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Buying guide

Best handheld golf GPS units

Chosen from what the Amazon listings state, not tested by us. How we pick

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Top picks at a glance

Compare them all

  • Best overall

    Garmin Approach G80: GPS with built-in launch monitor

    Integrated launch monitor tracks club head speed, ball speed, smash factor and tempo.

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  • Best value

    Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope: touchscreen, slope

    Patented slope compensated distances, according to the listing.

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  • Most features

    Shot Scope H50: 4.3 inch AMOLED, green contours

    4.3 inch AMOLED touchscreen is the largest screen listed in this guide.

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A handheld GPS gives you a bigger screen than a watch and works without pointing at a flag, which helps on blind holes and doglegs. It clips to a trolley, sits in a pocket or sticks to a buggy with a magnet. The units differ most in screen size and type, how many courses are preloaded, how long the battery runs, how it mounts and whether any course features need a paid membership. Some add extras such as a built-in launch monitor, slope adjusted distances or green contour maps. This guide compares handhelds from Garmin, Shot Scope, Bushnell, Mileseey and Canmore on those points, using only what each listing states, so you can match the screen and features to the way you play.

All products compared

Details as stated in the Amazon listing or by the manufacturer. See the current price on Amazon.

The products in detail

No. 1 · Garmin

Garmin Approach G80: GPS with built-in launch monitor

HOLES

Up to 15 h with GPS

A Garmin handheld with a 3.5 inch sunlight-readable touchscreen, colour maps for 41,000+ courses and an integrated launch monitor for club and ball speed. The best all-in-one pick here.

In its favour

  • Integrated launch monitor tracks club head speed, ball speed, smash factor and tempo.
  • 3.5 inch sunlight-readable touchscreen with colour course maps, as listed.
  • Rechargeable battery lasts up to 15 hours with GPS.

Good to know

  • The listing does not mention a magnet or cart mount.
  • Course count of 41,000+ is a little lower than newer units here.
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Listing title: Garmin Approach G80, All-in-One Premium GPS Golf Handheld with Integra...

No. 2 · Shot Scope

Shot Scope H50: 4.3 inch AMOLED, green contours

HOLES

12 h (listing figure)

A Shot Scope handheld with a large AMOLED touchscreen, detailed hole maps and green contour maps for 42,000+ courses. Suits golfers who want the biggest screen and green reading help.

In its favour

  • 4.3 inch AMOLED touchscreen is the largest screen listed in this guide.
  • Green contour maps alongside detailed hole maps, according to the listing.
  • Extra strong cart magnet keeps it on a trolley or buggy frame.

Good to know

  • Listed weight of 850 g looks like a boxed figure; the unit weight is not stated.
  • Battery is listed at 12 hours, shorter than the Garmin units.
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Listing title: Shot Scope H50 GPS Handheld

No. 3 · Bushnell

Bushnell Phantom 3 Slope: touchscreen, slope

HOLES

14 h (listing figure)

A Bushnell GPS with patented slope compensated distances, a touchscreen, GreenView with a movable pin and up to 6 hazards per hole. Suits golfers who want slope adjusted yardages without a laser.

In its favour

  • Patented slope compensated distances, according to the listing.
  • GreenView with a movable pin and up to 6 hazards per hole.
  • Automatic course and hole recognition plus automatic score entry.

Good to know

  • This listing does not state the number of preloaded courses.
  • Mounting is not described in the bullets, so check how it attaches.
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Listing title: Bushnell Golf Phantom 3 Slope Neon Green

No. 4 · MiLESEEY

Mileseey GeneSonic Go: IP67, no subscription

HOLES

10+ h

A light handheld GPS with a 3 inch colour touchscreen, 43,000+ courses with no subscription and an IP67 rating. Suits golfers who play in all weathers and want maps without fees.

In its favour

  • 43,000+ courses with no subscription and no phone needed, as listed.
  • IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating, the highest stated in this guide.
  • Green view, hazards, layups and shot tracking on the colour touchscreen.

Good to know

  • Audio plays only through a paired GeneSonic Pro speaker, as the listing notes.
  • Battery is listed at 10+ hours, the shortest stated figure here.
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Listing title: MILESEEY GeneSonic Go Handheld Golf GPS, 43000+ No Subscription Course...

No. 5 · Garmin

Garmin Approach G20 Solar: solar charging, magnet

HOLES

Up to 36 rounds without solar

A compact Garmin handheld with solar charging, big numbers on a 2.2 inch screen and up to 36 rounds without sun. Suits golfers who hate charging and mostly want front, middle and back distances.

In its favour

  • Solar charging and up to 36 rounds per charge without sun, as Garmin states.
  • Built-in magnet for the buggy plus a belt clip in the box.
  • 43,000+ preloaded courses with wireless course updates.

Good to know

  • 2.2 inch button screen is small next to the touchscreens here.
  • No touchscreen or hole maps are mentioned; it focuses on yardages and hazards.
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Listing title: Garmin Approach G20 Solar GPS Golf Handheld

No. 6 · Canmore

Canmore HG500: 2.4 inch colour, big buttons

HOLES

Not stated

A rugged button-operated GPS with a 2.4 inch colour display showing green and fairway shapes for 41,000+ courses, with no subscription. Suits golfers who wear gloves or prefer buttons.

In its favour

  • 2.4 inch colour display shows the shape of the green and fairway, as listed.
  • Large buttons are easy to press with gloves on.
  • Rubberised back and sides plus a strong magnet for belt or buggy.

Good to know

  • Battery life is not stated in the listing.
  • No touchscreen, and the screen is smaller than most units here.
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Listing title: HG500 Golf GPS - Extra Large Easy-to-Read Color Display, preloaded 41,...

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Pin and Yard chooses every product independently, based on what its Amazon listing states. We may earn a commission on purchases made through the affiliate links above. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.