Garmin gps watches

[Jaycee]

Have you used a GPS watch such as Garmin S10, S20 and S60. Did you have any good experiences on these devices? Any suggestions? 

I'm contemplating on getting one because of the convenience of checking your wrist for yardage in lieu of a range finder. 

I've seen a lot of mix reviews but i wanted to see what are your thoughts on this.

[Golfspy_CG2]

I've used the X40 for a couple years now, and it does everything you could want from it.  Being a Garmin it does a whole  lot of other health functions n addition to the golf gps

[palvord]

I use the Garmin S2 and enjoy the ease of checking yardages from looking at my wrist.

The downside to my watch is that it is only front, middle, and back yardages to the green.  I'm sure the better and newer versions allow you to see yardages to hazards or layup distances, etc.

Garmin does make a good product IMO as my watch has not had any issues with finding the course or locating satellites.  The battery life for my is typically 36 holes.

[Wedgie]

I have the s60 and it is great. Tracks shots, you can measure to hazards, move pin around the green. Great investment in my opinion.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[ole gray]

5 hours ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

I've used the X40 for a couple years now, and it does everything you could want from it.  Being a Garmin it does a whole  lot of other health functions n addition to the golf gps

Is there a yearly fee and does it have fitbit type functions on it to track miles walked etc.?

[Wedgie]

Is there a yearly fee and does it have fitbit type functions on it to track miles walked etc.?

No annual fee and at least mine does everything a Fitbit does except keep heart rate for you. Tracks your every move so be careful with it.




Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[ole gray]

2 minutes ago, Wedgie said:

 

No annual fee and at least mine does everything a Fitbit does except keep heart rate for you. Tracks your every move so be careful with it.




Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

 

Now that's funny right there!    Hmmmm this will be my next gps watch!

[Wedgie]

Now that's funny right there!    Hmmmm this will be my next gps watch!

I’ll give you a buck if you can guess what I shot today based on that map.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

[Golfspy_CG2]

45 minutes ago, ole gray said:

Is there a yearly fee and does it have fitbit type functions on it to track miles walked etc.?

Wedgie must have a different one than me.  But the X40 does track your heart beat, steps, calories burned and even how restful you are sleeping.   But it doesn't do any crazy maps like that...at least not that I discovered.  it could be an update I'm not familiar with.   But that is pretty cool!  

[GB13]

39 minutes ago, Wedgie said:

 

No annual fee and at least mine does everything a Fitbit does except keep heart rate for you. Tracks your every move so be careful with it.




Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

 

You spent a little too much time off in the woods...

[ole gray]

48 minutes ago, Wedgie said:

 

I’ll give you a buck if you can guess what I shot today based on that map.


Sent from my iPad using MyGolfSpy

 

73!?

 

[ole gray]

28 minutes ago, Golfspy_CG2 said:

Wedgie must have a different one than me.  But the X40 does track your heart beat, steps, calories burned and even how restful you are sleeping.   But it doesn't do any crazy maps like that...at least not that I discovered.  it could be an update I'm not familiar with.   But that is pretty cool!  

Yep being a fitness junkie it sounds like everything I need!

[Svengineer]

16 hours ago, Jaycee said:

Have you used a GPS watch such as Garmin S10, S20 and S60. Did you have any good experiences on these devices? Any suggestions? 

I'm contemplating on getting one because of the convenience of checking your wrist for yardage in lieu of a range finder. 

I've seen a lot of mix reviews but i wanted to see what are your thoughts on this.

 

[Svengineer]

I am not familiar with Garmin golf watches but I have a VivoActive HR and it is awesome so I think Garmin have their s%&# together.

But why not take the step to Club tracking and stats and get the ShotScope V2. There you get both a very solid GPS watch and the addition of club tracking if you are interested in that data.

I strongly advise the V2 but you probably cannot go wrong with anything from Garmin too.

[ballplayer002003]

I too have been thinking about a GPS watch, however here is my issue.  A watch (which many of my friends have), does a good job telling you how big the green is or how far away a bunker is etc., however it does not tell you how far say a certain tree is, or some other random target that you may want to shoot at that a laser is able to do.  I am torn because really, how often am I shooting the few random trees or the golf cart exit the fairway signs?!  I know they differ in price quite a bit but I am still not sure.  

[Wedgie]

I too have been thinking about a GPS watch, however here is my issue.  A watch (which many of my friends have), does a good job telling you how big the green is or how far away a bunker is etc., however it does not tell you how far say a certain tree is, or some other random target that you may want to shoot at that a laser is able to do.  I am torn because really, how often am I shooting the few random trees or the golf cart exit the fairway signs?!  I know they differ in price quite a bit but I am still not sure.  

With the s60 you can scroll the screen to find certain targets or landing areas. I still use a laser for pins because on a 30 yard long green it has no idea where the flag is and it can be hard to questimate. If I could only have one or the other I’d take the watch since it is so quick, can track shots, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[Jaycee]

On 3/15/2019 at 2:35 PM, Wedgie said:

 

With the s60 you can scroll the screen to find certain targets or landing areas. I still use a laser for pins because on a 30 yard long green it has no idea where the flag is and it can be hard to questimate. If I could only have one or the other I’d take the watch since it is so quick, can track shots, etc.


Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

 

The S60 is a beauty. I was about to purchase one then Garmin released the S40. I'm waiting until the S40 is available in my region.

[ballplayer002003]

I saw the s40 as well and think it looks great!  It cost 300.  I have never had a gps watch and decided to buy an s20 for $130.  I figured I would try that out and see actually how much I really use it and how accurate it really is ( I hear they are pretty good).  If I find that I am using it a lot then maybe I will upgrade to the s40.    

[ballplayer002003]

On 3/15/2019 at 5:30 AM, Svengineer said:

I am not familiar with Garmin golf watches but I have a VivoActive HR and it is awesome so I think Garmin have their s%&# together.

But why not take the step to Club tracking and stats and get the ShotScope V2. There you get both a very solid GPS watch and the addition of club tracking if you are interested in that data.

I strongly advise the V2 but you probably cannot go wrong with anything from Garmin too.

The Garmin s20 also does club tracking I believe.  

[Brian A]

I use the Forerunner 935 (its my running/biking/swimming watch) that also does golf. I love it! Accurate and easy to use, no annual fee. just have to make sure I load the course to the watch before I get to the course (it can take time depending cell service)

[TR1PTIK]

I had a Garmin S2 at one point and honestly miss it. I like the exactness of a laser, but GPS really comes in handy when you get out of position and are blocked by trees or there's a hill between you and the flag practically rendering the unit worthless. I would just buy another Garmin (and may still) to supplement my rangefinder, but I'm holding out for an Apple Watch. It just makes more sense to buy something that looks nice and does much more than provide the time and GPS on a golf course.

[GrGmEvPl18!]

I don’t like wearing a watch when I play but love to have that technology available. Bought a Bushnell Phantom Golf GPS and really love it! Has a great app for the phone and so far every course I have played has been on it. Main display shows front middle and back distances of the green and it will also display fairway and greenside bunker distances as well. If you don’t want to wear a watch it is a great alternative. I’d get one of the bright colors if you intend to use the magnet on the back to attach it to a golf cart. That way it would less easy to lose. That would be my only real negative of the device. Would hate to accidentally leave it somewhere. Other nice thing is there are no additional annual fees. Buy it once and forget it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Txmason123]

I bought a Garmin Approach S20 last year and I love it.  It is a mid range GPS watch.  It doesn't have a color screen, but that doesn't take away from it.  I am currently wearing it as my everyday watch.  I have to remember to charge it before I go play a round.  It holds it's charge very well.  It has had every course I have ever played, even on vacations.  It appears to be very accurate and it gives front middle and back of the green.

I like using the scorecard feature, even though I keep track the old fashioned way too.  I can then download the data into my iphone app. 

I would highly recommend it.  

The downside;

You can't use it for practice at a range, only on the course.  You have to make sure it has enough charge for the round of golf.  It always has so far, but if it was at 30% I don't know if I would trust it.

There are times where a rangefinder would be useful, but I love the ease of use on the course.  I look at my watch and it gives me the yardage instantly.

I hope this helps.

[ballplayer002003]

So I just broke down and bought a Garmin s20 about two weeks ago.  I have used it for about three rounds so far and I am still trying to get used to all of its features.  So far, I like it.  The distance to the greens is fairly accurate and you can move the pin around (although I just mainly use it for front middle and back distances).  I really like the layup feature.  It will give you various distances for layup shots.  If gives you about 4 different yardages to be 100 yds out, 150 and so on.  Great feature.  

I paired it with my phone to look at the data at a later date but I have not really used that feature much yet so I cannot comment on it.  The watch itself is comfortable, large display and easy to use.  I like the buttons on the side but wish that I could get the watch to light up at night just to look at the time (maybe it does this, but I have not figured it out yet).  I would recommend it.  

[Wedgie]

So I just broke down and bought a Garmin s20 about two weeks ago.  I have used it for about three rounds so far and I am still trying to get used to all of its features.  So far, I like it.  The distance to the greens is fairly accurate and you can move the pin around (although I just mainly use it for front middle and back distances).  I really like the layup feature.  It will give you various distances for layup shots.  If gives you about 4 different yardages to be 100 yds out, 150 and so on.  Great feature.  

I paired it with my phone to look at the data at a later date but I have not really used that feature much yet so I cannot comment on it.  The watch itself is comfortable, large display and easy to use.  I like the buttons on the side but wish that I could get the watch to light up at night just to look at the time (maybe it does this, but I have not figured it out yet).  I would recommend it.  

 

On my S60 you can press the middle button, scroll down to system and press that. Scroll down until you see backlight. You can activate by gesture meaning at night you roll your wrist and the backlight will come on automatically.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using MyGolfSpy

[kdossa]

have used the Garmin g20 for a couple years now.

Pro's:

1. Solid GPS

2. Courses: it's found courses easily (stored in memory) for every course I've been to so far (in the US + Canada)

3. Lightweight + not distracting, with a perforated watch band, which helps your wrist breathe

4. Can sync to the garmin connect IOS app to show you your historical performance on  a course (or several!)  ability to see it on the web application as well

5. bluetooth - so can see your text messages from your phone

6. decent battery life // 2-3 rounds

7. ability to "move the flag" due to varying pin placements

8.found the range finder quite accurate when comparing against a player who has a laser range finder

9. easy to read in the sun

10. pretty affordable ~$200

11. step counter

12. details on when the sun rises + sets according to your GPS location

cons:

1.  not always accurate re: hazards (i.e. how far do I need to hit to clear this water etc)

2. black and white screen

3.  not able to place the pin or check hazard ranges

4. no touch screen (however, one could argue this is a good tradeoff vs. cost)

 

Overall, the watch has suited me well, for a golfer who plays 2x / week for 4-5 months a year. 

 

good luck!

 

[Pandaman]

I 'upgraded' to an S60 from a TomTom watch earlier this year and I love it.  The fitness features have encouraged me to incorporate more walking into my daily routine too.

Personally i prefer the convenience of a watch to a handheld or phone app, and feel i am more efficient time wise too, as i can just glance at my wrist unless i need to check stuff more closely.

[howellhandmade]

On 4/15/2019 at 9:11 AM, ballplayer002003 said:

So I just broke down and bought a Garmin s20 about two weeks ago.  I have used it for about three rounds so far and I am still trying to get used to all of its features.  So far, I like it.  The distance to the greens is fairly accurate and you can move the pin around (although I just mainly use it for front middle and back distances).  I really like the layup feature.  It will give you various distances for layup shots.  If gives you about 4 different yardages to be 100 yds out, 150 and so on.  Great feature.  

I paired it with my phone to look at the data at a later date but I have not really used that feature much yet so I cannot comment on it.  The watch itself is comfortable, large display and easy to use.  I like the buttons on the side but wish that I could get the watch to light up at night just to look at the time (maybe it does this, but I have not figured it out yet).  I would recommend it.  

If you press and hold the “ok” button, upper right, the screen will light.

[howellhandmade]

I have an S20. It works very well, no complaints other than aesthetics. I’m intrigued by the the S40, but one of the best things about the S20 is that when not golfing it uses practically no battery — 1% a day. I wear it all the time and when I’m not golfing I can basically forget about it. So, at least three rounds without charging, almost regardless of how many days between rounds. The 10-day watch mode battery life of the S40 pales in comparison. 

[Txmason123]

On 6/24/2019 at 8:50 PM, howellhandmade said:

I have an S20. It works very well, no complaints other than aesthetics. I’m intrigued by the the S40, but one of the best things about the S20 is that when not golfing it uses practically no battery — 1% a day. I wear it all the time and when I’m not golfing I can basically forget about it. So, at least three rounds without charging, almost regardless of how many days between rounds. The 10-day watch mode battery life of the S40 pales in comparison. 

Howell is right.  I use my S20 as a daily watch and when I am not playing golf, battery usage is practically nil.  Last week I played 4 days straight.  I charged my watch before the first game and then between the second an third rounds.  It still had battery life, but previously, I had the battery die during a round when the battery was below 50% before I started.  Now I make sure it is well charged before I go play.  I don't consider it a negative about the watch.  I love mine.  

I am interested in the Arccos system, but I love my watch so much, that I can't justify the expense.