If you’re ready to step up your game in 2025, a golf smart watch might just be your secret weapon. These aren’t your average timepieces—they’re like having a personal caddy strapped to your wrist, delivering pinpoint yardages, tracking your stats, and even helping you refine your swing. Whether you’re a casual player or chasing a single-digit handicap, the right golf smart watch can make every round smarter, easier, and more fun.
At BestGolfGuru.com, we’ve rounded up the best golf smart watches of 2025, each paired with a link for easy shopping. (Heads up: some of these are affiliate links, meaning we might earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.) Let’s dive in and find the perfect watch to elevate your golf game!
Why You Need a Golf Smart Watch
Golf smart watches are game-changers for a reason. They go beyond telling time, offering features that can genuinely improve your performance. Here’s why they’re worth your attention:
- GPS Precision: Get exact distances to greens, hazards, and more—no more guesswork.
- Performance Tracking: Monitor scores, fairways hit, and swing data to spot strengths and weaknesses.
- All-in-One Convenience: Leave your phone in the bag and keep everything you need on your wrist.
- Style Points: Look good on the course and off with sleek, modern designs.
Ready to see the top picks? Let’s tee off!
The Best Golf Smart Watches of 2025
Here are our top recommendations, each with standout features, pros and cons, and your affiliate links to grab them. We’ve got options for every budget and playing style—let’s check them out!
1. Garmin Approach S70
- Stunning Courseview Maps on Your Wrist: Immerse yourself in this Garmin golf watch’s 43,000 full-color CourseView maps. The Approach S70 Garmin golf watches for men and women also feature a brilliant 1.4″ AMOLED display, making navigation on the course a breeze.
- Style Meets Performance: Stand out both on and off the course with the Garmin Approach S70 GPS golf watch’s lightweight and stylish design, featuring a sleek ceramic bezel that adds a touch of elegance to your golf game.
The Garmin Approach S70 is the gold standard for golf smart watches, blending cutting-edge tech with a premium design.
- Key Features:
- 43,000+ preloaded courses with vibrant maps.
- Virtual Caddie for personalized club suggestions.
- Stunning AMOLED display.
- Fitness tracking (heart rate, sleep, steps).
- Why We Love It: The Virtual Caddie analyzes your game to recommend clubs, while the dazzling display and 16-day battery life make it a standout. It’s a do-it-all watch for golf and beyond.
- Pros:
- Top-tier golf and fitness features.
- Long-lasting battery.
- Sleek and stylish.
- Cons:
- Pricey investment.
- Might overwhelm casual players.
Best for: Dedicated golfers who want the ultimate in tech and performance.
2. Bushnell Ion Elite GPS Watch
- The Elite GPS Golf Watch by Bushnell: Wear Bushnell’s revolutionary golf range finder watch! The iON Elite golf GPS watches for men and women have features such as slope distances, 38,000+ preloaded courses, and more.
- Stylish and Functional: This sleek golf rangefinder watch offers a 12+ hour battery life, a color touchscreen, and an easy-to-use interface to access front/center/back distances based on your line of play.
The Bushnell Ion Elite brings rangefinder-grade accuracy to your wrist at a mid-range price.
- Key Features:
- 38,000+ preloaded courses.
- Color touchscreen with hole layouts.
- GreenView for adjustable pin distances.
- 12+ hours of battery life in GPS mode.
- Why We Love It: Bushnell’s expertise shines here with reliable yardages and an intuitive interface. It’s perfect for golfers who want solid golf tech without extra fluff.
- Pros:
- Great value for money.
- Clear, easy-to-read display.
- Dependable battery life.
- Cons:
- Limited fitness tracking.
- No advanced stat analysis.
Best for: Players seeking a straightforward, golf-focused watch.
3. Garmin Approach S42
- 1.2” easy-to-read color touchscreen display with interchangeable quick release bands
- Battery life: up to 15 hours in GPS mode, and up to 10 days in smartwatch mode
- Green View feature allows manual pin positioning; quickly reference distances to the front, middle and back of the green as well as hazards and doglegs
- The AutoShot round analyzer measures and auto-records detected shot distances distances (lie and ball contact may affect shot tracking) and pairs with optional Approach CT10 club tracking sensors (sold separately) for more automatic game tracking capabilities
The Garmin Approach S42 is a versatile all-rounder that’s as good on the course as it is in daily life.
- Key Features:
- 42,000+ preloaded courses.
- AutoShot tracking for post-round insights.
- Smart notifications and basic fitness tracking.
- 15-hour battery life in GPS mode.
- Why We Love It: It’s user-friendly, stylish, and offers just enough golf features to keep you informed without being overwhelming. Plus, it doubles as an everyday watch.
- Pros:
- Affordable and feature-packed.
- Sleek design for all-day wear.
- Decent battery life.
- Cons:
- No advanced caddie features.
- Shorter battery than premium models.
Best for: Casual golfers who want a multi-purpose watch.
4. Shot Scope V5 GPS Watch
- GPS Distances to greens, hazards, layup points + doglegs
- Full hole maps
- Automatic performance tracking
- 100+ statistics, Strokes Gained + Handicap Benchmarking
- No subscription fees
The Shot Scope V5 is a budget-friendly gem that nails the essentials for golfers.
- Key Features:
- 36,000+ preloaded courses.
- Dynamic yardages (front, middle, back).
- Digital scorecard and basic stats.
- Lightweight build.
- Why We Love It: It’s simple, accurate, and won’t break the bank. Ideal for golfers who want reliable distances without extra complexity.
- Pros:
- Super affordable.
- Easy to use.
- Comfortable fit.
- Cons:
- No fitness tracking or notifications.
- Basic design.
Best for: Beginners or budget-conscious golfers.
5. Garmin Approach S62
- Large 1. 3” easy-to-read color touchscreen display (18% larger than Approach S60) with scratch-resistant ceramic bezel and interchangeable QuickFit bands
- More than 41, 000 full-color CourseView maps preloaded from around the world
- Virtual Caddie suggests club based on typical distance the golfer hits that club, factors in wind speed and direction, and indicates where the golfer should aim on the map
- Hazard View allows you to quickly scroll through each hazard on the map
The Garmin Approach S62 is a premium pick with advanced features for serious players.
- Key Features:
- 41,000+ preloaded courses with hazard views.
- PlaysLike Distance for slope adjustments.
- Fitness tracking with heart rate monitor.
- 20-hour battery life in GPS mode.
- Why We Love It: The slope-adjusted yardages are a game-changer on tricky courses, and its robust feature set makes it a top contender.
- Pros:
- Advanced golf tech.
- Durable and stylish.
- Great battery life.
- Cons:
- Higher cost.
- Slightly bulkier feel.
Best for: Golfers on varied courses who want precision and versatility.
How to Pick Your Perfect Golf Smart Watch
Not sure which one’s right for you? Here’s a quick guide to narrow it down:
- Budget: Prices range from under $200 to over $600—set your limit and find the best bang for your buck.
- Features: Need basic GPS or fancy stat tracking? More features = higher cost.
- Battery Life: Ensure it lasts your longest rounds (12+ hours is ideal).
- Extras: Want fitness tracking or smart notifications? Pick a watch that fits your lifestyle.
- Comfort: Make sure it feels good on your wrist for 18 holes.
Wrap-Up: Swing Smarter in 2025
A golf smart watch isn’t just a gadget—it’s your ticket to better decisions, sharper stats, and a more enjoyable round. From the high-end Garmin Approach S70 to the wallet-friendly Shot Scope V5, there’s a watch here for every golfer. Click those affiliate links above to snag your favorite and support BestGolfGuru.com at no extra cost to you—thanks for that!
What do you think of these picks? Have a golf watch you love? Drop a comment below and let’s chat. For more gear ideas, check out our Best Golf Tech of 2025. Here’s to crushing it on the course—happy golfing!
Check out the latest golf tech on Amazon below!
