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Best golf GPS watches for yardages and shot tracking

A golf GPS watch shows distances on the course. Some also record shots or work as everyday watches.

5 watches compared · 16 sources · Updated October 10, 2026

We compare published sources and haven't tested this equipment. We may earn a commission from product links at no added cost to you. How we choose

Comparison

GPS watches compared by specification
Specification
Garmin Approach S12Simple yardages
Garmin Approach S50Golf and everyday use
Garmin Approach S72Detailed course views
Shot Scope V5Shot and club tracking
NAVO W1Yardages without a subscription
Pick it ifYou want big front, middle, and back numbers and a battery that lasts more than one round, and you can do without a hole map.You'll wear it every day and will pay for Garmin Golf to unlock the detailed course maps.You want a large touchscreen hole map, a club-recommending virtual caddie, swing metrics, and calls from the watch, with a membership needed only for green reading, contours, and aerial imagery.You want strokes-gained stats for every club and don't mind screwing a tag into each grip.You want a touchscreen with slope-adjusted distances and need yardages only, not club tracking.
Course data
Courses preloaded42,000+43,000+43,000+36,00042,000+
Hole viewHazard listFull hole mapFull hole mapFull hole mapHazard list
Distances toHazards, layups, doglegsHazards, layupsHazards, layups, doglegsHazards, layups, doglegsHazards, doglegs
Elevation-adjustedNot listedPlaysLikePlaysLikeNot listedSlope mode
Tracking
Shot trackingManual measureAuto distanceAuto distanceAuto with tags
Shot tracking, Shot Scope V5Check each round in the app for missed shots. Putt locations need PinCollect.
Manual measure
Club tagsSensors sold separatelyTags sold separatelySensors sold separately16 tags includedNone
Watch
Battery playing golf30 hr15 hr20 hr
Battery playing golf, Garmin Approach S72The 43 mm version lists up to 15 hours.
About 10 hr
Battery playing golf, Shot Scope V5Shot Scope does not publish an hour figure. TechRadar lists about 10 hours, or two rounds.
2+ rounds
Screen1.3 in, buttons1.2 in AMOLED, touch1.4 in AMOLED, touch1.2 in color, buttonsTouch, size not listed
Everyday featuresNoneFull smartwatchCalls, notifications, pay, musicNoneSteps only
Running costs
Paid membershipNot neededFor detailed maps
Paid membership, Garmin Approach S50Enhanced CourseView maps, green contours, and touch targeting need a Garmin Golf membership.
For green reading
Paid membership, Garmin Approach S72Green reading, green contours, and aerial imagery need a Garmin Golf membership.
Not neededNot needed
Where to buyView on AmazonView on AmazonView at GarminView on AmazonView on Amazon

Before you buy

  • Check your usual courses in the brand's database, phone compatibility, and battery life with GPS active.
  • Mapped yardages do not identify today's exact pin position.

FAQs

GPS watch or rangefinder?

A watch shows mapped green distances without aiming. A laser measures a visible pin or other target. Choose a watch for quick yardages and blind shots, or a laser for a specific target.

What about subscriptions and updates?

Shot Scope says the V5 statistics platform has no subscription fee. NAVO says W1 course updates are free and run through an optional app. The S50 needs a Garmin Golf membership for its detailed map features, and the S72 needs one for green reading, green contours, and aerial imagery. Confirm the features you want before buying.

Buying for someone else?

Ask whether they want a watch or prefer a handheld device. Check their usual courses, phone compatibility, and any subscription they would need.

Sources