Garmin Approach S20 Golf GPS Watch Review

We have not tested this product ourselves; this page summarises the maker's published specifications.

The Garmin Approach S20 is a golf GPS watch that also works as an everyday watch. See all four models side by side in Garmin Approach S10 vs S20 vs S40 vs S60.

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, the watch shows 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 watch features a perforated silicone band and a square, flat case.

DISPLAY

The display is a small, basic high-contrast screen (Garmin lists its size at about 23 x 23 mm).

DISPLAY

The display is a small, basic screen (Garmin lists its size at about 23 x 23 mm). 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 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.

The watch is also compatible with sleep tracking through Garmin Connect.

BATTERY LIFE

The Garmin Approach S20 comes with a 15 hour battery life in GPS mode and up to eight weeks without GPS mode.

Garmin Approach S20 Pros & Cons

PROS

• 5 ATM water resistance
• 15 hours of battery life in GPS mode
• AutoShot shot tracking
• Activity and sleep tracking through Garmin Connect

CONS

• Small, basic display
• Garmin Golf app gives the full color course overview

Frequently Asked Questions About the Garmin Approach S20

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

Garmin Approach S20 Golf GPS Watch Conclusion

The Garmin Approach S20 offers more than 40,000 courses, AutoShot shot tracking, activity and sleep tracking through Garmin Connect, and phone notifications. Garmin lists up to 15 hours of battery life in GPS mode.

To compare it with the other models, see Garmin Approach S10 vs S20 vs S40 vs S60.

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