I've worn golf watches for the better part of a decade, and I'll be honest, most of them end up in my drawer after a few months. Either they're too clunky, the battery dies mid-round, or they just don't deliver on their promises. So when I strapped on the Garmin Approach S62 for the initial time, I was skeptical. Another $500 golf watch? Really? But after three months of wearing it both on and off the course, I have to admit this thing has completely changed how I approach my rounds (and my daily life, but we'll get to that).
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
Premium build quality features ceramic bezel, Gorilla Glass 3 lens, and lightweight 2.2-ounce design with clear 1.3-inch sunlight-readable display.
Exceptional battery life delivers 14 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours with GPS active, eliminating charging anxiety during rounds.
Advanced golf features include PlaysLike Distance elevation adjustment, 41,000+ preloaded courses, full-color CourseView maps, and manual shot tracking with analysis.
Comprehensive health tracking monitors heart rate, Body Battery energy, blood oxygen, stress levels, and sleep patterns that correlate with golf performance.
Best suited for dedicated golfers playing weekly who want data-driven game improvement, not recommended for casual or infrequent players.
Garmin Approach S62 Watch
Garmin Approach S62 combines advanced shot tracking with premium style for the ultimate golf experience.
Initial Impressions Matter More Than You Think
Right out of the box, the S62 feels different. The ceramic bezel caught my eye immediately; it's not the plastic you'd expect at this price point. The Gorilla Glass 3 lens gives it a premium feel that rivals watches costing twice as much. At 2.2 ounces, it's lighter than my old Fenix 6, but it doesn't feel cheap or flimsy. The 1.3-inch display is crisp and, more significantly, readable in direct sunlight (something my old TomTom could never manage). The watch measures 47 x 47 x 14.8 mm, which strikes the perfect balance between presence and wearability on the course. I remember standing in my living room, rotating it in the light, thinking, "Okay, they got the hardware right." But hardware is only half the story with a golf watch.
The GPS Accuracy That Actually Delivers
Let's talk about what matters most – distance accuracy. The S62 uses high-sensitivity GPS that locks onto satellites faster than any golf watch I've tested. I'm talking 10-15 seconds from the parking lot to having distances on screen. But here's where it gets interesting: the PlaysLike Distance feature. I play a hilly course in Northern California where elevation changes can add or subtract 10-15 yards easily. The S62 accounts for this automatically. Last week, I had 165 to the pin on our uphill par-3 8th hole. The watch showed 165 actual, 178 PlaysLike. I pulled a 5-iron instead of my usual 6, and stuck it to 8 feet. That's the kind of real-world performance that makes you trust a device.
The preloaded course database is vast, with over 41,000 courses worldwide. I've played some pretty obscure tracks, including a 9-hole executive course in the middle of nowhere, and it was there. The full-color CourseView maps show you exactly where hazards and doglegs are, which is clutch when you're playing a new course. I can see the bunker that's 230 out before I pull driver and make a stupid decision (though I still make plenty of those).
What really impressed me was the shot tracking. Yes, it's manual; you have to tell it which club you're using, but that takes two seconds. After your round, you can see every shot overlaid on the course map in the Garmin Connect app. It's like having a caddie taking notes, except this one doesn't judge you for that topped 3-wood.
Battery Life That Goes the Distance
I charge my phone every night. My laptop, every day. My old golf watch? Every three days, if I was lucky. The S62? I charged it when I got it three weeks ago, and it's still at 35%. Garmin claims 14 days in smartwatch mode, and from my experience, that's conservative. I've been wearing it daily, playing twice a week with GPS active (which supposedly only gives you 20 hours), and tracking workouts. The battery life is so good that I actually forgot where I put the proprietary charger (found it in my golf bag eventually).
This might not sound like a big deal until you're standing on the initial tee and realize your watch is dead. Or worse, it dies on the 14th hole, and you're playing a course you don't know. With the S62, battery anxiety just isn't a thing anymore. Plus, the watch withstands pressure equivalent to 50 m depth, so you don't have to worry about it during rain delays or if you're washing your hands at the turn. Even if you somehow forget to charge it for two weeks, a quick 15-minute charge while you're warming up will get you through the round.
Health Tracking That Actually Matters to Golfers
Here's something I didn't expect to care about: the health features. The wrist-based heart rate monitor, Body Battery energy tracking, and sleep monitoring have become part of my daily routine. The Body Battery feature is particularly interesting; it shows your energy reserves throughout the day. I've noticed my scores are consistently better when I tee off with a Body Battery above 70. Coincidence? Maybe. But it's made me more conscious about getting proper rest before big rounds.
The Pulse Ox sensor does spot-checks of your blood oxygen saturation. Is it medical grade? No. But it's interesting to see how altitude affects your levels, especially if you play courses at elevation. The stress tracking has been eye-opening, too. Apparently, standing over a 4-foot putt to save par spikes my stress levels more than a work presentation (who would've thought?).
Sleep tracking is automatic and surprisingly accurate. It knows when I actually fall asleep versus when I'm lying in bed scrolling through golf Instagram. After particularly bad nights, I can see the correlation in my golf performance the next day. My distances are shorter, my decision-making is worse, and my temper is... well, let's not go there.
Smartwatch Features Beyond the Course
The S62 doesn't become useless when you leave the course. The touchscreen is responsive and visible even in bright sunlight (that transflective MIP display is no joke). I get all my phone notifications on my wrist, and texts, calls, emails, even my wife reminding me I promised to be home by 2 PM. The Garmin Connect IQ store has thousands of watch faces, widgets, and apps. I've downloaded a few, though honestly, the stock golf watch face tells me everything I need.
The QuickFit 22mm band system means you can swap bands in seconds. I use the silicone band on the course and switch to a leather one for dinner. It's a small thing, but it makes the watch versatile enough to wear everywhere. The watch is also compatible with Garmin's CT10 club sensors if you want automatic shot tracking, though at $30 per sensor, outfitting a full bag gets expensive fast.
One feature I didn't expect to use much is the calendar widget. But having my tee times and meetings on my wrist has been surprisingly convenient. The golf stats widget shows your scoring average, putts per round, and other metrics pulled from your tracked rounds. It's motivating (or depressing, depending on how you're playing).
Garmin Approach S62 Watch
Garmin Approach S62 combines advanced shot tracking with premium style for the ultimate golf experience.
Is the Garmin Approach S62 Watch Worth It?
Absolutely, while the Garmin Approach S62 Watch is a great product, there are a few pros and cons that you need to be aware of:
Pros:
Exceptional battery life that eliminates charging anxiety
PlaysLike Distance feature provides tour-level yardage accuracy
Premium build quality with a ceramic bezel and Gorilla Glass
Cons:
$500 price tag puts it in premium territory
Manual shot tracking requires discipline to use consistently
Proprietary charger is one more cable to keep track of
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Wear the Garmin Approach S62 While Swimming in a Pool?
Yes, you can wear the Garmin Approach S62 while swimming in a pool. It's specifically designed for pool swimming with its 5 ATM water resistance rating, which protects it to 50 meters depth. The watch includes a dedicated swim mode for tracking your pool workouts. You don't need to worry about water damage during swimming, jumping into water, or snorkeling since it's built to handle these activities safely.
Does the Watch Work With Left-Handed Golfers?
Yes, the watch works perfectly with left-handed golfers. You'll need to wear it on your right wrist for peak performance since that's your lead wrist during the swing. Configure this in your device settings by selecting the left-handed option. The gyroscopic sensors and AutoShot feature will then accurately detect your swings and track shot distances. Some users report occasional club prompt issues with non-standard configurations, but firmware updates typically resolve these problems.
How Long Does the Battery Last With GPS Actively Tracking?
You'll get up to 20 hours of battery life with GPS actively tracking on your Garmin Approach S62. In real-world golf use, you can expect about 6.6% battery drain per hour with full GPS and shot tracking enabled, meaning you'll easily complete three rounds on a single charge. To enhance battery life, you can reduce backlight brightness, disable Bluetooth when not needed, and turn off wrist gestures during play.
Can I Replace the Watch Band With Third-Party Straps?
Yes, you can replace the watch band with third-party straps. The S62 uses standard 22mm QuickFit bands, so you'll find plenty of compatible options from brands like StrapsCo, Strapify, and sellers on Etsy. These range from rugged canvas to silicone and metal bands, typically priced around $25. To swap bands, you'll simply slide the latch to remove the current band and press the new one into place until it clicks securely.
Does It Sync With Other Fitness Apps Like Strava or Myfitnesspal?
Yes, your Approach S62 syncs with both Strava and MyFitnessPal through the Garmin Connect app. You'll need to pair your watch with your smartphone using either the Garmin Golf or Garmin Connect app initially. Once connected, the watch automatically syncs your data when you're within 30 feet of your phone. From Garmin Connect, you can share your activities and health metrics directly to these third-party fitness apps.
Final Thoughts
After three months with the Garmin Approach S62, it's become a crucial part of my golf routine. Is it perfect? No. I wish shot tracking were automatic (though I understand the battery trade-off). The price will make many golfers pause. But for serious players who want the most accurate distance information available and appreciate quality construction that'll last for years, this is the golf watch to beat.
This watch is for the golfer who plays at least once a week, cares about improving their game through data, and wants a device that seamlessly shifts from the course to daily life. If you're a casual player who hits the links a few times a year, save your money and get a basic rangefinder. But if you're obsessed with golf like I am, constantly trying to shave strokes and understand your game better, the S62 is worth every penny. It's not just a golf watch – it's a legitimate game improvement tool that happens to tell time.
Paul Liberatore
As the Founder of Golfers Authority Paul Liberatore Esq. has spent the last 7+ years writing about the best golf equipment or instruction from the top golf instructors in the world. He has been a contributing writer for Sports Illustrated Golf and GolfWRX. After graduating with honors from Purdue University, he realized that he had a passion for the golf business and the law. When he's not practicing law, or creating golf content on YouTube, he can be found on his syndicated Behind the Golf Brand podcast talking with the most prolific leaders in the golf industry.
