Garmin Approach S10 GPS Watch Review

We test out the Garmin Approach S10 GPS watch to assess its usability and overall performance

Garmin Approach S10 GPS Watch Review
Golf Monthly Verdict

The Garmin Approach S10 GPS watch is extremely easy to use and delivers all the basic functionality most would need. We found the yardages provided to be accurate and useful, while its sleek and lightweight nature meant using it felt effortless. As an entry-level product at a great price point, this ticks all the boxes.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Extremely easy to use

  • +

    Provided highly accurate yardages

  • +

    Very lightweight and sleek so causes no distractions while playing

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Limited versatility

  • -

    Doesn't allow for the flag position to be moved

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Garmin Approach S10 GPS Watch Review

Garmin has become a huge name in the golf industry, specializing in producing some of the best golf watches money can buy.  And speaking of money, we all know that the upper end of this market will put a fairly sizable dent in a golfer’s pocket. With that in mind, we were keen to test the entry-level Garmin Approach S10 GPS watch to find out how it compared to its more expensive competitors. 

The first thing to say is that it was well packaged when it arrived and came with instructions that told us how to set it up and get the most out of it on the course. As we envisaged, it wasn’t rocket science, but it was a nice touch all the same. There are a whopping 40,000 courses preloaded, meaning you can be confident in the knowledge that, wherever you’re playing, it will have all the information you require. Just turn it on, select the course, and head to the first tee equipped to play your best. 

We always enjoy the front-middle-back yardages that GPS watches display as, no matter where you are on a given course, a distance is always provided. It’s one of the big advantages products such as this have over even the best golf rangefinders, as you don’t need a clear sight of your target. Additionally, the S10 gave us run-out yardages on doglegs as well as numbers to key hazards. Especially at a new venue, we found this to be invaluable.  

In fact, at no point throughout testing were we unable to find a yardage we wanted or needed. That may happen in the future, but instances will be few and far between. Onto the looks, and while admittedly it isn’t the most stylish watch, that’s fine because it isn’t designed to be. For those wanting to marry style with substance, look to the upper end of the Garmin range. 

What the S10 is, however, is extremely lightweight and sleek. For anyone still hesitant about trying a GPS watch for fear it might be cumbersome and cause distractions, you needn’t worry as there’s more chance of forgetting it’s even there. And not only that, but the strap on the Garmin S10 is actually quite comfortable on the wrist. 

The screen is black and white - again, head elsewhere if you want color graphics - and the information is very clear to read. Even in sunlight, we didn’t struggle with glare. To be honest, from start to finish, the Garmin S10 experience was completely effortless and given the price, it is one of the best value golf watches out there right now. 

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Andrew Wright
Freelance News Writer

A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly. 

Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.

As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.

What's in Andy's bag?

Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)

3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)

Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)

Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)

Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)

Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5

Ball: TaylorMade TP5x