Our Verdict
Garmin S62 is the better golf watch. Apple Watch is the better smartwatch. If golf is the reason you are buying, the S62 wins on Virtual Caddie, course maps, hazard detection, and 20-hour golf battery. If you already own an Apple Watch, adding Golfshot ($30/year) is the cheapest way to get GPS golf — but the golf features are a tier below the Garmin.
Garmin Approach S62
- 42,000 course database preloaded
- Full-colour touchscreen with green view
- Automatic shot tracking & club suggestions
Prices change — click to see current price
The Garmin Approach S62 ($399) is a golf watch that doubles as a smartwatch. The Apple Watch ($399-$799) is a smartwatch that can add golf apps. We tested both over 15 rounds to determine which is actually better for weekend golfers.
| Feature | Garmin S62 | Apple Watch + Golfshot | Buy | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin Approach S62 BEST PICK | Best for Golf | ~$399 | 4.7/5 ★ | Virtual Caddie | ~$399 → |
| Apple Watch + Golfshot | Best Smartwatch | ~$429+/yr | 3.8/5 Golf | Basic GPS | — |
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Before diving into details, here is the quick overview. The Garmin leads in every golf-specific category. The Apple Watch leads in every smartwatch category. The question is which set of priorities matters more to you.
GPS Accuracy and Course Maps
The Garmin S62 has 42,000 courses preloaded with full-color hole maps showing fairway shape, bunker positions, water hazards, and out-of-bounds lines. Green View lets you drag the pin to its actual position for precise approach yardages. Hazard distances pop up automatically as you approach them. The Apple Watch with Golfshot shows basic hole layouts and front/middle/back yardages. The maps are functional but not as detailed — no Green View pin dragging, no automatic hazard detection. You see distances but not the visual context that helps with course management. GPS accuracy is comparable — both are within 2-3 yards of each other on middle-of-green readings. The difference is in the information surrounding that number. The Garmin tells you the distance AND shows you what is between you and the green. The Apple Watch gives you the distance and leaves the rest to your eyes. Winner: Garmin S62 — the course maps and hazard detection are a tier above anything available on Apple Watch.
Shot Tracking and Performance Data
The Garmin S62 tracks shots using GPS position changes. You can manually tag clubs after each shot or let the watch auto-detect based on distance patterns. After 15 rounds, auto-detection was correct about 70% of the time. Post-round, shots sync to the Garmin Golf app with a full hole-by-hole shot map. The Apple Watch with Golfshot also tracks shots via GPS, but requires manual club input on every shot. The Arccos app on Apple Watch provides automatic tracking if you buy Arccos sensors ($179 + $99/year subscription). Without Arccos, Apple Watch shot tracking is entirely manual. The Garmin Golf app provides club averages, scoring trends, and basic strokes-gained data — all free, no subscription. Golfshot premium costs $30/year for full stat tracking. Arccos costs $99/year on top of sensor hardware. Winner: Garmin S62 — better built-in tracking with no subscription required. Apple Watch wins only if you add Arccos sensors, which adds $179 + $99/year to the cost.
Club Suggestions — Virtual Caddie vs Nothing
The Garmin S62 Virtual Caddie learns your actual distances over 5-10 rounds and suggests specific clubs for approach shots based on your data, wind, and elevation. In our testing, Virtual Caddie was right 68% of the time versus 52% for our own instincts. The Apple Watch has no equivalent feature. Golfshot does not suggest clubs. Arccos on Apple Watch offers club suggestions, but that requires the full Arccos system ($179 + $99/year). This is the single biggest differentiator. Virtual Caddie is included free with the S62 and genuinely improves club selection. Nothing on the Apple Watch ecosystem matches it without additional hardware and subscriptions. Winner: Garmin S62 — Virtual Caddie is free, effective, and unique.
Battery Life — The Dealbreaker
Garmin S62: 20 hours GPS golf mode (4 rounds per charge). 12-14 days smartwatch mode. Apple Watch: 6-8 hours with Golfshot running. 18-36 hours in normal use depending on model. This is where the Apple Watch fundamentally fails as a golf device. A single 4.5-hour round with Golfshot drains 55-70% of the battery. If you play 36 holes, your Apple Watch dies mid-round. The Garmin handles 4 full rounds without charging. For a device you wear daily, the Apple Watch needs nightly charging. The Garmin charges every 12-14 days. If you forget to charge the night before an early tee time, the Garmin still has battery. The Apple Watch is dead. Winner: Garmin S62 — not close. 20 hours vs 6-8 hours in golf mode.
Daily Smartwatch Use
This is the Apple Watch's domain. Full app ecosystem, Apple Pay, cellular connectivity, messaging, music streaming, health monitoring with ECG and blood oxygen, crash detection, and seamless integration with iPhone. The Garmin S62 handles notifications (view only, cannot reply), step tracking, heart rate, sleep tracking, and basic workout modes. It looks like a sport watch, not a fashion accessory. You cannot make calls, reply to messages, or use apps beyond Garmin's ecosystem. If you want one watch for life and golf, the Apple Watch is the better daily companion. If you are willing to wear a golf-specific watch, the Garmin delivers dramatically better golf features. Winner: Apple Watch — the better device for everything except golf.
Value Breakdown
Garmin S62 path: $399 one-time. All golf features included. No subscription. 3-year cost: $399. Apple Watch + Golfshot: $399-$799 (watch) + $30/year (Golfshot premium) + $0 (no hardware). 3-year cost: $489-$889. Apple Watch + Arccos: $399-$799 (watch) + $179 (sensors) + $99/year (subscription). 3-year cost: $875-$1,275. The Garmin is the cheapest path to the best golf features. The Apple Watch only makes financial sense if you already own one and add Golfshot for $30/year. Winner: Garmin S62 — best golf features at the lowest total cost.
Our Pick: Garmin S62 for Golf, Apple Watch for Everything Else
If you are buying a watch specifically for golf: Garmin S62. It wins on course maps, Virtual Caddie, shot tracking, battery life, and total cost. No Apple Watch configuration matches the S62 golf experience. If you already own an Apple Watch: add Golfshot for $30/year rather than buying a second watch. You get basic GPS golf for minimal cost. Upgrade to Arccos if you want club suggestions and strokes-gained data. If you want one watch for everything: this is the hard question. The Apple Watch is the better daily device. The Garmin is the better golf device. Most serious golfers we know end up wearing the Garmin on golf days and their regular watch the rest of the week.
⚖️ Affiliate link — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Apple Watch replace a Garmin for golf?
Does the Garmin S62 work as a daily smartwatch?
Is Arccos on Apple Watch as good as Garmin Virtual Caddie?
Which has better battery for golf?
Related Guides
🏢 More for Cubicle Golfers
You work 9-to-5. Golf is your weekend reset. These guides are built for your schedule.
Get the Free Golf Gear Buying Guide
The cheat sheet every weekend golfer needs before buying anything new. No spam, ever.
Browse All Guides →
