Best golf GPS watches

Top pick: Garmin Approach S70 — the most complete golf watch here. A bright, scratch-proof screen, full-colour course maps, 5 ATM water resistance and the strongest owner ratings of the bunch. If you want one watch that does golf and everyday smartwatch duty, start here.

Who the others suit:

• Garmin Approach S50 — the same Garmin ecosystem in a slimmer, cheaper package; great if you mainly want distances and scorekeeping.
• Garmin Approach S12 / S44 — simple, no-fuss front/middle/back numbers for players who don't want a touchscreen.
• Shot Scope G6 and X5 — the value route: tens of thousands of preloaded courses, and the X5 adds automatic shot tracking so you can see your stats after the round.
• Voice Caddie T9 — a solid mid-range all-rounder with a metal case and good owner reviews.
• SkyCaddie PRO 4X — for the golfer who wants the most detailed, ground-verified course maps and long battery life.
• Bushnell iON Elite / Phantom 3 Slope — small, light and easy to clip or wear; the Phantom adds slope-adjusted distances.
• GolfBuddy Aim W12 — a full-colour touchscreen at the lower end.

One thing worth knowing: the S50 is also widely available pre-owned for much less, if you don't mind a used unit.