Find the flag from anywhere on the course with the Best GPS Golf Watches in 2025
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The complete guide to the best golf watches available in 2025
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If you haven’t got yourself a golf watch already, it may be time to consider one. A GPS watch is now one of the best investments you can make for your golf game, and you don’t even have to change your swing! The best golf watches don’t just offer distances to help you improve your scores, though!
It may not seem like much, but knowing your distances to the hole can be vital in improving your scores on the course. The recent advances in technology mean the world’s best golf GPS devices can be like having a caddie by your side.
The now dizzying array of features available in GPS devices can take the strain out of much of the game we love. Golf is hard enough as it is, so if you have a device that calculates the true distance to the hole, taking account of uphill or downhill shots, why not take advantage of technology?
The best golf launch monitors allow you to take advantage of the latest technology off the course too, with portable devices you can use on the range at home, which give you all your yardages to help match up your game on the course.
If you aren’t a fan of wearing or playing in a golf watch, then it may be worth checking out our guide on the best golf rangefinders, which give you the most precise measurements to the pin.
Best GPS Golf Watches: At a glance
Best overall: Garmin Approach S70 GPS watch | VIEW OFFER
Best for screen quality: Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra LTE smartwatch | VIEW OFFER
Best for design: Garmin MARQ Gen 2 Carbon Golfer smartwatch | VIEW OFFER
Best premium model: TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 smartwatch | VIEW OFFER
Best value for money: Garmin Approach S12 GPS watch | VIEW OFFER
Best for shot tracking: Shot Scope X5 GPS watch | VIEW OFFER
Best for course collection: Garmin Approach S44 GPS watch | VIEW OFFER
Best for battery life: Garmin Fēnix 8 Solar GPS watch | VIEW OFFER
Best for user-friendliness: Bushnell Ion Elite GPS watch | VIEW OFFER
Best golf watches 2025
The lightweight, premium golf watch that does it all
Best Overall GPS Watch
This all looks great, and it is, but the main use of the watch is golf, and this is where the S70 excels. With more than 43,000 preloaded courses, it's going to be harder to find a course that the watch doesn't work on than one that does.
The touchscreen AMOLED display is super easy to read and is up there with the best I've used, with the green and course views looking the way they do, they could be on the latest PGA TOUR game and you wouldn't question it.
The style of the watch makes a perfect partner for any outfit and is super comfortable, I didn't even know I was wearing it at one point.
For me, the yardage adjustment is a standout feature. A watch has always lacked the ability to adapt to its surroundings, but now it can. It considers the environmental changes and the elevation of the green for super-precise distances. With the green contour data, if you're good enough, it shows you the perfect place to land for the best results.
Read our full Garmin Approach S70 review
Pros
- Lightweight
- High-quality screen
- Great hole displays
- Works well on and off the course
Cons
- Takes a while to learn how to navigate
| Courses Available | 44,000+ |
| Battery life | 14 days in smartwatch mode and up to 15 hours in GPS mode |
| Screen size | 1.2" |
| Weight | 44g |
| Straps | 1 in the box, extra available to buy |
Crystal clear display from Samsung's premium smartwatch
To match the smartphone family releases, Samsung also offers a collection of pairable watches, including our selection here - the Galaxy Watch Ultra. The Ultra has earned its place as the best model for display quality because of its huge 1.5" screen, which features a 480 x 480 resolution and a 16M Color Depth.
While you do need to already own a Samsung mobile and download a Golf app, such as Hole19 or 18Birdies, to make this golf course viable, the screen size of the Galaxy Ultra watch means you won't regret the purchase with incredibly easy-to-read displays.
Pros
- Huge screen size
- Watch isn't too heavy despite the larger display
- Plenty of strap color and material options
Cons
- Doesn't come with golf pre-installed
- Android phones only
| Courses Available | App dependent |
| Battery life | Up to 100 Hours Normal Usage (Up to 48 in GPS) |
| Screen Size | 1.5 Inches |
| Weight | 60.5g |
| Straps | 4 |
Beautiful design for every occasion, including the golf course
The MARQ GPS watch is built for a multi-faceted lifestyle, the golfer who cares about his game but is equally at home on the ski slopes or exploring underwater reefs.
We're not going to deny the price; it's uncomfortable for most, but in all honesty, if you're looking at the cost, this watch isn't for you. If you like the features on offer, our Best Overall winner - the Garmin Approach S70 - has all the same features, but what you're buying here is a product that speaks to your personality and style.
From the technical standpoint, though, if you do decide this is the model for you, you'll have access to PlaysLike Distances, Green Contouring, Hazard View, Green View, and Club Data Tracking when playing the great game. Outside of golf, the MARQ Gen 2 can track your vitals, suggest workouts, advise on jet lag avoidance, and monitor your sleep patterns, among a million other stats and apps.
Read our full Garmin MARQ Gen2 Carbon watch review
Pros
- Beautiful, handcrafted finish
- A lifestyle watch, for beyond the golf course
- Comes with every feature Garmin Golf offers
Cons
- By far the most expensive GPS watch on the market
| Courses Available | 44,000 |
| Battery life | Up to 16 Days (28 hours in GPS mode) |
| Screen size | 1.2 Inches |
| Weight | 82g |
| Straps | 2 included |
The ultimate caddie for the golf course
Okay, it's still big money, we know that. But for those with a passion for watches and golf, TAG Heuer's stunning GPS smartwatch is one of the most stylish pieces on the market.
The go-to sports watch company has produced a highly effective on-course operator as well as a classic-looking TAG watch away from the course. You get 40,000 courses in stunning detail, plus an accelerometer and gyroscope function to record each shot to the nearest meter.
The grade two titanium casing ensures considerable durability, and the unique ceramic golf bezel is just a great touch, in keeping with other special edition watches TAG have brought out.
Pros
- Beautiful styling from an exceptional brand
- Very responsive user interface
- Available with an additional cost steel strap
Cons
- Most GPS watches are available at a lower price
| Courses Available | 40,000 |
| Battery life | 24 hours |
| Screen size | 3.5cm |
| Weight | N/A |
| Straps | Nine |
High-quality golf watch that is super user-friendly
Best Value for Money
Rrp: $199.99
Rrp: $199.99
The Approach S12 has a round 1.3" high-resolution display, which is sunlight readable and sports a big number display mode to make reading yardages easy when on the course. The watch has a remarkable battery life in GPS mode of up to 30 hours, making it easier than ever to play round after round without having to charge your watch.
The S12 comes with an outstanding 42,000 preloaded golf courses, and not only that, you can wirelessly update the courses you play most often to make sure you get the most out of your round.
Pros
- Simple and easy-to-use design
- High quality manufacturer guarantee
- Great value for money
Cons
- No real features for off-the-course
| Courses Available | 44,000 |
| Battery life | 30 hours |
| Screen size | 2.3cm |
| Weight | 34g |
| Straps | Three |
Takes shot tracking and off-course analysis to a new level
The X5 has a built-in step counter and accurate, real-time front, middle, and back distances to all greens, hazards, and doglegs, all on over 36,000 golf courses globally.
The watch features a glare-resistant full-color 1.2" touchscreen, which, along with the clear and large display, makes for an easy-to-navigate watch.
The X5 comes with a collection of 2nd Gen RFID tracking tags that, when put in the but of your grip, automatically track over 100 performance statistics, including Club Distances, Approaches, Short Game, Putting, Strokes Gained, and Handicap Benchmarking.
Read our full Shot Scope X5 GPS watch review
Pros
- AI performance
- Feels great on the wrist
- Great shot tracking and statistics
Cons
- Smartphone app can be tricky to navigate and keep on top of
| Courses Available | 36,000+ |
| Battery life | Two plus rounds |
| Screen size | 1.2" |
| Weight | 41g |
| Straps | Six |
Comfort, style, and ridiculous amounts of courses available
Best for Course Collection
What they excel at is making each generation of their products a smoother, easier-to-use improvement over their last iteration of the design.
The new Approach S44 is a great example of this at play. Compared to the previous Approach S42, the new S44 has the same display size, but now with a brighter AMOLED display with 390 x 390 pixels, over the previous 240 x 240 count.
The lens is now a harder Gorilla glass, meaning you're less likely to get breakages from accidents, and the memory has been increased from 64MB to a huge 4GB, meaning you can play more rounds without it slowing down the processing power over the years that you'll be using it.
Along with 44,000 courses now available, it's a seriously good watch at a great price that golfers shouldn't be ignoring.
Pros
- Garmin's massive collection of courses, without subscription
- Watch strap is very comfortable
- The bevel design doesn't get in the way when swinging
Cons
- 1.2" screen is slightly smaller than other watch options
| Courses Available | 44,000 |
| Battery Life | 15 Hours in GPS mode |
| Screen Size | 1.2-Inch AMOLED |
| Weight | 42.5g |
| Straps | Two |
Insane battery life from a multisport GPS watch
Best for Battery Life
Rrp: $1099.99
Rrp: $1099.99
Available in two different sizes - 47mm and 51mm - the fēnix 8 provides up to 30 days of life in regular power mode. While you can also get this length of time from the AMOLED version, the Solar edition features a 1.4" Power Sapphire solar-charging lens that can give another 18 days for a total of 48 days without a charge.
It's a ridiculously good battery life, able to sustain GPS mode for 149 hours, so you can go from the course to the bicycle to the running track without stopping for anything - although if you do feel the urge to play more than six days of continuous golf, you can do that too!
The only minor letdown is that to get the maximum amount of battery life, you'll need to go with the larger, more expensive 51mm version over the 47mm, but that extra size is what allows for the improved quality.
Pros
- Outstanding battery life
- Works across multiple sports
- Ideal for anyone who wants a full lifestyle watch
Cons
- Best battery life is only available in the largest screen size
| Courses Available | 44,000+ |
| Battery life | Up to 30 Days (48 with Solar) |
| Screen size | 35.56mm (1.4 Inches) |
| Weight | 95g |
| Straps | Two |
Simplify the game with Bushnell's one-button wonder
While there are additional features if you want to make use of it, including Bushnell App Bluetooth connectivity and a Shot Distance Calculator designed to help you track your club distances, the ION Elite excels in keeping it's interface easy to read, bringing the pick-up-and-play functionality to the forefront for the golfer who wants the benefits of technology but doesn't want to be overwhelmed.
Bushnell's latest model offers Auto-Course Recognition, Auto-Hole Advance, and Dynamic Green Mapping (meaning it gives you yardages to the front and back of the green that are on your line of play) means beyond turning the watch on and starting your round, you barely need to touch the watch.
Speaking of touch, there's a single on/off button as well as touchscreen simplicity for navigation, meaning there's a minimal amount to confuse, too.
Pros
- Intuitive and simple design for navigation
- Only has a power button and touchscreen
- Slope feature is easy to understand
Cons
- You don't get much cross-functionality
| Courses Available | 38,000 |
| Battery life | 12+ hours |
| Screen size | 1.28" |
| Weight | 38g |
| Straps | Two |
Amazon GPS Watch Deals
Reliable technology in an easy-to-use package
We like the TW353, one of the more basic models in the collection, for the combination of easy-to-use configuration as well as the number of colour options available for you to personalise the GPS watch with, for your own pleasure.
Coupling this is a USB-rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which offers up to 11 hours of GPS use as well as 60 days of regular watch function, meaning you aren't always in need of a charge before you plan on playing.
Pros
- An outstanding price for great technology
- Good battery life for a rechargeable unit
- Multiple color options for personal style
Cons
- Smaller than other models
- Not quite as many courses as a premium model
| Courses Available | 41,000 |
| Battery Life | 11 Hours |
| Screen Size | 0.9 Inches |
| Weight | 41.9g |
| Straps | Four |
Perfect for a golfer who wants simplicity and a user-friendly design
Amazon Affordable Deals
The important stuff – distance to the front/centre/back of greens plus yardages to hazards is easily accessible, although, unfortunately, the Ult-G is not a touchscreen watch. There are just four buttons required to fulfill its potential, and the battery life matches most of its more expensive golf watch competitors.
This is a USB rechargeable model of GPS watch as well, so you'll save on the cost of batteries. Just remember that you'll need to put the TecTecTec on charge every other round to make sure you aren't caught with battery while on the course.
Pros
- Super friendly
- Accurate
- Clear yardages
Cons
- No touchscreen
| Courses Available | 38,000 |
| Battery life | 2.5 rounds |
| Screen size | 2.4 Inches |
| Weight | 181g |
| Straps | One |
Golf Watches: Buying Guide
Is the Apple Watch good for golf?
The ultimate companion for day-to-day life on and off the golf course
For a start, you'll need to use a third-party app like Golfshot or 18Birdies. Most of the Apple Watch golf apps are paid for or involve some kind of subscription to get the full service. You'll also need your phone to be involved in the process of playing golf, usually at the start and end of the round.
Some of the apps will actually be taking the yardages from your phone and displaying them on your watch, which isn't particularly helpful unless your bag is right next to you. If you're on the tee and your bag is 10 yards away, your watch could be displaying completely the wrong yardage.
If you have an Apple Watch and don't want to buy a second watch purely for golf, then it can and will do a job for you. But if you're choosing the best golf watch from everything available, the Apple Watch would be some way down the list.
There's also the fact that the Apple Watch can do so much – calls, emails, social media, fitness tracking, etc., etc. – that it will tend to interrupt your golf unless you remember to turn everything else off before your round.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Great display
- Easy to use
Cons
- Only compatible with Apple products
- Can only use Golf GPS apps
| Courses Available | App-dependent |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 Hours |
| Screen Size | 42-46mm |
| Weight | 29.3-34.4g |
| Straps | 20+ |
Best Golf Watches: Buying Guide
Price
No matter what the price, there is a GPS watch out there for everybody. Whether you are a golfer who wants a simpler budget watch for £100 or less, or a golfer who has the money to buy an ultra-premium model such as the TAG Heuer or even the Garmin MARQ Carbon, there will be a GPS watch on the market in your price range.
Ease of use
When buying a GPS watch, you need to think about what is important to you, there are many GPS watches on the market that will give you the yardages to the front, back, and middle of the green, as that’s about all some people want. However, there are watches out there which offer much more complex and detailed maps of the hole, locations of hazards, and track your shots. So it’s important to make sure you know what you want out of your watch, as nowadays they do much more than just tell a golfer the yardage.
Course collection size
For a club golfer who plays at their home course week in and week out, this may not be a worry for you, although it may be worth checking whether you play is one of the preloaded courses. For golfers who like to travel around and play an array of golf courses, getting a watch getting a Garmin or a GOLFBUDDY, which has over 40,000 courses, may be better for you.
Accuracy
Modern golf watches are becoming increasingly accurate, most to within one or two yards. The ShotScope V3 claims an accuracy of 30cm, which will be close enough for even the most accurate golfers. And the Bushnell ION ELITE now features Bushnell’s very own slope technology, making their watch even more precise as it accounts for how much higher or lower you are to the pin.
Battery life
When looking at a GPS’s battery life, you’ll need to consider your golf life and what best suits the amount you play. If you play once a week, most watches will be fine, whereas if you play three to four times a week, you may want something that will last without charging it every night, like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active2 or the Garmin Approach S12.
Design
You have to love the look of what watch you’re wearing, and it needs to feel comfortable on your wrist at the same time. Many brands now make models that golfers can wear on and off the golf course, as they do most things a day-to-day smartwatch does, as well as tell you your yardage. There are a range of different models in the above sections, which vary in styling, so you should be able to find one that caters to your needs.
Screen quality
The more money you spend, the better the display you’re going to get with a GPS watch. Most watches over £250 have a full-color screen, some have an even better display. Take the Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro Golf Edition, for example, which has an AMOLED display that stumps most televisions.
Golf watch – pros and cons
Pros:
Quick and convenient – Golf watches are the quickest to use of the three options; simply glance down at your wrist, and you have all the information you need.
Stat-tracking – Most golf watches now offer some form of stat-tracking, which can be hugely useful to help you work out the strengths and weaknesses in your game, as well as reliable information on how far you hit each club in your bag.
Overhead hole views – Some of the more advanced golf GPS watches can give you a bird’s-eye view of the hole, which helps you plot your shots and play smart shots to avoid hazards.
Cons:
Feeling on the wrist – Some golfers don’t like the feeling of a golf watch on their wrist when they play and therefore prefer a laser rangefinder or handheld GPS. Most modern golf watches aren’t overly bulky, so this won’t be an issue for many people, but it’s a personal preference.
Not as accurate as lasers – Golf GPS watches are very accurate, but if you want the absolute most accurate yardage to the flag possible, a golf laser rangefinder is the way to go.
Battery – Most of the best golf watches will last you two 18-hole rounds of golf on one charge, but if you’re on a golf holiday and forget your charger, there’s nothing you can do. The majority of golf lasers use replaceable batteries rather than rechargeable ones and will last for months, if not years, without needing to be replaced.
Golf watches: FAQs
Is a golf watch worth it?
Golf watches are one of the best investments in golf and are certainly worth it. Whether you want something affordable or you want to splash the cash, there is something for every golfer on the market. Thanks to the advances in technology, watches can now provide a vast amount of data that will help improve your game.
Watches can show you hazards and distances to doglegs, they can also follow patterns in your game and show you what clubs you were hitting the last time you played the hole, and recommend a shot. They have come on leaps and bounds in recent years and are now more than just a gadget with yardages on.
What is the easiest golf watch to use?
If you’re looking for a watch that is simple to navigate and easy to use, it’d be good to go with a watch such as the Garmin Approach S12 GPS or TecTecTec Ult-G watch as they’re both simplistic, they show clear and obvious yardages, and when you get to the course they need to be turned on, select the course and the watch will do the rest. There are some more features on each watch, but if you want something that’s good to go minutes before the tee time, these are great options.
How do I choose a golf watch?
When choosing a golf watch, there are many factors to consider, and the ones that best suit you’re golf game should be a top priority. Every golfer will be slightly different as they may have a certain style or budget in mind that they want. When choosing, consider these factors: price, ease of use, course collection size, accuracy, battery life, design, and screen quality.
Can smartwatches be used as golf watches?
Yes, with the GPS capabilities of smartwatches nowadays, most will be compatible with golf GPS apps on both Android and IOS. So whether you have an Apple, Samsung, HUAWEI, or any other of your favorite brands, they will all have certain apps like Golfshot or 18Birdies to help you on the course.
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Best golf watches 2025
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The best GPS golf watches.
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The Apple Watch can be used for golf.
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Apple Watch Series 8.
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The Best GPS Golf Watches
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Bushnell ION Elite GPS watch.
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Bushnell ION Edge GPS golf watch.
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Canmore TW-410 G watch scorecard
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Canmore TW-410 G watch yardages
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Canmore TW-410G GPS watch.
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Garmin S62 GPS golf watch.
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Garmin Approach S70 GPS watch.
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Garmin MARQ 2 Golfer Watch green view
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Garmin MARQ 2 Golfer Watch Tempo Trainer
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Garmin MARQ 2 Golfer Watch Clock face
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Garmin MARQ 2 Golfer Watch yardages
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Garmin MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) watch.
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Garmin S12 course locator
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Garmin S12 clock face
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Garmin S12 yardages
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Garmin S12 bunker view
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Garmin S12 layup view
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Garmin S12 yardages from tee
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Garmin S42 GPS golf watch.
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Garmin S42 Watch green view
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Garmin S42 Watch bunker view
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Garmin S42 Watch layup view
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Garmin S42 Watch scorecard
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Garmin S42 Watch yardages
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Garmin S62 Watch Digital Clock
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Garmin S62 Watch Clock Face
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Garmin S62 Watch with CT10 Trackers
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Garmin S62 Watch yardage from tee
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Garmin S62 Watch
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Garmin Approach S62 golf watch
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Garmin S70 Watch Digital Clock
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Garmin S70 Watch Yardages
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Garmin S70 Watch Ring Door Bell Notification
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Garmin S70 Watch Yardages in the Fairway
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Garmin S70 Watch Green View
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Garmin S70 Watch Hazard View
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Garmin S70 Watch Slope Reading
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GOLFBUDDY Aim W11 golf watch.
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GolfBuddy Aim W10 golf watch
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Samsung Galaxy Active 2 GPS watch.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch5 Pro Golf edition.
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The Shot Scope G5 watch hazard view.
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The Shot Scope G5 watch layup view.
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The Shot Scope G5 watch showing the yardage to the hole.
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The Shot Scope G5 watch clock face.
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SkyCaddie LX5C GPS watch.
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The Tag Heuer Connected Golf Edition watch.
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TecTecTec ULT G GPS watch.
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Voice Caddie T8 GPS watch.
