Garmin Approach S20 Review

Review by Golfshake Ambassador Robert Cross

The Garmin Approach S20 is a lightweight GPS golf watch that provides key information when playing over 40,000 preloaded courses, featuring guidance on distances, hazards and doglegs, in addition to showcasing the AutoShot game tracker that keeps record of your shots during the round, allowing for analysis and statistics.

Tech Specs

• Lens Material: Chemically Strengthened Glass
• Strap Material: Silicone
• Physical Size: 37.4 x 47.6 x 11.3 mm
• Display Size: 23 x 23 mm
• Display Resolution: 128 x 128 pixels
• Display Type: Sunlight-Readable, High-Resolution, Monochrome
• Weight: 42.2 g
• Battery Life: Up To 8 Weeks (Activity Mode); Up To 15 Hours (GPS Mode)
• Water Raging: 5 ATM
• Memory: 64 MB

Looks

Solid, stylish strap which you can change. Looks like a modern day watch, the screen is large enough, but only in two tone grey or black.

Feel

Comfortable, I'm not one to wear a watch whilst playing golf, but after a while I didn't know I was wearing it. Light to wear, but feels very well made. Sturdy and without doubt would withstand many rounds of golf! 

Performance

As a GPS this watch ticks all the boxes and more, within a few clicks, you have distances to hazards, doglegs, etc. Default screen displays front, middle and back of the green. 

What has impressed me the most is the auto shot detection. I have been looking at various ways to track my stats, dabbling with Game Golf and looking at Shot Scope, Arccos, to name a few. The downside to those, for me, is that I don't carry my phone whilst playing, a requirement most devices need to function, so reviewing this product gave me an added bonus to go with the GPS functionality! 

The Garmin S20 (once activated in the menu for stat tracking) after each shot asks you which club you have used and as such builds a map of shots throughout your round. It's not perfect (a few random shots when editing), but this is a great way for the golfer to learn about their game in a casual way without much effort. Chips and putts aren't monitored for distance, but if needed you can add club tags and this would make tracking these achievable. 

I have used this for three rounds with the Garmin Connect App that syncs the watch data and after a few edits here and there (if you forget to select your club) via the online site, I'm enjoying the results so far, over time this will give me accurate data and areas to focus on.

Verdict

Pros

Easy to use GPS, additional functionality with auto shot detection. Long lasting battery. 

Cons

Might look a bit basic if used as an everyday watch. 

The Bottom Line

This is a superb watch offering dual functionality at a fantastic price, solely as a GPS this offers everything, but adding the auto shot detection alongside the Garmin Apps, the golfer is given a great entry level shot tracking device. 

For more information, visit the Official Garmin Website.

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