Ever felt clueless when you’re on a golf course?
Getting a nice GPS for your golf trips can be very handy in navigating your way through the golf course. With other great features, they can also aid in performance which is something any golf player would like. Here’s a list of all the best golf GPS we can ould find for the year 2022.
Things to consider before buying:
- Easy to use: To save yourself from the hassle of figuring out what your GPS device’s buttons do, it’s rather convenient to get an easy-to-use golf GPS in the first place. For older golfers, this becomes even more important as the highly featured devices will only confuse the players. This becomes very counter-productive which is against the principle of these golf GPS devices.
- Accuracy: Perhaps the most important thing to look for in a golf GPS, whether it’s a handheld or a wristwatch, is accuracy. You don’t want a device that is flimsy with its accuracy while you’re on the golf course. Even a slight deviation can cause havoc in your performance so be on the lookout for that.
- Comfort: Since most devices for GPS are wearable, it’s important to look for a watch that does not bother you while you’re on the golf course. The comfortable straps for a GPS device tend to be rubber but you can select any type that you prefer.
- Available Courses: It goes without saying that among the most important things your GPS does is store the courses you’ll be attending into a database. There are a plethora of courses available on every device now on the market. However, it is worthwhile to check as to whether the course you require is offered at all.
Go through the buying guide for Golf GPS to decide which golf GPS is the one for you.
Best Golf GPS 2022:
Here are our top picks for Golf GPS including both, handheld and watches.
BEST GOLF GPS | RATING |
---|---|
Garmin Approach S10 | 10/10 [Editor's Pick] |
Garmin Approach G10 | 9.5/10 |
Izzo Swami 6000 | 9/10 |
Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors | 8.5/10 |
Bushnell Wingman GPS | 7.5/10 |
TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS | 9/10 |
Bushnell 368821 Phantom | 8/10 |
GolfBuddy Voice 2 | 8/10 |
SkyCaddie LX5 | 7.5/10 |
1- Garmin Approach S10
Why we love it:
- Higher resolution screen
- Lightweight
- Over 41,000 preloaded courses
- Rechargeable, long-lasting battery
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Very affordable | Not very stylish |
Uploads scorecards from every round | |
Can play virtual tournaments with players who have the same watch | |
Used to track shots |
The Garmin Approach S10 is a fantastic GPS watch for anyone who’s looking to get the most out of their GPS for a bargain. The S10 is a sleek and minimally designed GPS watch that lets you have all the knowledge you’d need on the golf course with its interactive and fast software.
With over 41,000 golf courses preloaded in the watch, this easily makes this the flagship feature of the product. So no matter which golf course you choose to play in, there’s a high chance your watch probably knows about the course better than you.
The other features of the watch include a lightweight design. A bright high-res screen displays all information clearly, no matter how bright the day might be. The battery life lasts more than 12 hours so it’ll be enough for a single day on the course.
Overall, a solid all-rounder who covers all aspects necessary to have in the best golf GPS watch.
Learn More: Best golf rangefinder with slope
2- Garmin Approach G10
Why we love it:
- 15-hour battery life
- Compact design and shape
- Exact yardages
- Compact and portable design
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Affordable | None |
Hazard view | |
Layup distances | |
Green view |
Featuring another Garmin Golf GPS, we feature a rather compact device that is designed to clip on to your belt while you golf. Like the previous device, this device also houses 41,00o golf courses in its memory.
Woking as a handheld device, the portability it offers is second to none. You can do multiple key functions on the device like navigation, scorekeeping, and green view.
This golf GPS device also gets free updates over the internet to keep all its information about the golf courses updated.
Learn More: Best golf cart bags
3- Izzo Swami 6000
Why we love it:
- 38,000 preloaded courses
- 16-hour battery life
- Water-resistant
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Affordable | Larger in size |
Full colour display | |
Shot distance tracker | |
Scorecard feature |
Looking for a more fancy golf GPS rangefinder with a colored screen and other great features? Izzo Swami 6000 is the GPS device for you which also happens to be our favorite device on the list.
The best feature we think this device offers is its ability to automatically recognize the golf course at the startup. This saves an awful lot of time trying to find the course you’re in. This device manages to do that itself.
The handheld golf GPS has a colored screen with a bright backlit panel that displays information in a rather alluring way. With all the brilliant tracking, the icing on the cake happens to be its water-resistant quality.
Learn More: Best Driver Loft for Distance
4- Arccos Caddie Smart Sensors
Why we love it:
- GPS data that analyses wind, elevation, and temperature
- Automatic shot tracking
- Caddie advice feature
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Cheap initial cost | Requires data from phone |
Best game analysing data | Fee for full features |
Advanced GPS data |
Imagine having all the information about your surroundings and your performance, all in a very comprehensive and cohesive manner, right in the palm of your hand.
This golf GPS is packed with features that keep us hooked on this device. This device uses a bolt-like design that houses all the sensors, that screws directly onto the club you’re using to analyze your performance.
This analysis is sent to their app on the phone which then displays a fully comprehensive set of information about your surroundings.
The features include calculating altitude and slope to let you know where you stand to take your shots. Then comes the humidity, wind, and temperature, which would guide you about how your ball flights would react to your shots, given the circumstances.
A feature-rich device that demands a premium price tag. If you’re a pro with no compromises to be made, this golf GPS is for you.
5- Bushnell Wingman GPS
Why we love it:
- Gives audible gps distances
- 10-hour battery life
- BITE magnetic technology
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Great sound quality | Need to connect to a mobile phone |
36,000+ preloaded courses | Need app to view layout of the course |
Easy to attach to cart | |
USB port for charging other devices |
If you don’t mind having a bulky device around and rather require a heavy-duty device, this is it. With a bizarre design choice, this is an interesting golf GPS we found.
The Wingman looks more like a Bluetooth speaker because it is one. The large size of this GPS device houses a speaker that gives high-quality audio with a rich sound.
The other reason why this device is so huge is that it also works as a portable charger for your various devices.
It does feature some decent GPS features that golf players can use on the pitch, but the presence of other pretentious features halt the possibility of more GPS features inside the product, which happens to be our downside.
This device puts a lot of effort into other areas rather than giving uncompromised navigation on the golf course.
6- TecTecTec ULT-G Golf GPS Watch
Why we love it:
- 38,000 preloaded worldwide courses
- French design
- Auto course recognition
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Easy to use | Does not have the longest battery life |
Durable | Takes longer to update new courses |
Fast set up | |
No extra charges for software updates |
Another GPS watch, this one in particular features a very friendly price tag that many golfers would be able to afford. Unlike the competition, this watch features a total of 38,00 golf courses in its memory, which is 3,000 golf courses short than most GPS devices for golf.
Other than that, it gives you all the basic information you’d about the golf course. It can measure the distance of your shots, navigate you through the golf course and save your progress with its rather easy-to-use software.
If you’re looking for a GPS watch with no pretentious features, this is the best recommendation we can give.
7- Bushnell 368821 Phantom
Why we love it:
- Over 36,000 preloaded courses worldwide
- BITE magnetic technology
- Large display
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Multiple colours available | Not the best mobile app |
Easy to read | Not the best battery life |
Lets you see the hazards on the course | |
Gives eagle’s eye view of the hole | |
One year warranty |
Want a simple and minimal GPS device for golf courses? This is as simple as you’ll get. The Phantom is a very compact and robust GPS device that mounts magnetically to your stand.
From there, it can track, navigate, and measurement distance on the fly without having to touch a lot of buttons. The score tracking and distances are very simple to track and the software, with its minimal programming, stores all the data without a hassle.
Though a perfectly normal and decent device, the over-the-top simplicity might not be for everyone. People who like more graphics or visual information might find this GPS device very unappealing.
If all of that doesn’t bother you, then this is the perfect minimal carry for your golf course trips.
8- GolfBuddy Voice 2
Why we love it:
- 38,000 preloaded courses
- Multiple modes
- Accessories to attach to wrist or hip
PROS | CONS |
---|---|
Water resistant | The design is too compact |
Easy to carry | Wi-fi connectivity problems at times |
Long battery life | |
Gives eagle’s eye view of the hole |
If the Phantom wasn’t too simple for you, we have another device to show. With 38,00 preloaded golf courses, it certainly doesn’t lack functionality but forces simplicity a bit too much than most would like.
The simplicity makes sense when you consider its price tag. Lower prices limit the number of features a company can fit in a device and only leave those that are truly important.
This is something most people like so if that your tea, this tiny GPS device will serve you fine.
9- SkyCaddie LX5
Why we love it:
- Touchscreen display
- HD color course maps
- Compact Design
How about having an apple watch for your golf courses? This GPS watch features a fully interactive device that uses a visual aid to better navigate in the golf courses.
With a mini-map of the golf course, you can visually spot yourself and simultaneously, hudge the shots according to your position.
The watch features a touchscreen which makes it easy for people to navigate through rather than having multiple buttons that rarely register in the mind.
If you’re looking for a premium watch for your golf course trips, this $300 dollar feature-rich watch can be your best pick!
Conclusion
As you have discovered, there are many different golf gps devices available for different players. All of these are loaded with many features which can help improve your game drastically. All you need to do is find the right golf GPS for you. Make sure to buy a golf gps that will suit you and your needs.
If you don’t know what you’re looking for, perhaps our buying below might help.
Buying Guide for Best Golf GPS 2022:
Golf Courses
A primary factor you should consider when looking for a golf GPS is its preloaded golf courses in the memory. The number should exceed 38,000 since that’s the industry standard. Every device featured in our list almost exceeds that number.
Battery life
Battery life is essential when you’re on a golf course. Unless you hoard a lot of power banks, you must invest in a golf GPS device that can last a day with full usability.
Waterproofing
A waterproof device is crucial, particularly if you play outdoors where it rains a lot. You don’t want to spend money on a GPS unit just to have it break when it comes into contact with water.
Location Pins and Mapping
Some GPS devices allow the user to map and set a pin in the proper location. This frequently provides the user with additional yardage and club selection information. It’s highly recommended you purchase a GPS that has these features.
Scorecard
Some GPS devices offer a scorecard that makes it simple to record points, all without having to write them down or enter them into an app.
Accurate Information
Some GPS models are more clear and precise than others. Make sure that you choose a GPS device that’ll provide you with the most accurate distances and precise information possible. If the device you get is inaccurate, you’ll be starting over on your purchasing journey.
Features
The number of features largely depends on the cost of the GPS. Units that cost more will have more functions.
The majority of the basic units will tell you how far you are from the front, center, and back of the green. Additionally, they’ll point out risks, doglegs, and a few layup locations.
Mid-range equipment will include a color display and allow you to keep track of statistics like club lengths and other regulations.
You can view the yardage to any location on the hole and green with more expensive versions. Some devices can even view altitude ranges to really fine-tune things.
Depending on the features you’ll need, choose the model that has those functions. However, we advise choosing a model with more features because it’s not something you’ll be purchasing every month.
FAQS
Why have a GPS device in the first place?
These devices help you navigate through the golf course and provide valuable information about the surroundings like wind speeds, temperature, humidity, etc.
Should I get a handheld or wearable?
Depends on you really. If you don’t like a device hugging your wrist all the time, get a clip-on GPS device that’ll hook up to your belt instead. If not, get a watch that has a comfortable strap.
How accurate are golf GPS devices?
Golf GPS is accurate within 3-4 yards under ideal conditions i.e. a clear sky, adequate battery life etc.
Do GPS devices include built-in health features?
There are several GPS watches with built-in capabilities that monitor your daily health. Some examples of these functions are heart rate monitor, calorie counter, walking distance, and many more. Some devices can even retrieve your calls, texts, and weather information.
Are GPS devices worthwhile?
We firmly believe that GPS devices are worthwhile. They offer thorough detail of the shot you must take, are practical and easy to use, last for a very long time, can comfortably sit on your back pack, and save a ton of time. With a GPS gadget, you may navigate the course by merely looking at the screen rather than searching for sprinklers or estimating yardages.
Why should I buy a GPS device instead of a rangefinder?
Visuals frequently have a deciding role. Golfers who play on several different grounds each year will run into unusual layouts. A golf GPS that has a course layout display in this situation is quite helpful and might even be preferable to rangefinders.
References:
A discussion on the user intention of golfers toward golf GPS navigation
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