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RangefindersGarmin Approach S50 (GPS golf watch)Specs and who it suits
Updated: Oct 12, 2026Contains affiliate links
A Garmin GPS golf watch you use right on your wrist. It's light at 29 g, and you know the distance before you set up. The 1.2-inch AMOLED screen stays readable in direct sunlight. Take out the rangefinder, aim, put it away: you skip all three. As a first watch-type unit, this is the one I'd recommend. Compared with the step-up Approach S72 (47 mm, released Oct 22, 2026), it's 19 g lighter and JPY 60,200 cheaper. If you play in competitions, switch to tournament mode; Garmin's official spec sheet lists "Tournament mode: yes." Being GPS, it shows distances to the front, center and back of the green.
A rangefinder is a tool that suits every golfer.With the number you need to pick a club right in your hand, you spend less time hesitating over every shot. Among them, the Garmin Approach S50 is really good. At 29g, a glance at your wrist gives you front, middle and back distances. If you're on the fence, it's one worth buying.
Garmin Approach S50 review: who it is for, in 30 seconds
| If you | This pick | Test status | Reference price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golfers who don't want to slow the pace of play, and those who want to see the whole course | #5 / RangefindersGarmin Approach S50 (GPS golf watch) A GPS watch you can leave on your wrist. Light at 29g, it gives you the distance before you set up. | ¥67,800 (incl. tax, official press release, checked Sep 12, 2026) |
3 key points about this model
Point 1: It's on your wrist, so you know the distance before you set up, with no walk back to the bag
As a watch, it gives you the distance before you set up, without walking back to your bag. Light at 29g
Point 2: 1.2-inch AMOLED, easy to read in direct sunlight
1.2-inch AMOLED, easy to read even in direct sunlight
Point 3: Switch to Tournament Mode for competition
Switch to Tournament Mode for competition. Garmin's official spec table states "Tournament Mode: Yes" (checked Oct 1, 2026)
Garmin Approach S50 specs and price in Japan
| Measurement | GPS (GPS / GLONASS / Galileo / Michibiki L1S) |
|---|---|
| Display | 1.2-inch AMOLED touch (390×390) |
| Weight | 29g |
| Power | Rechargeable. About 10 days in smartwatch mode, about 15 hours in GPS mode |
| Slope switch | Has PlaysLike distance, which accounts for slope. Has Tournament Mode (Garmin's official spec table, checked Oct 1, 2026) |
| Model number / release date | 010-03010-20 (Black) / Jan 30, 2025 |
Garmin Approach S50 pros and cons
Pros
- At 29g you can keep it on your wrist. You know the distance before you set up
- Supports multiple satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Michibiki (QZSS)
- ¥61,020 on Rakuten, ¥6,780 less than the ¥67,800 in the official press release
Worth knowing
- PlaysLike, which accounts for slope, has to be switched to Tournament Mode for competition. You need to take care yourself not to forget the switch
- Being GPS, it's less accurate to the pin than a laser
- About 15 hours of battery in GPS mode. Plan on charging after every round
What this rating is based on
This rating is based on the maker's official specs (loft, head volume, adjustability) and actual selling prices on Rakuten Ichiba and the official store.
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Check before you buy
Whether the courses you play often are in its course database.
If a test shot or two feels long, that may just be the good end of your normal spread. Hit 10 balls with the same club and your distances will vary by 20 yards or more. So hit 10 and look at both the average and the spread.
FAQ (rangefinders)
Should I buy a laser or a GPS?
Need accuracy to the pin? Go laser. Want to see the whole course? Go GPS.
Will a rangefinder lower my scores?
Knowing the distance changes nothing if you can't hit that distance. First, learn your carry and spread for each club.
Can I use it in competition?
Some competitions require slope (elevation) readings to be off. Choose a model that can switch it off.
About the writer and how this product page was made
A golfer who averages a 72 over about 150 rounds a year went through the gear documents one by one.
This page is not a hands-on impression. It sets out official figures from the makers. The sources of the figures are listed at the end of the page. Check price and stock on each shop's page before you buy.
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- Garmin Approach S72: Release Date, Price and Differences from the S70
- Voice Caddie Auto Pin (APL): Compatible Models and How to Use It
- New Rangefinders 2026: New Models Compared by the Official Numbers
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