Product · Garmin
Garmin Approach G20 Solar: solar charging, magnet
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The G20 Solar is for golfers who forget to charge things. Garmin builds solar charging into a compact handheld and quotes up to 36 rounds without any solar help, with unlimited battery in sunny conditions. For a golfer who wants simple yardages and never wants to see a flat battery, that is the whole point.
- Screen
- 2.2 inch sunlight-readable
- Courses
- 43,000+
- Battery
- Up to 36 rounds without solar
- Mounting
- Built-in magnet and belt clip
- Membership
- Not stated
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.
Our take
Battery that keeps going
Garmin's figures are up to 36 rounds per charge without solar, and unlimited battery life in sunny conditions according to the listing footnote. In practice a British summer will top it up, while winter golf relies more on the stored charge.
What you see on the screen
The 2.2 inch display is described as sunlight-readable with big numbers. It shows front, middle and back of the green plus hazards and doglegs. Controls are push buttons, and the specs list a resistive screen type, so this is not a touchscreen map device.
Over 43,000 courses come preloaded, with wireless updates through Bluetooth and the option to pair with other compatible Garmin products.
Mounting and carrying
A built-in magnet attaches it to a buggy frame, and a belt clip is included for walking golfers. That flexibility suits players who switch between buggies on holiday and push trolleys at home.
Who it does not suit
Golfers who enjoy studying hole layouts will find the G20 Solar basic. There is no colour hole map or touch control described, and green contours are not mentioned. It also lacks the club speed radar of the Garmin Approach G80. If your idea of a GPS is three numbers and the hazard carries, none of that matters; if you want the full picture of the hole, choose a touchscreen unit instead.
For winter golfers, remember that the unlimited claim depends on sun, so a dull December still leans on the stored charge.
Against the other handhelds
The Garmin Approach G80 offers a 3.5 inch touchscreen and a launch monitor but needs charging after about 15 hours. The Canmore HG500 is another button device with a 2.4 inch colour screen and green shapes, but the listing does not give its battery life. The G20 Solar is the clear choice for endurance.
Verdict
Choose the G20 Solar if you want reliable yardages and almost never want to charge. Golfers who want colour hole maps or a touchscreen should look at the Garmin Approach G80 or the Shot Scope H50, and those who want green shapes on a button device can compare the Canmore HG500.
Compared with alternatives in: Best handheld golf GPS units
Amazon listing title: Garmin Approach G20 Solar GPS Golf Handheld