Product · Garmin
Garmin Approach S12: simple, 30 h GPS battery
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The Approach S12 is for golfers who want accurate numbers on the wrist and very little else. Its strongest point is endurance: Garmin lists up to 30 hours in GPS mode, roughly double the S44, so most players can go several rounds between charges. It comes in Granite Blue.
- Courses
- 42,000+ preloaded
- Battery
- Up to 30 h GPS
- Display
- 1.3 inch, sunlight readable
- Green detail
- Front, middle, back, hazards, doglegs
- Subscription
- Not stated
In its favour
- Up to 30 hours in GPS mode is the longest stated battery among these watches.
- Yardages to the front, back and middle of the green plus hazards and doglegs.
- Keeps score on the watch and uploads to the Garmin Golf app for leaderboards.
Good to know
- No green shape or full hole map is described, so it shows numbers rather than pictures.
- Club tracking needs separately sold Approach CT10 sensors.
Our take
What it shows on the course
The S12 has more than 42,000 courses preloaded and gives yardages to the front, back and middle of the green, plus hazards and doglegs. Scores can be kept on the watch and uploaded to the Garmin Golf app, where weekly leaderboards add a social element.
With compatible Approach CT10 sensors, sold separately, the watch can track scores and club distances automatically.
Display and design
The round case is 44 mm across and 12 mm deep, weighing 34.1 g. The listing describes a high-resolution, sunlight-readable display, with a screen size of 1.3 inches. Sunlight readability matters on bright summer days when glossy screens can wash out. Controls are button based.
Battery and value of simplicity
Thirty hours of GPS is plenty for weekend golfers who forget to charge. The S12 lacks the smart notifications and the colour AMOLED panel of the S44, and the listing does not mention any membership features. For many, that keeps it focused.
Garmin offers a two year manufacturer warranty, and the box holds the watch and a USB charging cable.
Compared with the S44 and Voice Caddie A3
The Garmin Approach S44 brings a brighter screen, phone notifications and optional membership extras at the cost of battery life. The Voice Caddie A3 adds slope adjustment, green undulation data and a touchscreen. The S12 is the plainer, longer-lasting option.
Who might outgrow it
Golfers who want to see the shape of a hole, move a pin or read green slopes will find the S12 limited, since the listing describes numbers rather than maps. It also lacks phone notifications, so anyone hoping to replace an everyday smartwatch should look higher up the range.
Equally, if you only ever glance at the front and back figures before choosing a club, the extra features on pricier watches may go unused, and the simpler layout of the S12 becomes an advantage rather than a compromise.
Verdict
The S12 suits golfers who want reliable green yardages and a battery that lasts, without extra features. If you want a vivid display and smartwatch functions, choose the Garmin Approach S44, and if green slope detail matters, the Voice Caddie A3 is worth a look.
Compared with alternatives in: Best golf GPS watches
Amazon listing title: Garmin Approach S12, 44mm Golf GPS watch, Granite Blue