Do you need a golf watch? If so, then you are probably wondering what to look for in an ideal timepiece. A lot of the watches on the market today claim they’re perfect for golfing, but not all of them can live up to that claim. It is important to do your research before making a purchase decision because there are many factors that go into selecting the right watch.
To help you find the right golf watch for you, here’s the 4 BEST Golf Watches NZ! We’ve also included a golf watch buyer’s guide so you know what you need to consider before making your buying decision.
See also:
- The 5 BEST Fitness Trackers NZ! (2023)
- The 5 BEST Binoculars NZ! (2023)
- The 5 BEST Portable Bluetooth Speakers in NZ! (2023)
The 4 BEST Golf Watches NZ
1Garmin Approach S62

Price: $860
Key specs: 41,000 preloaded courses | 1.3inch colour touchscreen | 20 hours battery life in GPS mode
Pros
- A ridiculous amount of advanced features
- Large, gorgeous display
- Best golf watch on the market
Cons
- Expensive
The Garmin Approach S62 GPS Smartwatch is the perfect tool for any golfer looking to take their game to the next level. Quite simply, if you have the money, this is the best golf watch you can buy in New Zealand.
With more than 41,000 preloaded courses, you can be sure that you’ll never lose track of where you are on the golf course. And with the S62’s club recommendations and shot tracking features, you’ll have everything you need to make each round count.
But that’s not all, there’s so much here that it will take a while for you to get used to this impressive device. We loved how much this watch provides whether its the virtual caddie, wind direction, hazard view, or the massive 20 hour battery with GPS on, this golf watch is a beast. In fact there’s too many features here for us to list.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, grab yourself a Garmin Approach S62 GPS Smartwatch and see your golf game improve instantly. Its a helpful tool that also makes your golf day that much more enjoyable.
And once you’re done with the gold course, the Approach S62 doubles as a great smartwatch.
It is expensive, but if you want the best you’re going to have to cough up. We loved this golf watch and we know you will too.
Buy now for $860 from Fitness New Zealand (via TheMarket.com)
2Garmin Approach S60

Price: $669
Key specs: 42,000+ preloaded courses | Touchscreen| 10 hours battery life in GPS mode
Pros
- Less expensive than the S62
- Good looking display
- Loads of premium features
Cons
- Less battery life than the S62
The Approach S60 would be at the top of our list if it wasn’t for the S62. Don’t get the wrong impressions, this watch is in the number two spot of our list but this is still a phenomenal golf watch. If you don’t want to pay over $800 for the best golf watch on the market in the S62, this watch is just as capable and at a great price.
With its high-resolution display and Bluetooth capabilities, this stylish wristwatch provides real-time data on more than 41,000 golf courses worldwide.
Plus, its sophisticated sensor array delivers all the distance and course information you need – including yardage to the hole, green, doglegs/layups, hazards and more.
And with Green View mode, you can see the true shape and layout of the green even when it’s out of sight. So whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the Approach S60 is perfect for any golfer.
Buy now for $669 from Fitness New Zealand (via TheMarket.com)
3Garmin Approach S42

Price: $480
Key specs: 42,000+ preloaded courses | Touchscreen | AutoShot detection | 15 hours battery life in GPS mode
Pros
- Easy to use
- Doubles as a great watch away from the golf course
- Massive amount of premium features
Cons
- No putting tracking
The Approach S42 is the perfect golf watch for those who want all the bells and whistles at an affordable cost.
With its 42,000 preloaded courses, you’ll never have to worry about finding a place to play.
The green view feature allows you to manually position the pin, so you can take your best shot. And if you want to track where your ball landed, just use the AutoShot detection feature!
This watch isn’t just for golfers – it also has smart notifications, tracking for steps and more.
With its long battery life, you can play all day (or night) without having to worry about running out of juice.
We think this is the nicest looking golf watch on this list. Its sleek and stylish making it suitable for wearing to work or just for at home casual use along with the golf course.
For an affordable $479 you’re going to love this watch. It has just the right amount of premium features to make it useful, but not too many in that it’s overbearing.
Buy now for $479 from Fitness New Zealand (via TheMarket.com)
4Garmin Approach S12

Price: $329
Key specs: 42,000+ preloaded courses | 30 hour battery life in GPS mode | Black and white screen
Pros
- Easy to use and very accurate
- Incredibly lightweight
- Big numbers mode so you can see the information easier
Cons
- Doesn’t double as a normal watch as well as the S42
Garmin is the top dog when it comes to golf watches. If you can’t quite muster up $480 for the Approach S42 then we think the Approach S12 is a great cheaper alternative.
The S12 offers a high-resolution screen that’s easily readable on even the sunniest days. We held it in direct sunlight and we could easily see the information displayed. While its not the fanciest display, it lends itself well to a massive 30-hour battery life. Unfortunately because of this though we found it didn’t lend itself as well to being a normal everyday watch like the S42 did. This is a golf watch for golfers through and through.
With more than 42,000 courses preloaded to your watch, you’ll never get bored of playing your favorite course and you can expect every course you paly to be on here. We tested it around New Zealand and all our favourite courses were here.
We liked that you can also pair the watch with Approach CT10 club tracking sensors for even more data on every shot.
The S12 provides you with everything you would want in a golf watch, stats are easy to access and its comfortable to wear.
Buy now for $329 from Fitness New Zealand (via TheMarket.com)
Golf Watch Buyer’s Guide
This Buyer’s Guide is intended to serve as an introduction of sorts into what you need to know about selecting a golf watch.
There are many considerations that must be made when purchasing this type of product; it is not simply enough to make an educated guess based upon price point or popularity alone.
The purpose of this article is to outline some of the most important things you should consider as a potential golf watch buyer.
What is the size and weight of the golf watch?
As a golf player, you may not want your wrist to get tired during your game; therefore, the weight and feel of a golf watch are important factors to consider before making your decision.
If the watch is too heavy or doesn’t fit well, it could become a nuisance when playing golf. And that’s the last thing you want when you’re concentrating on your shot.
Does the golf watch have good battery life?
If you’re playing golf for hours on end, then battery life is important.
You don’t want to keep having to charge your watch bi-weekly or have it die mid-game due to poor quality batteries.
As a rule its best to get a golf watch that has enough power so that you won’t need to worry about charging at all during a round of golf.
What type of display does the golf watch have?
A great golf watch should have a screen that is visible in all lighting conditions.
You don’t want to be fumbling around with your watch trying to change the settings because you can’t see what’s on the screen – especially when playing under stressful tournament conditions.
Is it a touchscreen display?
Some golf watches are touchscreen displays and others aren’t.
A touchscreen display is easier to use, but not all screens can be used with gloves on – so keep that in mind as well.
How does the golf watch track your scores?
You’re going to want a watch that tracks things like: strokes per round (goal setting), the number of putts taken, and the average distance for each club you hit.
This information will help you improve upon your game over time by giving you accurate data about how often you use certain clubs or how much better off your putting would have been if only those three-footers went in instead of missing them entirely! Some people love tracking this type of stuff; others could care less. If you’re someone that loves data and statistics, then you’ll want to purchase a golf watch with these functions.
What is the golf watch’s durability and water resistance like?
If you’re going to spend money, then make sure it’s on something that will last for years before having to buy another one.
A good golf watch doesn’t mean much if it breaks after just a few uses or gets damaged from being exposed to harsh weather during play.
Is the golf watch accurate?
Last but not least, make sure the golf watch you’re considering is accurate.
There are several ways that a watch can determine distance (radar-based technology like GPS), and many of these systems provide consistent results after calibrating to your specific club distances.
It’s best to get one with this type of feature; it will save you time calculating out how far each shot is going in order to plan your next move effectively on the course!