Garmin has been making golf GPS watches since before wearable tech was even a thing. Its latest model, however – the Approach S10 – cuts out some of the features that regular Sunday hackers might not need, and instead focuses on the key metrics and functions to help you keep your score on the right side of 100.
And the good news for high-handicappers, who the S10 is aimed at and for whom a more feature-laden golf watches might be overkill, is that it comes in with a price-tag a penny-shy of $150.
From the wrist, you'll get access to more than 41,000 courses around the world; without the need to pre-load any of the course data. When you rock up at the clubhouse, the S10 will use your GPS location to suggest where you're about to play and you can then initiate the tracking - and get the first hole details.
When you're out tackling the course you'll get yardages to the front, back and middle of the green; as well as distances to lay-ups, dog-legs and hazards such as lakes or bunkers. The Garmin Approach S10 features a 1.3-inch high-resolution sunlight readable display, that should provide a clear display even on those rare days on the course where the sun stays shining.
You can also keep score on the Approach S10 by entering your strokes and putts after every hole, before it automatically switches to the next hole. After your round, it will show you your total distance traveled, the total time the round too and, of course, your score, which can be uploaded to the weekly leaderboard on the Garmin Golf App.
Garmin’s new dedicated Golf App has social-aspects-aplenty. There are weekly leaderboards, the ability to compete against friends and fellow golfers; viewing other players’ rank, score, handicap and more.
It has a water rating of 5ATM (good for rainy days and safe to keep on in the shower after you've finished your round) and has a battery life of up to 12 hours between charges in GPS mode, which should be more than plenty for those 36-hole days.
The Garmin Approach S10 will be available in Q2 2018, with a suggested retail price of $149.99.
