GPS Watches
Best Golf GPS Watches 2025: Ditch the Rangefinder for Your Wrist
GPS watches have caught up with laser rangefinders for course management. Here's which one is worth wearing — and which to avoid.
15 November 2025
A golf GPS watch used to be a compromise — decent course data but clunky to use and slow to update. That’s no longer true. The best 2025 models give you front/back/centre distances instantly, hazard info, green undulation data, and in some cases shot tracking — all without lifting a device to your eye.
Here’s what’s actually worth buying.
GPS Watch vs Rangefinder — Which Should You Choose?
| GPS Watch | Laser Rangefinder | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Instant | 2–3 seconds |
| Accuracy to flag | ±5–10 yards (green centre) | ±1 yard |
| Hazard info | Yes | No |
| Usable while playing | Yes (glance at wrist) | No (stop and aim) |
| Price range | £150–£500 | £100–£450 |
Our take: For pace of play and overall course management, a GPS watch is better. For pin-precise distance to the flag, a laser wins. Many serious golfers use both.
Top Picks
| Watch | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin Approach S70 | Best overall | ~£450 |
| Garmin Approach S42 | Best value Garmin | ~£220 |
| Bushnell Ion Elite | Best non-Garmin | ~£200 |
| Shot Scope V5 | Best for shot tracking | ~£230 |
1. Garmin Approach S70 — Best Overall
Garmin owns the golf GPS watch market, and the S70 is their flagship. A stunning AMOLED display, 42,000+ preloaded courses, full smartwatch features, and the most accurate course mapping available on a wrist.
What we like:
- Best-in-class display — readable in full sun
- Virtual caddie feature gives club recommendations
- Green undulation mapping is genuinely useful
- Full smartwatch with sleep tracking, notifications etc.
What we don’t:
- Expensive — this is a premium product at a premium price
- Large case size won’t suit everyone
Verdict: The best golf GPS watch available. Buy it if you play regularly and want one device that does everything.
👉 Check the latest price on Amazon →
2. Garmin Approach S42 — Best Value Garmin
The S42 strips back the AMOLED screen and virtual caddie but keeps everything you actually need for golf: accurate yardages, hazard info, and digital scorecard. It’s also a proper everyday watch.
What we like:
- Affordable Garmin quality
- Clean, slim design — doesn’t look like a GPS device on your wrist
- 40,000+ courses preloaded
What we don’t:
- Smaller screen than S70
- No green mapping or virtual caddie
Verdict: The sweet spot for most golfers. Half the price of the S70 with 80% of the functionality.
👉 Check the latest price on Amazon →
3. Bushnell Ion Elite — Best Non-Garmin Option
If you want to avoid Garmin’s subscription model for advanced features, the Bushnell Ion Elite is the best alternative. Simple to use, accurate, and no ongoing fees.
What we like:
- No subscription ever required
- Accurate distances from a trusted brand
- Excellent battery life (up to 20 hours)
What we don’t:
- Smartwatch features are limited
- Course database smaller than Garmin’s
Verdict: Great if you want pure golf functionality without the smartwatch extras.
👉 Check the latest price on Amazon →
4. Shot Scope V5 — Best for Shot Tracking
Shot Scope’s automatic shot tracking is the most accurate on the market. Every shot is recorded without pressing a button — and the app gives you a genuine breakdown of where you’re losing shots.
What we like:
- Automatic shot tracking is genuinely impressive
- App analytics are the best in class
- Good course coverage (40,000+)
What we don’t:
- Battery life is shorter than rivals
- Watch design is functional but not stylish
Verdict: If you’re serious about improving and want data on your game, Shot Scope gives you the best analytics.
👉 Check the latest price on Amazon →
Which One Should You Buy?
Playing golf 1–2x per week, want a daily watch too: Garmin S42 — best all-rounder.
Play seriously and want the best: Garmin S70 — worth every penny.
Just want simple yardages, no fuss: Bushnell Ion Elite — reliable and straightforward.
Obsessed with improving your stats: Shot Scope V5 — the analytics will change how you practise.
Do You Still Need a Rangefinder?
A GPS watch gives you distances to the centre of the green. A laser rangefinder gives you exact pin distance. For most golfers, the watch is enough — especially mid-to-high handicappers where a 7-yard difference in pin position isn’t the reason you’re making bogeys.
Low handicappers and competitive players often carry both. If you have to choose, start with the watch for the overall course management benefit, and add a rangefinder later if you find yourself wanting more precision.
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