If you’re a golfer looking to improve your game, you may be considering investing in a GPS golf watch. Two of the most popular options on the market are the Garmin S62 and the Apple Watch. But which one is better for golfers? Let’s compare the two.
Design and Display
The Garmin S62 features a larger, 1.3-inch display with a high resolution of 260 x 260 pixels. It has a sleek and sporty design with a stainless steel bezel, and it’s available in a range of colors. The Apple Watch, on the other hand, comes in two sizes (40mm and 44mm) and features a Retina display with a resolution of 324 x 394 pixels. It also has a customizable watch face, allowing you to display the information most relevant to your game.
Golf Features
Both the Garmin S62 and Apple Watch offer a range of golf features, including GPS mapping of courses and yardage measurements. However, the Garmin S62 includes more advanced features, such as Virtual Caddie, which suggests club selection based on previous shots and course data. It also includes detailed maps of over 41,000 golf courses worldwide, while the Apple Watch has maps for over 40,000 courses.
Battery Life
One area where the Garmin S62 clearly outshines the Apple Watch is battery life. The Garmin S62 can last up to 20 hours in GPS mode, while the Apple Watch only lasts for around 6 hours. This means you’ll be able to use the Garmin S62 for multiple rounds of golf without worrying about running out of battery.
Other Features
Both watches offer a range of other features, including fitness tracking, heart rate monitoring, and notifications. The Apple Watch also includes Siri voice commands, allowing you to control the watch hands-free. The Garmin S62, on the other hand, offers more advanced health and fitness tracking, including respiration tracking and stress tracking.
Price
The Garmin S62 is more expensive than the Apple Watch, with a starting price of around $500 compared to the Apple Watch’s starting price of $399. However, if you’re serious about improving your golf game, the extra features and battery life of the Garmin S62 may be worth the investment.
Water Resistance
One important factor for golfers is water resistance, as you never know when you might get caught in a rain shower or accidentally drop your watch in a water hazard. Both the Garmin S62 and Apple Watch are water-resistant, but the Garmin S62 has a higher water-resistance rating of 5 ATM, meaning it can withstand water pressure at a depth of up to 50 meters. The Apple Watch has a water-resistance rating of 3 ATM, which means it’s only recommended for surface-level water activities.
Ease of Use
When you’re on the golf course, you don’t want to be fiddling with complicated menus and settings. Both the Garmin S62 and Apple Watch are fairly easy to use, but some golfers may find the Garmin’s dedicated golf features and buttons easier to navigate. The Apple Watch, on the other hand, offers a more intuitive touchscreen interface and the ability to customize your watch face.
Compatibility
Another factor to consider is compatibility with your other devices. The Apple Watch is designed to work seamlessly with other Apple products, such as iPhones and iPads, allowing you to sync your golf data with other apps and devices. The Garmin S62 is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, but may not integrate as smoothly with other apps and devices as the Apple Watch.
Third-Party Apps
Both the Garmin S62 and Apple Watch allow you to download third-party apps, including golf apps, to customize your device. However, the Apple Watch has a wider range of golf apps available, including popular apps like Golfshot and Hole19. The Garmin S62 also has a range of golf apps available, but they may be less well-known and may not have as many features as the Apple Watch apps.
Design and Features
| Features | Garmin S62 | Apple Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 1.3-inch, color touchscreen | 1.78-inch, OLED Retina Display |
| Water resistance | 5 ATM | 50m |
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours in GPS mode | Up to 18 hours |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, heart rate monitor, accelerometer, barometer, compass, gyroscope | GPS, heart rate monitor, accelerometer, barometer, compass |
| Golf-specific features | Preloaded with 41,000+ golf courses, Virtual Caddie, Green View, Hazard View, PlaysLike Distance, PinPointer, Swing Tempo, Tempo Training, TruSwing compatibility | Preloaded with 41,000+ golf courses, Digital Crown with haptic feedback, GPS and compass-based range finder, Elevation, Scorecard, Shot Distance |
Golf Tracking and Performance
| Features | Garmin S62 | Apple Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Golf tracking | Track shots, club distance, shot location, hazards, scoring, putts per round, fairways hit, greens in regulation, strokes gained, handicap scoring | Track shots, club distance, shot location, hazards, scoring, putts per round, fairways hit, greens in regulation |
| Golf performance analysis | Club head speed, ball speed, smash factor, swing tempo, tempo training, shot analysis, insights into driving, approach, chipping, and putting performance | Club head speed, ball speed, smash factor, swing tempo, shot analysis |
| Data export | Yes | No |
| Fitness tracking | Steps, calories burned, floors climbed, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, body battery energy monitor, fitness age, VO2 max, heart rate variability | Steps, calories burned, floors climbed, sleep tracking, stress monitoring, body battery energy monitor, fitness age, VO2 max, heart rate variability |
| Other sports modes | Running, cycling, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, paddle sports, strength training, cardio, yoga, Pilates, rowing | Running, cycling, swimming, hiking, strength training, yoga |
Connectivity and Compatibility
| Features | Garmin S62 | Apple Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Wireless connectivity | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ANT+ | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC |
| Phone compatibility | iOS, Android | iPhone only |
| Music | Yes, via Bluetooth | Yes, with Apple Music |
| Mobile payments | Garmin Pay | Apple Pay |
| Third-party app compatibility | Yes | Limited |
| Voice assistants | Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant | Siri |
Price and Availability
| Features | Garmin S62 | Apple Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | $499-$599 | $279-$1,499 |
| Availability | Available | Available |
Pros and Cons
| Features | Garmin S62 | Apple Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | Longer battery life, more golf-specific features, more detailed golf performance analysis, compatible with both iOS and Android | More affordable, better integration with other Apple products, more versatile with broader range of sports modes |
| Cons | More expensive, limited third-party app compatibility, no direct music streaming, heavier and bulkier design | Shorter battery life, limited golf-specific features, no data export, iPhone-only compatibility |
Conclusion
Overall, both the Garmin S62 and Apple Watch are great options for golfers. However, the Garmin S62 offers more advanced golf features, longer battery life, and better health and fitness tracking. If you’re willing to spend the extra money, the Garmin S62 may be the better choice for serious golfers. But if you’re looking for a more affordable option with a range of other features, the Apple Watch is a solid choice.
