Updated October 9, 2023. This article was thoroughly audited by multiple golf experts and coaches for its accuracy. You can read more about our rigorous testing protocol here.
For today’s tech-savvy golfers, GPS devices have become must-have essentials for improving course strategy and dialing in distances. With so many options on the market, how do you determine which model best fits your needs and budget?
In this guide, I’ll showcase the best golf GPS devices that provide accurate yardages, robust course details, and helpful features for taking the guesswork out of your game.
From simplified screens to full-color touch displays and advanced shot tracking to basic distances, there’s a GPS device suited for every type of golfer.
Read on to discover our picks for the best golf GPS watches and handhelds that will help you master courses, better target greens, and lower your scores.
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Last updated on 2023-11-21. The links are affiliate links. Product images are served from Amazon Product Advertising API.
Table of Contents
Best Golf GPS Devices 2023
Here are our top 10 picks for the best golf GPS devices:
Best GPS Golf Watch
Garmin Approach S70 Golf Watch
Best All-Around Golf GPS Watch
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 1.4” diameter
- Weight: 2 ounces
- Battery Life: 20 hours
- Courses: 43,000+
Pros
- Get club suggestions based on wind and other conditions
- Additional features with health monitoring and activity tracking
- Bright, color touchscreen offers user-friendly interactivity
Cons
- Expensive price point, but worth it for the value
Review
The Garmin Approach S70 takes golf GPS watches to a new level with its vivid color touchscreen and preloaded course maps.
Providing precise yardages to greens, hazards, and doglegs helps dial in your distance and make smarter club selections. I’m constantly impressed by its accuracy from tee to green.
The AutoShot round analyzer detects and tracks every shot for in-depth post-round analysis on the Garmin Golf app.
Additional features like Green View overlay, PlaysLike Distance accounting for elevation, and the drag-and-drop Moveable Pin Position keep you fully informed on the course.
Connectivity perks include notifications, built-in sports apps, and smartphone integration. I also really loved the sophistication of this watch as it comes loaded with over 43,000 courses that display beautifully on the color touchscreen.
For those wanting the ultimate golf watch with enhanced course guidance, analytics for improvement, and smartwatch functionality in a sleek design, the feature-packed Garmin Approach S70 is an outstanding choice worth the investment.
Voice Caddie T9 Hybrid Golf GPS Watch
Most Accurate Golf GPS Watch for Mid Handicappers
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 1.2” diameter
- Weight: 1.7 ounces
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Courses: 40,000+
Pros
- Automatic slope calculation for precise yardage
- AI-aided course preview delivers color layout
- Swing tempo feature tells you if your swing is too fast or too slow
Cons
- Doesn’t have the sophistication of a Garmin GPS device
Review
As a frequent player looking to sharpen course management, I tested the Voice Caddie T9 Hybrid watch with an eye on its color touchscreen and AI-aided course preview.
And I’m glad I included it during my testing because it really impressed me with its performance and lower price point.
The color touchscreen is easy to navigate between holes, and the data is highly accurate. Having precise yardages right on my wrist helps me strategize better and pick the right clubs.
I really like the convenient auto-hole advance when transitioning between holes.
This handy GPS provides at-a-glance distances to greens and hazards for over 40,000 preloaded courses. The green view also delivers slope and contours to help you place your entry shots in a better location for your birdie putts.
For amateurs wanting to make smarter decisions on course layouts and improve their shot-making abilities, the T9 Hybrid is an invaluable tool I recommend wearing every round.
Golf Buddy Aim W12 Golf GPS Watch
Most Accurate Golf GPS Watch for High Handicappers
Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 1.32” diameter
- Weight: 1.3 ounces
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Courses: 40,000+
Pros
- Green undulation preview offers better entry shot information
- High-resolution color touchscreen with pinpoint yardage location
- Automatic flyover hole preview gives you a quick overview for instant strategy
Cons
- Not as well-built as top-tier GPS watches
Review
At under $250, the Golf Buddy Aim W12 watch provides a full complement of features, including distances to hazards and the center of greens on over 40,000 preloaded courses.
The easy-to-read color touchscreen shows front/center/back yardages at a glance. I also loved measuring the shot distance to track each shot’s length. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 10 hours in GPS mode as well.
Having an on-wrist watch that delivers this level of precision, including the very helpful green undulation display, without spending a fortune can definitely help your course management skills.
I found the sheer number of helpful features make the W12 quite a bargain for the amateur golfer.
For amateurs wanting high-value GPS performance without the premium price tag, the Golf Buddy W12 delivers excellent affordability and course guidance. This handy watch can undoubtedly become an essential tool in improving your overall game.
Bushnell Ion Elite Golf GPS Watch
Best Golf GPS Watch for Beginning Golfers
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 1.28” diameter
- Weight: 1.4 ounces
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Courses: 38,000+
Pros
- Quick auto course recognition with instant hole advance
- Dynamic green mapping helps with hole strategy
- Play two rounds on a single charge
Cons
- Screen is not as vibrant as comparable GPS watches
Review
The Bushnell Ion Elite demands your attention if you are a beginning golfer looking for an affordable GPS watch.
For under $200, this watch provides front/middle/back yardages to greens and hazards on over 36,000 preloaded courses.
The minimalist color touchscreen provided clean, accurate distances and updated quickly as I moved through each hole on the course. I also really liked the integrated scorekeeping that helped track my round.
Battery life lasts up to 20 hours when used as a GPS and fitness watch together. Having accurate yardages without spending a fortune has elevated my course management. The watch also doubles as a digital scorecard to analyze stats later.
For budget-focused beginners who still want quality GPS performance, the Bushnell Ion Elite delivers big value. This handy watch will give your growing skill set a noticeable boost without tearing a hole in your wallet.
SkyCaddie LX5 GPS Watch
Best Luxury Watch for Low Handicappers
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 1.4” diameter
- Weight: 2.3 ounces
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Courses: 35,000+
Pros
- Stunning HD touchscreen with HoleVue and IntelliGreen
- Extra details with zooming and panning over greens
- Instant processing keeps the screen updated with important information
Cons
- Needs longer battery life
Review
The SkyCaddie LX5 GPS watch delivers a top-tier level of luxury to the golf course with a host of dynamic features to help you track and improve your golf game.
With its innovative smart technology, the LX5 brings substance along with its style for the serious golfer.
But it’s more than stylish looks as the vivid 1.39” color touchscreen provides exact distances to any target with the ability to zoom in on greens and move the pin position.
I love tracking each shot’s distance along with setting up my next shot with the detailed green and fairway maps. The LX5 feels like having a true caddie on your wrist.
While it comes at a premium price, the white-gloved experience of such a polished, feature-rich GPS golf watch is an indulgence that immediately elevates your game and enjoyment on the course.
For golfers seeking luxury and excellence, the SkyCaddie LX5 is a trophy watch that delivers both in spades.
Best GPS Handhelds
Garmin Approach G80
Most Accurate Full-Sized GPS Golf Handheld Device
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 3.5” diameter
- Weight: 4.2 ounces
- Battery Life: 15 hours
- Courses: 41,000+
Pros
- Very convenient device that easily clips onto bag or belt for quick access to yardage
- Multiple yardage readouts for hazards and green with manual pin placement
- 15-hour battery gives golfers the ability to play three rounds without charging
Cons
- Complicated, needs time to fully understand the benefits of the device
The Garmin Approach G80 Golf GPS device is a stunner fueled by a large, bright screen for easy to read numbers. The G80 provides yardages to all areas of the hole from hazards to green.
The Approach G80 also updates automatically with the latest courses added to the Garmin system, so you don’t have to worry about heading to a new course without a map for your golf GPS.
Very portable with a clip that can attach to your bag or belt for quick access, the G80 is an absolute delight.
Detailed Green View
One of the best features of the G80 is the precision yardage to the green through the manual pin placement.
All you need to do on the course is spot the location of the pin and adjust the screen to match. After you finish placing the pin, the G80 will automatically recalculate the yardage and give you a new reading.
Although yardage to the pin is important, the Garmin Approach G80 also provides the measurement to the front, center, and back of the green. This feature is handy when trying to avoid a green ridge that might cause a tough putt.
Accurate Yardage to Green and Hazards
One of the most essential features of any golf GPS is the accuracy of the measurement it gives to the golfer. The last thing a golfer wants is a poor reading that costs them a precious shot by hitting too far or too short.
The G80 not only provides outstanding accuracy on shots to the green but also performs well when judging the distance to hazards.
If you are worried your drive might reach the bunker, then you give the G80 a look right before the shot for very precise yardage to help you avoid trouble.
The same goes for water as the Garmin Approach G80 GPS helps you steer clear of losing a golf ball by giving you an accurate reading.
SkyCaddie SX550 GPS
Best Luxury Handheld Golf GPS Device
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 5.5” diameter
- Weight: 8 ounces
- Battery Life: 14 hours
- Courses: 35,000+
Pros
- Exceptional HD graphics help show course contours
- Full color touchscreen offers quick updates on course
- Water-resistant, so it works in wetter climates
Cons
- Needs membership after first year for course updates
Review
When only the finest course guidance will do, the SkyCaddie SX550 is the gold standard for high-end handheld GPS devices.
The dynamic 5.5” color touchscreen provides the clearest view of greens and hazards in stunning detail. The built-in graphics are incredibly realistic with adjustability down to 1 foot for precision yardages.
Also, the HoleVue Course Maps let you zoom in to any spot on the hole layout with exact distance overlays. It’s like having an aerial view of the hole in your hand.
The integrability with SkyGolf 360 provides detailed 3D flyovers and rangefinder features. If you want cutting-edge GPS technology in a polished, lightweight package, it doesn’t get better than the SX550.
From accuracy to aesthetics to intuitive design, the SX550 stands atop the luxury GPS market, delivering an experience on par with having a renowned caddie by your side. It’s a worthwhile investment for serious golfers.
Garmin Approach G30 GPS
Best Compact Golf GPS Handheld Device for High Handicappers
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 2.3” diameter
- Weight: 2.5 ounces
- Battery Life: 15 hours
- Courses: 40,000+
Pros
- 2.3-inch color display clears outlines upcoming hole layout
- High sensitivity provides accurate distances from anywhere on the course
- Preloaded with 40,000 courses, great for taking on golf travel trips
Cons
- Doesn’t have the screen size to show the entire hole view
The Garmin Approach S30 offers serious golfers a compact handheld device to get accurate distance readings, collect data for their round, and comes preloaded with 40,000 courses that helps the device work from anywhere in the world.
Full Color Display
A clear, crisp 2.3-inch color touchscreen display rests at the heart of this device.
Allowing you to see the entire upcoming hole, the screen quickly responds to your commands to help you see the green, get yardage, and become aware of any upcoming hazards that you need to avoid.
The small display makes the device easy to store in your pocket while playing. Its lightweight frame won’t disturb you and a variety of mounting options makes sure you won’t lose it while you are on the course.
Preloaded with 40,000 Courses
Garmin’s expansive course database finds its way to the Approach S30 with over 41,000 preloaded courses already on the device when you first open the box.
With new courses being updated daily, you’ll never miss a major update to any course you play, wherever in the world you may be at the time.
Green View
When it comes time to finish out the hole, the G30’s Green View will help you find your way to the cup. This detailed feature allows golfers to place the pin in the correct position for accurate fairway readings and shorter shots.
This small, comfortable handheld GPS device relies on its touchscreen display to quickly get you the data you need to help you decide your strategy for the next shot.
Great for taking along on your golf trips, the Approach S30 delivers outstanding results and works with your smartphone to make sure you never miss an important call, text, or email on the links.
Bushnell Phantom 2 GPS
Best Compact Golf GPS Handheld Device for Golfers on a Budget
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: No
- Color Display: No
- Display Size: 1.5” diameter
- Weight: 2.8 ounces
- Battery Life: 16-20 days
- Courses: 38,000+
Pros
- Ability to track advanced data with distances to hazards, layups, and greens
- Preloaded with 38,000 courses with instant course recognition
- Very affordable handheld device with clear yardage display
Cons
- Rather simplistic, doesn’t have much sophistication
Highly affordable, the Bushnell Phantom 2 is a handheld device that easily tracks the GPS distances around the course of your upcoming shots.
The easy to read screen offers front, back, and center distances on the green, plus a powerful BITE magnetic mount that makes for stable riding on your golf cart.
Featuring a brighter, backlit display, the larger screen makes the Phantom 2 an upgrade over older models. Visibility remains incredibly high, even in the sun with the Phantom 2.
38,000 Preloaded Courses
The technology incorporated in the Phantom 2 is entertaining and helpful for your game.
The device comes preloaded with over 38,000 courses, and when paired with the Bushnell Golf App, you can quickly track your round and find the distances for every shot you’ll face on the links.
The Phantom 2 also comes with auto course recognition that immediately finds your course and assists with auto hole advance so you are always on the right hole.
A shot distance calculator is also installed to provide accurate readings for your drives and entry shots into the green.
Advanced Data Readings
The Phantom 2 can also provide up to six yardage readings for hazards and layup zones on the hole. These quick distances help you craft your strategy for the upcoming shot.
The same holds true for the green as the device also features greenview with movable pin placement. If you are wanting to land the ball in certain locations on the green, the pin can provide accurate distances to help you choose the right club.
With over 18 hours of battery life, the Phantom 2 will last several rounds before you need to recharge, making it a great GPS device for golfers that are on a budget and need to maximize value with their equipment.
IZZO Golf Swami 6000
Best Handheld Golf GPS Device for Mid Handicappers
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Specifications
- Touchscreen: No
- Color Display: Yes
- Display Size: 2” diameter
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Battery Life: 16 hours
- Courses: 38,000+
Pros
- Great look and feel when it sets in your hand with large display and buttons for easy use
- Save your scores on the device for later viewing and analysis
- Provides immediate shot distance and accurate readings for layup, hazards, and green distance
Cons
- No touchscreen, must use buttons to navigate
IZZO’s most popular golf GPS handheld device is the Swami 6000.
With a fun look and feel, the 6000 is a colorful handheld rangefinder gadget that gives the golfer a vivid look at the hole ahead.
With over 38,000 courses preloaded onto the device, you can take the Swami 6000 just about anywhere in the world and be ready to go the moment you hit the links.
Water-resistant and with an improved battery, the 6000 provides the standard auto course recognition and hole advancement seen on most of the best golf GPS devices at this price point.
With a stylish interface, the lightweight Swami 6000 is a great device for intermediate golfers of all ages.
Advanced Readouts of Greens and Fairway
The 6000 does a terrific job of providing the distance to the front, back, and center of the green. It also gives the golfer a precise location of upcoming hazards and doglegs to help the user avoid trouble.
The advanced color display is clear for easy reading and detailed enough to get a sense of where the trouble lies on each hole.
New Course-Specific Technology
Although the Swami doesn’t have the app integration that we love with our golf GPS devices, the 6000 does have a very simple to use interface that provides on the spot shot distance, distance to the pin, and allows you to keep score for your last ten rounds upon your device for later analysis.
Buying Guide: Choosing the Best Golf GPS Devices
Display Quality
Golf GPS handheld devices and wristwatches are handy tools that use a screen to convey yardage and other pertinent information. Since the display is essential for passing this information along, the quality of the display is a critical feature.
But not all devices convey those details equally. Wristwatches have far less area to give the golfer a full spectrum of the yardage to the front and back of the green.
The wrist-bound devices are different than handheld devices that could potentially give the golfer a fuller idea of what lies ahead on the fairway or green.
Golf GPS handheld devices are known for having better display quality because the unit is larger for more screen room and the larger gadget can utilize better technology.
For golfers who want a handheld that displays the entire hole, then the display becomes even more critical.
Accuracy
One of the benefits of owning golf GPS devices is that the yardage shown is relatively precise to allow you to choose the right club for your shot and avoid imminent hazards as well.
Most companies that manufacture golf GPS devices state that their device provides an accurate measurement give or take a yard in any direction.
Whether it be a golf GPS watch or device, knowing that the GPS will provide accurate readings for your next shot is quite essential to find the right GPS unit.
So after purchase, it is not a bad idea to continue to test and see if your unit is giving you accurate readouts within the stated margin of error.
Accuracy on golf GPS devices is also dependent on housing the correct coordinates within the company’s app or website.
If the course has recently undergone renovations, then the GPS devices may have old information causing it to display the wrong yardage on each hole.
Durability
Watches and handheld GPS devices must be durable to be worthy of purchase, but each gadget has its positives and negatives in this area.
Wristwatches do better with the stress of a round of golf. Since they are in a fixed position on the wrist, they tend to last longer than handheld devices.
Watches are more compact and lightweight, making them easy to carry and far more likely to stay out away from damage on the course or perhaps even getting lost during a round.
Handheld devices are more apt to be damaged during a round. That doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen to all golfers who own a handheld gadget, but it is a warning that the durability of the device over the lifetime of the unit will be tested.
Proper storage and finding a safe spot for the device to remain during driving or walking is crucial to keeping the unit secure.
App Integration
One of the latest features that seem to be getting more publicity is how the GPS device integrates with your smartphone.
Whether it be on a website or a sophisticated app, finding a GPS that takes accurate readings on the course will open your post-round world into diving into the statistics that could give you insight on how to improve your game.
Perhaps your second shots are missing the green with a high frequency? Then the app will let you know as it takes into account the readings from your last several rounds.
For the GPS device for golf to achieve elite status, it must have a solid foundation that can be used in an app or through a reliable website.
Courses Included
Every GPS device comes with thousands of preloaded courses already installed on the unit.
Most companies vary in the sheer number of clubs featured on the device, but if you have a few courses that you primarily play, it would be wise to look ahead and see if those courses are present on the device.
If the device is consistently updated, then new courses that are popping up in your area will soon make their way onto your golf GPS watch or handheld unit.
Finding a device that comes preloaded with at least 25,000 courses won’t be difficult to find in the GPS market. Most have over 35,000 preloaded for immediate use.
However you go with your GPS device, make sure that it has the courses that are important to you already taken care of on the device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a GPS device on the golf course?
Easy to use, advanced GPS devices can give golfers a large amount of information in a small unit. GPS devices allow golfers to not only see the layout of the upcoming hole but assist in helping them choose a strategy for what clubs you’ll need on each shot.
With clear displays and colorful backdrops, GPS devices provide golfers with a full array of insight into each shot before it occurs.
Also, these devices not only show the golfer yardage and detailed maps but also have the capability of storing statistics on the round as the golfer plays all 18 holes.
For amateurs, detailed GPS devices can assist in helping them understand the yardage to the front, center, and back of the green. These devices can also give the golfer the precise distance to hazards such as water, sand and heavy rough.
Watch vs. Handheld: Which one should I pick?
In the debate between golf wristwatch devices versus handheld units, the answer comes down to preference.
For those who don’t want to carry around a handheld device, then the watch is a perfect alternative that gives accurate yardage while resting on your wrist.
The downside to a wristwatch is that the display is small, so the information provided will be focused on the distance to the flag and other limited measurements.
Golfers wanting a complete experience may be inclined to lean toward choosing the handheld device.
While some handheld units only give out yardage numbers, other devices provide a full layout of the upcoming hole, allowing the golfer to formulate a strategy that will dictate the correct club usage.
Which one is more convenient?
For convenience, it is hard to beat the wristwatch. The watch is compact, lightweight, and doesn’t need attention. You just strap it to your wrist and then use it while you play.
The downside to the handheld device is that you must find a way to keep it handy while also not damaging it during play. Golfers who don’t like handheld devices say maintenance is their number one complaint about the device.
Which one has more features?
Handheld devices win the battle on what device has more features.
With a larger display and the ability to tally a host of statistics as you play, handheld golf GPS devices also work well with smartphone apps to give you a comprehensive overview of the layout and yardage to all areas of the course.
Golf GPS watches are reasonably straightforward with the smaller display giving you yardage to the pin and possibly a couple of other areas of the green.
However, you could find yourself lost when trying to decide the distance to possible bunkers or water hazards.
We recommend you check our complete guide on How to Read Greens in Golf: 5 Tips to Drain More Putts.
Conclusion
When it comes to the top all-around golf GPS device, the Garmin Approach S70 stands above the rest.
Its vivid color touchscreen, full hole layouts, and Green View feature provide unmatched visibility and accuracy in tracking every inch of the course.
Add in shot tracking, smart notifications, auto-syncing, and comprehensive analytics in the Garmin Golf app, and you have the complete package for mastering your game through meaningful data.
The Garmin S70 takes course management and shot strategy to the next level for golfers wanting maximum detail and guidance in sleek watch design.
Though it comes at an investment-worthy price, it delivers performance and insights that can quickly take strokes off your scores.