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The Garmin Approach S72 adds on-wrist swing metrics, golf-focused biometric review, a speaker and microphone, and a built-in flashlight to the premium golf-watch mix. The S70 already covers core GPS golf features such as CourseView mapping, PlaysLike Distance, Virtual Caddie and green contours. For an S70 owner, upgrading makes sense chiefly if one or more of the S72 additions would change how you practice or use the watch; Garmin’s announcement does not establish better accuracy, scoring or battery performance versus the S70.

What the S72 adds over the S70

Garmin announced the Approach S72 on October 6, 2026. The U.S. launch announcement describes 43mm and 47mm models with AMOLED displays, a titanium bezel, sapphire lens and ComfortFit fabric band. It lists U.S. suggested retail prices starting at $799.99 and says the watches are available now; those details are not a guarantee of pricing or availability in other countries or at every retailer. Garmin’s S72 announcement

Golf practice and post-round features

  • On-wrist swing metrics: Garmin highlights hand speed, backswing length and wrist rotation.
  • Round review with biometric data: The S72 can show data such as heart-rate trends in a round review.
  • Driving-range activity logging: The watch adds a way to log range activity.
  • Putting analytics: Garmin describes putting analytics in the Garmin Golf app.
  • Green reading: Contour-based green reading is limited to select courses and requires an active Garmin Golf Membership.

These are announced features, not evidence that the S72 measures a swing or a green more accurately than the S70, or that it will lower scores.

Everyday smartwatch additions

The S72 has a speaker and microphone for calls and basic voice tasks, plus a built-in flashlight with variable white and red light. Garmin lists up to 20 hours of on-course battery life and up to 16 days with GPS off for the larger smartwatch. These are Garmin specifications; the announcement does not provide a direct S70-versus-S72 battery test.

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#1 Best Overall
Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch | Full-Color CourseView Maps AMOLED Display | Advanced Shot Execution & Putt Alignment | Immersive Golfing Experience w/Signature Stand Power Bundle
  • THIS BUNDLE CONTAINS: 1 Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch | Full-Color CourseView Maps | High-Quality AMOLED Display | Advanced Shot Execution & Putt Alignment | Immersive Golfing Experience + 1 Signature Series Watch Stand with Charging Cable + 1 Signature Series 5000mAh Portable Power Bank with Wall Charger and Car Plug Adapter
  • ADVANCED COURSE MAPPING AND DISPLAY: Elevate your golfing experience with over 43,000 full-color CourseView maps directly accessible on your wrist. Our 1.2” AMOLED display offers exceptional detail and color depth, bringing the fairways, hazards, and greens to life like never before. The additional functionality to pan and zoom gives you a comprehensive view of each hole, enabling strategic planning and accurate shot execution.
  • UPGRADED VIRTUAL CADDIE: Experience cutting-edge assistance with our enhanced virtual caddie feature. It analyses various factors like your historical swing data, wind speed, wind direction, and elevation to suggest the appropriate club for your shot. This advanced feature facilitates continuous learning, enabling you to adapt and improve your performance over successive rounds.
  • SUPERIOR PLAYSLIKE DISTANCE FEATURE: Reimagine your approach to distance calculation with our enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature. It takes into account uphill and downhill shots, trajectory, as well as external factors such as wind, temperature, and air pressure, providing you with the most precise distance calculations. Such comprehensive and accurate distance data aid in superior course strategy, resulting in improved performance and scores.
  • INNOVATIVE GREEN CONTOUR DATA: Enhance your approach on the greens with our exclusive green contour data. Gain detailed insights into the green's slope direction and severity on select courses, which could be the decisive factor between sinking or missing a putt. Understanding the topography of the green leads to better putt alignment and distance control, dramatically improving your chances of scoring.

What the S70 already does

Garmin places the S70 in its premium GPS golf smartwatch category. Its comparison page lists full CourseView mapping, PlaysLike Distance, Touch Targeting, Virtual Caddie, green contours, heart rate, sleep score, built-in sports apps and Garmin Pay. For golfers who mainly want mapped courses, distances and those established premium features, the S70 already has a substantial feature set. Garmin golfer comparison

Sizes and display resolution

The models do not use identical size labels. Garmin’s Connect IQ compatible-device listing gives these display resolutions:

Rank #2
Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch | Full-Color CourseView Maps AMOLED Display | Advanced Shot Execution & Putt Alignment | Immersive Golfing Experience w/Signature Stand Power Bundle
  • THIS BUNDLE CONTAINS: 1 Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch | Full-Color CourseView Maps | High-Quality AMOLED Display | Advanced Shot Execution & Putt Alignment | Immersive Golfing Experience + 1 Signature Series Watch Stand with Charging Cable + 1 Signature Series 5000mAh Portable Power Bank with Wall Charger and Car Plug Adapter
  • ADVANCED COURSE MAPPING AND DISPLAY: Elevate your golfing experience with over 43,000 full-color CourseView maps directly accessible on your wrist. Our 1.2” AMOLED display offers exceptional detail and color depth, bringing the fairways, hazards, and greens to life like never before. The additional functionality to pan and zoom gives you a comprehensive view of each hole, enabling strategic planning and accurate shot execution.
  • UPGRADED VIRTUAL CADDIE: Experience cutting-edge assistance with our enhanced virtual caddie feature. It analyses various factors like your historical swing data, wind speed, wind direction, and elevation to suggest the appropriate club for your shot. This advanced feature facilitates continuous learning, enabling you to adapt and improve your performance over successive rounds.
  • SUPERIOR PLAYSLIKE DISTANCE FEATURE: Reimagine your approach to distance calculation with our enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature. It takes into account uphill and downhill shots, trajectory, as well as external factors such as wind, temperature, and air pressure, providing you with the most precise distance calculations. Such comprehensive and accurate distance data aid in superior course strategy, resulting in improved performance and scores.
  • INNOVATIVE GREEN CONTOUR DATA: Enhance your approach on the greens with our exclusive green contour data. Gain detailed insights into the green's slope direction and severity on select courses, which could be the decisive factor between sinking or missing a putt. Understanding the topography of the green leads to better putt alignment and distance control, dramatically improving your chances of scoring.
Model Case size Resolution
Approach S70 42mm 390 × 390
Approach S70 47mm 454 × 454
Approach S72 43mm 416 × 416
Approach S72 47mm 454 × 454

The 43mm S72 is one millimeter larger by its stated case size than the 42mm S70, while both 47mm models are listed at 454 × 454. Resolution alone does not establish that one display is brighter, clearer or easier to read outdoors. Garmin Connect IQ compatible devices

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Should an S70 owner upgrade?

Base the decision on features you will actually use and the price difference where you live. Garmin’s U.S. launch announcement lists S72 suggested retail prices starting at $799.99, but the available information here does not establish a current S70 street price or a live price gap. Check current local prices before deciding.

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Rank #3
Garmin Approach® S44, Golf GPS Smartwatch, 43mm, Black
  • Slim design with a stunning 1.2” color AMOLED display that brings 43,000+ preloaded courses to life on your wrist
  • Get distance to the front, middle and back of the green and navigate bunkers, water hazards and layups with hazard view
  • Pair with optional Approach CT1 or CT10 club trackers (sold separately) for shot-tracking capabilities, so you have a clearer picture of which parts of your game to focus on
  • Easily keep score as you play, and upload to the Garmin Golf smartphone app for advanced stat tracking and handicap calculation
  • Leave your phone in the cart and get smart notifications sent to your wrist — including emails, texts and alerts when paired with your iPhone or Android smartphone

The S72 is a stronger fit if…

  • You want the announced on-wrist swing metrics or driving-range logging as part of practice.
  • You would use round reviews that include biometric trends or putting analytics in the Garmin Golf app.
  • You play a course supported for green reading and consider an active Garmin Golf Membership worthwhile.
  • You would use the speaker and microphone or flashlight away from the course.

Keeping the S70 is reasonable if…

  • Its existing golf features already meet your needs.
  • The S72 additions do not justify the price difference you would pay.

This is a launch-stage comparison based on Garmin’s published feature information, not a hands-on assessment or independent S72-versus-S70 test. No comparative evidence here establishes improved GPS or sensor accuracy, longer battery life, or better golf scores.

Best Value
Garmin Approach® S70, Premium GPS Golf Smartwatch, 47mm, Black
  • Stunning 1.4” AMOLED display brings more than 43,000 preloaded full-color CourseView maps to life on your wrist
  • Look good on and off the course with a lightweight, stylish design and ceramic bezel
  • Battery life: up to 16 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode
  • Enhanced golf course maps allow you to see intricate details with the ability to pan and zoom for narrowing in on your target distance
  • Improved virtual caddie feature shows your shot dispersion data and suggests a club based on a variety of factors, including your historical swing data, elevation, wind speed, wind direction and more
Rank #4
Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch, Full-Color CourseView Maps AMOLED Display, Advanced Shot Execution & Putt Alignment, Immersive Golfing Experience w/Signature Stand Power Bundle
  • THIS BUNDLE CONTAINS: 1 Garmin Approach S70 Golf Smartwatch | Full-Color CourseView Maps | High-Quality AMOLED Display | Advanced Shot Execution & Putt Alignment | Immersive Golfing Experience + 1 Signature Series Watch Stand with Charging Cable + 1 Signature Series 5000mAh Portable Power Bank with Wall Charger and Car Plug Adapter
  • ADVANCED COURSE MAPPING AND DISPLAY: Elevate your golfing experience with over 43,000 full-color CourseView maps directly accessible on your wrist. Our 1.2” AMOLED display offers exceptional detail and color depth, bringing the fairways, hazards, and greens to life like never before. The additional functionality to pan and zoom gives you a comprehensive view of each hole, enabling strategic planning and accurate shot execution.
  • UPGRADED VIRTUAL CADDIE: Experience cutting-edge assistance with our enhanced virtual caddie feature. It analyses various factors like your historical swing data, wind speed, wind direction, and elevation to suggest the appropriate club for your shot. This advanced feature facilitates continuous learning, enabling you to adapt and improve your performance over successive rounds.
  • SUPERIOR PLAYSLIKE DISTANCE FEATURE: Reimagine your approach to distance calculation with our enhanced PlaysLike Distance feature. It takes into account uphill and downhill shots, trajectory, as well as external factors such as wind, temperature, and air pressure, providing you with the most precise distance calculations. Such comprehensive and accurate distance data aid in superior course strategy, resulting in improved performance and scores.
  • INNOVATIVE GREEN CONTOUR DATA: Enhance your approach on the greens with our exclusive green contour data. Gain detailed insights into the green's slope direction and severity on select courses, which could be the decisive factor between sinking or missing a putt. Understanding the topography of the green leads to better putt alignment and distance control, dramatically improving your chances of scoring.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.