2019 GPS BUYERS GUIDE
Are you only scratching the surface of your golf potential? Perhaps course management is what’s keeping you from the top of your game. It might be time to consider using a GPS device. GPS devices provide visuals of the course and are another tool in your arsenal to help you gather information before every shot.
While handheld options are still plentiful, more than ever before, GPS devices are available in wristwatch form and are equipped with extra features that keep track of your everyday activities. Not only can you find your way around the golf course, but you can also track how many steps it took and how many calories you burned along the way. So, even if you shoot in the 90s at least you know you hit your 10,000 steps for the day.
With all those options, finding the right GPS to fit your needs can be a bit overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We put the top GPS devices on the market to the test to ensure you have the best information available when it comes time to buy.
Whether you’re looking to buy a GPS today, some buying advice to get started, or just want a closer look at what’s on the market right now, this guide will help you find the right device to fit your needs.
How We Test
We're here to help you find the perfect Golf GPS to fit your needs.
To do that, we employ a thorough and fully independent testing process that leaves no feature unexplored, no detail unchecked, and no stone unturned.
Our Metrics
Golf GPS's are tested head to head using rigorous protocols.
The metrics we consider when rating travel bags include Display, Features, Functionality, Accuracy.
FEATURES THAT MATTER TO YOU
Display
Size and clarity of the display are essential for providing the best possible overview of any given hole. The best GPS devices tend to have digital or LCD displays with touch screen technology.
Features
Today’s GPS devices not only have color screens and visuals of the hole, but some have lifestyle/everyday plug-ins as part of the standard feature set. That means you can ditch your smartwatch because your golf watch offers things like step and fitness trackers, stopwatches, and more. Having the functionality of multiple devices rolled into one unit makes life that much simpler.
Functionality
The majority of GPS units on the market today have 10,000+ course layouts preloaded and immediately available. There are GPS devices that require you to download the courses which can take extra time and become frustrating. The best performing units also have a simple but easy to use layout to ensure you get the best experience when using your GPSÂ device.
EXPERT TIP - Don't Sweat Accuracy
All GPS devices use the same satellites to calculate the distance to targets, so there's almost no difference in accuracy from brand to brand. Readings are typically within one or two yards of each other. For that reason, accuracy is significantly less of a consideration than most any other category we test. Instead, focus on features and functionality. That's where the real differences lie.
2019 GPS Features Chart
| Name | Courses | Game Tracking | Lifestyle Tracking | Hole Mapping | Battery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Bushnell ion2 Check Price | 36,000+ | Y | Y | APP | 12 Hour |
 | Bushnell Phantom Check Price | 36,000+ | Y | N | APP | 10 Hours |
 | Casio WSD-F30 Check Price | 41,000+ | Y | Y | APP | 10 Hours |
 | Garmin Approach G80 Check Price | 41,000+ | Y | N | Y | 15 Hours |
 | Garmin Approach S60 Check Price | 41,000+ | Y | Y | Y | 10 Hours |
 | Golf Buddy aimW10 Check Price | 40,000+ | Y | Y | Y | 13 Hour |
 | IZZO Swami 5000 Check Price | 30,000+ | Y | N | N | 12 Hours |
 | SkyCaddie SX500 Check Price | 35,000+ | Y | N | Y | 14 Hours |
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT - The Watch That Has Everything
The Casio WSD-F30 is for the golfer who wants a feature-rich where the Golf GPS is the added component. Its impressive touchscreen makes moving between apps simple. The golf app provides accurate readings to the front, middle, and back of every green. With the touch of a button, the course management tools allow you to keep track of your round.
More Tips
- Some GPS devices can give you an inside scoop when you’re playing a new course. You can take advantage of devices that offer hole-by-hole mapping and visual layouts of potential traps.
- Most GPS watches are water-resistant.
- Some GPS watches can double as a smartwatch. They’re more expensive but they offer bonus features like step and fitness trackers as well as calendar apps etc.
2019 GPS Results
| Name | Display | Features | Functionality | Accuracy | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Approach S60 Check Price | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd | 1st | 94.5 |
| SkyCaddie SX500 Check Price | 1st | 5th | 1st | 1st | 92 |
| Bushnell ion2 Check Price | 6th | 3rd | 3rd | 1st | 91.5 |
| Garmin Approach G80 Check Price | 3rd | 4th | 3rd | 1st | 91 |
| Casio WSD-F30 Check Price | 7th | 1st | 8th | 1st | 90 |
| Golf Buddy aimW10 Check Price | 4th | 5th | 2nd | 1st | 90 |
| Bushnell Phantom Check Price | 4th | 7th | 3rd | 1st | 84.5 |
| IZZO Swami 5000 Check Price | 7th | 7th | 7th | 8th | 81.5 |
Why should I use a GPS device?
Q: Can golf watches fit both men and women?
A: Yes. Most watches have adjustable straps that fit every wrist size. If you have very small wrists, you can purchase separate straps.
Q: Why should I purchase a GPS unit rather than a rangefinder?
A: The deciding factor is often visuals. If you are a golfer that plays several different courses a year, you will encounter unfamiliar layouts. That’s where having a GPS with course layout displays is a huge benefit, and arguably an advantage over rangefinders. GPS models also give yardages to the front, middle and back of greens as well as fairway bunkers.
Q: Do golf watches have health features built-in for everyday use??
A: Certain GPS watches do have built-in features that keep track of your health on a day-to-day basis. Such features include pedometer, heart rate monitor, calories counter, distance walked and much more. Some watches can even fetch your text messages, phone calls, and check the weather.
bert pit
3 months agoSometimes a watch is better, I have the old Bushnell forr 4 years now, Works like a dream. Only on new courses a rangefinder is preferrable.
Two of my golfmates have a rangefinder now. Every hole costs two minutes extra. 18 holes means half an hour….
ITAv8t0r
3 months agoI have a Garmin GPS watch and use it for general numbers. I prefer using an app on my phone. It gives me a visual view of the hole, accurate distants, recommendations and stats on my play. It even maintains my handicap.
Would it be possible to get a review on some of the apps available for our phones?
mackdaddy
3 months agoI think the Garmin Z80 is the best gps because it a has a range finder built with a gps. It is absolutely awesome!!!
Bobtrumpet
3 months agoGood article from the US Government on GPS system accuracy:
https://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/performance/accuracy/
gdb99
3 months agoI use both a laser and GPS. Laser for approach shots, GPS to give yardages to hazards, layups, and hole layouts.
GPS’s are not for high handicappers!
Fred Power
3 months agoThat sounds a bit arrogant. We high handicappers like to know layouts, distance to hazards, bunkers, front/middle/back just in case we might hit a decent shot.
Mharr
3 months agoI am disappointed that you did not cover accuracy of course mapping. I believe Skycaddie is the only company that maps the courses themselves. Everyone else uses satellite maps and just marks front/middle/back of greens and hazards. Skycaddie marks the entire circumference of the green, bunkers and (where possible) hazards. So the front/middle/back yardages are for the line you are on.
For example, If you are in right rough or hitting over dog leg to back pin on a kidney-shaped green with bunker in the front part, you don’t want yardage to the front where you aren’t looking to go, you want what it takes to carry that bunker and front edge of green behind that bunker. Only Skycaddie gives that yardage.
GREG
3 months agoDon’t waste your time with GPS devices. I did for three years, battery would die with three holes to play despite being fully charged, the GPS would turn itself off then struggle to get a signal. Bit the bullet and bought a rangefinder from Sureshot. Locks in on the target, gives a pulse and bingo accurate to 1 yard. Even has a slope option. SURESHOT PINLOC 5000IPS – don’t leave home without one.
Jonathan_D
3 months agoThings have changed Greg. The battery in my Garmin Vivoactive3 has lasted for 36 holes in a day. I’ve dropped several strokes and saved plenty of time on the course using it vs having to pull out my phone or another device to get yardage.
TigerArmy
3 months agoNot a fan of GPS devices. They are just not accurate enough for a good golfer. Every test should include setting up a pole at the front, center and back of a green. Then get the correct yardages with a laser from differnt positions and distances and compare them with the GPS measurements. If within 2 yards I will buy one, otherwise just a gadget for 15+ handicappers.
TR1PTIK
3 months agoWhile I prefer the accuracy of a laser rangefinder, I do believe there is also a time and place for a good GPS unit like when line of sight is an issue. Dedicated GPS units certainly aren’t AS accurate as a laser, but they are still more than accurate enough for a wide range of handicaps. Another advantage of GPS devices (at least those that provide it) is the ability to see the shape and size of a green or hazard when playing a new course. I will dismiss them as some toy designed for higher handicaps.
Scoop
3 months agoThat’s why you don’t use GPS that uses satellite imagery. SkyCaddie is the only one that will give you real accuracy within a yard.
Dave S
3 months agoI’ve owned the S60 for now my second season and love it. I had a Bushnell Neo+ watch before that, which worked fine (front back middle distances only), but the Garmin is far superior, even if you’re just talking golf GPS and not all the other features it has (swing tempo trainer, fitness tracker etc).
The one qualm I have with this watch is the shot tracking feature. In theory, it’s supposed to detect when you’ve hit a ball, then track where you hit it by following you to the next shot, where it tracks again, etc. This only works well some of the time and unfortunatly, that’s just not good enough to be able to rely on it. Another gripe I have with this feature that makes it less attactive is that you MUST keep score to use it. Personally, I use The Grint for my score keeping (has many more stat options than Garmin) so it’s annoying that in order to get the shot tracking feature, I have to also enter a score on each hole. What if I want to just see where I hit my shots and track the average distance I’m hitting clubs? That would be very valuable in and of itself. To be honest, it seems like the golf app that accompanies this feature was kind of an afterthought for Garmin as it’s neither accurate nor intuitive to use.
This sounds like a poor review but even with these issues, it’s still an amazing watch if only using it for GPS. Secretly I’m hoping someone from Garmin reads this and fixes them 🙂
Some features I use a lot that I never thought I would:
– The blind shot pointer. Tells you the direction of the flag even if you can’t see it. This has come in handy many times on courses I don’t know well. Definitely has saved strokes.
– Shot distance tracker — even if you don’t use the full tracking I lamented about above, it still tells you after every shot you hit how far it went. Kinda cool when having long drive comps with friends.
Swiss_Danny
3 months agoI must say for me the shot tracking is pretty near perfect, you must wear it on your leading wrist though. If you switch off the detailed data it just asks for total score, putts and penalties per hole which is done on the touchscreen.
My main problem with the S60 is I find it really difficult to use to track layup and carry distances with the course layout screens, and this way a key feature for me.
saveva
3 months agocan you guys do GPS phone apps? I currently use golf pad that’s linked to my pebble watch (I have a samsung gear but prefer the always on display on the pebble). Thanks
Eric
Joey5Picks
3 months agoI use Skydroid (Skydroid.net). You can go online and mark whatever features you want (bunkers, trees, creeks, etc.) essentially making your own yardage book. The app costs $2 I think. Available for iPhone and Android.
Harry Nodwell
3 months agoSaveva,
The problem with phone apps is that there are so many golf GPS apps on the market, it would be hard to narrow them down and provide the best app. Having said that we have talked about it before and will continue to do so.
Max R
3 months agoYes, there are a number of phone apps. I use SwingU with their annual subscription. I find it fairly accurate and their support staff are fairly receptive to tech issues that require resolution. The paid service includes adjustment for elevation and wind. Distance is adjusted accordingly.
saveva
3 months agothere’s a lot of apps but it’s easy to sort them by # of downloads. so maybe just choose the 5 most popular ones?
Mharr
3 months agoThe biggest problem with phone apps is accuracy. There is a HUGE difference with GPS between cheap Android phones and quality Android or iPhones.
saveva
3 months agohmm, good point, however, perhaps they can just write a disclaimer, if they find an app that has the most accurate gps with a flagship phone than perhaps we can assume it will be the most accurate regardless of phone. So if you find your phone to have poor gps accuracy with what my golf spy claims as most accurate then you’ll know it’s your hardware not the software.
Paul
3 months agoWith so many options available as apps on phones, it makes me wonder why one would by a device for GPS? Golfshot, Skycaddie, etc all offer high quality options via smartphones. Maybe these watches are for folks that still have flip-phones….
GMD
3 months agoGreat survey…Thanks
Jared
3 months agoAny chance you guys would ever include the Apple Watch or iPhone apps as another sub category for future versions of this test. Would love to see which ones are worth the price and how they stack up
Spitfisher
3 months agoI play on a very hilly and undulating greens, being too low or high can really make a difference. There for I use a laser first, followed by a quick look to my tomtom golfer2 watch of where that pin actually is on a familiar green.
Many of the 3rd party watches like apple, or apple Iphones are pretty lame and inaccurate. The people I see using them seems to be futzing around with it. Complaining that their watch is close to dying due to power consumption of the GPS. Stick with the market leaders in the golf category.
Should I have to buy, I will seriously be looking at a Laser with GPS built in
@Minnegolfer
3 months agoLove the content! Very insightful. I’ve been using a laser range finder for about 6 years now but feel like having additional green/fairway information would be very benneficial. I have a few questions though: How long does the software typically last on the SkyCaddie SX500? Will updates be required or will more courses be added later on?
Thank you! Keep up the great UNBIASED work
Harry Nodwell
3 months agoHi @Minnegolfer,
The SkyCaddie SX500 software will last as long as you want it too. Just like an app on your smart phone. You do not have to update it if you don’t want to. If you want to update and add more courses around the country you can do just that.
Johnny Cowboy
3 months agoWhy didn’t you review (insert make/model here)!
BC
3 months agoAre these better than golf apps for android/apple?
Stephen
3 months agoI’m very disappointed that ShotScope was not included in this review.
While the stat tracking capabilities of ShotScope are the core feature most people want, it is also a watch based GPS system. In fact, it’s the GPS system I use when I play, so I would be curious if it’s as accurate as the rest of these systems.
At $159, ShotScope is $40 cheaper than the Bushnell you list as best value! I’m a big MGS fan, but this was a serious miss. Not your best work.
TR1PTIK
3 months agoShot Scope is a stat tracking system at it’s core with GPS functionality. The devices in this test are all GPS systems – some with stat tracking or fitness features built in. See the difference? I don’t think it’s really a miss.
Flemming Lerbaek
3 months agoNevertheless. Shot Scope in the far front of the other gps watches. So many features, great overview of the statistics and totally accurate GPS system down to putting and pin placement. And then you don’t have it in your test. Unbiased testing? I use golf gps almost every day and am super happy with it. I have used, among other things, Garmin and Golf Boddy previously, as well as dedicated gps-distance devices such as. Game Golf. Nothing comes close to Shot Scope in my opinion and experience.
Stephen
3 months agoTR1PTK. I’ve had the ShotScope for two years, so I do understand its core function. It’s also the only GPS device I’ve ever used. I was using an app before I bought it. ShotScope should have been included in this test, especially since it is hundreds of dollars less than some others and $40 cheaper than the winner of best value.
Miss. Lol.
Ernest
3 months agoSTEPHEN – I completely agree. Althought ShotScope has some faults, it should have certainly been considered and included in this test. I’ve had it for 2 years and rely on it for TRUE yardages to the Front, Middle (everyone can get that right), and Back…from where I am.
Additionally, GPS are superior to Range Finders, especially if there is a monster tree in your line of sight, or you are playing a dog-leg and you want to know yards to the greenside bunker.
Shot Scope does all that for you.
B.Boston
3 months agoNice info! I’m finally coming around to getting a GPS watch of some kind. Id like it to have some game tracking on it. How does something like the S60 compare to an Apple Watch or Shot Scope v2?
I still feel like the shot scope looks too big, maybe a v3 will be smaller.
for the Apple watch vs S60 is there much difference between the tracking you’d get from the s60 vs many of the apps available for the apple watch?
Swiss_Danny
3 months agoIt think this is a key point. Stat tracking is where it’s at, and although Garmin does offer sensors they are expensive and dont get good reviews, and I dont see Garmin being committed to the back-end dashboard that is key for shot tracking feedback. Garmin tend to sell on features, that dont get properly supported because they are being all things to all people… the Garmin Golf App illustrates that its so clunky.