Product · Garmin
Approach S44: AMOLED watch, CT10 ready
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This is the Approach S44 in the Twilight colourway, aimed at golfers who want a slim golf watch that looks at home off the course. Within Garmin's Approach range it is the AMOLED model, with a 1.2 inch colour screen that makes course views pop, and it is ready for CT1 or CT10 club trackers.
- Type
- Watch
- Display
- 1.2 inch colour AMOLED
- Battery
- Up to 15 h GPS, 10 days watch
- Course maps
- 43,000+ preloaded
- Shot data
- With CT1 or CT10 trackers
In its favour
- Colour AMOLED display with 43,000+ preloaded courses.
- Hazard view for bunkers, water and layups, plus distance to front, middle and back.
- Supports automatic shot tracking with CT1 or CT10 sensors.
Good to know
- CourseView, green contours and PlaysLike Distance need a Garmin Golf membership.
- 15 hours in GPS mode is half the S12's stated figure.
Our take
Course features
More than 43,000 courses are preloaded. Distances to the front, middle and back of the green are shown, and hazard view covers bunkers, water and layup points. Scores can be kept on the watch and uploaded to the Garmin Golf app for stats and handicap tracking.
A Garmin Golf membership unlocks colour CourseView, green contours, PlaysLike Distance and Touch Targeting.
Hazard view is particularly useful on parkland courses with hidden water, as it lists carry distances you might otherwise have to pace out.
Battery and build of this version
Garmin lists up to 15 hours of GPS use and up to 10 days in smartwatch mode. The product details for this colour list a 210 mAh battery. The case is 43 x 43 x 11 mm, weighs 42.4 g and uses a 20 mm silicone band in Twilight with a tang buckle. Controls are buttons plus a touchscreen.
GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite systems are supported, and the box includes a charging cable and documentation.
Smart features
Smart notifications from iPhone or Android phones arrive on the wrist, so you can leave the phone in the bag. The watch also tracks calories and distance according to the product details. Garmin provides a two year manufacturer warranty.
Garmin positions the S44 as an essential golf watch, which in practice means it covers the core golf and phone features without the extra sports profiles of the S60.
Where it sits in the Approach range
The Approach S12 is the simpler button watch with up to 30 hours of GPS. The Approach S60 has a touchscreen with full colour CourseView maps but a shorter 10 hour golf mode. The G80 is a handheld with a launch monitor built in, and the CT10 is the 14 club sensor pack that adds automatic shot tracking to compatible watches.
Who might prefer another Garmin
If you rarely charge devices, the S12's longer battery is more forgiving. Golfers who want swing speed data should look at the G80 instead.
Verdict
Choose the S44 in Twilight if you want a slim, bright AMOLED golf watch that doubles as a smartwatch, with room to add CT10 shot tracking later. For the longest battery, the Approach S12 is better, and for built-in swing speed measurement, the Approach G80.
Compared with alternatives in: Garmin Approach range compared
Amazon listing title: Garmin Approach S44 43mm essential GPS golf watch, Twilight