5 Reasons Not to Buy the New Garmin Approach G20

Alright, I’ve got to admit… When I first heard Garmin was making a solar-powered golf GPS, I wasn’t sure whether to be impressed… or just confused.I mean, do we really need a golf GPS that charges from the sun? Is this genius or just overkill? Well, after testing the new Garmin Approach G20 Solar out on the course, I’ve got some thoughts. And while there’s a lot to like, it’s definitely not the right fit for everyone. When I think about all the things golfers forget on their way to the course, the one that gets people more often than anything is battery life.Dead rangefinder. Dead GPS watch. Or my favorite. You realize on hole 4 that your device is on 2 percent. And by the back nine, you’re flying blind. That’s where the G20 comes in. 

The idea of a GPS device that basically powers itself forever? Pretty tempting. Especially if you don’t want to mess with cables or remember one more thing before a round. But with that convenience comes trade-offs. Some of them are small. Some of them are kind of big. So today, I’m breaking down five reasons you might not want to buy the Garmin G20, even if it sounds like the most convenient GPS ever made. Some of these reasons might be deal-breakers for you. Some might not bother you at all. But either way, by the end of this video, you’ll know if this is the right device for your game, or if you’re better off going with something else. Here’s what you need to know.

Alright, guys, let’s start with the big one: The G20 costs $300.

That’s double the price of what you can find with two of its most likely alternatives, the Garmin G12 and the Bushnell Phantom 3. You can pick up either of those handheld GPS devices for around $150.

And here’s the kicker: All three devices do almost the exact same thing.

You get front/middle/back yardages. You get basic green shapes. You get hazard and layup distances. And you get a magnetic clip or cart mount.

Now sure, the G20 is solar-powered. And I’ll admit, the solar charging is super slick. It really is cool that you can get a device like this that you’re literally never going to have to worry about charging because the sun will take care of that for you.

But, guys, is that feature alone really worth paying twice as much?

Especially when the G12 is smaller, lighter, and gives you the same yardages?

The G20 is very well-built. And it performs great. Look, it’s a Garmin. What would you expect?

All I’m saying is that the G12, which is also a Garmin, and the Bushnell Phantom 3 might make more sense. They aren’t quite as feature-rich as the G20, but for half the price, they get pretty darn close.

Plus, both of these devices especially the Phantom 3 are easier to carry. They’re lighter, flatter, and sit on a cart or bag a bit more discreetly.

And here’s the thing with the Phantom 3: It even has slope-adjusted yardages, which the G20 doesn’t. That’s something we’ll touch on in a second, but it’s worth noting here.

All that said, the solar feature is really cool. But man, it better to be to justify that extra $150.

Let’s talk size.

The G20 definitely isn’t huge. It’s only 3.5 inches tall and just over 2 inches wide.

But when you compare it, again, to options like the Garmin G12 or Bushnell Phantom 3, the G20 is definitely the biggest.

Now, for some people that’s totally fine. And a lot of people are going to use the built-in magnet (which is an awesome feature of the G20) to just attach it to their cart, so a little bigger size won’t matter much.

But if you’re a pocket user, someone who likes to keep your GPS in your shorts or pants while you walk, this thing can feel a little clunky compared to some of the competition.

That might be a dealbreaker for some golfers.

So before you hit “buy,” ask yourself how you plan to carry the Garmin G20. If you want something more discreet or lighter, the G12 or Phantom 3 are definitely easier to stash and forget about.

This one is kind of a head-scratcher.

The Garmin G20 costs $300, but it doesn’t offer slope-adjusted distances—something that’s becoming more and more standard, even on GPS units.

The Bushnell Phantom 3, which costs half as much, does give you slope-adjusted yardages.

And Garmin already offers slope on several of their watches, so it’s not like they can’t do it.

I get it: with the built-in solar functionality, Garmin had to look for places to keep costs down and the price competitive. But I just want you to understand some of the functionality you’re giving up in exchange for that solar feature.

If you’re going to spend $300 on a handheld GPS, I think it’s fair to expect more than just flat yardage.

So if slope is important to you, this might not be the right fit.

I’ve tested slope-adjusted distances on multiple devices, and once you start using it, it’s hard to go back. Especially if you play hilly courses, or travel somewhere with elevation.

Getting plays-like yardage that factors in elevation can help your club with more confidence.

It’s a little frustrating that a $300 GPS doesn’t offer something we’re now seeing in some budget devices.

So I don’t know. You’ve definitely got to keep this in mind if you’re the type of golfer who likes to know how far up or downhill the shot is playing.

Let’s talk about the display.

The screen on the G20 is not a touchscreen. It’s monochrome, meaning no color. And it’s operated entirely by buttons.

Now, in some ways, that’s a good thing. The screen is super readable even in bright sunlight, and the button navigation is really fast and intuitive.

But for $300, some golfers are going to be disappointed by how basic the interface is.

There are no detailed hole maps. There’s no full-color graphics. There’s no fancy zoom or visual flyovers like you get with higher-end Garmin watches or the Garmin G80, their premium color touchscreen handheld.

Instead, you get a straight-line layout of hazards and layups—similar to what you’d see on Garin’s entry-level devices like the S12 watch or G12 handheld.

The G20 is functional, sure. And it’s fast. Accurate too.

Guys, I’m not saying the G20 isn’t good at what it does.

But if you’re looking for visual detail or a more interactive experience, this isn’t it.

For the same price, a Garmin Approach S44 golf watch gives you color graphics a gorgeous AMOLED screen, and even some lifestyle tracking features.

The G20, by comparison, almost feels a little bit outdated even though it’s brand new.

Here’s a thought: If you’re already spending $300 on the G20… why not just go a little further and get a Garmin G80?

For $499, the G80 gives you:

• Full-color, detailed hole maps

• Touchscreen navigation

• A much larger display

• And, oh yeah… it also works as a basic launch monitor!

That means you can use it on the range to get ball speed, swing tempo, estimated carry distance, and a couple other basic data points.

Sure, it’s not a GCQuad or anything. But it’s still an awesome little bonus, and a much more feature-rich device overall than the G20.

So yeah, the G20 is simple. And that’s part of its charm.

But if you’re already spending $300, it might be worth considering a device that gives you a lot more for just $200 more.

I know not everyone wants to drop $500 on a golf GPS. But if you’re already near the $300 mark, I think it’s worth pausing to consider.

The G80 is a bigger commitment, for sure. But you’re getting a whole lot more versatility.

If you’re super into tech, the value-per-feature jump from the G20 to the G80 is honestly kind of huge.

But then again, if you like tech, you’re going to be intrigued by this solar-powered feature in the G20. It’s the only one that I know of, which is pretty cool.

Would you buy the Garmin Approach G20? Or would you rather save your money and charge your GPS like the rest of us? And if there’s another popular golf product you want the real take on, rather than just the hype, let me know. There’s a good chance I’ve used it. And even if I really like it, like I do the G20, there are always counterpoints to be made.