Golf GPS speaker vs GPS watch

What a golf GPS speaker does

A GPS speaker is a small Bluetooth speaker with its own GPS chip and preloaded courses. Press a button and it announces the distance to the front, middle or back of the green, depending on the model. Most mount with a magnet to a trolley frame or buggy bar, and some have a clip for a bag or belt. Many have a small screen, but the main idea is audio.

They suit golfers who play with music, who share a buggy and like to hear the number without looking at a screen, or who want one gadget instead of two.

What a GPS watch does

A golf watch shows yardages on a screen at your wrist. It typically shows front, middle and back distances on the main page, with hazard distances and in some cases full hole maps on others. Because it moves with you, the number is from where you stand, not from the trolley, which may be 20 or 30 yards away on the path.

Watches also track score, steps and in some cases shots with sensors, and many work as everyday smartwatches. See our golf GPS watch features explained.

Side by side

The biggest difference is where the distance comes from. A speaker left on the trolley gives a number from the trolley's position. If you walk away to your ball you need to bring the speaker or allow for the gap. A watch is always with you.

Rules and etiquette

Under Rule 4.3 of the Rules of Golf, published by The R&A, distance information from a device is allowed unless a Local Rule bans it, and that covers both speakers and watches. Rule 4.3 also sets limits on audio: listening to music or other audio to help with swing tempo or to block out distractions is not allowed during a round, and any audio should not disturb others. Check the exact wording on The R&A website before a competition.

Etiquette matters as much as the Rules. Keep music low, turn it off on tees and greens and when another group is close, and ask your playing partners before you start it.

Note:Speaker volume carries a long way on a quiet course. Keep it low and stop it when others are playing.

Battery, charging and mounting

Both types charge by cable, usually USB, and most will last a round with ease, but speakers use extra power when music is playing loudly. If you play 36 holes or long sessions, charge after every round. Watches may also run as smartwatches between rounds, so their battery life in daily use is shorter than the GPS figure suggests.

Mounting is where speakers can catch you out. A magnet holds well on a steel buggy bar, but many trolley frames are aluminium and a magnet will not stick, so you may need a clip or strap mount. Check how the speaker attaches to your trolley before buying. A watch needs only a strap that fits your wrist comfortably for four hours.

Which one should you buy?

A speaker makes sense if music is part of your round and you mostly want a quick number to the green from the trolley or buggy. A watch makes sense if you want the number from your ball, hazard distances and a screen you can read in a second. Some golfers use both: a watch for distances and a plain speaker for music.

Our best golf GPS watches guide compares current watches, and golf GPS watch vs handheld covers another option.

Frequently asked questions

Are golf GPS speakers accurate? They use the same type of GPS and course maps as watches, but the number is from the speaker, so it is only as close as the speaker is to your ball.

Can I play music during a competition? Rule 4.3 restricts audio used to help tempo or block distractions, and many clubs discourage music in competitions. Check the Rules and your club's policy.

Do GPS speakers need a subscription? Many do not, but check the specific model and app before buying.