Garmin Approach S12 Review
When you are looking for just a regular watch you certainly have a wide range of options that you can look for.
However, when you are keen on buying a golf GPS watch you need to look out for features that make sense and that can provide you with better efficiency.
Garmin has continued to provide a wide range of golf GPS-enabled watches and Approach s12 is one such model that you should not miss out on.
This watch certainly is a notch above the Approach S20 model and offers a competitive price tag that suits first-time buyers and users.
Let’s have a deep dive through all the features and find out why its become one of the top-selling golf GPS watches.
Table of Contents
Garmin Approach S12 Review:- Features
- New round watch design with a high-resolution sunlight-readable display
- More than 42,000 courses preloaded from around the world
- Provides yardages to the front, back and middle of the green, as well as to hazards and doglegs
- Keep score right on the watch and upload directly to the Garmin Golf app (when paired with a compatible smartphone) to participate in weekly leaderboards
- Automatically keep track of your score and how far you hit with each club with compatible Approach CT10 club tracking sensors (sold separately)
- Battery life: up to 30 hours in GPS mode
Design
If you’re keen on buying a watch that has a sleek design, Approach s12 is just the right watch for you.
Garmin has come up with an elegant sleek design that makes it very appealing and ideal for those who want a lightweight and comfortable watch on their wrist.
The watch is very lightweight and also doubles up as a regular watch with other features like alarms etc, therefore it can work as an everyday watch.
Although the watch is lightweight and seems delicate, it is rugged, durable, and water-resistant for up to 10 meters.
The strap of the watch is very flexible and therefore ideal for long hours.
The best golf watch is available in four different color options and there are band options as well to choose from.
Accuracy
The high sensitivity GPS receiver embedded in the watch allows the users to get the yardage to the front, middle, and back of the green.
The yardage information provided is pretty basic, but accurate and therefore it offers good information to those who are first-time users and want basic information to improve their golf play.
It also provides plus layups and dogleg distances to improve usability over the entire hole.
The watch comes preloaded with 42,000 courses from around the world, so you don’t have to waste time downloading all the maps online.
With Approach s12 there is a huge database of golf courses already available in the watch that users can use.
Easy To Use
Garmin Approach S12 is very easy to use. Once you press the action button hit this action, simply select the play golf option with the action button again.
Wait for a couple of minutes to search for GPS, it will quickly show the golf course name where you are playing.
You could just hit okay or scroll down further to see all golf courses that are available nearby location. You can use the Up and Down navigation buttons to scroll up or down.
Once you select the course, it will show a little overview of how far the flag is. With the down button, you can find out how far are the bunkers and hazards, etc.
Its map view is not clear or colorful as S62, but it does an excellent job for the given price.
Shot Measurement
With its measure shot feature, you’ll be able to measure exactly how far you hit the ball.
After hitting the shot just select the measure shot option and start walking towards the ball, it will let you know the distance once you get to the ball. With this feature, you’ll know exactly how far that shot was.
This feature is really useful when you would like to practice with your new clubs and find out how far you can hit them.
Digital Scorecard
If you’re unable to keep track of your score you can let the watch do the work for you.
Garmin Approach s12 comes with a feature where it can keep track of your golf score and that way you can always keep track of the score even when you are concentrating on other things.
The watch also measures individual shot distances which is another piece of information that users can keep track of when they are using Garmin Approach s12.
When you’re done, you can connect the watch using a USB cable and download the score on your computer and keep records and print your scores.
With Approach s12 you can choose the course you want to play and you know everything you need to know about the course.
Approach s12 also includes free lifetime course updates without additional subscriptions.
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Garmin Approach S12 Review:- Pros & Cons
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Auto shot round analyzer
- Activity Tracking
- Excellent Course Coverage
- Free Lifetime Course Updates
- Multiple Color and Band Options
- High-sensitivity GPS Receiver
- Lightweight and Durable
- Water Resistant (up to 10 meters)
- Records Individual Shot Distances
- Precise yardage to the front, middle, and back of the green
- Free USB Cable
Cons
- Lacks Premium Features
- No Social Media Functionality
- No Online Portal
Garmin Approach S12 Review:- Video Review
Garmin Approach S12 Review:- FAQs
Is its useful for female golfer?
It's not exactly a female watch because its face is slightly big, but you can go ahead if you only use it for Golf.
Moreover, you can buy third-party bands which may fit a female golfer better.
How about notifications?
No, it can't show messages or notifications. However, you can connect to the Garmin connect using Garmin mobile app.
Will this watch automatically find the golf course?
Yes, it will automatically detect the golf course.
Does S12 automatically advance to the next hole?
Yes, Garmin S12 can automatically advance to the next hole you walk from the green to the next tee box.
Garmin Approach S12 2021 Review:- Conclusion
Garmin Approach s12 is certainly one step forward compared to the Garmin Approach S10 watch, but it still lacks some of the premium features that allow users to share their scores and information on social media and other online golf portals.
However, the watch has a high-sensitivity GPS similar to Bushnell phantom golf GPS which provides accurate information. Users looking for basic information will find this watch useful and valuable for money.
It is lightweight, durable, and water-resistant and works like an everyday watch as well. It can record individual shot distances and provide precise yardage information to the front, back, and middle of the green.
The watch comes preloaded with 42,000 golf courses from around the world which is another benefit for the users.
