Garmin Approach® S50 GPS Golf Smartwatch
Advanced golf GPS smartwatch with 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen, AutoShot, PlaysLike Distance, heart rate, Pulse Ox, Garmin Pay, music storage, and 43,000+ courses at $399.99.
Our Take: The Approach S50 is the sweet spot of the Garmin golf lineup. It takes the beautiful 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen from the S44 and adds everything you need for all-day wear: wrist heart rate, Pulse Ox, advanced sleep tracking, Body Battery, Garmin Pay, and music from Spotify, Amazon Music, and Deezer. On the course, you get AutoShot for automatic shot detection and built-in PlaysLike Distance without needing a membership. At $399.99, you’re paying $100 more than the S44 but gaining a complete health and smartwatch platform alongside your golf GPS. The only meaningful step up from here is the S70 at $649.99+, which adds Virtual Caddie, green contours, Wi-Fi, a ceramic bezel, and a larger display option. If you want your golf watch to also be your primary smartwatch — with health tracking, payments, and music — the S50 is where the lineup gets serious. Save $100 with the S44 at $299.99 if you can live without health features.
Why you’d choose this watch
- The S50 adds 24/7 wrist-based heart rate that the S44 completely lacks. With it comes Pulse Ox, stress tracking, Body Battery energy monitoring, advanced sleep with Sleep Coach and Nap Detection, HRV status, VO2 Max, Morning Report, and Garmin Coach training plans. It transforms the watch from a golf tool into a true health companion.
- AutoShot automatically detects and records your shot distances as you play — no button press needed. The S44 does not have AutoShot. Pair with optional CT1 tags or CT10 sensors for club-by-club statistics and a complete picture of your game.
- PlaysLike Distance adjusts yardage for elevation changes so you know how far each shot truly plays. On the S50, it’s built-in at no extra cost. The S44 requires a Garmin Golf membership ($9.99/month) for this feature.
- Download playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer directly to the watch’s 4 GB storage. Connect Bluetooth headphones and listen phone-free on the course, at the gym, or on a run. The S12 and S44 have no music capability.
- Leave your wallet in the clubhouse. The S50 includes NFC for Garmin Pay contactless payments at participating retailers. The S12 and S44 do not have Garmin Pay.
- The same stunning 1.2″ AMOLED display as the S44, with 43,000+ full-color CourseView maps worldwide. Zoom, pan, and use Green View with pin placement on the touchscreen. PinPointer shows the direction to the pin on blind approaches.
- The S50’s ComfortFit nylon band is breathable and lighter than the S44’s silicone band, making it more comfortable for all-day wear. Quick-release 20mm design lets you swap bands easily.
- Receive texts, calls, emails, and app alerts. Android users can reply to messages and reject calls from the wrist. Access the Connect IQ store for custom watch faces, data fields, and apps. Weather updates and calendar sync keep you informed.
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Who this watch is perfect for
- Golfers who want a single watch for the course AND everyday health tracking — heart rate, sleep, stress, and energy monitoring all day.
- Players who value AutoShot and PlaysLike Distance without paying for a Garmin Golf membership.
- Music lovers who want to leave their phone in the cart and listen through Bluetooth headphones on the course.
- Anyone tired of carrying a wallet — Garmin Pay lets you tap and go at the pro shop or on-course beverage cart.
- S44 owners who want to upgrade from a golf-only watch to a true all-day smartwatch.
You may prefer a different Garmin if…
- You want Virtual Caddie AI club suggestions, and the ultimate golf analytics → Approach S70 from $649.99
- You just need a golf GPS with AMOLED and don’t care about health tracking or music → Approach S44 at $299.99
- You want the cheapest possible golf GPS for basic yardages → Approach S12 at $199.99
Specifications
| Feature | Approach S50 |
|---|---|
| Display | AMOLED 1.2″ (30.4 mm) color touchscreen, 390 × 390 pixels |
| Case Size | 43 mm |
| Weight | 29g (case only) |
| Bezel | Anodized aluminum |
| Band | 20mm quick-release ComfortFit nylon |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM (50m) |
| Preloaded Courses | 43,000+ |
| Battery — GPS Mode | Up to 15 hours |
| Battery — Watch Mode | Up to 10 days |
| Green View | ✓ (touchscreen pin placement) |
| PinPointer | ✓ |
| AutoShot | ✓ |
| PlaysLike Distance | ✓ (built-in) |
| Hazard/Dogleg Distances | ✓ |
| Score Tracking | ✓ |
| CT1/CT10 Compatible | ✓ |
| Heart Rate | ✓ (wrist-based, 24/7) |
| Pulse Ox | ✓ |
| Sleep Tracking | ✓ (Sleep Coach, Nap Detection) |
| Stress / Body Battery | ✓ |
| VO2 Max | ✓ |
| Garmin Pay | ✓ (NFC) |
| Music Storage | ✓ (4 GB — Spotify, Amazon, Deezer) |
| Smart Notifications | ✓ |
| Connect IQ | ✓ |
| Sensors | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth LE, NFC |
| Warranty | 1 year manufacturer |
All Variants
| Model | MPN | UPC | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slate Aluminum/Black | 010-03010-00 | 753759350703 | $399.99 |
| Cream Gold/Ivory | 010-03010-01 | 753759350710 | $399.99 |
How the Approach S50 Compares
Focus or hover a row label for a plain-English definition.
| Feature |
S12Budget
|
S44Essential
|
S50★ This Watch
|
S70Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display?Screen technology and size. | MIP 0.9″ (mono) | AMOLED 1.2″ | AMOLED 1.2″ | AMOLED 1.2″/1.4″ |
| Touchscreen?Touch-capable display. | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Preloaded Courses?Golf courses preloaded on the watch. | 42,000+ | 43,000+ | 43,000+ | 43,000+ |
| Yardages (F/M/B)?Distance to front, middle, and back of the green. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Green View?Shape of the green with pin placement. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| PinPointer?Direction to the pin on blind approaches. | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| AutoShot?Automatic shot detection and distance recording. | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| PlaysLike Distance?Yardage adjusted for elevation changes. | No | w/ membership | Yes (built-in) | Yes (enhanced) |
| Virtual Caddie?AI club suggestion using wind, elevation, swing data. | No | No | No | Yes |
| Green Contours?Slope direction and severity on select greens. | No | w/ membership | w/ membership | w/ membership |
| Score Tracking?On-watch scorecard with app sync. | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| CT1/CT10 Compatible?Works with Garmin club tracking sensors. | Yes (CT10) | Yes (CT1/CT10) | Yes (CT1/CT10) | Yes (CT10) |
| Feature |
S12Budget
|
S44Essential
|
S50★ This Watch
|
S70Premium
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery (GPS)?Battery in GPS golf mode. | 30 hrs | 15 hrs | 15 hrs | 15/20 hrs |
| Battery (Watch)?Battery in daily smartwatch mode. | 10 weeks | 10 days | 10 days | 10/16 days |
| Water Rating?Water resistance depth rating. | IPX7 | 5 ATM | 5 ATM | 5 ATM |
| Weight?Watch weight. | 34g | 42g | 29g (case) | 44g/56g |
| Smart Notifications?Texts, calls, alerts on wrist. | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate?Wrist-based optical HR sensor. | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Pulse Ox?Blood oxygen saturation sensor. | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep Tracking?Monitors sleep quality and provides coaching. | No | No | Sleep Coach + Nap Detection | Sleep Coach + Nap Detection |
| Body Battery?Tracks energy levels throughout the day. | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| VO2 Max?Estimate of aerobic fitness level. | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Garmin Pay?Contactless wrist payments. | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Music Storage?On-watch music (Spotify, Amazon, Deezer). | No | No | Yes (4 GB) | Yes (32 GB) |
| Activity Profiles?Non-golf sport/fitness tracking. | No | Run, cycle, steps | Strength, yoga, cardio, run + | Strength, yoga, run, hike + |
| Wi-Fi?Built-in Wi-Fi for faster updates. | No | No | No | Yes |
| Storage?Internal storage for music and data. | — | — | 4 GB | 32 GB |
| Bezel Material?Watch bezel construction. | Polymer | Aluminum | Aluminum | Ceramic |
| Connect IQ?Custom watch faces, data fields, apps. | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Price?Starting MSRP. | $199.99 | $299.99 | $399.99 | $649.99 |
Where does the Approach S50 fit in the Garmin golf lineup?
Budget Golf GPS — Approach S12
- From $199.99
- Basic golf GPS with monochrome MIP display, 42,000+ courses, Green View, hazard distances, and a 30-hour GPS battery. No touchscreen, no AMOLED, no smart features, no health tracking. The most affordable Garmin golf GPS.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Essential Golf GPS — Approach S44
- From $299.99
- 1.2″ AMOLED touchscreen, 43,000+ courses, PinPointer, hazard view, smart notifications, and basic activity tracking. No heart rate, no Garmin Pay, no music, no AutoShot. The affordable AMOLED option for golfers who don’t need health features.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
★ You Are Here — Approach S50
- From $399.99
- Everything the S44 has plus AutoShot, PlaysLike Distance built-in, wrist heart rate, Pulse Ox, Sleep Coach, Body Battery, VO2 Max, Garmin Pay, music (Spotify/Amazon/Deezer), and Connect IQ. The complete golf and wellness smartwatch at the sweet spot of the lineup.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
Premium Golf Smartwatch — Approach S70
- From $649.99
- Everything the S50 has plus Virtual Caddie (AI club suggestions), green contour data, enhanced PlaysLike with barometer, ceramic bezel, 32 GB storage, Wi-Fi, and a 47mm option with 1.4″ AMOLED. The ultimate Garmin golf watch for serious players.
- View on heartratemonitorsusa.com →
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Approach S50 — Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the S50 different from the S44?
The S50 ($399.99) adds everything the S44 ($299.99) is missing for daily wear: wrist-based heart rate, Pulse Ox, advanced sleep tracking with Sleep Coach and Nap Detection, stress monitoring, Body Battery energy management, HRV status, VO2 Max, Garmin Coach, Garmin Pay contactless payments, music storage (Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer), and a ComfortFit nylon band. On the golf side, the S50 adds AutoShot for automatic shot detection and built-in PlaysLike Distance without a membership. It’s a true all-day smartwatch that also plays golf, whereas the S44 is a golf watch with basic smart features.
Does the S50 have AutoShot?
Yes. AutoShot automatically detects and records your shot distances as you play. This is a significant upgrade over the S44 which does not have AutoShot. You can also pair optional CT1 club tracking tags or CT10 sensors (sold separately) for even more detailed shot data including club-by-club statistics.
Does the S50 need a Garmin Golf membership for PlaysLike Distance?
No. PlaysLike Distance is built into the S50 at no extra cost. It adjusts yardage for elevation changes so you know how far each shot truly plays. A Garmin Golf membership ($9.99/month or $99.99/year) unlocks additional features including enhanced CourseView maps, green contour data (slope and break direction), and touch targeting. On the S44, both PlaysLike Distance and green contours require the membership. On the S70, PlaysLike Distance is enhanced with barometer data for even more accuracy.
Can I listen to music on the S50 without my phone?
Yes. The S50 has 4 GB of on-watch music storage. Download playlists from Spotify, Amazon Music, or Deezer directly to the watch, then connect Bluetooth headphones for phone-free listening on the course, at the gym, or on a run. Neither the S12 nor S44 offer music storage.
What health and wellness features does the S50 include?
The S50 provides comprehensive health tracking: 24/7 wrist-based heart rate, Pulse Ox blood oxygen saturation, advanced sleep monitoring with Sleep Coach and Nap Detection, stress tracking, Body Battery energy monitoring, HRV status, Morning Report, VO2 Max, Fitness Age, Garmin Coach training plans, women’s health tracking (menstrual cycle and pregnancy), guided meditation, mindful breathing, and hydration logging. It’s the most affordable Approach watch with full health features.
How does the S50 compare to the S70?
The S70 ($649.99–$699.99) adds premium golf features the S50 doesn’t have: Virtual Caddie (AI club suggestions using wind, elevation, and swing data), enhanced PlaysLike Distance with barometer for wind speed and air density adjustments, Wi-Fi for faster course updates, 32 GB storage (vs 4 GB), a ceramic bezel, and a 47mm option with a larger 1.4″ AMOLED display. Both the S50 and S70 offer green contour data with a Garmin Golf membership. If you want the most advanced golf analytics and a premium build, choose the S70. If you want excellent golf features with full health tracking at $250–$300 less, the S50 is the sweet spot.
What’s in the box?
Approach S50 GPS golf watch with ComfortFit nylon band, charging/data cable, and documentation. Available in Slate Aluminum with Black band and Cream Gold with Ivory band.
Need help choosing? Call us at 1-800-403-8285 or 215-259-2700. Our team is happy to help you find the right Garmin golf watch.