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The Garmin Approach S72 is the better choice if you want golf GPS on your wrist alongside smartwatch, health and swing features. Choose a handheld such as the Approach G20 Solar if you would rather see distances on a dedicated, larger display that can attach to a cart or belt, with solar-assisted battery life. Neither is universally better: the decision comes down to how you want to use and carry your golf technology.
At a glance: wristwatch or dedicated handheld
| What matters | Approach S72 | Approach G20 Solar |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Golf smartwatch in 43 mm and 47 mm sizes | Dedicated handheld with a built-in cart magnet and belt clip |
| Display | AMOLED watch display | 2.2-inch high-contrast monochrome display with large numbers, designed for sunlight readability |
| Golf use | On-wrist swing metrics and golf biometric data; green reading, putting analytics and aerial imagery require an active Garmin Golf membership. Green contour data is available at select courses. | Front, middle and back green yardages, hazards, doglegs, manual pin placement and course maps |
| Beyond golf | Health and wellness tracking, voice-call capability, flashlight and activity profiles | Golf distances, course maps, scoring and weather information through a compatible-phone app connection |
| Battery claim | Up to 20 hours in golf activity mode; up to 16 days with GPS off | Garmin says battery life can be unlimited in continuous 75,000-lux conditions; up to 36 rounds without solar charging in sub-optimal conditions |
| U.S. launch suggested retail price | $799.99, announced October 6, 2026 | $299.99, announced January 21, 2025 |
These are Garmin’s published specifications and claims, not results from independent side-by-side testing. Launch suggested retail prices are not current street prices, and prices or availability may differ by region.
Choose the S72 if golf and daily smartwatch features belong on your wrist
The S72 combines golf guidance with everyday wearable functions. Its wrist format suits players who prefer to check information without carrying or mounting a separate device, and who will also use the watch for health tracking, activity profiles or other smartwatch features.
Garmin highlights on-wrist swing metrics and golf biometric data. Some of its more advanced golf information—green reading, putting analytics and aerial imagery—requires an active Garmin Golf membership. Green contour data also applies only at select courses, so check course coverage and membership terms before treating those features as part of your expected setup. Garmin’s October 2026 S72 announcement describes the watch’s features and its U.S. launch price.
#1 Best Overall
- Premium golf smartwatch features a lightweight titanium bezel, durable sapphire lens, ComfortFit fabric band, built-in flashlight, speaker and microphone
- Preloaded with 43,000+ full-color CourseView maps; option to get an enhanced view of the shot ahead with aerial imagery (requires a Garmin Golf membership)
- Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours of battery life in golf activity mode, so you can play round after round
- Look back on your round to see how heart rate affected your performance and start to see trends in how your biometric data and score relate (data presented is intended to be a close estimation of metrics tracked)
- Gain a better understanding of your swing during your range session and after your round with swing metrics, which include hand speed, backswing length, wrist rotation and more
Garmin rates the S72 for up to 20 hours in golf activity mode and up to 16 days with GPS off. Those are manufacturer figures, not a guarantee of runtime in every playing pattern or setting.
Choose the G20 Solar if you want a dedicated, easy-to-mount screen
The G20 Solar is purpose-built for golf rather than daily smartwatch use. Its 2.2-inch monochrome display uses large numbers and high contrast for sunlight readability. The built-in magnet and belt clip give you alternatives to wearing a watch, while front, middle and back green yardages, hazards and doglegs keep the main course information on the handheld.
Rank #2
- 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
It also supports manual pin placement and course maps. Garmin says wind speed and direction, along with device scoring, are available when the G20 Solar is synchronized with the Garmin Golf smartphone app; those functions therefore depend on the phone-app connection. Optional CT10 sensors can add automatic shot tracking, but they are sold separately. Garmin’s S72 owner’s manual identifies CT10 compatibility for tracking location, distance and club type.
Garmin describes G20 Solar battery life as unlimited only under continuous 75,000-lux conditions. For sub-optimal conditions, it claims up to 36 rounds without solar charging. Both are manufacturer claims; actual sunlight and use affect what a player can expect. The device launched in the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $299.99 in January 2025. See Garmin’s G20 Solar announcement for its stated display, battery assumptions and launch details.
Rank #3
- Stunning 1.2” color AMOLED display brings 43,000+ preloaded courses to life on your wrist
- Be comfortable on and off the course with the lightweight ComfortFit nylon strap
- Battery life: up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and up to 15 hours in GPS mode
- Get distance to the front, middle and back of the green and navigate bunkers, water hazards and layups with hazard view
- Playslike Distance feature tells you how far each shot truly is, with adjusted yardage for elevation changes
How to decide for your game
- Pick the S72 if wearing a golf device is more appealing than carrying one, and you value everyday health or smartwatch functions as well as golf information.
- Pick the G20 Solar if you prefer a dedicated distance display, want cart or belt mounting, or prioritize solar-assisted runtime over broader smartwatch features.
- Account for membership and accessories. S72 green-reading, putting analytics and aerial imagery require an active Garmin Golf membership; CT10 sensors are optional and sold separately.
- Check the price where you live. The cited U.S. figures are launch suggested retail prices, not a statement of current pricing in every market.
There is no independent head-to-head test establishing which device is more accurate, comfortable or readable in real play. Garmin’s Approach selector can help narrow Garmin golf-watch options, but the core choice remains wrist-based breadth versus a dedicated handheld interface.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Rank #4
- New round watch design with a high-resolution sunlight-readable display
- Battery life: up to 30 hours in GPS Mode
- More than 42,000 courses preloaded from around the world
- Keep score right on the watch and upload directly to the Garmin Golf app (when paired with a compatible smartphone) to participate in weekly leaderboards
- Automatically keep track of your score and how far you hit with each club with compatible Approach CT10 club tracking sensors (sold separately)
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.
