Buy it if
- You want a current-generation Garmin with a bright AMOLED screen.
- You play regularly but do not need every flagship mapping feature.
- You want one watch for golf, fitness and everyday wear.
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Best balanced Garmin
Garmin Approach S50 review
Typical price: £330–£400
The Garmin watch we would recommend to most golfers who want a modern AMOLED display and useful course guidance without paying S70 money.
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The 30-second verdict
The S50 sits in the most useful part of Garmin’s range. It brings a bright AMOLED display, strong golf guidance and everyday fitness features into a lighter, more approachable package than the flagship S70. For most regular golfers, this is the sensible Garmin choice.
Avoid it if
- You want the deepest course mapping and premium features of the S70.
- You only need simple front, middle and back yardages.
- Shot tracking value matters more than Garmin’s wider ecosystem.
Bottom line
The S50 is the best-balanced Garmin GPS watch for most golfers. It gives up some flagship depth, but keeps the modern screen, polished software and useful everyday features.
At a glance
Scores reflect the S50’s role as a modern mid-range option rather than a cut-price S70.
Accuracy9.2
Dependable Garmin yardages and reliable on-course guidance.Display9.4
Bright AMOLED presentation that is easy to read and pleasant to use.Ease of use9.2
Cleaner and less overwhelming than Garmin’s flagship models.Battery8.8
Comfortably practical for regular rounds and everyday wear.Features8.9
Strong golf and fitness coverage without the full S70 feature burden.Value9.1
Compelling when the S70 premium is substantial.Why we recommend it
The S50 solves a common buying problem: many golfers want Garmin’s polished experience and a premium-looking screen, but do not need the cost or complexity of the flagship S70. It retains the qualities people notice every round while trimming features that many players would rarely use.
If we were recommending one Garmin GPS watch to the widest group of regular golfers, the S50 would be our starting point.
What it is like to own
The AMOLED display is the feature you notice first. It makes the watch feel current and gives maps, yardages and menus a more polished presentation than older mid-range Garmin models. The interface is approachable enough for everyday use, while still providing useful golf information beyond basic distances.
The main buying decision is whether you genuinely need the S70’s more advanced mapping and premium extras. Golfers who actively plan shots using detailed hole information may justify the upgrade. Everyone else is likely to find the S50 easier to live with and better value.
Pros and cons
What works well
- Bright, modern AMOLED display
- Balanced golf and everyday features
- Polished Garmin software ecosystem
- More approachable than the flagship S70
What to consider
- Less detailed mapping than the S70
- Still more expensive than basic GPS watches
- Not the strongest pure shot-tracking value
- Casual golfers may not use its wider features
Better alternatives
Choose according to how much mapping depth, price and performance tracking matter to you.
Garmin Approach S70
Choose it for Garmin’s deepest mapping, larger premium presentation and most complete golf-watch experience.
Read the S70 review →Garmin Approach S62
Consider it only when a substantial discount makes its detailed mapping clearly better value.
Read the S62 review →Shot Scope X5
Choose it when automated performance tracking and lower cost matter more than Garmin’s ecosystem.
Read the X5 review →Frequently asked questions
Is the Garmin S50 worth buying?
Yes. It is the most balanced modern Garmin for golfers who want a bright display and useful golf features without paying for the full S70 package.
Should I buy the S50 or S70?
Choose the S70 if you will use its deeper mapping and premium features regularly. Choose the S50 when you want the modern Garmin experience at a more sensible price.
Is the S50 better than the S62?
The S50 is newer, simpler and has a more modern display. The S62 offers deeper mapping, but only becomes the stronger buy when discounted substantially.
Is the S50 suitable for beginners?
Yes, particularly for beginners who want a watch they can continue using as their golf develops. A basic GPS watch is cheaper, but the S50 is easier to grow into.
What we would buy today
Our final verdict
The Garmin Approach S50 is the model we would recommend to most golfers entering Garmin’s current GPS-watch range. It combines the AMOLED display and polished everyday experience people want, while avoiding much of the S70’s price premium. Buy the S70 for maximum mapping depth; buy the S50 for the strongest overall balance.
Typical price shown is editorial guidance based on UK pricing checked July 2026. Check the retailer for the current selling price.
Editorial review update · 24 July 2026
Garmin Approach S50: the buying decision
Best for: Golfers who want a bright AMOLED golf watch and useful everyday health features without paying Approach S70 money.
Think twice if: Choose the S70 instead if you want Garmin's more premium maps, materials and flagship feature set. Choose a simpler watch if golf distances—not smartwatch features—are the priority.
What stands out
- Clear AMOLED display and polished Garmin golf interface
- Balances golf, fitness and everyday smartwatch duties
- Less expensive route into Garmin's current AMOLED range
What to factor in
- Still a premium purchase beside basic GPS watches
- Not as feature-rich or luxurious as the Approach S70
- Best value depends on whether you will use its non-golf features