How Smartwatches Can Help You Improve Your Golf Game
The best golf watches 2024: top GPS watches for golf
The best golf watches are excellent fitness watches in their own right, but they really shine when using their GPS tools to elevate your game on the course. Like conventional smartwatches, golf watches will record your runs and cycling with built-in GPS, but they're also tailor-made to use course maps to help you make decisions, choose clubs, and monitor swing speed and power.
Essentially, golf watches are a combination of the best smartwatches and the best fitness trackers, with special software tailored towards improving golfers' mental and physical play. Golf watches usually offer health-tracking features comparable with other fitness watches, such as the usual step count, calorie-burn tracker, heart rate monitoring and sleep score. The top ones also come with GPS readouts of thousands of courses, ways to keep track of your score, record your swing speed, recommend clubs based on your next shot, and loads more.
Some golf watches can measure your swing speed with an on-wrist accelerometer, and moonlight as a virtual scorecard, so you can check how you're doing with a flick of the wrist. Other features abound: the Garmin Approach S62, for example, can suggest clubs based on wind speed and direction, plus the distance you typically swing with each type.That means that can help you trace how effective your shots are after the game, and see what you could do differently next time.
If you want to improve your game when youre teeing up, therefore, investing in a golf watch is a good idea, especially if you want to adjust your game on the fly for better hole-by-hole results.Just keep in mind that if you are a pro golf player and are playing competitively, you need to purchase one thats tournament-legal. Some advanced golf watches can be disallowed.
We've tested many of the top golf watch models on the market, putting them through their paces so we can help narrow down your choices to the right one for you.
The best golf watches 2024
The best golf watch overall
Specifications
Screen size: 1.2in
Battery life: Up to 10 days
GPS: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Impressive battery life
+Smart design
Reasons to avoid
-No Virtual Caddie
-Lacks advanced smartwatch tools
The Garmin Approach S42, released in March, is our pick for the best golf watch of 2021. It sits in the middle of Garmin's golf watch lineup, in between the all-singing, all-dancing S62 and the pared-back S12.
Like all the best Garmin golf watches, it's pre-loaded with details of 42,000 courses worldwide, plus Garmin Autoshot to analyze and records shot distances. Green View allows you to position the pin manually using the large color touchscreen and shows you the green's true shape. Battery life is impressive too, lasting up to 10 days in smartwatch mode, or 15 hours with GPS enabled.
The Approach S42 is also smart enough for everyday wear. Whereas many golf watches focus on function above form, the Approach S42 has a metal bezel and buckle, plus a slim case that mean it won't look out of place off the course.
That's just as well because with all-day step tracking, sleep tracking, and workout profiles for both cycling and swimming, you might not want to take it off.
During our tests, we missed the Virtual Caddie feature of the Approach S62 but loved the AutoShot mode. It has fewer fitness tracking features for off the course, but strikes a good compromise and is a well-priced all-rounder.
Read our full Garmin Approach S42 review
The best affordable gold watch with GPS
Specifications
Screen size: 0.9in
Battery life: Up to 30 hours with GPS, up to 10 weeks without
GPS: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Affordably priced
+Great GPS accuracy
+Impressive battery life
The Garmin Approach S12 is an entry-level golf watch, and one of the best available in its price bracket. It design and features belie its modest price tag, and include detailed maps of 42,000 courses, plus GPS that proved super accurate in our tests. The Approach S12 syncs with the same Garmin Golf app as the company's higher-end watches, putting a huge array of data at your fingertips and making it a particularly good value for money.
Although it lacks a color screen, which makes maps a little trickier to interpret, but it's easy to read in direct sunlight and further compensates with outstanding battery life, and we easily got several weeks' use out of it before needing to recharge. The main disadvantage is the need to record shots manually, which more advanced players might find tedious, and isn't a concern with higher-end watches that offer automatic shot-tracking.
Read our full Garmin Approach S12 review
The best premium golf watch that does everything
Specifications
Screen size: 1.3in
Battery life: Up to 14 days
GPS: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Full vector map
+Virtual Caddie
+Pulse-ox sensor
The Garmin Approach S62 offers everything you get from the S42 and more, if you can afford the extra cash.Garmin's Virtual Caddie app suggests clubs based on wind speed and direction, and the distance you typically swing with each type. You can check out the wind before taking your shot, and there's a full vector map complete with touch targeting, which allows you to see the distance to any point by simply tapping the extra-large 1.3in screen.
Its larger battery means it can keep running for up to 14 days in smartwatch mode, or 20 hours with GPS enabled. It also boasts a wide range of everyday health tracking tools too, including all-day stress monitoring (based on changes in heart rate), relaxation reminders. There's a pulse-ox sensor for measuring blood oxygen saturation at night, and performing spot-checks during the day.
Garmin Pay allows you to make contactless payments (provided your bank is one of those supported), you can use it to control music on your smartphone, receive app notifications, check the weather forecast, and send text responses (if you have an Android phone).
Read our full Garmin Approach S62 review
4. SkyCaddie LX5
A premium golf watch with extremely accurate maps
Specifications
Screen size: 1.39in
Battery life: Two rounds
GPS: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Large, bright screen
+Error-corrected maps
Reasons to avoid
-Too large for smaller wrists
-Lacks smartwatch tools
The SkyCaddie LX5 is essentially a wearable equivalent of the the SkyCaddie SX500 golf computer, and has the largest screen in this roundup, measuring a huge 1.39in. That means plenty of room to view maps and graphics, which you can pan and zoom with your fingertips, though golfers with smaller wrists may find it's simply too much.
It's pre-loaded with details of 35,000 courses around the world, and like the Garmin Approach S62, offers full vector maps so you can see the precise shape of the green. All its maps are also error-corrected for impressive precision. You can be confident that the yardages given are accurate, and everything is clearly presented.
It's an excellent golf watch, but its lack of general-purpose smartwatch features (other than a pedometer and heart rate monitor) mean it's not as handy off the course as Garmin's wearables. Your choice will simply be down to where your priorities lie.
A slim, but powerful golf watch packed with useful tools
Specifications
Screen size: 1.23in
Battery life: Two rounds
GPS: Yes
Reasons to buy
+Automatic shot detection
+Great range of stats
Reasons to avoid
-No touch controls
-Low screen resolution
The Shot Scope V3 is surprisingly slim at just 10mm thick, making it comfortable and convenient for all-day wear. Despite that slender profile, it's a very impressive device packed with thoughtful touches and handy features to help improve your game and save time. It boasts automatic shot detection, with every shot plotted on a map of the course. 36,000 course maps are pre-loaded, and GPS distances are quick to update.
It also comes bundled with 16 tracking tags, allowing the watch to identify your clubs automatically. These are usually sold separately, even with premium golf watches, so this is a real boon.
The only real downside is that the screen is relatively low resolution (just 176 x 176 pixels compared to 260 x 260 for the Garmin Approach S62), meaning less information can be displayed at once. There are also no touch controls (the watch is operated using four physical buttons along the edges). On the plus side, this means you're less likely to activate anything accidentally, but it also means navigating maps is less intuitive.
Read our full Shot Scope V3 review
How to choose the best golf watch for you
The best golf watch for you will depend on a variety of different factors. Firstly, it needs to be the right price for you, whether youre after a high-end premium watch or a more conservatively-priced model. It needs to have the right features for you. If you struggle with club choice, you're better off with one of the premium models which has Garmin's 'virtual caddie' club recommendation functionality.If you'd rather not have this feature, you could save some money and opt for the Garmin Approach S12.
It's also worth checking if your local courses are available pre-loaded onto the watch, or available to download on Garmin, SkyGolf or Shot Scope's companion apps. If your stomping grounds aren't available, you may not get all the functionalities you want.
You might need more typical smartwatch features such as sleep tracking, heart rate monitoring and notification functions, or you might prefer a wristwatch with slimmed-down features to save money on the total price.SkyCaddie LX5's simple pedometer and heart rate functions don't hold a candle to Garmin's features, which crib from its wildly successful fitness and running watches.
Finally, check the battery life. If you don't like charging your watch between games, you'll want to plump for an S62, while watches with a shorter battery life will need you to remember to charge each time you head out the door.
Below, weve answered a couple of your most-asked questions, as well as an insight into how we test each watch as we get them.
What is a golf rangefinder?
A rangefinder is a tool that helps you measure the distance between you and your target, using either GPS or a laser. GPS rangefinders (as found in golf watches) are faster to use, but laser ones are more accurate. Golf watches and rangefinders are slightly different, but using a wrist-mounted GPS device can act in place of a free-standing laser rangefinder.
Does Fitbit make a golf watch?
Fitbit doesn't make a dedicated golf watch, but all of Fitbit's GPS-enabled watches have a golf-tracking mode that you can use to monitor calories burned during your game. This will only be accurate if you're walking though, not using a golf buggy.
How we test golf watches
We test each of the best golf watches comprehensively. We look at the watchs tracking technology, battery life, and compatibility with different phones. Does it have the technology to track and calculate the distance of your shots? Can its GPS technology map your favorite courses?
We take each watch for several test-drives on real golf courses to test all their key features.
Best golf gadgets to improve your shots and lower your score
Best golf gadgets to improve your shots and lower your score
By: Adam ZammielloFrom speakers and smartwatches to phone holders and swing analyzers, the game of golf has more than its fair share of gizmos and gadgets. Whether looking for something to kick up the fun on the course, improve your play, or flash a little style, deciding which golf gadgets are best can feel as daunting as taking swings in a steep bunker.
But theres no need to sweat! Weve dropped into the bunker, so you dont have to, and dug up the best golf gadgets available in 2023.
Top 11 golf gadgets of 2023
Best Bluetooth speaker: Bushnell Golf Wingman SpeakerBest golf watch: Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf WatchBest wearable swing analyzer: deWiz Golf Swing Analyzer & ModifierBest putting trainer: PuttOUT Premium Pressure Putt TrainerBest golf tees: Zero Friction Victory 5-Prong Golf TeesBest rangefinder: Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized RangefinderBest warmup stick: SKLZ Gold Flex Golf Swing Trainer Warm-Up StickBest chipping net: Callaway Chip-Shot Golf Chipping NetBest launch monitor: Garmin Approach R10 Launch MonitorBest phone caddy: Desert Fox Golf Phone CaddyBest electric golf cart: Batcaddy X8R Electric Golf Cart
How we chose the best golf gadgets
We researched customer feedback and professional reviews to find the best golf gadgets in terms of quality, performance, and pricing. We compared product ratings of items in the same categories, compiled a list of pros and cons for each, and weighed our findings against overall customer and reviewer satisfaction.
Best Bluetooth speaker: Bushnell Golf Wingman Speaker
Benefits Great sound quality Strong magnetic cart mount Audible GPS distances are highly accurate
Drawbacks Remote drains battery Somewhat limited Bluetooth range
The Bushnell Golf Wingman Speaker is built top to bottom for the golf course, full stop. This speaker is designed to deliver superb sound quality be it for music or the audible GPS distances you can get for more than 36,000 courses through the Bushnell Wingman app.
This Bluetooth speaker packs enough juice on a fully charged battery to keep the beats pumping for 36 holes. That equals roughly 10 hours of power, which you can also use to charge other devices by hooking them up to the speakers built-in USB port.
The speakers body sports magnetic technology that clings right to your cart bar without a problem. And it carries an IPX6 waterproof rating, meaning itll hold up just fine against rainy weather. Customers praised the speakers sound quality and strong magnetic hold, and youll be happy to know a detachable remote is included.
Best golf watch: Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition
Benefits High-resolution OLED display Reasonably priced compared to competitors Durable construction comprised of high-quality sapphire, ceramic, and steel
Drawbacks No Sp02 sensor No speaker for hands-free phone calls
The Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Watch is designed to marry elegant style with functional substance. Its interface displays high-resolution 2D maps of more than 40,000 golf courses worldwide, so you can track distances, spot hazards, and get important information about each hole, such as par and fairway measurements.
As you play, the watchs automated shot tracker counts your swings and collects metrics that detail how youre performing with each club. This will help you to focus on and adjust your game with greater precision over time.
When you pair the watch to the Tag Heuer Golf app on your iOS or Android, you can see a heat map highlighting where your balls landed on the course and which clubs were used. The app also uses 3D mapping and data from your watch to recreate your shots in shareable 3D videos.
The Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 golf watch is designed to make tracking your game performance and biometrics easy. It can even track your swimming, running, and bicycling metrics, monitor your daily steps, burned calories, and heart rate, and notify you when you hit your wellness goals.
Best wearable swing analyzer: deWiz Golf Swing Analyzer & Modifier
Benefits Provides real-time feedback on your swing Bio-feedback technology offers accelerated learning Easy setup and highly accurate
Drawbacks Pricey
The deWiz Golf Swing Analyzer and Modifier gives you real-time feedback on your swing. This will help you modify your game while on the course to add more length, hit straighter, and get closer to the hole in fewer strokes.
The lightweight, wearable analyzer measures all the key elements of your swing, such as the length of your backswing and how fast you swing from takeaway to impact, and compiles these measurements into your performance baseline. The analyzer then helps you consistently improve these baseline numbers.
However, this tool doubles as a modifier, meaning it does much more than collect metrics and track performance. Its designed to take an active role in improving your swing. The device features patented technology that delivers an electric pulse whenever your swing breaks from your proper form. This approach is based on observations in neuroscience to minimize poor motor-skill habits and develop better ones. And when you need to hear from a live coach, real-time audio coaching is also available.
Best putting trainer: PuttOUT Premium Pressure Putt Trainer
Benefits Easy to set up and use right out of the box Provides immediate feedback Encourages muscle memory through repetition
Drawbacks Pricey Can be frustrating to score
While other practice putting aids simply provide a surface and target, the PuttOUT Pressure Putt Trainer is designed to recreate actual putting conditions on the course. It returns each successful putt the same distance the ball wouldve traveled had it missed the mark. This provides insight into your putting mechanics to help add precision to your game.
The trainer is also designed to reject bad putts, which delivers even more feedback. Other features include multiple targets for practicing different distances and angles and an alignment stick holder to keep your stick within reach.
Best golf tees: Zero Friction Victory 5-Prong Golf Tees
Benefits Bio-composite material is more durable than plastic or wooden tees 3 color options (blue, green, purple) 5-prong design to minimize ball contact
Drawbacks Prone to bending
The Zero Friction Victory 5-prong Golf Tees are constructed from bio-composite material and designed to be both durable and performance-enhancing. The tees five prongs reduce the contact area between the tee and the golf ball, helping to boost the strength and straighten the trajectory of your shot. And multiple customers have declared these tees to be borderline indestructible.
According to the manufacturer, the design of the Zero Friction Victory 5-Prong Golf Tees will add an extra 5 yards to your drive. While some customers reported that they hadnt noticed a drastic difference, others swear that these tees do, in fact, extend their shots.
Best rangefinder: Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized Rangefinder
Benefits Accurate distance reads Very effective image stabilization Lightweight and sturdy
Drawbacks Lacks a built-in magnet Setup can be challenging at first
The Nikon Coolshot Pro II Stabilized Rangefinder uses stabilizing technology and lenses to minimize shaking and provide a steady line of sight to your target. The rangefinder features a monocular telescope lens with six-times magnification, anti-glare, high-contrast technology, an adjustable diopter, and an OLED display.
The Coolshot Pro II is waterproof and fog-proof and designed to provide measurements in roughly 0.3 seconds this gives you more time to assess the course and decide on your approach. You can enter a continuous measurement mode to gauge the distances of trees and other hazards in real-time. And you can rely on the Coolshot Pro IIs targeting technology that visually and audibly confirms when youve targeted the pin.
Best warmup stick: SKLZ Gold Flex Golf Swing Trainer Warm-Up Stick
Benefits Easy to use Reasonably priced Fits easily in your golf bag
Drawbacks May have to cut the rod to size, depending on your height
Never underestimate the sway a warmup stick can have on your swing. The SKLZ Golf Flex Warm-Up Stick is designed to help you beat back slices and hooks and improve your tempo, strength, and flexibility. It also doubles as a low-impact stretching tool for pre-game warmups.
Customers confirmed that consistent practice and warmup with the SKLZ Golf Flex Warm-up Stick improves lag time, is a great tempo trainer, and helps you learn what a proper swing should feel like. Meanwhile, several professional product testers dub it one of the best training tools available.
Best chipping net: Callaway Chip-Shot Golf Chipping Net
Benefits Quick setup and breakdown Solid construction for reliable durability Lightweight and portable
Drawbacks No carry bag included
The Callaway Chip-shot Golf Chipping Net is designed to help you dial in your short game, even if you only have a spare minute to practice. It pops up when youre ready to chip and flattens down quickly into a disc when youre done. Using the nets three targets that run vertically along its center, you can work on a variety of shots from various angles and distances.
Customers online appreciated the nets easy pop-up and collapsible design. Many of them also noted the nets solid construction and durability.
Best launch monitor: Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor
Benefits Records every swing and overlays your stats during playback Consistently ranks high in accuracy with product testers 10-hour battery life
Drawbacks Has trouble capturing accurate backspin data Slightly more accurate outdoors
The personal launch monitor allows golfers of all levels to track club head and ball speed, spin, launch angle, direction, and other metrics. Garmin released its Approach R10 Launch Monitor so you can gain and track these metrics in a portable design that fits anywhere you have enough space to swing a club.
It records each swing and overlays your actual stats in the footage for video playback. The monitor is also pre-loaded with over 42,000 golf courses, so you can play rounds by yourself or compete virtually against friends on a course of your choosing.
The Garmin Approach R10 Launch Monitor comes with a 30-day trial to the Garmin Golf App, where youll find loads of golf content and additional features.
Best phone caddy: Desert Fox Golf Phone Caddy
Benefits Provides easy slide-in and slide-out access to your phone Customizable Strong grip that fits all golf carts
Drawbacks Supports most but not all phone cases
The Desert Fox Golf Phone Caddy straps to the frame of your golf cart to protect your phone while keeping it within quick and easy reach. You can adjust the phone holder to fit any modern smartphone (with up to a 7-inch screen) and most of the popular phone cases available today. Desert Fox offers the holder in several colors. Customization options are also available. A microfiber bag is included for storage.
The Desert Fox Golf Phone Caddy is fully adjustable, fitting any phone with a width between 2.6 to 3.7 inches and a depth between 0.16 to 0.67 inches.
Best electric push cart: Batcaddy X8R Electric Golf Cart
Benefits Solid construction Easy to carry and store Good battery life
Drawbacks Pricey Struggles going sideways on steeper hills
If youre a golfer who likes to get their steps in but isnt keen on toting or wheeling your golf bag around the course, the Batcaddy X8R Golf Cart is a remote-controlled electric push cart you might want to check out. It features dual 200-watt motors and nine speeds for forward and reverse motion. Its remote is fully directional, and you can also set it to cruise control.
The Batcaddy X8R is designed with downhill speed control and an oversized dual anti-tip wheel to ensure balance and prevent falls. Should you decide to do some of the work yourself, Batcaddy added a free-wheel mode that frees the cart for manual control.
Reviewers called out the X8Rs durable construction and ability to stay upright on uneven terrain. The X8R comes with a basic accessory package, including an umbrella, scorecard, and drink holders. The electric golf cart is also compatible with a caddy seat.
Get your desired gadget
Choosing the right gadget boils down to your personal tastes, budget, and needs as a golfer. Some golfers want gadgets that make them more competitive, in which case a product like Callaway Chip-Shot Golf Chipping Net may be a worthwhile investment. Other golfers are shopping for gadgets that offer convenience on the course, meaning they should definitely take a look at the Desert Fox Golf Phone Caddy.
How to pick the right golf gadgets for you
As our list shows, the game of golf has no shortage of gadgets for players of all ages and skill levels. But how do you pick the best one for you? Consider these factors to bucket the gadgets that catch your eye.
Comfort
This category is all about gadgets that maximize fun and relaxation or minimize discomfort. What does your ideal day on the golf course look like? If you prefer to walk but want to spare your knees and back from lugging your golf bag around, then the Batcaddy X8R is a gadget worth considering. If you enjoy listening to feel-good music on the range with your golfing buddies, consider the Bushnell Golf Wingman Speaker.
Style
This category holds all the gadgets that help you take pride in how you look and project confidence on the course. Many gadgets you might list here could also fit in the skill category. Case in point, the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Watch does a great job of providing functionality in a stylish, envy-inducing package. Yet it also has performance-tracking features that can elevate your game.
Skill
From warmup sticks to launch monitors and groove sharpeners to swing analyzers, the skill category is for all the gadgets designed to improve your game through off-field practice or on-field assistance. Even golf tees like the Zero Friction Victory 5-Prong Tees fall into this category because they maximize your swing and ball contact.
Once youve created a gadget wishlist and sorted the items across these three categories, its time to decide whether comfort, style, or skill is the most important to you. Arranging the categories from most to least important will determine where you should spend your budget.
FAQ
What gadgets do golfers need the most?
No two lists of essential gadgets will be identical. Some golfers might consider a rangefinder an absolute must, while others consider it something helpful to have but unnecessary. The gadgets you need the most are the ones that best complement your game and playing preferences.
Whats the best golf advice?
The best golf advice is simple: practice. No gadget in the world will ever be as impactful on your game as practice. Gadgets can help you become a better golfer, but they cant compensate for the discipline it takes to hit countless balls at the range.
What golf tools do I need?
While many gadgets might fall into the nice-to-have category, depending on the golfer and the device, there are definitely common tools youll find in any golfers bag at all times. These are the items that are absolutely essential to the game of golf and include:
Golf balls, clubs, and tees (obvious, we know) Ball marker Golf towel Golf glove Divot tool
Other items depend on your personal preferences, the course, and the weather conditions. For example, having easy access to sunscreen and a rain jacket might be a good idea, just in case you run into sunny or rainy weather. And while some items arent necessary, theyre generally a good idea to bring along, such as a water bottle and a little spending cash.
Golf.com PhotographerAdam Zammiello is a writer and filmmaker based near Raleigh, NC. He uses his background in B2B content creation and writing patient support programs to educate consumers and athletes on the products, trends, and services that can help them lead fuller, healthier lives.
