About the Garmin Approach® S12
Make the most of your time on the links
Make the most of your time on the links
Garmin's Approach S12 GPS golf watch brings an understated elegance to your wrist and, as a no-frills digital assistant for your game, it's tough to beat. It gives you key distances to greens, layups, and doglegs, and it'll really shine when you pair it with the Garmin Golf app on your smartphone. And It features over 42,000 preloaded international courses, so it'll come in handy nearly anywhere you want to play.
Green View with manual pin positioning
Hate not knowing what the next green looks like? You can get a closer look on the S12's screen and use the buttons to move the pin for the best approach. You'll see distances to the front, middle, and back of the green, plus info on doglegs and hazards along your path. When you really get a hold of a shot, S12 will record the distance so you'll have bragging rights at the 19th hole.
Keep score and more
No fumbling around for a scorecard and pencil — you can keep score right on the watch. You'll get a summary at the end of your round detailing your score, total time, and distance played. It displays sunrise and sunset times as well, a real help if you're trying to squeeze in a round after work. Craving some competition? Use the free Garmin Golf app to join weekly leaderboards and tournaments, plus handy stat tracking so you can chart your progress. The app even gives you automatic CourseView updates for your favorite courses when you pair the S12 with your phone.
Built to perform
Approach S12 offers you all this information with clear, easy-to-read numbering that's visible even in bright sunshine. And you don't have to worry about running out of juice on the 18th hole — the Approach S12's built-in rechargeable battery offers up to 30 hours of juice in GPS mode, or 10 weeks as a regular watch. And Garmin offers a number of quick-release bands you can purchase if you want to change up the styling of your watch.
Product highlights:
- black golf GPS watch with white silicone band
- USB charging/data cable included
- 1.3" monochrome display (175 x 175 pixels) with negative display mode
- 5 ATM waterproof rating
- built-in rechargeable battery allows up to 10 weeks of use in watch mode and 30 hours in GPS mode
Golf Features:
- preloaded with over 42,000 courses worldwide
- allows free course updates from Garmin website
- yardage to front, middle, and back of greens
- yardage to layups and doglegs
- Green View with manual pin positioning
- digital scorecard with handicap scoring and stat tracker
- odometer and round timer
- compatible with Garmin Golf app for tracking scores and stats online and automatic CourseView updates
Other Information:
- dimensions: 1-3/4"W x 2"H x 1/2"D (10" band length)
- weight: 1.23 oz. (with battery)
- warranty: 1 year
- Our 60-day money-back guarantee
- MFR # 010-02472-02
What's in the box:
Garmin Approach® S12 owner's manual
- GPS golf watch (white bezel/white band)
- 21" USB charging/data cable (Type A USB on one end and proprietary connector on other end)
- Quick Start Manual
- Important Safety and Product Information
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Features
Overview: The Garmin Approach S12 is a wrist-worn golf GPS unit with over 42,000 pre-loaded worldwide golf courses. It features a slim design that weighs only 1.2 ounces for a comfortable fit. The Approach S12 uses a high-sensitivity GPS receiver to measure individual shot distances and show the exact yardage to fairways, hazards, and greens. No subscriptions or setup fees are required.
Display: The Approach S12 has a 0.9" x 0.9" high-resolution monochrome display with a resolution of 175 x 175 pixels. The high-contrast selectable (positive or negative) display is easily readable in bright sunlight.
Course Data: The Approach S12 has data for over 42,000 select golf courses worldwide, including over 17,000 golf courses in the United States. New golf courses and updates to existing courses are available for download through the Garmin Golf app, or through Garmin Express. When you connect your device to your smartphone, the golf courses you use most frequently are updated automatically. You can also update the Approach S12 using Garmin Express on your computer. Garmin Express is compatible with Windows 7 SP1 and newer, and Mac OS X 10.11 or later.
Water Resistance: The Approach S12 has a 5 ATM rating, which means that the case can withstand accidental immersion in 50 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
Play Mode: As you play, the Approach S12's Hole View automatically updates your position, giving you the exact yardage to the front, center, and back of the green, but not the actual pin location. The Hole View shows the shape of the green to show you where to aim. You can change the size of the numbers on the Hole View to easy-to-read large numbers.
Hazards, Layups, and Doglegs: The Approach S12 lets you view hole characteristics that affect shot selection along the fairways on Par 4 and Par 5 holes. Hazards are identified at the top of the screen (bunker, water, etc.), and the distances to the front and back of the hazard are given. You can view a list of layup and dogleg distances for Par 4 and 5 holes, and the distance to reach each layup.
Measuring a Shot: The Approach S12 can measure the distance of a particular shot. After hitting the shot, you can select "Measure Shot" in the menu and walk to your ball to calculate the distance.
Approach CT10 Sensors: The S12 is compatible with the optional Approach CT10 golf club sensors (sold separately). The sensors are placed on the handle end of each club, and allows the device to track your golf shots, including location, distance, and club type.
Digital Scorecard: The Approach S12 doubles as a digital scorecard, helping you keep your score and other statistics. When scoring is enabled, you will be prompted to enter your score when you are on the green. When your round is completed, you can upload your scorecard to the Garmin Golf app.
Garmin Golf App: The free Garmin Golf app can enhance your golf game. The app allows you to compete with friends and other golfers, giving each round a tournament feel. Your scorecard is automatically uploaded when you pair your device to your smartphone. The Garmin Golf app is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch with iOS 11.0 or later, and Android devices (version varies with device).
Power Requirements: The Approach S12 operates on a built-in Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery. A fully charged battery lasts for up 30 hours (in GPS mode), and up to 10 weeks in watch mode. The unit has a proprietary USB charging port on the back for connecting the supplied charging/data cable.
The Garmin Approach® S12 replaces these items
- yardage to front, middle, and back of greens
- measures shot distance
- digital scorecard with handicap scoring and stat tracker
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Customer Q&A
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As expected, this watch provided all the information I needed to navigated the golf course and minimize my scoring. It was a great help on each hole played. In addition to proving distances it included time of day, sunset, sunrise and battery life.
Carl from Hackettstown, NJ