Garmin Approach S20 GPS Golf Watch Review

The Garmin Approach S20 GPS Golf Watch is an entry-level model that provides front, middle, and back distances, along with the hole number and a green outline. Additional screens cover hazards, layups, and scoring, with features like “move flag” for more precise yardages and activity tracking, including steps. It’s ideal for those seeking a budget-friendly watch with multi-sport functionality and more than just basic golf features.

The watch’s accuracy and simplicity make it perfect for basic golf use, though those looking for multi-sport features will find plenty to explore. Its modern, versatile design is suitable for both on- and off-course wear. Slim and lightweight, you hardly notice it during a round. It took less than a minute to find the course, ready by the time we reached the first tee. Distances were accurate, matching well with yardage posts and fairway markers, and updates are quick, making it easy for fast players to get a quick glance before choosing a club.

However, accessing golf-specific features like hazard info, layups, and score entry took longer than expected. They required multiple clicks and sometimes pressing buttons on either side of the screen, which can be hard to do with one hand. After some practice, you’ll get used to it, but it feels more complicated than necessary, which is unfortunate because the watch is otherwise enjoyable to wear.
The movable flag pointer is a nice touch for more precise distances beyond just front, middle, and back. Smartphone notifications and the ability to show distances to reach and carry hazards are useful. Plus, it’s waterproof, so you can access the information you need even in bad weather, making it one less thing to worry about.

Pros:

• Preloaded with over 40,000 courses worldwide
• Free updates and added courses
• As accurate as other GPS watches
• Works well as both a golf and fitness watch

Cons:

• Can be tricky to learn how to use the features

The Garmin Approach S20 runs utilizing Bluetooth and GPS. When you have the Garmin Connect app downloaded to your phone, they work hand-in-hand together, assisting you with downloading golf courses, setting alarms, monitoring your health, sleep ability (like, can you believe it?), and rapid eye movement. It tells you how long you’ve been in deep sleep — you can’t beat that! It also counts the calories you’ve burned, monitors the steps you’ve taken, and tracks how far you’ve gone. Total distance — like, seriously.

So, now let’s get into what this watch can do for you both on the course and off. Once the GPS is engaged — and I’ll show you that when we’re on the course as well, just to give you an overview of how it works — you can monitor tee-to-green distances and yardage, monitor fairway distances, and utilize the GPS to help you figure out the best layup position to hit the ball into. Not only that, but hazards — hazards are huge! We don’t want to go into hazards. Come on, man — no water, no sand, no bushes or trees. Period. But not only that, it also lets you know ball-to-center-of-green distance, as well as the far back of the green and the front of the green, in case you want to drop an approach shot in short and then roll forward, giving you extra distance on the ground.

The Garmin Approach S20 also has the ability to track your shots for your overall round, and you can go back and review them at a later date. Sheesh, talk about the development — this thing is going to make you better! And, of course, hole-by-hole scoring entry. When you’re done with the hole, it actually knows when you’re on the green. When you start walking to the next hole, it pops up, gives you the option to enter your score, and then it tracks the entire round, giving you a final total at the end.
We have the time display, as well as the steps taken for the day, and a power bar at the bottom. If we start by pressing the “okay” button (top right), you’ll see that we have the option to start the round. The satellites will begin to locate, which can take anywhere from 30 to 60 seconds.