
When it comes to sport watches, Apple and Garmin are at the top of the list. Both of these companies offer watches that will do pretty much everything you’d expect, even when you’re on the golf course.
Garmin has built in golf features. Apple uses 3rd party apps. Depending on what app/watch you have, you can see the distance to different parts on the course, you can keep score, and you can track performance stats about your game.
What I will say is that if you already own an Apple or Garmin watch, you should just stick with that. If you don’t own either, which is the better option?
Summary
A Garmin watch does tend to offer more advanced golf features compared to an Apple Watch. In my experience, Garmin watches are also easier to use on the course and can offer better performance tracking on the higher end models.
The Design

The first thing you need to consider is what type of design you’re looking for. With the Apple Watch, you have two options that look similar. With Garmin, you have a wider selection of designs.
The Apple Watch has the SE/Series and Ultra lineup. Both of them have a square design and offer a lot of the same features. The main difference is that the Ultra is more rugged and heavy duty.
What I like about the Apple Watch is that the screen is incredibly clear and the user experience is quick and responsive. It’s pretty much just like using an iPhone.
With Garmin, you have a larger selection of designs. There’s the Venu/Vivoactive series that’s thinner and more presentable. Then there’s the Fenix series that’s meant for durability and outdoor use.
If I had to sum up the designs: The Apple Watch is better for daily use and going to work. Garmin is built more for the outdoors and fitness tracking.
On The Course

When it comes to a golf watch, the two things I’m looking for are what features are offered and how easy the watch is to use on the course. Both are super important.
I’ll start off by going over the similarities between Garmin and Apple:
- The GPS yardages are just as accurate
- You’ll get the distance to the front, middle, and back of the green
- You’ll get the distance to doglegs and layup spots
- You can keep score
If these are the features you’re looking for, you can get one of the entry-level Garmin golf watches or use one of the free apps on the Apple Watch.
If you’re looking for advanced stuff, you’ll have to get one of the higher end Garmin watches or pay for one of the Apple Watch apps.
Here are some of the main differences I’ve noticed between them:
It’s quicker to get the info you’re after on a Garmin. With a Garmin watch, you never have to click more than a couple of times to find anything. With an Apple, it can sometimes take 10-15 seconds to find the info you’re after. An example is shot distance.
You have to do more editing during your round with an Apple. Whether that’s picking what club you just hit or having to add a shot the watch didn’t pick up. Garmin is a lot more automatic.
Garmin is better for shot tracking. If you’re looking to keep track of your rounds and stats about your game, Garmin is the winner. It does a good job at detecting shots and all you have to do is select what club you just hit, whether you hit or missed the fairway, and number of putts.
Note: Adding the Garmin CT10 makes shot tracking automatic. You can also get the Arccos sensors for your Apple Watch and it’ll do the exact same thing. You can see the differences between them HERE.
To get the most features with an Apple Watch, you have to pay a subscription. The highest end Garmin watches give you almost everything you’d want on the course (and it’s a one time fee). You can get the same features on an Apple, you just have to pay a subscription (through one of the apps or the Arccos sensors).
Off The Course
If you’re looking into one of these watches it probably means you’ll be using it off the course as well. It could be for daily use, at the gym, or even to work.
This means the additional features are important. Apple Watches have pretty much everything you’d want off the course. The same goes for the Garmin smartwatches and some of the higher end Garmin golf watches.
That said, the basic Garmin golf watches won’t offer much. You might get phone notifications and a step counter, but that’s pretty much it.
The Garmin S70 (golf watch) has activity monitoring and health tracking. So will the Garmin Venu, Vivoactive, and Fenix series watches.
What I like better about the Apple Watch is that it’s like having a phone on your wrist. You can respond to texts and answer calls, which you can’t with a Garmin.
So, if phone features are important to you, Apple is the way to go. If fitness tracking is important to you, Garmin is still the best. I really don’t think you can go wrong with either though.
Which Watch Is Better For Golf?
Having used both Garmin and Apple products on the course, I can say they’re good options and I don’t think you could go wrong with either. If you already own an Apple Watch, use that. If you already own a Garmin watch that has golf features, use that.
If you don’t have a watch, I’d recommend the Apple Watch if:
- You use an iPhone and want phone features (calls, texts, etc)
- You want a slim and low profile watch for home or work
On the other hand, I’d recommend a Garmin watch if:
- You don’t care much about phone features (taking calls/answering texts)
- You want something durable that can be used off the course
- You want the most advanced golf features
- You want the best fitness tracking
If the choice was up to me, I’d get a Garmin watch all day long. I think it’s a better dedicated golf watch and I’d prefer fitness tracking and durability over having phone features.
One thing I will say is that I wouldn’t recommend getting the entry-level Garmin watches (Garmin S10/S12). They’re extremely basic when it comes to golf features and don’t offer much for when you’re off the course.
If the choice was between a basic Garmin watch and an Apple Watch, I think the Apple would be the better choice. If you want some other options, you can see our favorite golf GPS HERE.
Have you used a Garmin and Apple Watch on the course? In the comments below, what differences did you notice between them and which one do you prefer?
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