The 5 Best Golf GPS Watches in 2025

A GPS watch is the most convenient way to get yardages on the course. No reaching for a rangefinder, no pulling out your phone. Look at your wrist and you know exactly how far to the front, middle, and back of the green. It saves time and keeps you focused on your round.

We researched through expert reviews from MyGolfSpy and Practical Golf, watched YouTube comparison tests, and read through r/golf and GolfWRX discussions to find the GPS watches that deliver accurate distances without unnecessary features that drive up the price.

How We Researched

Five things we focused on: accuracy of distance readings, screen readability in sunlight, battery life in GPS mode, ease of use during a round, and whether the price matches the feature set.

Best Value: Garmin Approach S12

The Garmin Approach S12 at $149.99 is the best entry point into golf GPS watches. It gives you distances to the front, middle, and back of every green, plus distances to hazards and doglegs. Over 3,000 ratings at 4.5 stars.

It comes preloaded with 42,000 courses worldwide with no subscription. The screen is a sunlight-readable grayscale display that works well in all conditions. Battery lasts up to 14 rounds in GPS mode.

The S12 does not have color maps, touchscreen, or activity tracking. It is purely a golf watch. For golfers who just want yardages and nothing else, that simplicity is a feature, not a limitation.

Best Mid-Range: Garmin Approach S50

The Garmin Approach S50 at $404.99 is the sweet spot in Garmin's lineup. It adds a sharp 1.2 inch AMOLED color display over the S12, plus on-course mapping, hazard views, and daily smartwatch features with wrist heart rate monitoring.

The 4.7 rating is the highest on this list. The color screen makes it much easier to read hazard distances and see the hole layout at a glance. It also works as a daily fitness smartwatch with step tracking, sleep monitoring, and notifications.

Battery lasts about 10 rounds in GPS mode. The AMOLED screen is gorgeous but uses more power than the S12's grayscale display. If you want a watch that works on and off the course, this is the best balance.

Premium Features: Garmin Approach S62

The Garmin Approach S62 at $499.00 is the previous flagship and still a fantastic watch. It adds a Virtual Caddie feature that suggests club choices based on your shot history, full-color course mapping, and a larger 1.3 inch display.

The S62 uses a sunlight-visible color display that is easier to read in direct sun than the S50's AMOLED. The battery lasts about 12 rounds in GPS mode. It includes hazard views that show you carry distances to bunkers and water.

At 4.5 stars, it trades a newer display technology for better sunlight readability and longer battery. If you play in bright conditions regularly, the S62 is the better choice over the S50.

Performance Tracking: Shot Scope V5

The Shot Scope V5 at $209.99 is the best option for golfers who want detailed performance data. It automatically tracks every shot you hit and provides detailed stats on fairways hit, GIR, putts per round, and approach accuracy.

Unlike Garmin's watches, Shot Scope uses small tracking tags that screw into the end of your club grips. The watch automatically detects which club you are using and tracks its performance over time. No manual tagging required.

The 4.1 rating is lower than the Garmin options, partly because the setup is more involved and the course maps are not as polished. But for stats-focused golfers, the automatic shot tracking is unmatched at this price.

Budget Entry: NAVO W1 Golf GPS Watch

The NAVO W1 at $79.99 is the cheapest golf GPS watch worth buying. It gives you front, middle, and back distances plus hazard tracking. It comes preloaded with 40,000 courses and requires no subscription.

The 4.4 rating from reviewers is impressive for a watch at this price point. Battery lasts about 10 rounds. The screen is a basic grayscale display, and it does not have the build quality of the Garmin options.

The main tradeoffs are the user interface, which is less polished than Garmin, and the lack of course mapping or score tracking. But if you just want yardages on your wrist for under $80, nothing else comes close.

What to Look For

Screen type. Color AMOLED screens look great but use more battery. Grayscale screens are easier to read in direct sun and last longer. Pick based on your priorities.

Battery life. Look for at least 10 rounds in GPS mode. Less than that and you will be charging more often than you want.

Course coverage. All the watches here cover 40,000+ courses. If you play internationally, make sure the watch covers your region.

Smartwatch features. Some watches double as daily wear. Others are strictly for golf. Decide whether you want one watch or two.

Shot tracking. If you want detailed performance data, Shot Scope's automatic tracking is the best option. Garmin requires manual input for club tracking.

Verdict

The Garmin Approach S12 at $149.99 is the best overall value. It does one thing and does it well: accurate yardages with no distractions. The Garmin Approach S50 at $404.99 is the best all-arounder if you want a color screen and smartwatch features.

Best advice: buy based on how much you care about smartwatch features. If you just want yardages, save your money and get the S12. If you want a watch you can wear every day, the S50 or S62 is worth the jump.