How do I choose a GPS golf watch?
Why use a connected golf watch?
Découvrez tout ce que vous devez savoir et ce que vous devez rechercher avant d’acheter une montre de golf GPS. Les montres GPS de golf sont devenues très populaires ces dernières années grâce à l’évolution de la technologie des vêtements.
Today, many smart phone watches can also be used as golf GPS devices when connected to golf applications. Let's start by talking about the different functions installed on a wearable GPS golf watch.
We will then look at how they work, the legality of their use on the golf course, the prices charged and other important issues.
Why use a golf watch?
Looking for the best women's GPS golf watch on the market?
Watch technology has evolved considerably in recent years and GPS golf watches now offer an impressive amount of detailed information that could previously only be found on handheld devices.
Simplicity is the biggest advantage of a GPS watch, as you can quickly glance at your wrist when you reach the ball, rather than bothering with a rangefinder or GPS unit.
In general, women have to give up their looks if they want to have an exceptional golfing device on their wrist, as the majority of GPS watches have a rather massive and masculine appearance.
However, brands have improved the overall style and comfort to make the options attractive to both male and female players.
For women who lead an active lifestyle away from the golf course, many leading brands have launched watches that include fitness tracking functions.
What should I look for when buying a golf watch?
Here's a list of features that your GPS golf watch might include, but it's not a guarantee that it will.
Bear in mind that the more expensive watches generally come with more technology, as they are usually designed for professionals who want to monitor more advanced data than basic distances.
What features should you look for in a connected watch?
Depending on the golf watch you buy, it may have additional features included in an app. This can give you access to even more useful data, tools and resources to improve your golf game.
For example, Garmin Connect is the application you have access to with most Garmin Golf GPS watches. It provides access to additional features such as fitness data, swing data, scorecard analysis and access to an online forum where you can interact with others on the platform.
GPS golf watch and smartphone applications
- Basic information on distance
- Touching the target
- Follow-up distance for individual shot
- Preloaded golf courses
- Automatic route recognition
- Mapping the greens
- Manual pin setting
- Waterproof
- Swing analysis
- Scorecard
- Long-life battery
- Touch screen
- Ease of use
- Fitness monitoring
How does a GPS golf watch work?
A typical GPS system has the ability to track your exact location using technology that is usually pre-installed in your car, phone or, in this case, your GPS golf watch. According to Golf GPS Authority, GPS is an advanced technology originally used by the military, but has since been opened up to the public.
The GPS golf watch is designed to determine your exact position by sending signals that are picked up by GPS satellites to locate you on the golf course.
The data is sent back to the GPS watch and recalculated to show your exact position on a given hole. You can then tell the watch where you want to hit the ball by touching a spot on the screen, and it quickly calculates the distance to that point.
Not all GPS golf watches have this touch distance function, but they automatically calculate distances to the green, with most offering three distances: back, front and centre of the green. Some watches also show distances to obstacles and doglegs.
However, with advances in technology and a changing culture, the rules of golf have become more lenient and allow the use of GPS watches in certain competitive situations. At present, it is up to the local golf club or tournament host to decide whether or not they are permitted.
For example, junior and high school golf tournaments have begun to allow the use of GPS golf devices. College golf, which is regulated by the NCAA, has allowed limited use of rangefinders and GPS watches.
The rangefinders and GPS watches that are permitted for competitive play are generally the simplest, measuring distance only. You can obtain basic information such as the distance to the centre, front and back of the greens.
Equipment that is banned or prohibited for competitive play generally has the following characteristics:
- Reading slopes
- Weather conditions
- Wind measurement
- Swing analysis
- Club suggestions
Therefore, the choice of a GPS watch that you plan to use in competitive tournaments should be carefully inspected to ensure that it conforms to the types authorised by the USGA or any other relevant government body.
How much do GPS golf watches cost?
Now that we've covered the many features you'll find on a GPS golf watch, you're probably wondering how much it will cost you if you choose a more advanced golf watch rather than a basic watch with limited functionality.
The short answer is that price varies. You'll want to compare the features of watches from the same brand (Garmin, Bushnell, SkyCaddie), but also compare watch brands against each other. You can find a feature-packed GPS golf watch at an affordable price if that's your goal.
To give you a price range, there are affordable GPS golf watches costing less than 100 Euros, as well as more expensive watches costing more than 500 Euros.
What are the best Garmin golf watches?
Garmin is a well-known brand in the world of technology, and in recent years it has also entered the golf market. A brand synonymous with high-quality products, it is undoubtedly one of the best names when it comes to the best GPS golf devices on the market.
However, it doesn't just excel in GPS golf devices, but especially in the best GPS golf watches, with the company arguably the most recognised in this section of the market. With such a wide range of options, it can be difficult to find the right model for you.
- Garmin Approach S42. GPS Golf Watch.
- Garmin Approach S12 GPS Golf Watch.
- Garmin Approach S62 GPS Golf Watch.
- Garmin Approach S40 Golf GPS.
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