Golf watches have become all the rage of late because of the combination of GPS capability, versatility, usability, and not to mention most of them are just very cool pieces of gear. Importantly, not only do brands like Garmin make top of the range models like the MARQ which costs thousands, but these brands also make watches at the complete opposite end of the price spectrum, meaning we can all invest in a model if we want.
But why would you want a golf watch in the first place? Well as we mentioned above watches usually come with GPS functionality meaning you can turn up to a golf course and know how far you are from the flag or certain hazards. Watches these days are also very comfortable and are highly convenient because you can just glance at your wrist to get a yardage rather than have to get a laser rangefinder from your bag. Watches also tend to be easy to use, offer a degree of style and versatility, and many also come with other features like fitness tracking and so on.
From our testing we have found there are lots of golf watches that offer all of these performance factors, but also a lot of value too because they don't break the bank. This guide is therefore a list of those watches. Additionally if you are more of a laser kind of golfer, then take a look at our guide on the best budget rangefinders as well.
The Quick List
If you are looking for something simple that works well, the S12 ticks the box. The yardages are accurate and well-displayed on a black and white screen.
This is an incredibly useful and intuitive watch to wear. The slope-adjusted distances and moveable pin make it almost as accurate as a laser rangefinder.
The G5 is an extremely simple and intuitive golf GPS watch that also provides plenty of off-course appeal that makes it great value for money.
Full color hole maps and green undulations, along with slope adjusted distances, make the Voice Caddie A2 a very user-friendly and stylish golf watch.
If simplicity is what appeals to you, the GolfBuddy aim W10 is a great option but the extra detail is there if you want it in certain situations.
TecTecTec’s ULT-G watch isn’t going to blow you away with the number of features that it provides, but the features on offer perform extremely well.
Best Value Golf Watches
Why you can trust Golf Monthly Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
Although the S12 is a not as stylish as its upgrade the S42, it does come in at a cheaper price point, making it great value for money. It has over 40,000 preloaded courses, so finding the course you are playing is quick and easy. Once on the first tee it gives you plenty of information like distances to bunkers, water hazards and where the ideal layup spots are. The main feature of this watch is the front, middle and back yardages giving you great information for finding the green, you are also then able to out exactly where the flag is on that green to give you a more exact yardage.
Another cool feature we liked in testing was the shot tracking feature, this allows you to input a shot then when you get to the ball and mark your next shot it will tell you the distance between those shots. You are also able to track your score and a few stats on the watch, giving you an idea of what you are doing right and where you might need some improvement. If you are someone that struggles with their eyesight and little numbers are hard to read, then this next feature is great for you. The S12 has a big numbers mode, this gives you the option to make everything a bit bigger so reading it is much easier. Paired with the sunlight-readable dial, this watch is great for those struggling to see on other watches.
Despite the black and white screen, and it being slightly smaller than the watches, this watch still oozes value for money. It has great features and does those features well, giving you a great golfing watch at a fraction of the price compared to the bigger ones.
- Read our full Garmin Approach S12 Review
Best accompanying app
The Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch features a brand-new color touch screen, as well as a plethora of new features that makes it perfect for the gadget-loving golfer. Not only does it provide comfort and looks which won't look out of place on-and-off the course, but we think it is extremely simple to use, with just one button on the side serving as the on/off switch. Every other aspect is accessed by the touch screen, which is detailed, responsive and clear.
Where this watch stands out though is in the features department. Specifically, the Slope Functionality, which is extremely rare even among the best golf watches. You can access it via the golf settings, where you can choose to toggle the Slope feature on/off. Another great addition is the tournament mode setting, which gives you 100% clarity on whether the set-up is legal for tournament play.
- Read our full Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch Review
Best sporty look
The Shot Scope G5 GPS Watch being tested on the golf course
When it comes to golf watches not everyone is after an all singing all dancing watch that does everything, they just want a watch that helps with golf well. When it comes to simplicity and performance, the Shot Scope G5 offers this all. The overall size of the screen you get is generous, but it feels quite minimalistic due to its lightweight strap and case. The outer ring of the screen has been slightly raised up, this helps to avoid scratching the screen as much when dropped.
In terms of golf, once we had selected our course of choice, the front, middle and back yardages were displayed clearly on the screen straightaway. You also get other useful bits of information too like battery life, the time, what hole you're on and the par of that hole, as well as the current score to par you are. You also have access to hazard information which is one click away, and the G5 offers you distances to the hazard and to carry the hazard also. As well as this you get distances to doglegs, lay up areas, and a shot distance measurement feature, you can also access a digital scorecard which helps you keep track of your scoring.
All in all we were really impressed by this watch and how the G5 performed, all the features it offers up are useful and easy to use. A really great aspect of this watch is its sporty look and how lightweight it is, meaning you really do not feel it on your wrist and it doesn't impact your swing.
- Read our full Shot Scope G5 GPS Watch Review
Best for style
Next up we have the A2, a stylish, modern and waterproof watch which features a lightweight white strap which looks great and offers a comfortable fit. Along with the fit, it is extremely easy to use. This is thanks to the A2 using a combination of the color touch screen and four corner buttons. The right hand buttons double as up and down functions on certain menus, but you can swipe the screen up or down to achieve the same thing.
Lastly, the touch screen itself is responsive enough and becomes brighter when you lift it up to look at it, a clever feature that no doubt saves on battery life too, with the A2 crammed with features and technology. It's a little more basic than the T9 and the price reflects this, but for most golfers it provides more than enough information to select the right club on every shot.
- Read our full Voice Caddie A2 Golf Watch Review
Best screen
This Aim W10 watch from GolfBuddy is one of the best value watches on this list with a great array of features you can get for a good price. Firstly, we like the clear distances shown in testing, and thanks to having only one button the overall trial and error of figuring this watch out was pretty effortless. To access features like hazard info and the scorecard function, you only have to swipe in different directions, making it rather easy to navigate.
This watch is a lightweight watch but still feels a little bulky, although this does not interfere with the swing. The hole maps are in color with this watch but still look a little basic, they do provide a good enough graphical overview of what is to come on a hole though, and the lay up arcs help to plot your best route. You are also able to manually move the pin positions, which we thought was a great feature, as this gives you increased accuracy on the yardages given. This watch does offer slope compensation capabilities, but this is only on certain courses which we did not play at so we were unable to test it, but if your course has it then that feature is available to you too.
We found that the charger didn't seem to fit well with the watch, and it had to be positioned in a very specific way to get it to charge, this was very frustrating but in time we learned the best way to charge this watch. At full charge we got two rounds of golf and still a bit of battery to spare, and this was in full GPS mode, so the battery life is decent in this watch.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Aim W10 GPS Watch Review
Best simple model
The TecTecTec ULT-G GPS watch isn't as feature heavy as some watches on the market and near its price point, however, when it comes to usability and simplicity this watch is one of the best we have tested. The ULT-G was very easy to set up, and it has 38,000 preloaded courses with no subscriptions or fees required to use the watch, and TecTecTec also have an app that runs side by side with the watch to help with updates, download courses and get technical support should you need it.
When you have set up your course you get the front, middle and back yardages as usual, but you can also get distances to hazards including the carry distances, and you are able to track shot distances too which is a useful feature. This watch does not have a touchscreen, but the buttons used for navigation are easy to use and understand. With a RRP of just $99.99 this GPS golf watch offers you great value for money.
- Read our full TecTecTec ULT-G GPS Watch review
How we test golf watches and GPS devices
When it comes to GPS watches, we have a comprehensive testing procedure at Golf Monthly. We use many different models out on the course for numerous rounds and in different conditions, giving us the best insight in to how these watches function come rain or shine.
The entirety of our team are regular golfers, so GPS watches get a thorough testing and can be compared and used side by side with other models to test accuracy, durability, waterproofing and other similar features. This allows us to give our honest opinions and feedback on the product so you, the reader, can make informed decisions on your next purchase. We like to make you aware that no manufacturer, no matter how big, can by a good review. We pride ourselves on honesty and integrity, so all our reviews and opinions will be honest whether that is good or bad to give you the best information.
How to choose a GPS device
Your routine
The best golf watches usually only require you to take a quick glance at them, so make sure you know if you want greater detail or less disruption for your round, as having to get a rangefinder or a different device out of its case or your bag can be long-winded.
Your course
If the course you play is riddled with doglegs, blind shots, or you pay a lot of other courses where you do not know your way round, then a GPS watch can offer you valuable information to help you navigate the course better.
Features
There is also a difference in device when it comes to features. Some watches just have the basic distances and some will show hazards etc. So you need to know what features you are going to need when it comes to playing golf, this will help you choose the best watch for your needs.
FAQs
Is it worth getting a golf watch?
We think a golf watch is an excellent investment when it comes to your golf game, as it provides the user with the right yardages when playing unfamiliar courses, as well as track your score and performance.
We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best golf GPS devices. Also make sure you research the best golf simulator, best golf GPS apps and the best golf watches for ladies too because they can truly add to your golfing experience.
-
American Pro DQ'd From LET Q-School Without Hitting A ShotGabby Lemieux travelled over to North Africa for Ladies European Tour Q-School but was disqualified on the first morning of action
-
‘To Say That McIlroy’s Season Was Not A Success Is Wide Of The Mark’To say it's been a dramatic 2024 for Rory McIlroy is a bit of an understatement, with the four-time Major winner going through multiple highs and lows this year
-
Garmin vs Apple Watch: I put the two head-to-head to see which is a better watch for golfBoth Garmin and Apple are leading the way on sports and golf-related devices - we explore which is better to help improve your game
-
Best Value Golf Balls 2024Check out our guide to the best value golf balls that offer good all-round performance without breaking the bank
-
Best Golf GPS 2024We take you through the best golf GPS devices on the market this year
-
Best Cheap Putters 2024In this guide, we delve into the market of entry-level putters and pick our favorites
-
Best Putters On Amazon 2024We take a look at the best putters on Amazon available right now, varying in price to suit your eye and budget.
-
Best Golf Travel Bags Under $100 2024Do you have a golf trip booked away soon, but don't want to splash out on an expensive travel bag for your clubs? Well here, we have you covered
-
Best Golf Bags Under $100 2024Looking for a high-performing golf bag that won't break the bank? Well, you've come to the right place
-
Best Garmin Golf Watches 2024Check out our guide to Garmin's comprehensive range of GPS golf watches
