Golf watches have become an increasingly popular accessory for golfers looking to improve their game. These specialty timepieces are designed specifically with golfers in mind, offering a range of helpful features to provide valuable insight and feedback during play. In this article, we’ll explore what golf watches are, how they can help your game, the pros and cons, and whether investing in one is worthwhile.
Golf watches are timepieces built for use on the golf course. They go beyond simply telling time, integrating sensors and technology to track critical golf data like yardage, shot distance, and greens info. Most golf watches utilize GPS to pinpoint the wearer’s precise location on a course and calculate distances to hazards, landing areas, and the green. Some higher-end models even factor in elevation changes for uphill and downhill shots.
How Golf Watches Can Help Improve Your Game
For many golfers, inconsistency stems from guessing yardages and misjudging distances on the course. Golf watches eliminate the guesswork by providing you with exact numbers to locks and targets. This allows you to confidently select the right club and execute the optimal shot shape and strength. Features like digital scorecards also alleviate the need to remember specific hole scores and totals. The watch tracks it for you, letting you concentrate on your play. GPS course maps further help visualize strategy and position. For golfers striving to improve their swing mechanics, the sensors in golf watches can monitor your tempo, speed, and angles. Studying this data after a round can reveal flaws to work on and good habits to ingrain.
In addition to GPS yardages, golf watches can also display data such as:
- Scorekeeping features to track your strokes per hole
- Swing tempo and speed metrics to analyze your mechanics
- Virtual course maps to visualize holes and hazards
- Stat tracking to review performance over time
By consolidating this information on your wrist, golf watches aim to help players strategize, gauge distances better, and improve their shots.
Pros of Golf Watches
- Convenience – Data is readily accessible on your wrist throughout the round. No more guessing distances or losing scorecards.
- Accuracy – GPS and sensors precisely measure yardages, shots, and mechanics. Guessing is eliminated.
- Feedback – Metrics and stats give immediate feedback to instill better habits.
- Satisfaction – Performing better and honing your game provides immense satisfaction.
- Portability – Compact and lightweight, you can take your golf watch anywhere.
Cons of Golf Watches
- Battery Life – GPS usage drains batteries faster, requiring more frequent charging.
- Durability – Exposure to heat, water, and shocks can damage watches.
- Distraction – An over-reliance on data could detract from your natural feel and focus.
- Learning Curve – Interpreting all the statistics and features takes time.
Should You Use A Golf Watch?
For golfers serious about improvement, a golf watch is an extremely valuable tool providing immediate insights that would be otherwise unavailable. The wealth of information allows you to analyze each shot build a better mental picture of your overall game. This leads to smarter course management strategies and more consistent mechanics.
However, golf watches are not necessary to play well. Some old school players prefer to rely purely on experience and instincts. If you are satisfied with your performance and improvement, a golf watch may be an unnecessary expense. That said, the benefits are substantial, and most who invest in the technology see meaningful long-term improvement.
Top 3 Ladies Golf Watches
Best Budget: CANMORE TW353 Golf GPS Watch
The Canmore TW353 provides solid basic GPS distances and shot tracking at an affordable price point. The high-contrast LCD display is easy to read on the course. However, the monochrome screen and lack of comprehensive features put it a tier below top-of-the-line golf watch models. For budget-focused golfers, it’s a worthwhile option, but it fails to match premium offerings in aesthetics, versatility and longevity.
Pros
Cons
Best Mid Range: Garmin Approach S12 Easy-to-Use GPS Golf Watch
The Garmin Approach S12 provides a solid mid-range golf GPS watch with excellent course visibility and distances to key points. The long battery life, comfortable fit, and Garmin brand reputation are advantages. However, the monochrome display and inability to tweak yardages to account for conditions hold it back from being a top-tier model. It’s a great lightweight option for basic GPS distances.
Pros
Cons
Best Premium: Garmin Approach S42 Womens Golf GPS Watch
The Garmin S42 provides a stylish, feature-packed option tailored for female golfers. The design, activity tracking, and smartwatch integration are clear advantages. However, the high price, potential distractions from notifications, and lack of robust swing metrics keep it from being a perfect golf watch. For women seeking an integrated golf and smartwatch, it’s a great choice.
Pros
Cons
Conclusion
Golf watches utilize GPS, sensors, and smart design to give golfers a treasure trove of data both during and after play. This information builds valuable awareness of distances, mechanics, and strategy that can shave strokes off your score. While a golf watch is an added expense, the benefits boost golf skills and satisfaction for those willing to incorporate the technology into their game. Choose your favourite design and added features and take it with you on the course!