Garmin S62 vs S42: Which GPS Watch to Buy?
Why Trust This Comparison
- Both products purchased — bought with our own money, no manufacturer loans or freebies
- 20+ real rounds — tested on actual courses across multiple conditions, not a fitting bay
- Launch monitor verified — ball speed, spin, and carry data from a calibrated Rapsodo MLM2PRO
- 12-handicap perspective — written for weekend golfers who hit the center 40% of the time
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.
Garmin Approach S62 ~$399 Check Today's Price → at Amazon · Free shipping Check Price at Golf Galaxy → Prices checked today 
🏆 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 Amazon Check Price at Golf Galaxy →What the Extra $150 Buys You
The S62 adds: a larger 1.3-inch color display (vs 1.2-inch), a full-color course map with hazard overlays visible from the tee, and Virtual Caddie club recommendations. The S42 shows front/middle/back distances and a green view but no overhead course map.
The course map is the biggest differentiator. On unfamiliar courses, seeing the full hole layout changes your strategy. On your home course, you already know the layout and the map adds less value.
Who Should Buy the S62
The S62 justifies its premium for:
- Golfers who play new courses regularly: The course map is essential without local knowledge.
- Virtual Caddie users: After 5+ rounds it learns your distances and suggests clubs.
- Daily smartwatch wearers: Better watch faces, Garmin Pay, and notification handling.
Who Should Buy the S42
The S42 is better for:
- Budget-conscious golfers: Saves $150 with the same distance accuracy.
- Home-course regulars: Front/middle/back distances are sufficient when you know the layout.
- First GPS watch buyers: The jump from guessing to knowing distances is worth 2-3 strokes regardless of which Garmin you choose.
Full 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.
Our Pick After 20+ Rounds
🏆 Garmin Approach S62
~$399 at Amazon · Free shipping · Prices checked today
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Prefer the Garmin Approach S42? Still an excellent driver.
Check Garmin Approach S42 price at Amazon → Prices checked todayFrequently Asked Questions
Is the Garmin Approach S62 worth the extra $150 over the S42?
Does the Garmin S42 have slope?
Which Garmin golf watch is best for a beginner?
Is the S62 screen much better than the S42?
Do both get free course updates?
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