7 Best Fitness Watches for Golf 2026

The Garmin Approach S44 is a game-changer for golfers who want premium features without breaking the bank. With its vibrant 1.2-inch AMOLED display, this watch delivers crisp, full-color visuals that make navigating over 43,000 preloaded courses effortless—even under harsh sunlight. The Hazard View and Touch Targeting features let you tap any point on the screen for exact yardages, giving you a strategic edge when lining up tricky shots near bunkers or water. It’s the perfect blend of smart design and golf-first functionality, solving the common pain point of clunky interfaces and dim screens on older GPS watches.

In real-world testing, the S44 shines with consistent GPS lock-on and intuitive navigation between holes. The 15-hour GPS battery life comfortably covers multiple rounds, and while it doesn’t track heart rate natively, it pairs seamlessly with Approach CT10 club sensors (sold separately) for automatic shot tracking and scorekeeping. The smart notifications—emails, texts, and call alerts—keep you connected without reaching for your phone, a major plus when walking 18 holes. However, it struggles slightly in dense tree cover where GPS signals can lag, and the lack of built-in music or contactless payments keeps it focused purely on golf and basics.

Positioned between the entry-level S12 and the high-end S50, the S44 offers the best value in Garmin’s lineup—delivering AMOLED clarity and smart features at a mid-tier price. It’s ideal for serious weekend players who want advanced course mapping without the fitness-centric extras of a full smartwatch. Compared to the S50, it sacrifices wrist-based heart rate and music storage, but gains a more durable silicone band and better sunlight readability. For those upgrading from basic GPS models, the S44 is a leap forward in display quality and usability, offering near-flagship performance at a smarter cost.

The Garmin Approach S12 is the ultimate starter watch for golfers stepping into GPS technology, combining simplicity, reliability, and affordability in one sleek package. With a high-resolution display that stays readable in direct sun and access to over 42,000 preloaded courses, it delivers essential yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green—plus hazards and doglegs—without overwhelming new users. Its 30-hour GPS battery life is a standout, easily handling back-to-back rounds or multi-day tournaments without recharging, solving the common frustration of mid-round power loss.

On the course, the S12 performs like a seasoned caddie—accurate, consistent, and unobtrusive. The interface is refreshingly straightforward, with automatic hole advance and scorekeeping right on the wrist, syncing seamlessly to the Garmin Golf app for stat tracking and leaderboards. When paired with Approach CT10 sensors, it logs club distances and shot counts automatically, making it a powerful tool for self-improvement. However, it lacks touchscreen capability and advanced mapping features like PlaysLike Distance or contour views, limiting strategic depth for more analytical players.

Compared to the S44, the S12 trades display richness and touch functionality for exceptional battery efficiency and a lower price point, making it the best entry-level GPS golf watch on the market. It’s perfect for casual golfers, seniors, or juniors who want reliable distances without smartwatch clutter. While it doesn’t offer the vivid visuals of an AMOLED screen or shot-planning tools, it outlasts nearly every competitor in GPS mode. For players prioritizing longevity and ease of use over bells and whistles, the S12 is a no-brainer upgrade from rangefinders or paper yardage books.

The Bushnell iON Elite is a budget powerhouse that punches above its weight with a full-color touchscreen and slope-adjusted yardages—a rare combo at this price. Its HoleView and Shot Planning features let you visualize the entire hole and tap any spot for precise distances, turning strategy into action with fingertip control. With Dynamic Green Mapping, it shows front and back distances based on your line of play, enhancing accuracy on elevated or angled greens. For golfers tired of button-heavy interfaces, the iON Elite delivers a modern, responsive touch experience that feels intuitive from the first round.

During testing, the watch locked onto satellites quickly and maintained strong GPS accuracy across open and moderately tree-lined courses. The 12+ hour battery life supports two rounds comfortably, though heavy touchscreen use can drain it faster. Slope Mode is a major advantage, adjusting distances for elevation—ideal for hilly courses—though it must be disabled in tournament play. While the 38,000+ preloaded courses cover most global layouts, some newer or private courses may be missing or outdated, requiring manual updates via USB.

Stacked against the Garmin S12, the iON Elite wins on touchscreen convenience and slope tech, but falls short in battery life and app integration. It’s best for tech-savvy golfers on a budget who want smart features without paying premium prices. Unlike subscription-dependent models, it offers lifetime course updates at no extra cost, making it a long-term value play. While it lacks advanced health tracking or club pairing, it delivers more strategic tools than any other sub-$150 GPS watch, making it the best budget touchscreen option for serious players.

The Voice Caddie A3 stands out as the best golf watch for reading greens, thanks to its detailed green undulation data—a feature usually found only in high-end rangefinders or tablets. With Smart Green View, it displays slope, contour lines, and elevation changes, giving you a true read of break and speed before you putt. The 1.3-inch color touchscreen is bright and responsive, and customizable pin placement lets you drag the flag to the exact spot on the green for pinpoint accuracy. For players serious about lowering their putting stats, this watch offers a strategic advantage most competitors simply don’t match.

In real-world use, the A3 delivers fast GPS acquisition and reliable yardages to hazards, doglegs, and green sections. Slope Mode adjusts distances for elevation, aiding club selection on uphill or downhill lies. The fitness mode tracks steps, heart rate, and activity, integrating golf with daily wellness—though it’s not as comprehensive as dedicated fitness watches. Battery life is solid but unspectacular, lasting about 14 hours in GPS mode, enough for two rounds with moderate use. However, the app ecosystem is less polished than Garmin’s, and firmware updates require manual downloads.

When compared to the Garmin S44, the A3 lacks brand recognition and seamless smartphone integration but wins on green-specific intelligence. It’s ideal for dedicated players focused on course management and putting precision, especially those who avoid subscriptions. Unlike many GPS watches, it offers no mandatory fees—everything is included upfront. For golfers who treat the green like a puzzle, the A3 is a rare tool that enhances feel and judgment, delivering pro-level insight at a consumer price.

The CANMORE TW411 is the king of lifetime value, offering 41,000+ free worldwide courses with weekly updates—no subscription ever required. Its 1.36-inch high-contrast LCD screen delivers excellent visibility in all lighting, from midday sun to twilight play, and the 52g lightweight design ensures it won’t interfere with your swing. With automatic hole advance, hazard distances, and fitness tracking, it’s more than just a golf watch—it’s a full-course companion. For golfers tired of hidden fees or outdated maps, the TW411 delivers true one-time ownership, solving the biggest pain point in the GPS watch market.

On the course, it performs reliably with quick GPS lock and accurate green targeting (front, middle, back). The upgraded IC chip ensures faster processing and 50% longer battery life than its predecessor, lasting up to 18 hours—enough for multiple rounds. Features like bubble level, pedometer, and alarm add practical utility, while USB course updates (Windows, Mac, Linux) keep your data fresh. However, it lacks Bluetooth smart notifications and touchscreen capability, making it less connected than rivals like the iON Elite or Garmin models.

Compared to the Bushnell iON Elite, the TW411 wins on battery life and update freedom but loses on interface modernity and touch control. It’s perfect for globetrotting golfers or budget-conscious players who want global coverage without recurring costs. While it doesn’t offer slope adjustment or club tracking, its no-strings-attached model is unmatched. For those who want a dependable, updateable GPS watch forever, the TW411 is the best long-term investment, proving you don’t need subscriptions to stay current.

The Garmin Approach S50 is the undisputed flagship of golf GPS watches, merging elite course intelligence with full fitness integration in one sleek, athletic package. With a stunning 1.2-inch AMOLED display and access to 43,000+ courses, it delivers PlaysLike Distance for elevation-adjusted yardages and Hazard View for strategic shot planning. But what truly sets it apart is its wrist-based heart rate, stress tracking, and Body Battery energy monitoring, giving golfers a complete picture of their physical readiness—something no other golf watch offers at this level.

In real-world use, the S50 excels both on the fairway and off. The 15-hour GPS battery handles long days, while 10-day smartwatch mode ensures you can wear it daily without constant charging. It tracks golf, strength, yoga, cardio, and even supports Garmin Pay and music storage (Spotify, Amazon Music), so you can leave your phone behind entirely. Paired with CT10 club sensors, it provides detailed shot analytics, and the Garmin Golf app delivers deep stat insights. However, the nylon band, while comfortable, isn’t as durable as silicone in wet conditions, and GPS accuracy can dip under heavy canopy.

Positioned as the best overall golf watch, the S50 outperforms the S44 by adding health tracking and smart features, making it ideal for athletic golfers who train off the course. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Golf Edition, it offers better golf-specific tools and longer GPS life, though Samsung wins in sleep coaching and body composition. For players who want one device for golf, fitness, and daily life, the S50 is the most complete package available, blending performance, intelligence, and versatility like no other.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Golf Edition is the smartest golf watch on the market, designed for players who want seamless Android integration and lifestyle fitness in a course-ready package. Its exclusive golf UI features a green-accented home button, themed watch faces, and Smart Caddie functions like pin direction guide, voice distance alerts, and club shot tracking—delivering pro-level insights with zero setup. With improved GPS accuracy and Auto Workout Tracking, it transitions effortlessly from the tee to the gym, making it ideal for multi-sport athletes who refuse to switch devices.

On the course, the watch locks onto satellites quickly and provides reliable front/middle/back distances with clear voice prompts that guide you hole by hole. The body composition analysis (BIA) measures body fat, muscle, and hydration—useful for fitness-focused golfers optimizing performance. Battery life lasts about 14 hours in GPS mode, enough for 18 holes plus daily wear, though heavy use demands nightly charging. While it covers over 40,000 courses, its golf app is less detailed than Garmin’s, and manual hole advances can be clunky compared to automatic systems.

Against the Garmin S50, the Galaxy Watch5 trades dedicated golf analytics for superior smart features and health depth, making it the best choice for Android users who live in the Samsung ecosystem. It’s perfect for tech-forward golfers who value sleep coaching, body metrics, and app continuity. While it lacks PlaysLike Distance and CT10 compatibility, its Smart Caddie voice guide compensates with real-time verbal cues. For those already in the Galaxy world, it delivers the most connected, intelligent golf experience—not just a watch, but a personal performance hub.