Garmin Approach S20 Golf Watch Review [March 2023]

Garmin Approach S20 Golf GPS Watch​

  • Auto-records Shot round analyzer
  • 40,000 worldwide courses
  • Pairs with Garmin TruSwing sensor
  • Combines elegant watchband design
  • CourseView feature automatically updates
  • Show notifications for incoming calls and other alerts

Golf has always been an amazing sport, and with the addition of technology, the game becomes even more interesting. As technology gets more advanced, there are many gadgets available to improve golf games. And above all, the technology used in golf games, the GPS devices are the excellent to have. It can be both a handheld device or GPS watches. 

However, golf watches are more convenient and easy to use. It provides the same information as a handheld device. 

This Garmin watch is one of the examples. It is considered the great option for golfers. Its sleek and stylish look makes it very appealing. It comes preloaded with 40,000 courses around the world. It can even track your steps, shot distances, scores, swings, and pretty much more things. 

The Garmin S20 is the ideal device as compared to other GPS watches due to its advanced system. So if you’re interested in improving your game, then S20 watch is the one for you. We have studied it and come up with an in-depth Garmin Approach S20 Review that lets you know how amazing it is to have at the golf course. 


Garmin Approach S20 Watch Review: First Impressions

Garmin Approach S20 Review

Garmin Approach S20 Golf Watch Specifications
Preloaded Courses40,000
Dimensions1.5” x 1.9” x 0.4”
Display size0.9″ x 0.9″
Screen resolution128 x 128 pixels
Display typeSunlight-readable, Monochrome
Weight1.5 oz (42.2 g)
BatteryRechargeable Lithium-ion
Battery life15hrs(GPS) / 8wks(watch)
Extra functionsOdometer, Alarm clock

Reasons To Buy

  • Comes with 64 MB of memory.
  • Stands up to 15 hours in GPS mode.
  • Bluetooth compatible.
  • Stylish and lightweight.
  • Affordable.
  • Clear and daylight-readable display.
  • Measure shot distances automatically.

Reasons To Avoid

  • No touchscreen.
  • Inconsistent operation. 
  • Complex for beginners. 

Garmin Approach S20 GPS Golf Watch: Detailed Specifications

Can you imagine what if you hold a watch that not only tells you the time but also provides you a measurement of the whole golf course on a mini display? 

This Garmin Approach S20 is capable of doing that. It comes equipped with various TruSwing features such as Swing Tempo, Swing Speed Face to Target, Dynamic Loft, Shaft Angle, and more. These features improve your swing consistency. Also, this watch lets you have a 40,000 worldwide course map to improve your game. There are many more features that you will enjoy with it. 

So let’s dive in and get familiar with each of them.

Design 

The look of the S20 watch is the same as other smartwatches, but not the performance. It comes equipped with advanced technology updates that make it a special watch for golf players. Its 0.9” x 0.9” (23 x 23 mm) display size with 37.4 x 47.6 x 11.3 mm actual dimension equipped with chemically strengthened glass lens and silicone strap makes it 1.5 oz weighted. Its screen is well constructed, which makes it easy to read even in bright sunlight. 

However, the combination of elegant design with a high-resolution display (128 x 128 pixels) and active tracking details makes it worth buying. It is a smartwatch that lets you receive notifications for calls, texts, and other alerts. All you have to do is connect it to your phone through Bluetooth. 

The Garmin Approach is the ideal watch for devoted golfers. It doubles your standard by its stylish look and smart feature. Further, it comes equipped with 40,000 worldwide courses plus automatic map updates. On the other hand, the Green screen display shows you the true shape and design of the green. With this location finder device, you can keep track of your scoreboard, shot distance and number of putts, too, through its fitness app. All you have to do is download the app and keep track and review your digital scorecard. 

Features 

As we mentioned above, this watch comes loaded with 40,000 global course maps that let you drive the game easily. The GPS recognizes the course you are near at and lets you know what to select. On each hole, the watch will tell you how far you are from the green, whether you are at the front, middle or back. 

Also, this smart GPS golf watch is Bluetooth compatible that lets you connect it with your phone. All you have to do is download the app (Garmin Golf app) to monitor your performance. This is a good and handy feature that helps you to deal with any hazard you face in the course. 

This navigational watch is great if you’re looking to upgrade your game. It has an in-built activity tracker and AutoShot round analyzer that tracks your daily run counts. And the AutoShot round analyzer automatically recognizes the shots on any club. This is a great feature you will enjoy once you use this watch. 

Other than this, the Garmin Approach S20 gives you all yardage details, including the bunkers, doglegs, lakes, and other hazards. With its large screen dimension, you will feel easy to use it and quickly see your performance data. 

Performance 

This GPS golf watch by Garmin is an ideal golf partner that helps in upgrading your game. This watch doesn’t have a touch screen feature, but its design and easy-to-use technology make it worthwhile. The S20 is not so slim and sleek but has a large screen that lets you monitor it even in bright sunlight. 

With this watch, you can look out for all the yardage positioning thanks to the Hazard yardage function. Also, with the help of 40,000 different golf course maps worldwide, you can enhance your performance. Amazingly, this watch doesn’t demand any subscription fee. 

It is a breathable and lightweight watch design to give golfers support while playing. The display feature permits you to view every golf hole. It helps you to show the true shape and layout of the green. However, you can manually turn the pin for an accurate shot. 

However, it is the easiest GPS watch to use. All you have to do is press the ‘OK’ button, select the ‘Start Round,’ and it takes 30 seconds to find where you are and what direction you’re not. You can even connect this direction finder watch to your phone with the help of Bluetooth, but to access the features, you have to download the Garmin Golf App on your phone. 

Battery Life 

With Approach S20, you will get Smartwatch mode for up to 8 weeks and GPS mode for up to 15 hours. It comes equipped with a long-lasting lithium battery to carry out your game without any interruption. 

Its 15 hours battery backup runs the watch on full navigational mode, which is 10 hours longer than its X40 model. And if you want to wear this watch daily to track your steps or show real-time and running detail, it will run upto 8 hours a week within recharge. Compared to other GPS watches available in the market, this one comes with a rechargeable battery that is an amazing feature. 


Final Verdict​

A watch that only tells you the time, can you imagine what if it shows you more than 30 thousand golf courses? S20 is the one that gives you 40,000 preloaded course worldwide. It is the smartwatch, a copy of apple in design but features amazing functions for your golf practice. 

This watch is highly popular among golfers due to its affordable price and excellent features. No matter how long you want to use it, it gives you 15 hours backup in GPS mode that many other watches fail to give. You can even pair this watch to your phone with Garmin Connect Mobile fitness app . It lets you upload and share that great round with your golfing buddies online.

Also the S20 is bluetooth compatible that never misses you out from your important calls, text, emails, and other alerts. Once you wear this route finder watch on your wrist you can easily control and analyze the course behaviour on its 128 x 128 pixels display.


Frequently Asked Questions​

1. Can you play music through Bluetooth with this watch?

No, while it is a clock, it will count steps. Its primary function is to indicate distance on a golf course.

2. Is Approach S20 worth a golf watch?

Yes, it is one of the reliable basic GPS golf watch on the market. It’s simple and straightforward design with seamless function makes it worth having. If you have a tight budget but still want a high-performance GPS watch, this Garmin Approach is the one. It is an affordable watch designed for golfers. 

3. How many functions does Garmin S20 hold?

The Garmin Approach is the basic GPS watch but is still regarded as one of the greatest golf watches due to its easy-to-use features. It comes with all the necessary features that a golfer looks for while buying a GPS watch. It includes – 

  • Hazard Yardage. 
  • Green View Display.
  • TruSwing Technology.
  • Bluetooth Features.
  • AutoShot Round Analyzer.
  • Activity Tracking Technology.
  • Garmin Connect Golf Community.
  • 40,000+ of preloaded Golf Course Coverage.
sharanpreet-kaur
Sharanpreet Kaur Maan

About the author

Sharanpreet Kaur is Senior Staff Writer reporting on AWL Golf. She believes in writing, learning, and acquiring knowledge. Writing fascinates her, and she develops and delivers content effectively and creatively. She believes humans can evolve different skills from the sport like leadership and team spirits. These certain kind of qualities helps to live in a highly ambitious community.
She works with passion and helps to teach people about making the right decision. When she’s not writing, she enjoys watching movies, hanging out with friends. As per her vision, daily acts of self-love and cares we all must apply in our life.