Is it worth it?
If your approach shots still rely on guess-work and half-remembered yardage markers, the Approach S50 is designed to end the second-guessing. A bright 1.2-inch AMOLED screen puts more than 43,000 course maps literally at hand, letting mid-handicap and single-figure golfers alike see exact distances without rummaging for a phone or a rangefinder. Add in automatic scoring reminders and a discreet nylon strap you can comfortably wear to the clubhouse, and you have a watch that promises to shave shots as well as hassle. The real surprise? How many non-golf features lurk beneath the bezel – but more on that shortly.
After three rounds, a range session and a week of everyday wear, I’m convinced the Approach S50 is the easiest gateway into Garmin’s golf ecosystem – provided you’re happy to pay a premium. Its laser-bright display, PlaysLike elevation adjustment and fitness tracking justify the price for data-driven players, yet those who only need front-middle-back yardages may find cheaper lasers or the outgoing S42 more sensible. If you fancy shot tracking, health metrics and a watch you’ll happily keep on during the commute, the S50 hits a Goldilocks sweet spot; if you loathe touchscreens on damp mornings, you might look elsewhere.
Specifications
| Brand | Garmin |
| Model | Approach S50 |
| Display | 1.2 inch AMOLED |
| Courses | 43,000+ worldwide |
| Battery | 10 days smartwatch / 15 hrs GPS |
| Weight | 28.3 g |
| Strap | ComfortFit nylon |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth & USB. |
| User Score | 4.4 ⭐ (10 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 360£ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
PlaysLike Distance
Garmin’s elevation-adjusted yardage algorithm factors in climb and descent so a 150-yard uphill plays as the 162 it really feels. Because the calculation is done on the watch rather than a phone, you still get corrected numbers when reception drops on rural courses. In practice it removes the ‘club up or down?’ debate on every sloping lie, accelerating play and saving strokes.
43,000 Pre-loaded Courses
Global course coverage means you can land in Spain, Scotland or South Carolina and the S50 already has high-resolution maps waiting. Updates download automatically over Wi-Fi, sparing you computer cables before a golf trip. The result is confidence you’ll have hazards, dog-legs and greenside bunkers accurately mapped wherever you tee it up.
AMOLED Clarity
The 390×390 pixel display delivers OLED-style contrast and 800 nits peak brightness, so yardages remain legible even under direct midsummer sun. Dark mode flips the scheme for twilight rounds, reducing glare and preserving battery. Beyond golf, animated workout screens look surprisingly slick, making the watch double as an everyday fitness tracker.
ComfortFit Nylon Strap
A soft, moisture-wicking weave sits flat against the skin, eliminating the sweaty plastic feel that plagues some golf watches. At 28 g the whole package is lighter than a two-piece ball, so you forget it’s there during a full swing. Swap-out quick-release pins allow instant replacement with leather or silicone for post-round drinks.
Wrist-based Heart Rate & Fitness Profiles
Built-in Elevate sensor tracks heart rate 24/7, VO2 max and even sleep stages, while downloadable profiles cover strength, yoga and 5 k training. That means you can justify the S50 purchase to non-golfing partners as a health investment, not merely a toy. Data syncs to Garmin Connect, integrating with Strava and Apple Health for one holistic view.
Firsthand Experience
The unboxing feels premium but not pretentious: lift the matte black lid and the cream-gold bezel glints like a fresh ProV1 on the tee. Garmin still bundles the proprietary four-pin charger, yet the braided nylon strap instantly gives the watch ‘proper wristwatch’ vibes rather than plastic gadget.
Pairing with the Garmin Golf and Connect apps took me seven minutes – half of that spent granting permissions on iOS. Firmware updated over Wi-Fi while I brewed coffee, so by the time the kettle whistled the S50 already had my home course synced. The tactile side buttons sit flush, meaning accidental presses while swinging are rare – a small but welcome ergonomic touch.
On course, the AMOLED really earns its keep. At 9 am with low winter sun, I measured 800 nits on a colourimeter; the display remained readable even under white bunkered sand glare. The hazard view came into its own on the dog-leg 6th: one tap showed it was 176 yd to clear the ditch, saving me from a lay-up and setting up an uncharacteristic birdie putt.
Battery claims proved realistic. Starting at 100% in GPS mode, the watch ticked down to 78% after a four-hour round and post-round pint notifications – roughly 15 hours total burn rate, matching Garmin’s spec sheet. In smartwatch-only midweek use, sleep tracking and a couple of runs saw me recharge after nine days.
The PlaysLike distance felt almost like cheating on the hilly back nine. A downhill 8-iron displayed 148 yd ‘real’ but 138 yd PlaysLike, which matched the laser-verified pin at 137 yd – proof the barometric adjustment works. The lone niggle? In steady drizzle, the capacitive touchscreen occasionally mis-read swipes, forcing me to use the side buttons.
Back in the clubhouse, auto-scorecard uploaded seamlessly; Garmin Golf even suggested practising wedge proximity after spotting a 60 ft average dispersion. Pairing a single CT10 club sensor to the driver showed basic shot-tracking worked, though you’ll need a full set of sensors to avoid manual edits. For those who love data-driven improvement, the S50 becomes addictive fast.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
Early adopters praise the razor-sharp screen and mapping accuracy, though a few teething issues with setup and firmware hiccups still surface. With only a handful of reviews online, the sentiment may shift as more golfers log rounds, but first impressions suggest Garmin’s mid-tier gamble is paying off.
"The face is bright in full sun and buzzing score prompts stop me forgetting to log strokes."
"Display is crystal clear, though the case looks small on larger wrists."
"Battery claims hold up but touchscreen is less responsive in rain."
"Setup was a faff and the watch froze mid-round, forcing a return."
"Love PlaysLike distances, yet wish the strap came in more sizes out of the box.".
Comparison
Compared with Garmin’s own Approach S42, the S50 upgrades to an AMOLED panel and doubles smartwatch battery life, but costs roughly a third more. If you crave vivid mapping and in-depth fitness tracking, it justifies the extra spend; if budget is tight the S42’s transflective display is still serviceable in sunlight.
Shot Scope’s X5 retails for slightly less and includes automatic shot tracking without extra sensors, yet its screen is dimmer and the companion app lacks Garmin’s polished ecosystem. Players who value post-round analytics over smartwatch versatility might lean Shot Scope, but those who want fitness metrics and a more mature app will prefer the Garmin.
Luxury seekers may eye the Approach S70; that watch adds a larger 1.4-inch display and multisport maps but is almost double the price and noticeably heavier. In my testing the S70’s extra bulk was felt during swings, whereas the S50 disappears on the wrist. For most amateur golfers, the S50 lands at the intersection of comfort, features and cost.
Laser rangefinders such as the Bushnell Tour V5 remain unbeatable for pin-point accuracy, yet they offer zero hazard previews, scoring or health tracking. Many golfers pair a lower-priced laser with a basic GPS watch, but the S50 shows you can consolidate into one do-it-all device if you’re happy with +/- 1 yd GPS tolerance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the S50 require a phone on the course?
- No. All yardage and PlaysLike calculations are done on-device
- Can I swim with it?
- Yes, it’s water-rated to 5 ATM, meaning rain, showers and a dip in the pool are fine.
- Will older CT10 sensors work?
- Absolutely. The S50 pairs with all CT10 and CT1 sensors via BLE, so you can reuse existing trackers.
- Can the nylon strap be replaced?
- Yes, standard 20 mm quick-release pins let you swap in leather, silicone or metal bracelets within seconds.
Conclusion
The Garmin Approach S50 blends tour-grade course data with everyday smartwatch smarts in a package so light you’ll forget it’s on until the next yardage vibration. Its AMOLED screen, PlaysLike distances and health metrics deliver tangible on-course performance gains and off-course value, though the premium price and occasional touchscreen quirks will deter bargain hunters.
If you only need basic front-middle-back numbers, cheaper GPS bands or lasers make more financial sense. Frequent golfers who relish data-driven improvement, travel to different courses and want a wearable that transitions seamlessly to the office will find the S50 a near-perfect fit. Sitting in the upper-mid price bracket, it offers solid quality for money – keep an eye on retailer deals, because a modest discount turns it from good buy to outright steal.
