If you want better onboard music storage
Choose Garmin Fenix 8. It scores 4.7 vs 1.5 for onboard music storage, with a 4.0 overall score.
Garmin Approach S62 Review
Bottom Line
Choose the Garmin Approach S62 if you want premium golf GPS maps, strong battery life, shot tracking and useful course tools in a daily wearable. Skip it if price, sleeker smartwatch features, calls or simpler yardages matter more.
Best for
Best for serious golfers who want accurate GPS yardages, rich hazard and hole maps, scoring, shot data, and a watch they can also wear for fitness. It especially fits users willing to manage Garmin Golf data after rounds.
Not for
Not for casual golfers who only want front-middle-back yardages, people who need Apple Watch-level apps and calls, or users who dislike manual score and club data cleanup.
Verdict
Reviewers describe the Garmin Approach S62 as a premium golf-first watch that earns much of its reputation through accurate GPS yardages, rich hazard and hole mapping, useful scoring, strong battery life, and enough fitness features to stay on the wrist beyond a round. The main tradeoff is that its best golf tools reward engaged users who are willing to enter clubs, manage score data, and learn the interface. Virtual Caddie and shot tracking can be genuinely helpful, but they are not flawless, especially with inconsistent swings, chips, putts, or limited data. As a smartwatch, it is capable but not as polished as Apple Watch-style devices for calls, app choice, notifications, or display quality.
Current model
Garmin Approach S70
View current model
Product generations
Garmin Approach- Garmin Approach S44
- Garmin Approach S50
- Garmin Approach S62This product
- Garmin Approach S70
Feature Scorecards
Summary
49 reviewed features-
Very positive 4.5-5.08 (16%)
-
Positive 3.5-4.427 (55%)
-
Neutral 2.5-3.47 (14%)
-
Negative 1.5-2.47 (14%)
Pros highlights
-
Mapping and navigation were major strengths, especially hazard views, hole maps, PinPointer, layup targeting, and on-watch course planning.
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Value for money was context-dependent: reviewers praised value for serious golfers using all features, but questioned the price for basic yardages or casual play.
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Battery life was one of the clearest strengths, with repeated praise for multiple rounds, long GPS use, and minimal charging needs.
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Automatic shot and activity detection was usually praised, but reviewers noted manual club entry and missed chips or putts kept it from being fully automatic.
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Smartwatch features were a major strength overall, though one reviewer felt the S62 lacked Apple Watch-style quality-of-life polish.
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Display quality was usually praised for color, size, and clarity, with some caveats versus Apple Watch-level display quality.
Cons highlights
-
Coaching features were divisive: some praised Virtual Caddie, PinPointer, and wind-adjusted suggestions, while others distrusted the caddie or found early recommendations inaccurate.
-
Smartphone notifications were useful for staying off the phone, but iPhone notification control was criticized as too limited.
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Size options and sizing were a caveat, with reviewers noting the thicker profile and 47mm case could suit some wrists better than others.
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Contactless payments were useful in principle, but bank compatibility limitations made Garmin Pay less compelling for one UK-focused reviewer.
Compared With Category Average
Compared with other Smartwatches, this product is above average in mapping and navigation, cross-platform compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, near average in display quality, wellness insights, below average in health tracking accuracy, heart rate accuracy, voice assistant quality.
Comparison summary
49 compared features-
Above average 0.4+ pts higher14 (29%)
-
Same as average within 0.3 pts22 (45%)
-
Below average 0.4+ pts lower13 (27%)
Largest category differences
| Attribute | This product | Category average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| health tracking accuracy | 1.8 | 3.9 | -2.2 |
| heart rate accuracy | 1.8 | 3.9 | -2.1 |
| voice assistant quality | 1.5 | 3.1 | -1.6 |
| onboard music storage | 1.5 | 3.0 | -1.5 |
| operating system experience | 2.5 | 3.9 | -1.4 |
| charging convenience | 2.0 | 3.3 | -1.3 |
| third-party app support | 2.0 | 3.2 | -1.2 |
| mapping and navigation | 4.3 | 3.4 | +0.9 |
Consider This Instead
If you want better value for money
Choose Amazfit Bip 6. It scores 4.7 vs 3.8 for value for money, with a 3.7 overall score.
If you want better display quality
Choose Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2). It scores 4.7 vs 4.1 for display quality, with a 4.2 overall score.
If you want better music controls
Choose TicWatch Pro 5. It scores 4.6 vs 2.5 for music controls, with a 4.0 overall score.
Compared in Reviews
Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.
- Better: display quality The S62 display is judged behind Apple Watch-level screen quality.
- Compared: premium golf GPS functionality at lower price The S62 is framed as comparable to TAG Heuer's golf edition while being more affordable.
Apple Watch 5
- Cheaper: wearable price The review notes the S62 costs more than Apple Watch 5 while still preferring Garmin for daily wrist use.
FAQ
Is the Garmin Approach S62 accurate for golf yardages?
Yes. Multiple reviewers compared its GPS distances with lasers, rangefinders, or on-course expectations and found them accurate or spot on.
How good is the battery life?
Battery life is one of the strongest areas. Reviewers repeatedly described multiple rounds between charges and praised the long GPS and smartwatch-mode endurance.
Is Virtual Caddie worth using?
It can be useful, especially once enough club data is collected, but reviewers were mixed. Some found it impressive, while others distrusted it or found early recommendations inaccurate.
Does the S62 work well as an everyday smartwatch?
It works well enough for notifications, fitness, Garmin Pay, and daily wear, but reviewers said it is not as polished as Apple Watch-style devices for apps, calls, display quality, or notification control.
Are shot tracking and score tracking fully automatic?
No. Long shots and shot distances can be tracked automatically, but several reviewers noted that chips, putts, club selection, and score details often require manual entry or cleanup.
Who gets the most value from the S62?
Serious golfers who will use the maps, hazard views, shot data, Virtual Caddie, and fitness features get the most value. Casual golfers who only need basic yardages may find the price hard to justify.
Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed
These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.
Video Reviews
YouTube - GolfMagic
- Review score
- 4.2
YouTube - Golf Guy Reviews
- Review score
- 2.9
Article Reviews
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