Garmin Approach S70 vs S62: Which GPS Watch Is Worth Your Money?

TL;DR

The Garmin Approach S62 (~$299) is the best value for serious golfers who want full shot tracking, green maps, and Bluetooth sync. The Garmin Approach S70 (~$649) is the premium choice — AMOLED display, Virtual Caddie, and the most complete golf watch experience available. If budget allows and you play 2+ rounds per week, the S70 is worth the upgrade. If $300 is your ceiling, the S62 delivers 80% of the S70’s golf value.

Specs Comparison

Where the S70 Wins

AMOLED Display. This is the biggest visible difference. The S70’s AMOLED screen is dramatically sharper and more vibrant than the S62’s MIP display. Course maps, green contours, and shot data look significantly better. In direct sunlight, both are readable, but the AMOLED is noticeably crisper.

Virtual Caddie. The S70’s killer feature. It uses your personal shot history plus course layout and wind conditions to recommend exactly which club to hit. The S62 gives you the data; the S70 gives you the recommendation. For golfers who struggle with club selection, Virtual Caddie is a genuine scoring improvement tool.

Weight. Surprisingly, the S70 is slightly lighter at 53g vs 58g — a minor advantage for all-day wear.

Wi-Fi connectivity. The S70 connects to Wi-Fi for faster course updates and data syncing. The S62 uses Bluetooth only.

Where the S62 Holds Its Own

Green Slope Maps. Both watches provide dynamic green contour maps. The S70’s rendering is sharper on the AMOLED screen, but the underlying data is comparable. For most golfers, the S62’s green maps provide the same strategic information.

Full Shot Tracking. Both watches track every shot automatically and sync to the Garmin Golf app for post-round analysis. The core analytics experience is the same between the two models.

Course Database. 40,000+ vs 43,000+ courses — the difference is minimal for golfers playing courses in North America and Europe. You’re unlikely to encounter a course the S62 doesn’t have.

Battery Life. Both deliver 14 days in watch mode. The S70 pulls ahead in GPS mode (20 hours vs 15), but 15 hours of GPS covers even the longest walking rounds.

The Value Question: Is the S70 Worth $350 More?

The honest answer depends on how you use it. The S70 premium buys you: AMOLED display quality, Virtual Caddie shot recommendations, Wi-Fi connectivity, and slightly longer GPS battery. If you play 2+ times per week and want the best possible golf watch experience, the S70 is worth the investment. If you play once a week and primarily want shot tracking and green maps, the S62 delivers that at $299 without compromise.

One way to think about it: the S70 is a $649 golf computer that also happens to be a watch. The S62 is a $299 golf watch that happens to do data analytics. Both are excellent. The question is which lens you want.

Upgrade Path Recommendation

If you currently own an S42 or S12 — upgrade to the S62 first. The step up to full shot tracking and green maps is the biggest functional improvement you can make at the $300 price point. If you already own an S62 and are considering the S70, the upgrade is justified primarily by Virtual Caddie and AMOLED display quality — both meaningful improvements for serious golfers.

The Bottom Line

Best value: Garmin Approach S62 (~$299) — Full shot tracking, green contour maps, Bluetooth sync, 40,000+ courses. Gets you 80% of the S70 experience.
Best overall: Garmin Approach S70 (~$649) — AMOLED display, Virtual Caddie, complete golf watch experience. Worth the premium for serious golfers who play regularly.