Garmin Approach S50
Choose it for PlaysLike Distance and daily health and activity features alongside golf GPS.
GPS watch comparison · updated September 2026
Garmin S50 vs Shot Scope G6: which golf watch?
The S50 earns its place if you want one watch for golf and everyday health. The G6 makes more sense when the decision is mainly about on-course GPS.
Quick verdict
Shot Scope G6
Choose it for a straightforward golf GPS watch with full hole maps.
These are editorial reviews of the published products and practical buying trade-offs. We have not run a controlled side-by-side accuracy test. Check the exact current model and retailer offer before ordering.
At a glance
| Decision point | Garmin Approach S50 | Shot Scope G6 |
|---|---|---|
| Main role | Golf plus everyday smartwatch features | Golf-focused GPS watch |
| On-course view | Golf distances and PlaysLike Distance | Full hole maps, hazards and layups |
| Away from golf | Health and activity profiles | Primarily a golf device |
| Best value if | You wear it beyond the course | You only need a golf watch |
| Before buying | Check optional Garmin feature or app terms | Check current UK bundle and strap |
Will you wear it between rounds?
The S50 adds heart rate, wellness and activity profiles to its golf functions. Those features matter most if this will replace an everyday watch. If it goes in a drawer after every round, the extra breadth may offer little value.
Which view helps you play?
Shot Scope lists full hole maps, hazards and layup points on the G6. Garmin highlights the S50’s PlaysLike Distance. Decide whether you value a mapped hole view or adjusted yardages more; do not assume that one marketing feature settles every on-course situation.
Price and ownership
Check current UK retailer prices on the exact model and size. Avoid comparing a discounted G6 with an S50 bundle that includes accessories without noting what each offer contains.
Questions golfers ask
Which has PlaysLike Distance?
Garmin lists PlaysLike Distance on the S50.
Does the G6 offer full hole maps?
Yes. Shot Scope lists full hole maps among the G6 features.
Keep comparing
Sources checked: Garmin S50, Shot Scope G6. Product specifications and software terms may change. How we review products. We may earn a commission from retailer links at no extra cost to you.
Check the features you will use on the course
Make this decision around your usual round, rather than the longest feature list. Decide whether you want a watch you can glance at on your wrist or a separate device you hold, clip to a bag or place on a trolley. Check how you will operate it with a glove, in rain and in strong sunlight.
| Buying check | What to confirm before ordering |
|---|---|
| Course presentation | Front, middle and back distances, hazard information and full-hole maps are different features. Check the exact model’s course coverage and included views. |
| Shot tracking | GPS distances do not automatically mean shot tracking. Confirm whether compatible club sensors are required, what they cost and how data reaches the app. |
| Running costs | Separate the hardware price from optional app upgrades, subscriptions and accessories. Check which useful features remain available without paying again. |
| Daily use | Check fit, battery life over a full round, charger requirements and the phone compatibility you need for setup or updates. |
If your current device already supplies the distances you use, the upgrade needs a practical reason: easier viewing, better course presentation or a tracking workflow you will actually maintain. If you are buying your first GPS device, prioritise clear distances and comfortable use over features you will rarely open. Read the full product reviews for each model’s trade-offs before checking the current retailer offer.
Checklist before you choose
The comparison above covers the main differences. Use these checks on your own room, round and budget before ordering.
- Which gives the golf information you actually use?
- How do navigation and shot-tracking features differ?
- Which is easier to use during a round?
- How do battery life and charging affect ownership?
- Does either need a subscription or phone connection?
- Which is better as an everyday device as well as for golf?
- What would make you choose the alternative?
What to compare before you choose
| Decision factor | What Golf Gear Lab checks |
|---|---|
| UK price today | Compare current UK retailer prices where reliable live data is available. |
| Golf features | Focus on distances, maps, hazards, scoring and shot tracking that matter on the course. |
| Ease of use | Compare screen, buttons/touch controls and how much interaction is needed during a round. |
| Battery | Consider golf-mode endurance as well as normal everyday use. |
| App & ecosystem | Check phone dependence, syncing, statistics and any subscription requirements. |
| Everyday use | For watches, weigh golf capability against health, smart and comfort features. |
| Value | Judge whether the extra features justify the price for the way you play. |
Where live UK retailer data is available, use it for the current-price decision. Recurring or ownership costs are shown only where they materially affect the choice and can be supported reliably.