5 Alternatives to the Garmin Approach S62 — Including Cheaper and Better-Fit Options

The Bushnell Tour V5 Patriot Pack Jolt is the best alternative if your priority is fast, simple distance measurement rather than full-course mapping. Compared with the Garmin Approach S62, it’s cheaper at £260.07 and gives you the precision of a laser rangefinder, which many better golfers prefer for approach shots and exact pin distances. What’s better: it’s usually more accurate for one-off target distances than GPS, and the Jolt confirmation is reassuring. What’s worse: you lose the S62’s full-colour mapping, Virtual Caddie, and hole-by-hole strategy tools, so it won’t help with club selection in the same way. Choose this if you already know your yardages and want the most direct distance-reading tool.

The black Garmin Approach S62 is essentially the same watch as the white version, but at £324.99 it’s a much better-value buy. It has the same Virtual Caddie, mapping, full-colour display, and premium golf features as the main product, so in practical terms you’re getting the same performance for significantly less money. What’s better: identical golf functionality, lower price, and a more discreet colourway that many golfers prefer on and off the course. What’s worse: nothing meaningful for golf performance. If you want the S62 experience without paying the white-colour premium, this is the obvious pick.

The Garmin Approach S12 is the smart budget choice if you mainly want reliable GPS distances and course coverage. At £169.00, it’s far cheaper than the S62 and still offers 42,000+ preloaded courses and up to 30 hours of battery life in GPS mode. What’s better: excellent battery life, simple operation, and strong value for golfers who only need front/middle/back distances and hazard info. What’s worse: no Virtual Caddie, no full-colour mapping, and far fewer premium features for club fitting or on-course decision-making. Choose the S12 if you want a golf watch to lower scores without paying for extras you may never use.

The Garmin fēnix 8 is the premium option for golfers who also want a top-tier multisport smartwatch. At £695.00, it’s much more expensive than the S62, but it brings AMOLED display quality, advanced health and training metrics, LED flashlight, and up to 16 days of battery life. What’s better: far broader fitness and lifestyle functionality, plus a more advanced smartwatch experience. What’s worse: it’s overkill if golf is your main use case, and you’re paying for features that don’t directly improve your course management. Pick this only if you want one watch for golf, training, travel, and everyday wear.

The Bushnell Edge Disc Golf 6x24 is not a direct golf alternative, but it’s included because some shoppers are comparing Bushnell devices and want a cheaper GPS-style option. At £169.99, it’s good value for disc golf users, but it is not suitable for traditional golf course strategy, club selection, or hole mapping. What’s better: lower cost and disc-golf-specific functionality. What’s worse: it doesn’t replace a true golf GPS watch or rangefinder for 18-hole golf. Only choose this if you actually play disc golf and don’t need standard golf features.