Product Review: Garmin Approach S5

I’ve gone back and forth in the debate over using GPS or laser rangefinders for determining distances. GPS often gives you helpful readouts on front, center and back of greens, while rangefinders get you an exact measurement to the pin or any other object you care to shoot.

Choose Course

Well, thanks to the Garmin Approach S5, GPS may have taken the lead in this personal battle.

For starters, the Approach S5 is a watch ... meaning it’s always with you. No more rummaging through your golf bag or running to the cart for a device. And you’re not going to accidentally leave it behind.

Basic information you’ll find on the S5 includes the time and date (remember, it’s a watch), the aforementioned distances to the front, middle and back of the greens, and layup and dogleg yardages. If you know the location of the pin, you can set it more precisely.

What else can you do with the S5? A lot, actually. How about measuring a shot? Select the “tape measure” button after hitting a shot and walk directly to your ball.

You can keep score, too, but stat geeks want more. The Approach S5 does more. In addition to strokes taken, you can also track putting and driving accuracy - in the fairway or missed left/right.

Green View

Cool, but you want still more. How about synching your Approach S5 with a compatible smartphone? When your phone receives messages, it sends a notification to your S5.

Lastly, sign up for a free account and store your stats with Garmin Connect. Check it out at www.garminconnect.com/golf.

The basic usage is as simple as can be. Once the satellite located the course I was playing, yardages were displayed clearly and accurately. I’d compare as I walked by marked sprinkler heads. Utilizing everything else, of course, takes a little effort.

Bottom line - the Garmin Approach S5 is easy to use and unobtrusive. Whether you only want to know the distance to the center of the green or feel the need to dig deeper into statistics, it’s time to strap one to your wrist and hit the course.

The Approach S5 retails for $349.99. Learn more or purchase HERE.

-Repost from April 21, 2015-