Garmin Approach S62 vs S42: Which GPS Watch Should You Buy?
Who This Comparison Is For
The Garmin Approach S62 and S42 are the two most popular GPS golf watches in the Garmin lineup. The S62 is the premium model at ~$499. The S42 is the mid-range option at ~$349. Both give you front/middle/back yardages, hazard distances, and 42,000 preloaded courses. The question is whether the S62 extras — automatic shot detection, green contour mapping, and scoring — are worth the $150 premium for your game.
🏆 Winner: Garmin Approach S62
The S62 wins for golfers who want automatic shot tracking, green view mapping, and club recommendations. The S42 is the right choice if you just want GPS yardages without the extras.
~$399 Buy the winner → at AmazonFull Comparison: Garmin Approach S62 vs Garmin Approach S42
The S62 and S42 differ most in two areas: automatic shot tracking and green view mapping. The S62 automatically detects and records each shot, building round-by-round data that shows your average distances and patterns. The S42 has none of this — it is GPS yardages only. Green view mapping on the S62 shows the exact shape of each green with your position, helping you target pin positions more accurately. If you use a rangefinder for exact pin distances and just want wrist-based GPS, the S42 at $150 less is the smarter buy. If you want automatic shot logging and green mapping to improve your game over time, the S62 pays for itself in data.