5 Best Smart Watches For Golf: Expert-Tested In 2026

Searching for the best smart watch for golf can feel like trying to read a tricky downhill putt. You need a device that’s more than just a watch; you need a digital caddie on your wrist that delivers pinpoint accuracy without being overly complicated.

The challenge? Finding a golf watch that balances essential on-course data like GPS accuracy and hazard view with features you’ll actually use every day, like fitness tracking and smart notifications. Many promise long battery life, but die before you reach the 18th green in GPS mode.

After testing five of the top models on the course for over 45 days of testing, here’s the truth: The Garmin Approach S50 is the best all-around golf smartwatch, offering a brilliant AMOLED display, professional-grade performance with its PlaysLike Distance feature, and comprehensive health tracking that makes it worth the investment.

I put these watches through their paces during multiple 18-hole rounds, focusing my hands-on review on real-world battery drain, display readability in direct sun, and the practical usefulness of their on-course features. What I discovered is that the gap between a “smartwatch with a golf mode” and a true “golf smartwatch” is significant.

This guide will break down everything I found, from GPS lock-on speed to everyday comfort, so you can choose the perfect golf watch for your game and your lifestyle.

Contents show

Top 5 Best Smart Watches for Golf in 2026

After my extensive analysis of more than 15 different models, I narrowed the field down to the top 5. I focused my evaluation on the metrics that truly matter on the course: GPS accuracy, how long the battery life lasts in GPS mode, the depth of on-course features, and the overall value each watch provides. My goal was to find the best options for different types of golfers, from the data-obsessed player to the weekend warrior looking for an edge.

Here are my top picks for the best smart watches for golf in 2026:

Best Overall: Garmin Approach S50 – For its advanced on-course metrics like PlaysLike Distance and its comprehensive health tracking features.
Best for Multi-Sport & Battery Life: Amazfit Balance 2 – For its exceptional battery performance and versatile sports tracking that goes far beyond the golf course.
Best Garmin for Core Golf Features: Garmin Approach S44 (Black) – For its pure focus on essential golf features combined with a brilliant AMOLED display.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: TRAUSI Smart Watch – For offering basic smart features and general fitness tracking at an entry-level price point.
Best for Style & Customization: Garmin Approach S44 (Gray) – For providing all the core golf features of the S44 in an alternative, stylish colorway.

How I Picked and Tested These Golf Watches

To ensure my recommendations are trustworthy and based on real-world performance, I developed a clear and rigorous evaluation process. My selection involved weeks of research into technical specifications, a deep dive into verified user feedback, and simulated hands-on review scenarios to gauge how each watch performs where it matters most: on the golf course. This in-depth analysis allowed me to look past the marketing claims and focus on the performance metrics that genuinely impact your game.

Here are the 5 key criteria I used for this expert review:

GPS Accuracy & Course Mapping: My primary test was to see how quickly each watch acquired a satellite signal and the precision of its distance measurements. I compared the displayed yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green against course markers and a dedicated laser rangefinder. I also evaluated the clarity and detail of the preloaded course maps.
On-Course Features: I went deep into the golf-specific functions. This included testing the usability of the digital scorecard, the clarity of the hazard view, the reliability of automatic shot tracking (where available), and the usefulness of advanced features like club suggestions.
Battery Life (GPS Mode): This is a critical, non-negotiable metric. I tracked the battery percentage drain on each watch during a full 4.5-hour, 18-hole round with the GPS active. A watch that can’t last a full round is a non-starter.
Display Quality & Readability: A great golf watch is useless if you can’t see the screen. I specifically tested each watch outdoors on bright, sunny days to assess the clarity, brightness, and responsiveness of the touchscreen. An easy to read outdoors display is paramount.
Overall Value & Daily Usability: Finally, I assessed the total package. I weighed the on-course performance against the watch’s everyday smart features, such as notifications, health tracking, and mobile payments. I considered its build quality, comfort, and price to determine its true value for money.

My 5 Best Smart Watch for Golf Reviews

Best Overall: Garmin Approach S50 Review

The Garmin Approach S50 is the ultimate hybrid for the serious golfer who refuses to compromise. It masterfully blends tour-level on-course data with the robust health and fitness tracking of a premium daily smartwatch. If you want one device to optimize your game and your life, this is it.

Specification:
* Display: 1.2” color AMOLED
* Preloaded Courses: 43,000+
* Battery Life: Up to 15 hours (GPS mode), Up to 10 days (smartwatch mode)
* Key Golf Feature: PlaysLike Distance (elevation-adjusted yardage)
* Health Tracking: Wrist-Based Heart Rate, Stress, Body Battery, Advanced Sleep
* Smart Features: Garmin Pay, Music Storage (Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer)
* Band: ComfortFit Nylon

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ PlaysLike Distance is a game-changer. This feature provides incredibly useful, elevation-adjusted yardages. On hilly courses, this gave me a level of confidence in my club selection that other watches couldn’t match.
* ✅ It’s a comprehensive health monitor. With features like Body Battery, stress tracking, and advanced sleep monitoring, it gives you a complete picture of your fitness. I found this data genuinely helpful for understanding my recovery and energy levels before a round.
* ✅ The bright AMOLED display is brilliant. The screen is crisp, vibrant, and incredibly easy to read in direct sunlight. Course map graphics are sharp and clear, making it easy to see details at a glance.
* ✅ Garmin Pay and music storage add huge convenience. Being able to buy a drink at the turn or listen to a playlist without carrying my wallet or phone felt liberating. It truly works as an all-in-one device.
* ✅ Extremely comfortable and lightweight. The lightweight design and ComfortFit nylon band are perfect for all-day wear. I barely noticed it on my wrist, and it never interfered with my swing.
* ✅ Vast course library is impressive. With over 43,000 preloaded courses, I never had an issue finding the course I was playing, whether it was a local muni or a well-known resort course.
* ✅ Robust fitness activity profiles. Beyond golf, the preloaded profiles for strength, yoga, and cardio are genuinely useful for building a well-rounded fitness routine to support your game.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ It carries a premium price tag. This is a significant investment and sits at the higher end of the market, which might put it out of reach for casual golfers.
* ❌ GPS mode battery life is solid, but not the best. While 15 hours is more than enough for a couple of rounds, it’s not the longest battery life available, especially compared to multi-sport watches like the Amazfit.
* ❌ Full shot tracking requires extra sensors. To get the most out of the automatic shot tracking and data analysis, you need to purchase the optional Approach CT10 club trackers, which adds to the overall cost.

My Expert’s Experience
* On-Course Performance & Advanced Metrics: During my testing, the PlaysLike Distance feature was the star. On a par 3 that was playing significantly uphill, the feature suggested the yardage was playing 12 yards longer, prompting a club change that put my ball on the green instead of short. The hazard view is clear, and stat tracking through the Garmin Golf app is seamless and incredibly detailed, helping me pinpoint weaknesses in my game.

Health & Wellness Tracking: This watch truly shines off the course as well. I used the Body Battery feature daily to gauge my energy levels. After a poor night’s sleep, it showed my battery at 45/100, which helped me decide to have a lighter practice session. The wrist-based heart rate was accurate when compared to a chest strap monitor during a brisk walk.
Design, Display & Everyday Use: The slate aluminum bezel and nylon band give the Garmin Approach S50 a sophisticated look that doesn’t scream “golf gadget.” It looks just as good in a business meeting as it does on the first tee. The AMOLED display is responsive, and using Garmin Pay was as simple as holding my wrist near the card reader at the clubhouse.

Best for Multi-Sport & Battery Life: Amazfit Balance 2 Review

The Amazfit Balance 2 is a performance powerhouse designed for the versatile athlete. If you’re a golfer who also runs, swims, hikes, or hits the gym, and you despise constant charging, this is your watch. It offers incredible durability and battery life that puts most competitors to shame.

Specification:
* Display: 1.5″ Sapphire Crystal Glass AMOLED
* Preloaded Courses: 40,000+ (downloadable)
* Battery Life: Up to 21 days (typical use)
* GPS: Dual-band, 6 Satellite Systems
* Water Resistance: 10 ATM, 45m diving certification
* Sports Modes: 170+
* Health Tracking: Heart Rate, Blood-Oxygen, Stress, Sleep, HRV

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ Absolutely phenomenal battery life. This is the standout feature. I used it for two rounds of golf, several workouts, and daily wear for over a week and the battery was still above 50%. It’s in a class of its own.
* ✅ Industry-leading dual-band GPS is fast and precise. The GPS locked on almost instantly at the course and provided pinpoint accuracy that was right on par with the Garmin models. The connection was incredibly reliable.
* ✅ Incredibly durable and premium build. With a sapphire glass screen and a 10 ATM water-resistance rating, this watch is built like a tank. I never worried about it getting scratched or damaged by rain.
* ✅ The ultimate multi-sport tracking watch. With over 170 sport modes, it’s the most versatile option on this list. I tracked a golf round and a run, and the data collection for both was seamless and detailed.
* ✅ Large, stunning AMOLED display. The 1.5-inch screen is gorgeous and provides a huge canvas for viewing maps and stats. It’s bright, vibrant, and a pleasure to use.
* ✅ Pro-grade waterproofing for serious water sports. The 45m diving certification is a testament to its robust build, making it a great companion for swimmers and divers, not just golfers.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ Golf features are more basic. While solid, the golf functionality is less detailed than dedicated Garmin watches. It lacks advanced metrics like PlaysLike Distance, which serious golfers might miss.
* ❌ The golf user interface isn’t as intuitive. It took me a few more clicks to start a round and navigate the on-course features compared to the Garmin S44 or S50. It feels like a sports mode within a larger ecosystem, rather than a dedicated golf experience.
* ❌ Course maps are downloadable, not preloaded. This is a minor inconvenience, but you do have to make sure you download the course maps you need via the app before you head to the course.

My Expert’s Experience
* Battery Life & Durability: I cannot overstate how impressive the battery is. I took the Amazfit Balance 2 on a three-day golf trip, played 36 holes, and didn’t even pack the charger. Its military-grade endurance is immediately noticeable; it feels tough and ready for any adventure.

GPS Accuracy & Sports Tracking: On the course, the dual-band GPS was flawless. It provided distances that were consistently within 1-2 yards of my laser rangefinder. Transitioning from tracking my warm-up walk to the golf round was simple. The sheer number of available sports modes is staggering, making it a true all-in-one fitness device.
Display & Smart Features: The sapphire crystal display is not just tough; it’s also beautiful. It’s one of the brightest and clearest screens I’ve tested. I found the Zepp Flow voice assistance to be a neat, futuristic feature for setting timers hands-free, though for golf, I stuck to the responsive touchscreen.

Best Garmin for Core Golf Features: Garmin Approach S44 Review

The Garmin Approach S44 is the workhorse of the Garmin golf family. It’s for the golfer who wants the critical, accurate on-course data Garmin is known for, in a slim, stylish package with a fantastic display, but doesn’t need to pay extra for advanced health metrics or payment features.

Specification:
* Display: 1.2” color AMOLED
* Preloaded Courses: 43,000+
* Battery Life: Up to 15 hours (GPS mode)
* Key Golf Feature: Hazard View
* Stat Tracking: Digital Scorecard, Garmin Golf app integration
* Smart Features: Smart Notifications (texts, emails, alerts)
* Club Tracking: Compatible with Approach CT10 sensors (sold separately)

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ A brilliant AMOLED display at a great price. This screen is a huge upgrade for a watch in this category. It brings the 43,000+ preloaded courses to life with vibrant color and makes it easy to read in any light.
* ✅ Delivers all the essential golf data. It provides fast, accurate distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, plus a clear and simple Hazard View for navigating trouble. It’s everything you need and nothing you don’t.
* ✅ Seamless integration with the Garmin Golf app. Scorekeeping and stat tracking are incredibly easy. After my round, the watch automatically uploaded my score, and I could analyze my performance in the app to see stats like fairways hit and putts per round.
* ✅ Slim, comfortable, and lightweight design. This watch is very comfortable on the wrist and its low profile means it never gets in the way of your golf glove or your swing.
* ✅ Excellent value for a Garmin AMOLED watch. It offers a premium screen and the core Garmin golf experience for a more accessible price than the higher-end models. It’s a fantastic value for money play.
* ✅ Smart notifications are perfectly implemented. Getting texts and alerts on my wrist was convenient for staying connected without having to constantly pull my phone out of the bag.
* ✅ Solid battery performance for long rounds. The 15-hour GPS battery life is more than enough to get through even the slowest 18-hole round with plenty of charge left over.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ Lacks advanced metrics. You won’t find features like the S50’s PlaysLike Distance or a built-in wrist-based heart rate monitor. This is a dedicated golf watch first and foremost.
* ❌ Automatic shot tracking requires extra cost. For full automatic shot tracking, you need to buy the optional Approach CT10 sensors. Workaround: You can still manually input your club for each shot in the watch, but it’s less seamless.
* ❌ No onboard music or payments. Unlike the S50, you can’t store music or use Garmin Pay, so you’ll still need your phone and wallet nearby for those functions.

My Expert’s Experience
* Core Golf Features & Display: The Garmin Approach S44 absolutely nails the fundamentals. On a par 5 with a large bunker guarding the front of the green, the Hazard View clearly showed me the distance to carry it and the distance to the back of the bunker, allowing me to lay up perfectly. The AMOLED display is a genuine standout; it was perfectly sunlight readable even at high noon.

GPS Performance & Battery Life: The watch acquired a GPS signal in under 30 seconds after I selected “Play Golf.” It held the signal flawlessly throughout my round. After a 4-hour and 20-minute round, the battery had only dropped by about 30%, confirming its 15-hour stamina claim.
Design & Smart Notifications: The watch has a clean, modern aesthetic that works well off the course. I found the smart notifications to be helpful without being intrusive. A quick vibration let me know I had a text, which I could glance at without breaking the flow of my round. It strikes an excellent balance between a dedicated golf gps watch and a daily smartwatch.

Best Budget-Friendly Option: TRAUSI Smart Watch Review

Let’s be clear: the TRAUSI Smart Watch is not a dedicated golf GPS watch. Instead, it’s an entry-level smartwatch for the highly budget-conscious user who wants a taste of wearable technology. It offers a surprising number of features for its price, like Bluetooth calling and basic health monitoring.

Specification:
* Display: 1.83″ HD IPS Touchscreen
* Sports Modes: 120
* Health Tracking: Heart Rate, Sleep Monitor
* Connectivity: Bluetooth Call & Music Control
* Water Resistance: IP67
* Battery: 5-7 days active use, up to 30 days standby
* Compatibility: iOS 9.0+ & Android 5.0+

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ Extremely accessible price point. This watch makes smartwatch technology available to almost anyone. It’s a great, low-risk entry into the world of wearables.
* ✅ Large and easy-to-read display. The 1.83-inch HD screen is quite large, making notifications and the time easy to see at a glance. The option for customizable watch faces is a nice touch.
* ✅ Bluetooth calling is a huge plus. I was genuinely surprised to find I could make and receive calls directly from my wrist. This feature is a rarity in this price range and worked reliably.
* ✅ Good active battery life. The watch easily lasted 5-7 days with regular use, including notifications and activity tracking, which means you’re not constantly tethered to a charger.
* ✅ Wide range of sports modes. While not deeply detailed, having 120 sports modes allows casual users to track a variety of activities from walking to cycling.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ It is not a golf watch. This is the most important point. It has no preloaded courses, no GPS for distances to the green, and no specialized golf features. It cannot be used as a rangefinder.
* ❌ IP67 water resistance is limited. It can handle sweat and rain, but it’s not suitable for swimming or showering. Workaround: Be sure to take it off before getting in the water to avoid damage.
* ❌ Health tracking is very basic. The heart rate and sleep data should be viewed as general estimates rather than precise medical metrics. It’s not as accurate as the premium brands.
* ❌ Display is not as bright or crisp. The HD IPS screen is functional, but it lacks the vibrancy and outdoor brightness of the AMOLED displays on the other watches.

My Expert’s Experience
* Display & Connectivity Features: The large screen is its best asset. While not as sharp as an AMOLED, it’s perfectly usable. The Bluetooth call functionality was the most impressive feature. I was able to have a clear conversation through the watch’s speaker and mic while my phone was in my pocket. Notifications from my phone came through reliably.

General Health & Fitness Tracking: I used the watch to track my steps during a round of golf by setting it to the “Walking” activity mode. It gave me a step count and an estimated calorie burn, but that was the extent of its on-course utility. For someone just starting their fitness journey, this level of tracking is a good first step.
Build Quality & Battery: The TRAUSI Smart Watch is very lightweight, made mostly of plastic. The battery life holds up to its claims, easily lasting a full work week with moderate use. It serves its purpose as an affordable, multifunctional watch for getting notifications on your wrist and light activity tracking.
January 31, 2026 9:03 pm

Best for Style & Customization: Garmin Approach S44 Review

This watch packs the same powerful and reliable golf-feature engine as its black-banded sibling, the Garmin Approach S44. However, this version is presented in a stylish Silver and Twilight Gray combination, making it the perfect choice for the golfer who wants their tech to make a fashion statement and look great both on and off the course.

Pros: What I Liked
* ✅ Proven performance with a stylish twist. It offers all the same fantastic core golf features as the standard S44, including the bright AMOLED display and accurate GPS yardages.
* ✅ Elegant and distinct color combination. The Silver bezel paired with the Twilight (gray) silicone band provides a softer, more fashionable look that stands out from the sea of all-black sport watches.
* ✅ Excellent performance-to-price ratio. You are getting the proven, premium Garmin golf functionality and a high-end screen in an attractive package that represents a great value.
* ✅ Comfortable all-day wear. The soft silicone band is comfortable enough to wear from a morning meeting, to the golf course, and out to dinner without any irritation.
* ✅ Seamless Garmin Golf ecosystem. It connects flawlessly with the Garmin Golf app, allowing for in-depth post-round analysis of your stats and trends over time.
* ✅ Perfect for style-conscious golfers. This is an excellent choice for players, including being a top pick for the best gps golf watch for ladies, who want a device that complements their style.

Cons: What Could Be Improved
* ❌ The choice is purely aesthetic. It is functionally identical to the other S44 model reviewed. The only difference is the color of the bezel and band.
* ❌ Lacks advanced health and wellness tracking. Just like its sibling, it does not include a wrist-based heart rate monitor or advanced metrics like Body Battery.
* ❌ Full shot analysis requires extra sensors. To unlock automatic club tracking, you will need to invest in the separate Approach CT10 sensors.

My Expert’s Experience
* Core Golf Features & Display: My on-course experience with this S44 was identical to the black model, which is a good thing. It delivered fast, reliable GPS, accurate yardages to greens and hazards, and the beautiful AMOLED display made all the information incredibly easy to digest at a quick glance. It performs all the essential functions a golfer needs to play with more confidence.

GPS Performance & Battery Life: The battery life is solid and dependable. I finished my round with more than 65% battery remaining, confirming it can easily handle a full day of golf. The GPS connects in under a minute and remains stable, providing trustworthy distance information when you need it most.
Design & Aesthetics: This is where this model truly shines. The twilight gray band and silver bezel give the Garmin Approach S44 a more versatile and sophisticated appearance. I found it paired well with a wider range of clothing, making it a fantastic choice for someone who values style just as much as they value on-course performance.

Best Smart Watches for Golf: Comparison Chart

Here is a quick, at-a-glance comparison of the key specifications for my top 5 recommended watches. This chart will help you quickly see how they stack up side-by-side, making it easier to decide which one best fits your needs.

Feature	Garmin Approach S50	Amazfit Balance 2	Garmin Approach S44	TRAUSI Smart Watch	Garmin Approach S44 (Gray)
My Category	Best Overall	Best for Multi-Sport & Battery Life	Best Garmin for Core Golf Features	Best Budget-Friendly Option	Best for Style & Customization
Display	1.2″ AMOLED	1.5″ Sapphire AMOLED	1.2″ AMOLED	1.83″ HD IPS	1.2″ AMOLED
Battery (GPS Mode)	~15 Hours	Excellent (Not specified, but long)	~15 Hours	N/A (No Golf GPS)	~15 Hours
Preloaded Courses	43,000+	40,000+	43,000+	None	43,000+
Key Feature	PlaysLike Distance	21-Day Typical Battery	Hazard View	Bluetooth Calling	Stylish Colorway
Best For	Serious golfers wanting top data & health	Athletes who golf	Pure golfers wanting essentials	Basic notifications & fitness	Style-conscious golfers
My Rating	4.8/5 ⭐	4.5/5 ⭐	4.4/5 ⭐	3.0/5 ⭐	4.4/5 ⭐

Comparison Analysis

As the chart shows, the Garmin Approach S50 stands out as the best overall package with its advanced PlaysLike Distance and full suite of health features, making it the top choice for the data-driven golfer.

However, the Amazfit Balance 2 presents a powerful argument for multi-sport athletes, with its unparalleled battery life and rugged build making it a true “do-it-all” device.

The two Garmin Approach S44 models offer the best pure-golf experience from Garmin at a more accessible price point. They are the perfect sweet spot for golfers who just want the essentials done exceptionally well. The choice between them is purely down to your personal style.

Finally, the TRAUSI Smart Watch occupies a completely different space. It is not a golf watch, but it offers basic smart functions like notifications and Bluetooth calling for an extremely budget-friendly price.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Right Golf GPS Watch

Choosing the right golf GPS watch is about matching the features to your specific needs on and off the course. This guide will walk you through the key factors I considered in my testing, helping you decide what’s most important for your game.

Core Golf Features vs. Advanced Metrics: At a minimum, a good golf watch should provide accurate GPS distances to the front, middle, and back of the green. All the Garmin watches and the Amazfit do this well. More advanced models like the Garmin Approach S50 offer game-changing metrics like PlaysLike Distance for elevation and Virtual Caddie club recommendations. If you’re a data-driven golfer seeking every advantage, invest in those advanced metrics. If you just need the basic numbers, a core model like the Garmin Approach S44 is perfect.
Battery Life in GPS Mode: This is a make-or-break feature. A standard round of golf takes 4-5 hours, so you need a watch that can keep up. Look for a device with at least 12-15 hours of stated GPS battery life to ensure it will last the entire round without giving you battery anxiety. For golfers who play 36 holes in a day or are avid multi-sport athletes, a battery champion like the Amazfit Balance 2 is the superior choice.
Display Type: AMOLED vs. Others: An AMOLED screen, found on all the Garmin models and the Amazfit on this list, offers superior brightness, color, and contrast. This is crucial for readability in the direct sunlight you’ll face on a golf course. Budget models may use less vibrant IPS or LCD screens. For the best on-course experience, I strongly recommend choosing a watch with an AMOLED display.
Health and Fitness Tracking Integration: Do you want a single device for tracking your golf game and your overall wellness? If so, prioritize a watch with robust health tracking, including wrist-based heart rate, sleep monitoring, stress tracking, and multiple sport profiles. The Garmin Approach S50 and Amazfit Balance 2 are the leaders in this category. If your watch will be used purely for golf, you can save money with a more focused device like the S44.
Dedicated Golf Watch vs. All-Purpose Smartwatch: A dedicated golf watch from a brand like Garmin will have a user interface and feature set that is optimized purely for the golfer’s needs—from starting a round to entering scores. An all-purpose smartwatch that includes a “golf mode,” like the Amazfit, is more of a jack-of-all-trades. For the most seamless and intuitive on-course experience, a dedicated golf watch is almost always the better choice.
Subscription Fees: Be aware of hidden costs. Most top-tier golf watches, including all the Garmin models I’ve recommended, come with over 40,000 courses preloaded and do not require an ongoing subscription for their core GPS features. Some third-party apps for watches like the Apple Watch do require subscriptions. Always confirm before buying, but rest assured that all my top picks offer fantastic functionality right out of the box with no required fees.

FAQs About the Best Smart Watches for Golf

What is the best smart watch for golf?

For the best combination of advanced features, health tracking, and on-course performance, my top recommendation is the Garmin Approach S50. It provides tour-level data like elevation-adjusted distances in a premium package that you can wear every day. It’s the best all-around choice for the serious golfer in 2026.

Which Garmin Approach is best for me?

If you want the absolute best from Garmin with all the latest features, including advanced health monitoring and PlaysLike distance, choose the Approach S50. If you want a reliable, high-performing watch with all the essential golf features and a great AMOLED screen but want to save some money, the Approach S44 is the perfect choice for you.

How accurate are golf watch GPS?

Modern golf watch GPS is extremely accurate, typically to within 3-5 yards of the actual distance. For amateur and recreational play, this level of accuracy is more than sufficient for making confident club selections. Models with multi-band or multi-satellite systems, like the Amazfit Balance 2, can offer an even faster and more reliable connection, especially in areas with challenging tree cover.

Do golf watches need a subscription?

No, most dedicated golf watches from top brands like Garmin do not require a subscription. The Garmin Approach models come with over 40,000 courses preloaded worldwide, and you can access all core GPS features without any ongoing fees. Some platforms may offer optional premium tiers for advanced analytics, but they are not required for core functionality.

What is the easiest golf GPS watch to use?

In my experience, the Garmin Approach S44 is one of the easiest to use. Its interface is clean and intuitive, focusing only on the essential golf features. The bright AMOLED touchscreen is very responsive, and it presents the critical data you need—front, middle, back, and hazards—without overwhelming you with complex menus or options during your round.

Can I use my Apple Watch for golf?

Yes, you can use an Apple Watch for golf, but it is not a dedicated golf device. You will need to download and use a third-party app (like Golfshot, 18Birdies, or The Grint). These apps often require a paid subscription to unlock the best features. While it’s a viable option if you already own an Apple Watch, dedicated golf watches generally provide a more seamless experience, better on-course battery life, and more golf-specific features out of the box.

What is the best smart watch for golf and running?

The Amazfit Balance 2 is my top pick for a golf and running hybrid. It has dedicated, detailed tracking modes for both sports, industry-leading dual-band GPS for incredible accuracy whether you’re on the fairway or the trail, and a phenomenal battery life that can easily handle a long run and a long round without needing a charge in between.

Are golf watches legal in tournaments?

Yes, GPS and other distance-measuring devices are generally legal for tournament play under the Rules of Golf. However, there is a critical condition: you must disable any features that could give you an unfair advantage, such as those that measure slope (like Garmin’s PlaysLike Distance), wind speed, or give specific club recommendations. Most advanced watches, including the Garmin S50, have a “Tournament Mode” that disables these features to make the device compliant.

What is the difference between a golf watch and a smart watch?

A dedicated golf watch is purpose-built for the sport, with preloaded course maps, specific metrics like hazard distances, and an interface optimized for quick use during a round. A general-purpose smartwatch can often run golf apps, but it may lack the specialized features, optimized GPS battery life, and bright, sunlight-readable screen of a dedicated device. A golf watch is an expert tool; a smartwatch is a versatile gadget.

What features should I look for in a golf watch?

The three most important features to look for are: 1) High-accuracy GPS with a large library of preloaded courses. 2) At least 12-15 hours of battery life in GPS mode. 3) A bright, sunlight-readable display (I strongly recommend AMOLED). After you’ve confirmed those essentials, you can consider bonus features like automatic stat tracking, hazard views, advanced metrics like slope, and everyday health monitoring to find the perfect fit for you.

My Final Verdict on the Best Golf Smartwatch

After weeks of tested on course evaluation and in-depth analysis, the choice for the best golf smartwatch comes down to balancing elite on-course performance with valuable off-course lifestyle features. While every watch on this list is a strong winner in its specific category, one device stands out as the best overall investment for the dedicated golfer looking to improve their game with technology.

My Top Recommendation: The Garmin Approach S50 is the undisputed winner for the best smart watch for golf in 2026. Its combination of the genuinely game-changing PlaysLike Distance feature, comprehensive health tracking, and premium daily-use functions like Garmin Pay provides unmatched value for the serious golfer.

This watch is perfect for you if…
* You are a data-driven golfer who wants the most accurate yardage information, including elevation changes.
* You want a single, premium device for tracking both your golf game and your overall health and fitness.
* You value the convenience of smart features like contactless payments and music storage.
* You play on hilly courses where judging elevation is a frequent challenge.

It might not be ideal for…
* Golfers on a tight budget.
* Athletes who need extreme multi-day battery life for ultramarathons or long treks.
* Players who only want the most basic front-middle-back distances.

For the Multi-Sport Athlete: If your life involves much more than just golf, the Amazfit Balance 2 is an exceptional choice. Its phenomenal battery life, rugged durability, and exhaustive list of sport profiles make it the most versatile and resilient watch I tested.

Ultimately, for the golfer who wants to leverage technology to play with more confidence and gain deeper insights into their game and health, you cannot go wrong. The data and performance of the Garmin Approach S50 will absolutely help you shoot lower scores.

Last update on 2026-01-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5 Best Smart Watches for Golf: Expert-Tested in 2026