Best Value Golf Watches 2026

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

Best Value Golf Watches 2026

Top pick

The Shot Scope G6 is a great example of a watch that takes the simple approach, and for many golfers, it’s all the better for it. Setup was easy and despite the lack of touch screen, navigation was simple. It didn't compromise on features either, enhancing the value.

For example you get color hole maps, distances to hazards and doglegs, lay up points and a built in scorecard. I like how you get distances to reach and carry them and it was obvious to me which hazard the numbers were referring to when cross referencing them with the hole maps. I also liked the ability to move the pin location around by cycling through a host of positions to get a more specific distance if you’re feeling aggressive and want to go flag hunting.

The screen size is generous, easy to read, and I liked the lightweight sleekness of the G6 as well.

Overall given its affordability, the G6’s performance is to be commended. While it’s not an ‘all singing, all dancing’ watch when it comes to complete performance, we found that out on the course it provided us with all the key numbers and a few extra elements as well.

• Read our full Shot Scope G6 GPS Watch Review

Best simplicity

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.

A standout feature of the S12 is its manual shot-tracking capability, allowing players to precisely measure how far they each club by registering the distance between where they've swung the club and where they take their next shot - over time this allows players to gain a further understanding of exactly how far they hit each club, a crucial aspect for those who want to shoot lower scores.

The watch also facilitates seamless scorekeeping and basic stat tracking, offering immediate insights into areas of your game that need refinement. For those who find small text difficult to read, the 'Big Numbers' mode is a very useful feature which ensure the screen remains perfectly readable even in the most challenging lighting conditions. Despite the black and white screen, and it being slightly smaller than other 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 for style

If you want a watch that looks as good as it performs, the A2 is a top-tier choice. Its clean white design is matched by an interface that is extremely easy to master. By pairing a responsive touch screen with four physical buttons, the A2 gives you multiple ways to access its deep feature set. We particularly liked the side buttons during testing which act as a fail-safe for scrolling through menus when your hands are sweaty or in the rain - particularly useful for our UK and Ireland based reviewers! The display’s adaptive brightness is a clever engineering touch that keeps the watch powered for up to 10 full hours of GPS play.

As well as front, middle and back distances, you get the time, battery life, hole and par, yards or meters, and your current score. It will also tell you the number of steps you’ve taken. Swipe to the side and you access the full color hole maps, and swipe again you can see a view of the green and its undulations.

Admittedly the A2 is little more basic than the Voice Caddie 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 accompanying app

The Bushnell ION Elite remains a standout user-friendly pick in 2026 and is a great option for the golfer who wants to simply glance at their watch and receive accurate yardages without all the fuss of multiple features - that's not to say this is a feature-less watch, though. The ION Elite successfully bridges the gap between basic golf watches and high-end smartwatches. The main talking point here is that this is the first Bushnell wearable to feature their Patented Slope Technology, giving it the analytical edge usually reserved for laser rangefinders or high-end, high-price watches.

Specifically with the Slope Functionality, a lot of the best golf watches.don't even have this feature. 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.

Finally we should mention the accompanying Bushnell app because it elevates the watch further. On the app you have access to hole flyovers and more in-depth performance analysis capabilities, which undoubtedly adds value.

• Read our full Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch Review

Best sporty look

The Shot Scope G5 is proof that you don't need an 'all-singing, all-dancing' device to improve your course management. It strikes a perfect balance between simplicity and performance, delivering critical yardages on a generously sized display. Despite its large screen, the watch maintains a minimalistic feel thanks to its streamlined casing and soft silicone strap, meaning it's stylish enough to be worn as a sporty-looking watch off the course.

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

How we test golf watches and GPS devices

Conor Keenan

Conor joined Golf Monthly in late 2024 after graduating with a Masters degree in Sports Journalism from St Mary's University and heads up reviews for rangefinders, GPS and golf watches. 

Conor is lucky to have Royal County Down as his home golf course, beginning to play the game at the age of four, later becoming a caddy at RCD at just eleven years old and doing so for over 12 years. Playing to a 5 handicap, you’ll likely find him on the range trying (and failing) to hit a Shane Lowry-esque stinger that helped him win The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

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 testing team at Golf Monthly is comprised of dedicated, active golfers, which means every GPS watch is subjected to the rigorous test of actual on-course testing on a regular basis. Although our GPS watch testing is headed up by Conor Keenan, a golfer with over a decade of experience caddying at Royal County Down, he is helped out in reviewing watches by a multitude of team members, all of whom have strong experience with these sorts of technology.

This hands-on approach ensures our feedback is rooted in practical experience, with our process involves side-by-side comparisons with industry benchmarks to evaluate accuracy, durability, waterproofing and more. Transparency is the core of our mission and is why we've built such a strong level of trust between our brand and leadership after well over a decade of testing the best golf equipment - no manufacturer can buy a favorable review nor does a brand ever get preferential treatment over another. Whether a product excels or falls short, we pride ourselves on delivering an honest, unfiltered verdict based on how it truly performs.

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

A GPS watch is an invaluable tool for golfers who frequently tackle unfamiliar layouts or courses defined by complex doglegs and blind approaches. By providing a 'bird’s-eye view' of the hole (not every watch in this guide provides this feature, so be aware), these devices offer a preview that is often impossible to gather with the naked eye. Features like PinPointer (which shows the direction of the flag even when it's hidden) and hazard mapping ensure that you can commit to your lines with total confidence.

Features

The market for golf GPS watches in 2026 offers a wide range of functionality, from 'essentials-only' devices on the lower end of the price scale (as seen in this guide) to full-scale tactical computers for your wrist that will cost you a few hundred dollars. Because more features usually mean a higher price tag and potentially more complex menus, identifying your specific on-course needs is the most effective way to ensure you get the best return on your investment.

FAQs

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.