Golf GPS Watch vs Apple Watch with a Golf App | Which One Do You Need for Your Golf Game in 2024?
Should you buy a golf GPS watch or use a golf app on your Apple Watch? Find out why golf watches from Garmin, Bushnell, Voice Caddie & more are clear winners!
Should you buy a golf GPS watch or use a golf app on your Apple Watch? Find out the key differences and why golf watches from Garmin, Bushnell, Voice Caddie & more might be the better choice for your game!
Golf Watch vs Apple Watch - What’s the Difference?
Image: Garmin Approach Golf Watches
A golf watch is a dedicated device designed specifically for golfers, offering features like GPS distance measurements, course maps, swing analysis, and more. Popular brands include Garmin, Bushnell, and Voice Caddie. An Apple watch, on the other hand, requires a third party app in order to function as a golf watch.
Main Key Differences
- Functionality: Golf watches are specialized, while Apple Watch is multifunctional but requires additional apps for golf.
- User Experience: Golf watches offer a seamless experience with all features built-in. Apple Watch requires managing third-party apps.
Cost: High-end golf watches may be more expensive but offer comprehensive golf-specific features. Apple Watch serves multiple purposes but may incur additional costs for app subscriptions.
Golf Watch vs Apple Watch Golf App: Cost Analysis
Image: Garmin Approach S70 – Gray 42mm & Black 47mm
There is no shortage of people who prefer to stick to an iOS. So many people can’t seem to function without their iPhone, iPad, AirPods, and yes, Apple Watches. But here’s the thing: That might describe a lot of people. But it’s not everybody. For example, you’re an Android user—using a golf app for Apple watch is a non-starter.
If you own an Apple watch, third-party golf apps are plentiful, but with the caveat that some of these apps become obsolete with subsequent Apple upgrades, and many require fees to access premium features. Over time, these fees can add up.
Instead, for less money than a basic Apple Watch, you could be getting yardages, compiling shot data, and so much more with a dedicated golf watch, like:
And for less money than a higher-end Apple Watch, you could unlock truly revolutionary features like virtual caddie, wind speed and direction, green reading maps, hole overviews, and much, much more with some of the best golf GPS watch options, like:
If you already own an Apple Watch and you’ve found a great free app to integrate, it makes sense to use what you’ve got.
But if you don’t own an Apple Watch and you’re wondering what your best golf watch purchase might be, just know that you’ve got better options outside of the Apple ecosystem. It might be time to look for the best golf watch on the market, and you’ve certainly come to the right place!
Apple Watch vs Golf Watch: Battery Life and Key Features
Image: Voice Caddie T9 Golf Watch
When comparing the Apple Watch to a dedicated golf GPS watch, consider what’s most important for your game. If you prioritize golf-specific features and battery life, a golf watch like the Garmin Approach series might be the better choice.
GPS Functionality
Your Apple Watch can interface with a third-party app to deliver accurate distance information. The problem, however, is that if you use your watch itself as the GPS source, you’re going to burn through the battery so fast that you may not even complete your round.
Alternatively, you could use your iPhone as the GPS source. Sounds great, right? But what happens when your phone is in your cart and you’re 60 yards away, hitting out of the rough? The yardages that your watch will show you will be based on the distances from your phone. And if that’s not near you, those yardages won’t be accurate.
That means that to guarantee accurate yardages all the time, you’re going to have to keep your phone on your person. That’s a big issue for plenty of golfers who don’t want to have what feels like a boat anchor in their pocket while they try to swing freely.
On the other hand, you could use a Voice Caddie T9, for example, and get heat map, green undulation technology, shot and putt tracking, all your yardages, swing tempo mode, and a whole lot more without ever having to bother with your phone.
All-In-One Fitness Tracking Features
There’s no denying that an Apple Watch is an awesome lifestyle and fitness tracking device. It can do about everything.
But people may not realize that today’s golf watches aren’t too far behind, if at all. Arguments against golf watches because they are one-trick ponies are completely outdated to the point of being ridiculous.
The best of today’s golf watches span your entire daily life. The Garmin Approach series has a heart rate monitor, sleep monitor, stress meter, step counter, and calendar plus the ability to make transactions, read email, see text messages, and on and on. The best GPS watch options of today are full-blown fitness trackers.
Many golfers ask us about the Apple Watch or Garmin for golf, so let’s compare these two options.
Apple Watch for Golf vs Garmin Watch
Image: Garmin Approach S42
When you buy a flagship golf GPS watch like the Garmin Approach S70, you get everything you need in one place. We’re talking about a virtual caddie to assist you with club selection, the ability to drag and drop the pin around the green to replicate that day’s hole location, wind speed and direction, distances to multiple features on each hole, a swing tempo monitor, and so much more—all right on the watch! The only reason you have to access the Garmin app is if you want to review your shot data or input your scores.
The Apple Watch approach may work fine for you if you already own one, but beware of the add-on fees. Sure, there are a lot of apps out there. And some of them do some pretty cool stuff. But in almost every single instance, the app itself is going to start off as free. But to access features of actual value—things that can actually rival what you’d get in a dedicated golf yardage watch—you’re going to have to pay. To make things more complicated, there are many different types of golf apps out there, and each one is designed to target different types of data. This means you may find yourself downloading and relying on multiple apps at once.
Garmin Golf Watch vs Apple Watch: Comparison Highlights
Garmin Watch:
- Ease of Use
- Garmin watches offer turnkey solutions with all features integrated. No third-party app required.
- Battery Life:
- Garmin watches are optimized for long battery life during golf rounds, even while using GPS.
- Accuracy:
- Garmin watches provide highly accurate data directly on the watch.
Apple Watch:
- Ease of Use
- Apple Watches are straightforward to use, but do require downloading and managing multiple apps.
- Battery Life:
- The Apple Watch may drain quickly if used as a GPS source.
- Accuracy:
- Apple Watches may require the phone to be nearby for precise measurements.
Features and Advantages
- Garmin Approach S70
- Features: Virtual caddie, wind speed and direction, green reading maps, detailed hole views.
- Advantages: Integrated golf features, no need for additional apps, long battery life.
- Apple Watch with Golf App
- Features: Requires third-party apps that integrate with the Apple ecosystem.
- Advantages: Multifunctional device, combines golf features with smartwatch functions.
Image: Shot Scope X5 & Shot-tracking Tag
FAQs
Can You Use a Smartwatch as a Golf GPS?
Many smartwatches, including the Apple Watch, offer Golf GPS functionality through various apps.
Is the Apple Watch Good for Golf?
The Apple Watch can be a good option for golfers who prefer a multifunctional device. However, for those who want specialized golf features without the hassle of managing multiple apps, a Garmin watch might be more suitable.
Do Golf Watches Work on All Courses?
Most golf watches come preloaded with thousands of courses worldwide and can be updated with new course data.
What Watch Is Best to Wear When Golfing?
Choose a Golf GPS watch that offers the features and comfort you need on the course. Popular options include Garmin Approach, SkyCaddie, and Bushnell models.
How Accurate Are Golf GPS Watches?
Golf GPS watches are generally very accurate, providing precise distance measurements to various points on the course.
Do Golf Watches Tell You What Club to Use?
Some advanced Golf GPS watches offer club recommendations based on your shot history and distance measurements.
Are Golf GPS Watches Worth It?
Yes, absolutely! Golf GPS watches are valuable tools for golfers looking to improve their game with accurate distance measurements and detailed course information.