Garmin is as simple and intuitive as it gets. It’s not bulky (unlike some other watches) and although diminutive, it does have a touchscreen for dialing in on precise distances and pin locations. Updates to the 41,000-course directory are free and the green view display shows you the true shape and layout of the green, even if you’re behind it.

$169.99

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Best golf GPS watch for durability

Casio Pro Trek Smart Watch Featuring Hole 19

What makes the Casio Pro Trek standout is it’s not really a golf smartwatch — it’s a smartwatch with an optional free golf app that you can install (called Hole 19) that displays distance, scorekeeping and mapping information on more than 41,000 courses around the globe. The rugged watch is powered by Google’s Wear OS, and is water-resistant to 50 meters and equipped with built-in GPS, and a bevy of sensors (pressure sensor with altimeter and barometer, accelerometer and a compass).

$549

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Best user-friendly golf GPS watch

Bushnell iON2

Loaded with 35,000+ courses and made to be easy to use, the iON2 can last up to three rounds without recharging, automatically detects what course you’re playing, has a big display for easy yardage readouts and several additional features. We like the iON2 mostly because — again — it’s so easy to use. The integrated Fitness Step Counter is a nice touch, too.

$199

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Best golf GPS watch for value

Bushnell Excel GPS

The nicely priced Excel GPS stores data on 35,000+ golf courses, has easy-to-read front/center/back distances and can display up to four hazard distances per hole. It also integrates with your smartphone to allow you to get course updates without needing to sync with a computer. The Bushnell Golf App comes free with it and you can receive call, messaging and calendar notifications, too.

$149.99

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Best golf GPS watch for visuals

GolfBuddy aim W10

Stylishly designed, the aim W10 has a 1.3” TFT-LCD full-color touch screen display and stores 40,000 courses worldwide (with free updates), reads out front/middle/back distances and lasts more than 13 hours on a single charge for those really slow rounds. We could list the additional features, but don’t have enough room to include them all. Our favorite? The Green Undulation tool that shows slope via different colors.

$299.99

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Best golf GPS watch for shot tracking

SkyCaddie Linx GT

The watch is equipped with SmartTag tech, which allows you to add tags to any or all of your clubs for accurate readouts on where shots are hit from, helping you dial in your game like a Tour caddie would. The Linx GT also works in tandem with the SkyCaddie Mobile app, which shows expanded views and information of the golf course in vivid detail. Thanks to SkyCloud 360, it is even possible for friends, family and golf buddies to follow your round in real-time.

$299.99 – on sale for $179.99

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