Best Value Golf Watches: Quick Menu
1. The list in brief
2. Best overall
3. Best value
4. Best sporty look
5. Best screen
6. Best simple model
7. How we test
8. How to choose
9. FAQs
Golf watches have become all the rage of late because of the combination of GPS capability, versatility, usability, and not to mention most of them are just very cool pieces of gear. Importantly, not only do brands like Garmin make top of the range models like the MARQ which costs thousands, but these brands also make watches at the complete opposite end of the price spectrum, meaning we can all invest in a model if we want.
But why would you want a golf watch in the first place? Well as we mentioned above watches usually come with GPS functionality meaning you can turn up to a golf course and know how far you are from the flag or certain hazards. Watches these days are also very comfortable and are highly convenient because you can just glance at your wrist to get a yardage rather than have to get a laser rangefinder from your bag. Watches also tend to be easy to use, offer a degree of style and versatility, and many also come with other features like fitness tracking and so on.
From our testing we have found there are lots of golf watches that offer all of these performance factors, but also a lot of value too because they don't break the bank. This guide is therefore a list of those watches (as well as a couple of GPS handhelds thrown in). Additionally if you are more of a laser kind of golfer, then take a look at our guide on the best budget rangefinders as well.
The Quick List
If you are looking for something simple that works well, the S12 ticks the box. The yardages are accurate and well-displayed on a black and white screen.
The iON Edge from Bushnell didn't blow us away in terms of looks, but it does offer simple functionality along with solid, accurate distances.
The G5 is an extremely simple and intuitive golf GPS watch that also provides plenty of off-course appeal that makes it great value for money.
If simplicity is what appeals to you, the GolfBuddy aim W10 is a great option but the extra detail is there if you want it in certain situations.
TecTecTec’s ULT-G watch isn’t going to blow you away with the number of features that it provides, but the features on offer perform extremely well.
Best Value Golf Watches
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Best overall
While not as stylish as the more feature-packed S42, the S12 comes in at a slightly lower price point that represents excellent value. With more than 40,000 preloaded courses, finding your desired venue is extremely quick and easy. From there, we found the usability of this watch to be brilliant. Off the tee it provides loads of information on things like distances to bunkers, water hazards and ideal lay-up yardages, while you can also move the flag around to get a more exact number.
Another performance aspect we really liked was the measure-shot feature that does as you’d expect – it tracks how far you’ve struck a given shot. It’s also really easy to input scores and a few stats at the end of each hole, giving golfers an idea of what they’ve done well and perhaps not so well after the round. Finally, Big-Numbers mode, coupled with the sunlight-readable dial, is great for those whose eyesight maybe isn’t what it once was.
The black and white screen of the S12 is slightly smaller than some of the other, more expensive Garmin options. This gives it a basic, inexpensive look and, one thing we loved about this watch, was how lightweight and sleek the strap was. Because it’s so light at 34g, it meant we were able to swing the club without it catching on clothing or our other wrist. In fact, we barely noticed that we were wearing it. All in all, this is an impressive and affordable product from Garmin.
- Read our full Garmin Approach S12 Review
Best value
The iON Edge from Bushnell might not blow you away in terms of how it looks, there are also two straps available, both sleek and quite soft-feeling and, importantly, they don’t interfere with the swing or cause discomfort. But it does offer simple functionality along with accurate distances. It ticks every box a golfer looks for, like offering hazard information and automatic hole advance - you can even cycle through pin positions on the green for greater accuracy.
It takes time and patience to work out exactly where all the features are - mostly through trial and error - but if you play a lot of golf, it should only be into your second or third round when you feel you're really using the iON Edge to its full potential. The graphics are basic but easy to read in different light conditions. If you prioritize simplicity over bells and whistles, it's a good option but we should acknowledge that the touchscreen can take a bit of time to get used to given it can occasionally lack responsiveness. If you are able to control it then the iON Edge is a solid product which can help provide yardages and point out hazards, with the price very competitive for this section of the market.
- Read our full Bushnell iON Edge GPS Watch review
Best sporty look
The Shot Scope G5 GPS Watch being tested on the golf course
Not everyone wants the fancy bells and whistles that many of the best golf watches offer. Simplicity is often the number one consideration for golfers and not many offer a more intuitive experience than the Shot Scope G5.
The screen size is generous and yet we thought the G5 had a minimalistic feel to it, perhaps because of how lightweight the case and straps are. We also liked how the outer ring of the display is slightly raised, which should reduce the risk of scratches, with the sporty look appealing to many tastes.
Golf-wise, once we selected the course, the front, middle and back distances are displayed clearly on the main screen. There’s plenty of other useful information on there too, like the time, battery level, the hole number and its par as well as your current score. Hazard information is a click away and the fact the G5 provides distances to reach and carry the hazard is particularly useful, as well as distances to doglegs and lay up points, shot distance measurement and a digital scorecard to keep track of your round.
Overall, we were very impressed with how the G5 performed, with all of its features proving to be useful. What's more, the G5 is sporty and incredibly lightweight and compact, which means we didn’t really notice on our wrists when out on the course or at home.
- Read our full Shot Scope G5 GPS Watch Review
Best screen
The Aim W10 from GolfBuddy has to be one of the better value options showcased in this list because of the array of features available for the price. We liked the clear yardages during our testing and with only one button, the trial and error process of learning how to navigate the various features, like the scorecard function and access to hazard information, soon becomes second nature after swiping in different directions.
It is lightweight but a little bulky, although it still doesn't interfere with the swing. The color hole maps are basic, but provide a clear enough graphical view of what lies ahead, and the lay up arcs help you plot the best route. We liked how you can manually move the pin position for greater accuracy and it does have slope compensation capabilities, but not on any courses near us so we weren't able to test that.
The charger didn't fit very well either - it had to be positioned in a very specific way - which was frustrating, but something we learned with time and from a full charge, we easily got two rounds out of it in full golf GPS mode with life to spare.
- Read our full GolfBuddy Aim W10 GPS Watch Review
Best simple model
The TecTecTec ULT-G GPS watch isn't as loaded with features as some of its competitors but it's one of the most user-friendly GPS devices we've tested and also one of the most accurate. The ULT-G was easy to set up and comes with 38,000 preloaded courses, and there are no subscriptions required or any fees for updates. TecTecTec also has an app that can be used with the device to easily get updates, add courses, and get technical support.
In addition to front, back, and center yardages, the ULT-G also provides distances to hazards, as well as carry distances, and it has a distance tracking feature that we found to be quite useful. The device doesn't offer touchscreen functionality but its command buttons are easy to understand and use. And finally, at a retail price of just $99.99, this GPS watch is a great value.
- Read our full TecTecTec ULT-G GPS Watch review
How we test golf watches and GPS devices
At Golf Monthly we have a comprehensive testing procedure around GPS watches and devices. As you would expect, this involves using different models out on the course, over a number of rounds and importantly in different conditions too because this gives us an idea on how particular models deal with sunlight, rain and wind.
As the entire team are regular golfers, GPS devices usually get a thorough testing and often get compared to one another side by side to test for things like accuracy, waterproofing, durability and other features. That way we can give honest and insightful feedback to you, the reader. The final thing we wanted to mention in this section is no manufacturer can buy a good review. Our testing team reviews golf equipment and makes its own opinion on how good or bad the product is, and then passes on that feedback to you.
How to choose a GPS device
Your routine
The best golf watches only require a quick glance, as do some of the GPS devices in this guide, so they are much quicker than taking a device out of its case, so weigh up if extra detail or less disruption is most important to you.
Your course
If your course has lots of doglegs, blind tee shots, or you play at other clubs in matches or socially, then you might want the extra information a GPS offers over a laser for example.
Type
As the list above shows, there are different types of GPS device to use and they all have positives and negatives affixed to them. If you want to invest in a cheap watch then there are several models to choose from but you can also get a handy little GPS device for less than $100 as well.
Features
There is also a difference in device when it comes to features. Below is a list of some of the ones we consider to be useful to the GPS wearer.
FAQs
Is it worth getting a golf watch?
We think a golf watch is an excellent investment when it comes to your golf game, as it provides the user with the right yardages when playing unfamiliar courses, as well as track your score and performance.
We hope you enjoyed this guide on the best golf GPS devices. Also make sure you research the best golf simulator, best golf GPS apps and the best golf watches for ladies too because they can truly add to your golfing experience.
