GGL SCORE96/100
Best overall
Garmin Approach S70
Typical price: £500–£600
Premium AMOLED mapping, excellent battery life and the strongest all-round feature set.
Independent Golf Technology Reviews
Best Golf GPS Watches
Six carefully separated GPS watches for golfers who want glanceable distances, course mapping, scoring or performance tracking on the wrist.
Our six recommendations
Each product has a defined role, so the shortlist remains useful rather than simply becoming longer.
GGL SCORE92/100
Best balance
Garmin Approach S50
Typical price: £330–£400
A lighter, more affordable Garmin with a bright display and the core course features most golfers need.
GGL SCORE89/100
Best straightforward Garmin
Garmin Approach S44
Typical price: £250–£300
A clean, modern GPS watch for golfers who want dependable distances without excessive complexity.
GGL SCORE91/100
Best for performance tracking
Shot Scope X5
Typical price: £220–£280
Strong on-course GPS combined with automatic shot tracking and subscription-free performance data.
GGL SCORE90/100
Best value tracking watch
Shot Scope V5
Typical price: £150–£200
A practical, button-led watch with automatic tracking and excellent long-term value.
GGL SCORE90/100
Best for simple course mapping
Bushnell iON Elite
Typical price: £150–£200
Clear colour mapping and familiar Bushnell usability in a focused golf-first watch.
Continue your research
Use these focused guides when the format or product choice is still unclear.
Format guide
GPS watch or handheld GPS?
Choose between wrist convenience and a larger dedicated screen.
Head to headGarmin S70 vs Shot Scope X5
Premium mapping versus subscription-free performance tracking.
Decision guideGPS watch vs rangefinder
Understand when broad course information or exact pin distance matters more.
Budget guideBest GPS under £300
Find the strongest-value options without paying flagship prices.
Typical prices are editorial guidance based on UK pricing checked July 2026. Retailer prices, promotions and availability can change.