Pocket-sized Performance: The Garmin Approach G12 Review

Garmin’s Approach G-series products have always been among the best handheld GPS options. But, with the G12’s compact size, they’ve made possibly the most convenient device on the market.

In the modern pursuit of packing technology into the latest and best GPS units, it’s sometimes hard to stop chasing the new and work on improving what we already have. Garmin’s Approach G12 feels like something of a throwback device to the first days of handheld GPS devices in its simple offering.

Don’t let simplicity be a reason to discount the G12 though.

What the product lacks in innovation, it makes up for in reliable quality with enough features built in to keep all but the most demanding golfers happy, with improvements to quality-of-life and connectivity that make this a seamless and cost-effective way to enjoy your golf game further. But it’s not a perfect product yet…

Precision in the palm of my hands

There’s no doubt the G12 is small. At 0.9 inches (23mm in metric) across, the unit sits squarely in the palm of my hand. I don’t even have to close my fingers to wrap my hand around the device. If you’re built like Shaq this is already where you look at another product (I’d suggest Garmin’s Approach G80 for bigger hands).

That’s not to say that I don’t like the G12. It’s been fun to start walking over to my bag for a yardage from my Approach Z30 laser before realizing that I already have everything I need for measuring distance sitting in my pocket! I’ve also had to take the drastic action of using the clip that comes on the back of the unit to attach it to my belt – I’ve been confusing it with my ball marker and it’s not the best feeling when you throw your new GPS on the ground in a casual round.

Despite its size though, I’ve not had any trouble using the model. The numbers are clear to see and there’s something about the dexterity of buttons over the modern touchscreen that is still enjoyable. It makes me think of a PlayStation controller, or probably more accurately a Tamagotchi (if you’re of my generation).

Squeezing everything in

Effectively, this is a strapless Approach S12 watch. Like the S12, the G-series equivalent offers up to 43,000 preloaded golf courses without the need for an update. This is still valuable from start-up, as you can play from purchase with the lithium-ion battery giving 30 hours of life between charges. When you do need to add some juice back in, you’ll only need to spare about an hour for a full charge but, like we said, that’s for 30 hours of use so you can get away with a quick 15-20 minutes the morning of your round.

On the face of the model, which is a high resolution of 175×175 pixels on a sunlight-readable screen, you’re quickly presented with a loading bar as the G12 quickly finds an appropriate satellite, before being offered a choice of local courses. Once you’ve made your selection, you’ll pick a tee box and then that’s it, you’re ready.

It’s actually nice to not have to navigate menus or swipe through options again, and the same is true once you’re playing. Switching between holes is automatic so there isn’t a need to ever touch the device again until the end of your round, however, if you do want to, within two button pushes you’ll have a surprising amount of options.

Garmin’s smallest unit offers options for layup and hazard distances, a big numbers mode if you are struggling with the smaller screen, a digital scorecard to save even more pocket space, and GreenView with manual pin placement so you can have both accuracy and an overview of green shapes.

You can even connect the G12 to your phone with Bluetooth pairing and use it in conjunction with the Garmin Golf App (and a Garmin membership subscription) to get access to green contouring data, although this is charged at £8.99 per month or £89.99 per year.

Out on the course

Using the product has been a piece of cake. As we spoke about, this really is a buy-it-and-go unit. I took this out of the box for the first time on the opening hole of my round and was using it for yardages within three minutes.

You’re hard-pressed to find that with all the many apps and connections needed with other units on the market, including from Garmin’s own catalog of options. I really have enjoyed having the G12 in hand and I think it earns its place in the Approach lineup.

However, I will admit that my time with it has had two issues. The first is entirely on me. Because of the experience I’ve had with some of the best models on the market, I missed having some of my missing options, in particular the PlaysLike distance offered in my normal Approach S70.

True, the G12 is there to fit in with a price point and works as an entry-level device to GPS units. But knowing that my yardages factor in wind, slope, and even barometric pressure for total trust, it’s hard to go back to the basics of the handheld.

The second part of my issue with the unit is the size. It works incredibly well for that size, but as I mentioned, it’s fallen out of my pocket too many times for me to stop worrying about where it is. There’s been more than one occasion where I’ve had to backtrack down the fairway to locate the little black circle, making me all-to-aware of the shots from the group following in behind me.

Final Conclusion

There’s not a big fanfare to go with the G12. It’s not a $3,000 GPS watch, it doesn’t demand that you make it known what you’re using and how much you paid.

This is just a solidly made, reasonably priced GPS unit and my few gripes with it are maybe more related to my previous experiences than to do with the product itself.

If you’re looking to begin your journey into the world of distance-measuring devices for a reasonable price point though, the Garmin Approach G12 should be at the top of your list for both ergonomics and the quality that a Garmin purchase virtually guarantees.

About the author

Lewis Daff

Lewis joined the Today’s Golfer digital team in 2024, having spent more than a decade in both big-box golf retail and independent stores working as a club fitter and builder.

Experienced with every level of golfer, from beginner to professional, he has achieved Master Fitter and Builder status with most major manufacturers, including Mizuno, Taylormade, and Callaway, helping him to cement both a wide and deep knowledge base, ideal for helping guide golfers towards the correct equipment for them. Lewis specializes in Clubs, Shafts, Training Aids, Launch Monitors and Grips.

In Lewis’ bag is Titleist GT3 Driver (9º) with Fujikura Ventus Black, TaylorMade SIM Max Fairway Woods (15º and 18º), Wilson Staff D9 Forged 3-iron, Srixon ZX7 MKii Irons (4-PW), Titleist SM9 Wedges (52º, 60º), Toulon San Diego Putter, and Titleist ProV1X Left Dash.

Talk to Lewis about why steel shafts are now dead and graphite is the only way forward, or any other equipment you’d like to debate, via his email, Twitter, or Instagram.

RRP: £129.99 / $149.99

Finishes: All-Black Construction

Display: 0.9" Diameter, 175 x 175 pixels

Waterproof: Yes, IPX7

Battery: Up to 30 Hours GPS

Charger: USB

Connectivity: Bluetooth, with smartphone compatibility