Garmin Approach S20 GPS Golf Watch Review

The Garmin Approach S20 is the one of the best golf GPS for for the average golfer. The watch also doubles as an everyday watch.

This versatile GPS watch features more than 40,000 courses, automatic map updates, activity tracking and can send notifications from your phone.

On the golf course, you will see exact distances to the front, back and center of the green. The watch also provides distances to hazards and water.

With Garmin AutoShot round analyzer, the watch measures your shot distances and auto-records them for review on your Garmin Connect account.

Garmin Approach S20 Highlights

STYLE

The style of this golf watch is nice, but nothing flashy. It features a basic, perforated silicone band and a square, flat case that isn’t really raising any eyebrows.

While this watch is not exactly a fashion statement – it is light weight and you can see the screen in all lights.

DISPLAY

The display is a LCD 128 x 128 screen. The high-contrast, pixelated screen was not built to watch movies or display high quality photos. This screen is as basic as it comes.

While we like the basic screen, we wish that Garmin would have invseted more time and money into the screen. The green view is very rough to look at and while you get the basic numbers, for the price of this watch – you would think they would have spent more time making sure this watch display doesn’t look like it was stolen from a 80’s video game.

GOLF FEATURES

The Garmin Approach S20 offers a number of features that are included at purchase.

The watch course map is a little difficult to look at and if you are on a course for the first time – you will want a better overview. The Garmin Golf App gives a full color overview of the course and hole you are on. 

This GPS watch also has Garmin’s AutoShot technology, which relies on the wrist movement to trigger a shot and track your shot distance.

After taking your first swing the watch will start recording your location. When you reach your ball and take the next shot, the watch notes how far you walked since your past hit. It uses this information to give you your shot distance.

The Auto Shot doesn’t register putts, don’t get discouraged though – you can still record putts and shorter shots with a manual input.

OTHER FEATURES

This GPS watch also is compatible with the Garmin Connect Fitness Tracker Program.

This comes with a heart rate monitor, odometer, and timer that you can use for your every day life. You can even go swimming in this watch as it is waterproof up to 50 meters.

One feature that we have tested and enjoyed was the sleep-tracking app. This app was able to track my sleep and tell me how much sleep I did (or didn’t get) before a round.

It can also help you gage how much coffee will be needed before teeing off!

BATTERY LIFE

The Garmin Approach S20 comes with a 15 hour battery life in GPS mode and up to eight weeks without GPS mode. Constantly using the GPS on the course will make your battery die at a substantial rate.

However, with 15 hours of battery life, you really shouldn’t have anything to worry about. 15 hours of charge is plenty for multiple rounds.

Garmin Approach S20 Pros & Cons

PROS

• Great value
• Waterproof design
• Impressive battery life
• Compatible Golf GPS track
• Tons of features
• Accurate yardages (within +/- 5 yards)

CONS

• Boring design
• Green maps on the watch are difficult to look at.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Garmin Approach S20

How Accurate is The Garmin Approach S20?

The Garmin S20 GPS Watch is accurate within +/- 5 yards. Inaccuracies with Garmin GPS’ can include weather, satellite, golf upgrades, and remodels. In our experience, all GPS’ are accurate within 3 yards.

Does the Garmin Approach S20 track heart rate?

The Garmin Approach S20 is compatible with Garmin’s Fitness tracking app – this includes a heart rate tracking mode.

Is Garmin Approach S20 Waterproof?

The Garmin Approach S20 golf watch is waterproof up to 5 atm’s. This means you can go for a shallow swim or a shower in the watch, but you can’t take it very deep.

Which is better Garmin S10 or S20?

The Garmin S20 is better because of the features it offers. The Garmin S10 just lacks when it comes to features such as the odometer, step c ounter, sleep monitor and AutoShot tracking data.

When you are spending over $100 for a GPS watch, why not go for the better version?

Garmin Approach S20 Golf GPS Watch Conclusion

The Garmin Approach S20 is a great watch for the price. Some GPS watches can be up to $450 (like some golf accessories).

The Approach S20 will give you the same information as those more expensive GPS watches, without the price tag and all of the other bells and whistles. Someone who golf’s once or twice a week will love this watch as it will do everything they need and nothing more.

With added features such as AutoShot data, sleep tracking, and others – this GPS watch is just packed with technology for the price.

Between the price and the technology, every weekend warrior should own one of these watches if they want to play more consistent golf. 

Read more golf blogs such as, how to make your own golf yardage book.

Last update on 2024-03-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API