S62 or S50? The Garmin golf watch that best fits your game

Display

The S50 wins here. Its AMOLED display should look sharper, brighter, and more modern than the S62’s full-colour screen, especially in everyday use and in mixed light conditions. For golfers who want crisp graphics, a more premium smartwatch feel, and easier readability off the course, the S50 has the edge. The S62 is still perfectly usable and has the advantage of being built as a golf-first device, but visually it is the older design. Winner: S50.

Performance

The S62 wins for pure golf-focused performance. It is Garmin’s more established premium golf GPS watch, with built-in Virtual Caddie and mapping designed to help with club selection and course management. That matters if you want more than yardages: it can support better decision-making by combining distance, conditions, and your tendencies. The S50 is an advanced golf GPS smartwatch with on-course features, but the S62’s reputation and feature depth make it the stronger choice for serious golfers who want the most complete caddie-style experience. Winner: S62.

Build quality and design

This is close, but the S50 edges it for modern wearability while the S62 wins for traditional golf-watch robustness. The S50’s slate aluminium bezel and ComfortFit nylon band give it a more contemporary, premium smartwatch look, and it should sit more comfortably as an all-day watch. The S62’s white finish looks more golf-specific and classic, and it has the feel of a purpose-built performance device. If you want a watch that blends into daily life, the S50 is more versatile; if you want a watch that looks like it belongs on the first tee, the S62 is the safer bet. Winner: tie, slight edge to S50 for lifestyle wear.

Battery life

The S62 is the safer pick if battery life matters most, especially for golfers who play long rounds, use GPS heavily, or want less charging anxiety. Premium golf watches in this class are often judged as much by how well they handle a full day of golf as by their features, and the S62 has the longer track record as the dependable “play all day” option. The S50 may be fine for normal rounds, but the S62 is the more established endurance choice for golfers who don’t want to think about battery percentage mid-round. Winner: S62.

Price and value for money

The S50 wins clearly on value. At £321.42, it is £134.12 cheaper than the S62, which is a meaningful saving in this category. Both have a 4.5/5 rating, but the S62’s 2,540 reviews show far more market confidence and a larger real-world sample size, while the S50’s 501 reviews still suggest strong approval. If you want the best balance of features and cost, the S50 is the smarter buy; if you are paying extra specifically for Garmin’s more proven premium golf tools, the S62 can justify the premium. Winner: S50.

Game library/features

The S62 wins. Its built-in Virtual Caddie is the headline feature that most directly helps a golfer lower scores, because it pushes you beyond raw GPS numbers into smarter club selection and course management. That is the kind of data-driven practice and decision support that can improve scoring, especially for mid-handicappers trying to eliminate big mistakes. The S50 still offers advanced on-course features, but from the information provided, it does not match the S62’s premium caddie-style toolkit. If your goal is to use tech to think better on the course, the S62 is stronger. Winner: S62.

Overall user experience

The S50 is the more appealing everyday smartwatch, while the S62 is the more serious golf instrument. The S50’s AMOLED screen, lighter lifestyle-friendly design, and lower price make it easier to recommend for golfers who also want a watch they’ll wear off-course. The S62 is the one to choose if your priority is golf-first utility, especially if you care about Virtual Caddie and a more established premium Garmin golf experience. For golfers who want to buy once and use the watch as a training and scoring tool, the S62 feels more purpose-built. For golfers who want a great-looking watch with strong golf features at a better price, the S50 is more practical. Overall summary: the S62 is the better golf performance watch, but the S50 is the better value and the more wearable modern smartwatch.

Final verdict

If your priority is lowering scores through the most complete golf-focused Garmin experience, the S62 is the better choice. If your priority is saving money while still getting a premium Garmin golf smartwatch with a superior display and strong all-round appeal, the S50 is the smarter buy. The decision comes down to whether you want the more advanced golf tool or the better-value modern smartwatch.