Garmin Approach S12 Golf GPS Watch Review

Garmin Approach S12 Golf GPS Watch

Garmin’s offerings for 2021 includes one of their easiest to use golf products ever, the Garmin Approach S12 GPS Watch. They created this golf watch to be geared toward the “no fuss” player. It’s light, effortlessly gives accurate numbers, and looks cool too.

Out of the Box

I always feel that Garmin has some of the most comprehensive products out there compared to other brands. It’s not uncommon to have to get used to the button patterns and where the key settings are in GPS watches. With the Approach S12 GPS watch, you can’t get much easier. The first thing you do is set up the Bluetooth pairing with their Garmin Connect and Golf app. No stress there.

There are four main buttons and menus that are mostly intuitive to navigate. They become familiar moments after you take it out of the box. I’ve yet to have any “smashed the button during my swing” moments, which are a big nuisance with other brands, so that’s good. Your next move is to pair the watch with their Approach CT10 club sensors so you can get the most accurate GPS readings. I found the sensors can be tricky to “find” but once you get them set, you’re good to go. Let’s play some golf!

Features

One thing I will say is this is NOT the luxury watch of Garmin’s golf watch line. That would be the all-time great golf gadget, the Approach S62. But the Approach S12 was not destined for that! This watch was meant to get you your key data accurately, and fast. Your yardage to hazards, doglegs, greens (front, middle, back of course) are prominent and available. I really like the screen in the sun too, which often plagues lesser golf watches. The 1.3″ screen is clear as day, all day. You can even switch to a “big numbers” display.

As with all Garmin golf watches, 42k+ courses are preprogrammed so there’s minimal manual work to do here. Pairing it with the CT10 club sensors makes it slightly less hands off, but the Approach S12 will let you measure the distance of your previous shot as well as what you’re looking at for the next.

A feature I think Garmin does better than most is their course maps. Whether it’s a bunker 227 out, a distance until a water hazard, or even getting yardages to the 100/150/200 sticks, it’s simple. I really dislike having to stand around and fiddle with buttons when it’s my turn to play. Having a simple, quick interface makes a much better experience here.

On-Course Performance

A common complaint I have with GPS watches is that they can feel like bricks hanging on your wrist. When you pack a ton of tech into a gadget, you’re going to have some heft. The Garmin Approach S12 feels like an absolute feather at only 1.20 ounces. I consider that a significant “plus” as it won’t distract you while you’re golfing.

I have some pretty high standards with my golf accessories. I’ve been able to test dozens of them, and there are a few key things that matter most to me. First, I need accuracy. Garmin’s a world leader in GPS technology, so I trust the data they put in front of me. When testing the Approach S12, I brought my trusty rangefinder with me. As expected, spot on. The hard part for me now is hitting the shot!

Second, I need it to be quick. I hate walking up the fairway and scrolling through menus. I feel really strongly that if you can’t zip through and find what you want in a second or two, it’s bad design. The S12 is as simple as it gets, by design. A good design.

Final Thoughts – Garmin Approach S12 Golf GPS Watch

Garmin delivers another high performer in the Approach S12 GPS Watch. It was never meant to be the “Rolls Royce” of their line, but it nails all the key features you’d want it to. The S12 is a perfect match for the dedicated golfer that does not need full smartphone capability, but needs easily to access course information. It comes in at a great price point, sets up in a snap, and keeps you focused on your round.