Product · Garmin
Garmin Approach S44: 43 mm case, 42.4 g, AMOLED
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The Approach S44 is for golfers who want a watch they will wear off the course as well as on it, with a bright display and phone notifications. What sets it apart in this group is the 1.2 inch colour AMOLED screen in a slim 43 mm aluminium case, giving rich colour for green and hazard views without a bulky watch.
- Case size
- 43 mm
- Weight
- 42.4 g
- Display
- 1.2 inch colour AMOLED touchscreen
- GPS battery
- Up to 15 h
- Subscription
- Optional Garmin Golf membership for extras
In its favour
- Slim 43 mm case and a listed weight of 42.4 g suit a smaller wrist without feeling bulky.
- 1.2 inch colour AMOLED display shows front, middle and back of the green and hazard view.
- Up to 15 hours in GPS mode and up to 10 days as a smartwatch, according to the maker.
Good to know
- Full colour CourseView, green contours and PlaysLike Distance need a Garmin Golf membership.
- Listed screen resolution of 176 x 176 is modest next to larger AMOLED watches.
Our take
On-course features
Garmin preloads more than 43,000 courses. The watch gives front, middle and back distances to the green, and a hazard view for bunkers, water and layups. Scoring can be kept on the wrist and uploaded to the Garmin Golf app for stats and handicap calculation.
Paired with Approach CT1 or CT10 club trackers, sold separately, the S44 can log shots automatically. A Garmin Golf membership adds full colour CourseView maps, green contours, PlaysLike distances and Touch Targeting.
Battery and display in daily use
Battery life is listed at up to 15 hours in GPS mode and up to 10 days as a smartwatch, with a 30 minute charge time. Fifteen hours covers a couple of rounds, but you will charge it more often than the S12. AMOLED panels look vivid and Garmin pairs it with buttons and a touchscreen. The resolution is 176 x 176.
Build and connectivity
The case is anodised aluminium with a silicone 20 mm strap and a tang buckle, weighing 42.4 g. Water resistance is rated to 50 metres. It works with iPhone and Android for texts, emails and alerts, and supports GPS, GLONASS and Galileo. Garmin gives a two year manufacturer warranty.
At 42.4 g, it is light enough to wear all day, and the 43 mm size suits smaller wrists better than many chunkier golf watches. The 4 GB of storage holds courses and data comfortably.
S44 against the S12 and Shot Scope V5
The Approach S12 is simpler and lasts up to 30 hours in GPS mode, making it the pick for golfers who only need yardages. The Shot Scope V5 includes 16 tracking tags and does shot analysis without any subscription, whereas the S44 needs extra sensors for that.
Within this guide, the SkyCaddie LX5 and the Bushnell iON Elite are the alternatives for golfers who care most about mapping and green views.
Verdict
Choose the S44 if you want a slim, colourful golf watch that doubles as a daily smartwatch. If battery life matters most, the Garmin Approach S12 is better, and if you want built-in shot tracking with no membership, the Shot Scope V5 is the alternative.
Compared with alternatives in: Best golf GPS watches for women, Best golf GPS watches
Amazon listing title: Garmin Approach S44 43mm essential GPS golf watch, Black