Garmin Approach S60 Review – Is It Worth It?
Garmin is establishing itself as the industry standard in their goal to becoming the best golf GPS watch brand on the market. The Garmin Approach S60 is packed with the latest and greatest golf technology that will have techies watering at the mouth on the tee box. Read on for my full Garmin Approach S60 review.
Garmin has undoubtedly upped the golf watch game. Golf GPS watches are not just rangefinders anymore. They’re complete golfing aids that are crucial to improving your game.
Garmin S60 Review
The Garmin S60 (SP) boasts an impressive list of features that many will try and replicate. But beware, if you came here expecting the latest and greatest golf watch at a bargain, well, you’re in the wrong place. The S60 wont come cheap, but is it worth it? Read on to find out.
The Garmin S60 provides one of the most detailed yardage info available on a golf GPS watch. It’s high resolutions color display presents the yardage and hazard info clearer than any other watch.
SkyView Hole Layout
You get a sky-view image of the green and it’s exact shape, a really nice touch that can be overlooked on other watches.
The Garmin Approach S60 (SP) allows you to move the flagstick around the green to get a more accurate pin position, using a clever drag and drop touchscreen technology.
I think this is important, especially if you play on some links courses that have very large greens. A lot of courses nowadays provide golfers with pin location maps, so you can move your flagstick around your Garmin S60 to get your accurate yardage.
Excellent Hazard Info
One of the key areas where Golf GPS watches fail to deliver is providing hazard information easily. With some watches, even the best golf GPS watches, it can take endless button clicks and messing with functions, taking 5 minutes and then pissing off your playing partners.
There’s a solution to this, and it’s the Garmin Approach S60 (Amazon Link) The S60 clearly displays the yardages to hazard info such as bunkers, drains, water hazards. It will also give you layup info for Par 5’s and Dog legs.
No Subscriptions Required
The Garmin Approach S60 comes loaded with 40,000 courses from around the world that updates for you for free, so need to worry about course changes or dated information.
You will not be charged a subscription fee for updates and new course information like you do for some handheld GPS devices. Once you arrive at the golf course, the Garmin S60 will pick up your golf course automatically within seconds.
High Resolution Display
When doing my Garmin Approach S60 review, I was amazed at the screen quality. The S60 is equipped with a really nice 240 x 240 pixels high resolution color display.
The extra pixels add to the clarity making the 30.5mm display more than adequate to clearly display your golf GPS information.
Sometimes golf watches can be hard to read in sunlight, but the S60 comes with a sunlight readable face. Personally I hate when there’s a glare on the watch, so this is a nice feature in my opinion.
Customisable
The S60 Watch is so customisable; It’s probably one of it’s standout features. You can can download different apps, watch face styles and change the watch straps.
You can really transform this watch into your own and suit your very own style. I love this, changing the watch faces and bands. You can change up the style of your watch completely peaking your interest in the watch once again and prevent you from getting board of the same style.
You can change from a sporty silicon band maybe for golfing or running to a fancy leather strap perfect for business attire.
Battery Life
Another pitfall for golf GPS watches is the poor battery life. On GPS mode, many watches will get through about 1 -2 rounds of golf.
The S60 battery probably is not the best out there, but 10 hours on GPS mode about 2.5 rounds of golf. I can live with that, especially if its standard mode last up to 10 days. It’s easy to charge, just like a smartphone.
Post Round Analysis
One of the biggest advantages of a golf GPS watch over a laser rangefinder is the post round analysis capabilities they provide. Garmin have put a lot of effort into their analysis software.
The S60 can be paired with your Garmin TruSwing. The TruSwing uses sensor metrics to see to track your swing tempo, speed, club-path measurements, critical club angles and more. this info can be viewed on your Garmin S60. This info can also be uploaded to the Garmin Connect Smartphone application.
Using Garmin Connect you can simply upload your golf scores for post round analysis. The shot tracker abilities of this watch are truly amazing. It automatically records the location and distance of each detected shot and uploads it to the user’s Garmin Connect account for post-round analysis. I
It’s swing tracking is very sensitive and precise, knowing what are practice swings and golf shots. This allows you to review your game post golf and analyse your golf and pin point where you need to improve on.
Everyday Smartwatch
The Garmin Approach S60 (SP )is far more than golf a golf GPS watch. It is also a fantastic smartwatch.
You can use this daily as a regular smartwatch and pair it with your phone via Bluetooth. You can receive all your calls, texts and emails and even check the weather for golf through your Garmin Approach S60.
The watch face is not too large or chunky which fits really well on your wrist. It’s not too big like some other GPS watches like the Shot Scope V2.
The Garmin S60 (Amazon Link) is also a fitness tracker. Garmin boasts a large list of features such as Step counter, Auto goal (learns your activity level and assigns a daily step goal), calories burned, sleep monitor. It also comes loaded with outdoor activities like running, cycling, rowing, and swimming.
Garmin Approach S60 Price
Ok, having read the majority of my Garmin S60 Review, you already know it’s probably the best golf GPS watch you can buy.
But, at what cost?
How much does the Garmin S60 Cost? Right now you can pick up the S60 for around $335, which is actually quiet good.
The S60 has come down a lot in price recently, most likely due to a new model coming out soon.
For $335, the S60 isn’t that badly priced when you consider the technology and performance this amazing watch offers.
Pros
- Stylish watch
- Comfortable
- Customisable (digital watch faces, mobile apps, quick fit straps, etc)
- Various features such as AutoShot, Quick Touch Yardages, Swing tempo, and post round analysis of each hole.
- Excellent standalone smartwatch you can use daily
Cons
- Expensive compared to other watches
- Takes time to learn all the features
- Battery life isn’t great (but it’s packed with features to be fair)
Garmin S60 Review Final Thoughts
If you are serious about golf , you need this watch. The S60 is the best golf GPS watch currently available on the market. It will not disappoint.
Garmin watches continue to surprise me by the features they provide. The S60 is not just one of the best golf GPS watches, it’s one of the best fitness watches available. When you consider the price of fitness watches these days being priced at well over $500, the S60 is a bargain.
The improvements it can make to your golf game and lifestyle make this a solid investment. No other watch on the market can compete with the S60’s technology and performance.
I hope my Garmin Approach S60 Review gives you enough info to make an informed decision.
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