Best Golf GPS Watches for 2023
Paul Liberatore is the founder of Golfers Authority, which reviews the world's best golf products and gear.
I don’t know about you, but I love golf tech. So, this year, I’ve spent most of my time focusing on launch monitors, rangefinders, and distance-measuring devices. What I’ve found out there is pretty amazing. Here is my short list of the best golf GPS watches in 2023.
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What to Consider When Buying a Golf GPS Watch
There’s a lot of variance amongst all the different GPS watches on the market this year. Some have just the most basic functions, like the front, middle, and back of green yardage, and are priced accordingly. Others can more or less digitally run every aspect of your life. It’s mind-boggling.
Cost is the first factor when buying a golf GPS watch. Typically, you get what you pay for, but overextending yourself is never a good idea. There’s no sense in breaking the bank on a singular piece of golf equipment. In short, be realistic about what you can afford and stay within your means.
Next on the list should be accuracy. Believe it or not, some GPS watches are more accurate than others. I recommend testing a GPS watch on the course. If that’s not possible, do some research. Talk to friends and see what they recommend. The Internet is also great for consumer reviews.
How many features and functions do you want? Are you a casual golfer who can get by with the most basic yardages? Or are you trying to improve as quickly as possible and want a watch that will give you all the data possible, including data points for your sleep, physical activity, and overall health?
Finally, it’s style. Yes, some GPS watches are more stylish than others. This isn’t a huge concern of mine, but I can see how it would be for some people. Let's get it it.
Best Overall GPS Watch - Garmin Approach S70 GPS Watch
If there’s a name that golfers know they can trust when it comes to distance-measuring devices, it’s Garmin. For years, they’ve been known for making some of the game's most technologically advanced, accurate GPS watches. The Approach S70 is no different.
The first thing that jumped off the page to me with this watch was that it comes preloaded with more than 43,000 courses. How that’s possible is beyond me, but one thing is for sure: you’ll never have to worry about downloading a class, no matter where you find yourself playing on planet Earth.
I also really like the virtual caddie feature. Once you’ve played a few rounds with the S70, it will recommend what club you should hit based on the recorded shot data. Once again, I’m dumbfounded about how this works, but it does, and it’s a huge help.
Good golf isn’t all about full-shot yardages, though. As the saying goes, drive for show and putt for dough. Well, the S70 can be a big help here, too. It gives you green contour data that distinctly shows the slopes of every green so you can better plan your approach shots and sink more putts.
But that’s not the end of the story. The S70 can be paired with the Garmin Golf app for even more stats and tracks your health and fitness information.
I could spend the entire article talking about how cool this GPS watch is, but these are a few highlights. You should research to find out how excellent and all-encompassing this watch is. To tell you the truth, I received mine in May of this year, and it has never left my wrist. (Get it now through our partners at PGA TOUR Superstore)
Best Luxury Golf GPS Watch - Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Smartwatch
I’m not a luxury watch fiend by any means at all. But I know that Tag Heuer makes some of the best watches in the world. And I was lucky enough to try out their Calibre E4 golf smartwatch.
It should come as little surprise that this watch has more than 40,000 preloaded courses.
But that’s just the beginning. The interface gives you full-color 2-D maps of every hole you play. With just your fingertip, you can pinpoint yardages to hazards, spots on the green, and any other point of interest. You can even pair the watch with your smartphone for a larger display!
It doesn’t stop with interactive yardages. Like the Garmin S70, the Calibre E4’s app intuitively tracks and saves your shot data so you can analyze it over time. You can even share the data with your friends via your smart device.
Download the Tag Heuer Golf app to get the most out of your experience with the Calibre E4. It allows access to fun additional features to help you understand your game.
Here again, I’m blown away by this watch’s technological capabilities. I’m confident you will be too. (Buy it now through our partner)
Best Golf GPS and Tracker Combo - Shot Scope X5 GPS Watch
Shot Scope
Shot Scope is another brand with a trusted reputation for making reliable golf tech, including its fantastic golf watches.
Like most GPS watches on this list, the X5 comes preloaded with tens of thousands of courses, so you can plug and play anywhere you find yourself. Like the first two watches, the Shot Scope X5 has remarkable shot-tracking capabilities. This is accomplished with tracking tags that attach to the end of your club and automatically relay data points to the free mobile app and online dashboard. The X5 is also one of the most accurate GPS watches I tested. I found it to be accurate within a single yard.
Aside from bare distances to every green's front, middle, and back, you also get yardage to hazards, doglegs, and landing areas. Its Greenview mode allows you to see the exact contours of the green and use your finger to plot the hole location for even more precise approach shot yardages.
Lastly, download the app and pair it with your watch. Doing so allows you access to even more in-depth data, and you can compete with other Shot Scope users in friendly competitions. It’s a lot of fun, trust me. (Get it now at PGA TOUR Superstore)
Best Fitness GPS Golf Watch - Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire Solar Edition GPS Watch
Here we go again with Garmin. The company is that good when it comes to making GPS watches.
While the Fenix 7 Sapphire is a great golf GPS watch, its fitness capabilities are unlike anything else on the market this year. We’ll get to that in a second.
From a golf standpoint, more than 42,000 preloaded courses make access to accurate yardages a piece of cake.
Once you’re out on the course, you can utilize all kinds of different map views to see where you’re going and strategize your shots accordingly. They include Skiview, Up Ahead, and even Topo maps. These maps aren’t limited to golf courses; they’re also included for more than 2,000 of the best ski resorts around the globe.
Like I said, if staying in shape is a priority, there isn’t much this watch can’t do. Based on your metrics and fitness goals, it suggests daily workouts curtailed for you.
Built-in programs specific to running, swimming, biking, hiking, rowing, skiing, and even surfing allow you to customize your experience. In addition to in-workout metrics, the Fenix 7 Sapphire has a wide array of recovery and training progress features that provide a complete picture of where you’re physically.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time testing the features and functions of this watch, and I’m still astounded by all that it can do. (Buy it now here)
Editor’s Choice - Bushnell iOn Elite GPS Watch
Bushnell
It was a foregone conclusion that Bushnell would soon find its way onto this list. Like Garmin, the company is known for making some of the best distance-measuring devices.
Their iON Elite GPS watch is my editor’s choice for 2023.
Like most other watches on this list, you get more than 38,000 courses, so downloading a new track isn’t something you have to worry about.
What separates this watch, however, is that it gives you slope-adjusted yardages. While most modern rangefinders have this capability, GPS watches don’t, by and large. This capability alone saved me numerous shots when I had the iON Elite on the course.
But that’s not all. Hole View, Green View, and Dynamic Green Mapping modes give you all the information you need to plan every shot precisely.
When paired with the Bushnell Golf app, this watch gives you access to all kinds of advanced information to help you improve your game. What I love about this watch is both its versatility and functionality. This one is simple, unlike other watches that require a Ph.D. to operate.
Everything you need and nothing you don’t, and at a price you can afford, I highly recommend the Bushnell iON Elite. (Get 10% off the Bushnell iOn Elite Watch here)
Best Golf GPS Display - SkyCaddie LX5 GPS Watch
SkyCaddie
Let’s be honest: the displays on GPS watches aren’t massive. And in poor lighting conditions, they can be challenging to read.
That’s anything but the case with the display on the SkyCaddie LX5 GPS Watch.
Measuring 1.39” across, the touchscreen display is the brightest and easiest to read of any watch I tested. The graphics and numbers both have outstanding clarity and definition.
It’s not all just pretty looks, though; the LX5 is right up there regarding tech and features. More than 35,000 preloaded courses mean the watch will always know where you are. Hole View and IntelliGreen Imagery let you see even the smallest details on every hole. You can even zoom in and pan out. You can also keep track of essential fitness stats like heart rate and steps.
The unprecedented three-year warranty is impressive, too.
If crystal-clear graphics and plenty of easy-to-use features sound like a winning combination, it’s hard to argue against the SkyCaddie LX5 GPS Watch. (Buy it now for the best price with our partner)
Best Golf GPS Watch for Most People - Garmin Approach S62 GPS Watch
If you’re like most golfers, you probably fall somewhere in the middle of not wanting to break the bank on golf equipment and finding the cheapest stuff out there.
The Garmin Approach S62 GPS watch is the perfect option for most people.
Like the Bushnell iON Elite, the Approach S62 gives you gross and slope-adjusted yardages on more than 41,000 courses. But the S62 goes a step further. The Virtual Caddie accounts for wind direction and speed and makes club recommendations using your past shot data. This is made possible by the AutoShot analyzer and Approach CT10 tracking sensors that attach the ends of your grips. Club selection has never been more accessible.
When you pair the S62 with the Garmin Golf app, you can access strokes gained statistics and interactive tournaments with other Garmin users. I tried this out a couple of times, and it was a blast!
Another cool feature is downloading customizable watch faces from the Connect IQ store.
While the Garmin Approach S62 has more than enough tech and features to let you get the most out of your game, it’s easy to use and moderately priced. If you can’t afford the S70, the Garmin S62 is the next best choice. (Get 20% off the Garmin Approach S62 here)
Best Value Golf GPS Watch - Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch
Believe it or not, Garmin is on our list for the fourth time. Their Approach S12 GPS watch is the best value for 2023.
This watch has as many features as the S62, including club tracking, the ability to compete in tournaments with other users, and more than 42,000 preloaded courses.
Yardages are calculated to the front, middle, and back of every green, hazard, and dogleg.
An additional feature is a digital scorecard that eliminates the need for the old paper and pencil you’re accustomed to.
You won’t have to worry about charging this watch constantly, either. Its battery lasts up to 30 hours before it needs to be recharged.
Simple, functional, and priced under $200, the Garmin Approach S12 is a great GPS watch for almost any golfer. (Get 25% off through our partner at PGA TOUR Superstore)
Best Golf GPS Under $350 - Voice Caddie T9 Hybrid Golf GPS Watch
Voice Caddie T9 Hybrid Golf GPS Watch
Voice Caddie
Voice Caddie is an up-and-coming name in the world of GPS watches. While they don’t quite yet have the reputation of Garmin or Bushnell, I don’t think it’ll be long.
Their T9 Hybrid GPS watch has a full-color intuitive touchscreen that provides gross and slope-adjusted yardages to every green front, middle, and back. Just use your finger to pinpoint a specific location for more precise yardage.
Active Green mode shows detailed undulations of every green so you can strategically plan your approach shots. Once you’re on the green, Putt View provides a more precise color map of the high and low points. This makes reading putts a whole lot easier.
If you’re on the range just practicing, turn on Tempo Mode to dial in your rhythm and timing. Considering its price point, I was more than impressed with this watch’s accuracy and everything it allows you to do. (Buy it here at PGA TOUR Superstore)
Best Golf GPS Watch Under $300 - Garmin Approach S42 Golf GPS Watch
Yep, Garmin strikes again. This time, it’s with their Approach S42 GPS watch. This watch’s 1.2” color touchscreen gives you a vibrant display of every hole on more than 42,000 courses.
You get front, middle, and back of green yardages and numbers to hazards, doglegs, and other points of interest. Like its brethren, CT10 tracking sensors and the AutoShot analyzer automatically record your distance on every shot.
When paired with the Garmin Golf app, you’ll have additional access to strokes gained statistics. You can also compete against other users in competitions. The S42 also has sports apps that track health and fitness data like calories burned, steps, and sleep.
The S42 proved one of the most functional and efficient watches I tested. Its modest price makes it all the more attractive. Think of this as the little brother to the Garmin S62 or the color screen version of the S12 that has way more features. (Get there S62 here through our partner)
Best Golf GPS Watch Under $200 - Golf Buddy Aim W11 Golf GPS Watch
Golf Buddy Aim W11 Golf GPS Watch
Golf Buddy
You might not know much about Golf Buddy, but their Aim W11 GPS watch is one of the most underrated watches I tested this year.
Even though it lacks some of the fancy features compared to other watches on this list, it gives you all the essential information you need to get around the course efficiently. Yardages include those to the front, middle, and back of greens, hazards, and doglegs. Just use your finger on the 1.3” LCD for more precise numbers. The digital scorecard makes life easy on more than 40,000 preloaded courses.
There’s nothing that jumps off the page with the Golf Buddy Aim W11, but it’s reliable and more than serves its purpose. (Get it here through our partners at PGA TOUR Superstore)
Best Golf GPS Watch Under $150 - Garmin Approach S10 Golf GPS Watch
The most affordable Garmin watch is the Approach S10. This watch’s auto-recognition feature knows what course you’re on but what exact hole you’re playing. You don’t have to worry about manually switching to hole five once you finish hole four.
Yardages included those to the green's front, middle, and back and hazards and doglegs. The virtual caddy feature eliminates the hassle of writing your score down after every hole.
Like the other Garmin watches on the list, you can compete in tournaments with other users when you pair the S10 with the Garmin Golf app.
Simple and affordable, you can’t go wrong with the Garmin S10. This is an excellent choice for an entry-level Garmin golf watch; however, if you spend a little more, you can get the S12, which is a better option. (Buy it here through SI Golf's retail partner, PGA TOUR Superstore)
Final Thoughts on the Best Golf GPS Watches for 2023
Knowing the precise distance to your target is an absolute must in golf if you’re going to play your best. Nothing spoils a round faster than picking the wrong club and ending up in a bad spot because you didn’t know the distance.
For many golfers, GPS watches take this guesswork out of the equation. However, finding the best GPS watch for your game can be difficult simply because of many options.
The buying decision doesn’t have to be as complicated as you think. If you do some preliminary research and ask some of the important questions discussed in this article, I’m confident you’ll find a watch that suits your needs and will help you shoot lower scores in no time.