Key Takeaways
- The Garmin s60 has several stroke-saving golf features not found in the Garmin s42 including slope compensated distances, Swing Tempo monitoring, touch targeting, and full vector course maps with overhead views. The two successors to the Garmin s60 are the s70 and s62. The Garmin s70 has more fitness features than the s62 including access to more workout routines, training metrics, and heart rate information. The Garmin s62 has more golf and fitness features than the s60 including a virtual caddie and heart rate monitor.
- Both the Garmin s42 and s62 come with a 1.2-inch round LCD display.
- The Garmin Forerunner 965 comes with a slightly longer battery life than the S70 in both smartwatch and GPS modes. Neither watch comes with solar charging.
- The Garmin s60 has more running, biking, and swimming features than the s42, making it one of the great fitness and golf watches for everyday use.
Garmin S42 vs S60: Choosing the Right GPS Golf Watch for Your Game
Golfers today are blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to high-tech distance and shot tracking watches. With so many options on the market, it can be downright confusing trying to pick the perfect golf GPS watch for your needs and budget.
That’s where this handy guide comes in! We’ll be comparing two of Garmin’s top dedicated golf watches — the Garmin Approach S42 and Garmin Approach S60 — to help you decide which one best fits your gameplay.
While both watches boast accurate GPS distance calculations to greens, sand bunkers, water hazards, and doglegs, the S60 model offers more advanced features for the golfer looking to analyze every facet of their game. With slope compensation technology, robust shot tracking, activity profiles for multiple sports, a beautiful color touchscreen display, and more than 40,000 full-color worldwide course maps, the S60 caters to golfers obsessed with data and pleasing graphics.
The less expensive S42 provides the core GPS distance readings and shot tracking you’d expect from a Garmin golf watch, along with handy smartwatch features like notifications and sleep tracking. For golfers who care more about the basics and a lower price tag than the latest innovations and multi-sport functionality, the pared-down S42 will get the job done for you.
To help you weigh the pros and cons of each watch, we’ll compare the key specs side-by-side. Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ll cover:
- Display size, resolution, and touch capabilities
- Battery life in GPS and smartwatch modes
- Preloaded courses and mapping features
- Shot and Club tracking
- Activity profiles for running, swimming, and more
- Smartwatch functionality
- Durability and style
Display Comparison
When it comes to choosing a golf GPS watch, the display is one of the most important factors. You’ll be glancing at this tiny screen countless times per round to get distances to the green and hazards, so visibility and display size are important to consider.
Both the S42 and S60 sport color touchscreen displays, which is a huge upgrade over the black-and-white screens of earlier Garmin golf watches including the s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, s10, and s20. But tThese are several differences that give each watch distinct advantages. So let’s dig into the finer details on size, resolution, and customization capabilities.
Display Size
The S42 and S60 have identical 1.2 inch diameter circular displays, providing ample room for data fields without feeling overly crowded.
The physical case dimensions don’t actually impact the screen size. Even though the S60 case measures 46 x 46 mm compared to 43.4 x 43.4 mm on the S42 case, the displays themselves are the same size.
Display Resolution
Both also have a 240 x 240 pixel resolution for crisp, sharp images on the screen.
The pixels are very densely packed so the icons and graphics will appear more defined, especially when customizing the watch face.
This will also pay off with smooth color gradients on course maps.
Display Type
Garmin uses sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) displays on both the S42 and S60. This is the type of display optimized for viewing in direct sunlight on the golf course.
The screens are easy to read from different angles and reflect ambient light, helping improve visibility. You won’t be squinting to see distances, even in bright conditions.
Responsiveness and Ease of Use
The full touchscreen on both the s42 and s60 allows you to smoothly scroll and select options on the screen. Menu navigation is intuitive with the touch capabilities.
Customization Capabilities
Both watches allow you to customize the face with different data fields, fonts, and color schemes. But the S60 takes personalization to another level.
You can upload full color photos as a watch face background on the S60. It also has access to Connect IQ for downloading custom watch faces, data widgets, and apps.
Options include alternate dial designs, unique launch screens, and enhanced data displays for health stats or golf performance stats.
For golfers who love to fine-tune and tweak every setting, the S60 provides unmatched display customization.
The Bottom Line
Both the Garmin s42 and s60 have the same excellent visibility in direct sunlight and they both have the same exact display type, display size, and display resolution but the s60 has a more customizable experience. But both watches provide ample screen space for on-course data.
Course Mapping Showdown: S42 vs. S60
Accurate course maps are essential for lowering scores and avoiding hazards. Both the S42 and S60 provide a layout of the green for each hole but only the s60 has maps with overhead views of each hole.
Green View with Manual Pin Positioning
The Green View feature, showing the true shape of each putting green, is available on both watches. Before approaching a green, you can manually position the pin location based on where you see the flagstick that day.
This allows dialing in precise yardages to attack pin placements tucked behind bunkers or water hazards. Green View helps take some of the guesswork out of approaches.
Full Color Course Maps
Here is where the S60 pulls ahead – its display supports full color overhead maps for every hole. These detailed maps illustrate all the hazards and obstacles between you and the green.
You’ll see outlines of fairways, sand traps, water features, and elevation changes. It provides a complete visual overview of the hole to enhance your strategy. You can even zoom in and out of each part of the course map so you will not miss any important details on the course.
Improving Your Course Management
Using the S60’s color maps, you can accurately identify carry distances over hazards and pick smarter club selection.
Rather than just a yardage, you can factor in the hole’s layout to know which club gets you safely across a ravine while still reaching the green.
You’ll avoid costly mistakes and penalties by having the hole visuals right on your wrist. Over several rounds, using the S60 course maps can easily shave strokes off your scores.
The Bottom Line
For maximum detail to strategize and manage your way around the course, the full color maps on the Garmin S60 are invaluable weapons in lowering your handicap.
Conquering Slopes: PlaysLike Distance on the S60
One of the biggest game-changers in golf GPS technology is slope compensation, which accounts for elevation changes and provides adjusted yardages. This PlaysLike distance feature is exclusive to the Garmin S60.
The Limitations of Basic GPS Distances
Both the S42 and S60 will give you basic front, middle, and back yardages to every green using GPS coordinates. But the distances are “as the crow flies” and don’t account for uphill or downhill slopes.
Without adjustment for uphill or downhill shots, your yardages will be inaccurate if the hole has any elevation change. And nearly every hole has some degree of slope.
Understanding PlaysLike Distance
The S60 does not have a barometric altimeter to measure elevation changes.
Instead, it relies on the detailed course maps preloaded for each hole. These maps include topographical data with elevation points across the entire course.
By comparing your position to the elevation mapping, the S60 can calculate adjusted PlaysLike distances based on the steepness of the slope to account for uphill or downhill shots.
It’s an ingenious use of the course maps to provide slope-adjusted distances without needing a dedicated altimeter sensor.
For example, if you have 150 yards to a green that’s 30 feet uphill, the S60 will display your PlaysLike distance as 145 yards. It has factored in the increased carry needed for that shot.
This provides a more realistic yardage so you can select the proper club. The PlaysLike distances will be different for each player based on their carry distance.
Dialing In Your Club Selection
With PlaysLike distances, you can precisely dial in each club selection based on the actual playing distance. No more guessing at how much to compensate for slopes.
Slope compensation gives you confidence you’ve accounted for elevation so you can attack pins with the right club.
Rather than trying to guess the carry based on the slope, you’ll have a concrete number right on your wrist. No more landing short on uphill approaches or flying over the green on downhill shots.
Having accurate PlaysLike distances can shave several strokes off your round, especially on hilly courses.
Bottom Line
The Garmin s60’s PlaysLike distances, calculated using course topography maps, are an game-changing upgrade for any golfer’s course management. Expect to go pin-seeking with greater precision and more confidence.
Targeting Any Spot: S60’s Versatile Distance Features
Knowing precise yardages is one thing, but targeting any object or point on the hole is next level. This is where the S60 pulls ahead with versatile targeting capabilities missing from the S42.
S60’s Touch Targeting
The S60 has a standout feature called Touch Targeting enabled by the touchscreen. You can tap anywhere on the full color hole map to drop a pin for instant distance measurement.
Want to know the carry over a specific part of a hazard or bunker? Just tap that spot. Trying to figure out how far it is to reach a dogleg? Tap the corner.
In addition to fixed targets like the green, you can measure to any spot on the map. This unlocks strategic options and insights.
S60’s PinPointer
Another useful targeting feature on the S60 is PinPointer, which acts like a blind shot compass. It provides a directional arrow telling you which way to hit when you can’t see the green.
Line up the arrow during your swing, and it will point you directly at the pin – even if you’re in the woods or stuck behind a hill or building.
Pinpointer helps you stay aggressive and go for greens even when blind. No need to punch out short.
Improving Approach Shots
With Touch Targeting and PinPointer, you can attack pins with precision from any lie.
Dial in carries over water, aim blind through trees, and commit to tucked pins using exact distances.
These tools lead to more greens in regulation and birdie opportunities. Your proximity will tighten up.
Bottom Line
The targeting and compass features exclusive to the S60 provide measurements and aiming assistance that most golfers only dream of. Expect to pull off bold and precise shots.
Navigating Hazards: Dedicated Screens vs. Touch Mapping
Water hazards, bunkers, and other trouble await on every hole. Both the S42 and S60 provide distances to hazards, but in different ways.
S42’s Dedicated Hazard Screen
The S42 has a dedicated Hazard Screen accessible with one button press from the main menu. This screen lists every hazard on the current hole.
You can scroll through each hazard and get the front and back yardages to layup or clear each hazard from your current position. No need to zoom in on the map – the info is right there in a list.
Having every distance in one place makes it easy to identify layup spots or pick your line off the tee. You’ll know exactly how far to fly that fairway bunker.
S60’s Touch Targeting
To view hazard distances on the S60, you first need to open the main map view for the hole. From there, you can tap any hazard or object to target it.
The yardage pops up on a tag – but only for that single target. To get the next hazard distance, you’ll have to return to the map and tap again.
It’s an extra step compared to scrolling a list on the S42. But the touchscreen makes targeting intuitive once you get the hang of it.
Improving Shot Strategy
Having hazard distances at a glance helps visualize the ideal line off the tee or shape of a layup.
You can identify carry distances and gaps between hazards, rather than making guesses. This dialed-in information leads to better shot execution.
Knowing exactly how far you can cut off a dogleg or when to layup short of trouble removes hesitation from your game. You’ll pull the right club with conviction.
Bottom Line
While the S60 uses a slick touchscreen interface, the S42’s dedicated hazard view arguably provides faster access to critical data to manage dangers.
Targeting Any Spot: S60’s Versatile Distance Features
Knowing precise yardages is one thing, but targeting any object or point on the hole is next level. This is where the S60 pulls ahead with versatile targeting capabilities missing from the S42.
S60’s Touch Targeting
The S60 has a standout feature called Touch Targeting enabled by the touchscreen. You can tap anywhere on the full color hole map to drop a pin for instant distance measurement.
Want to know the carry over a specific part of a hazard or bunker? Just tap that spot. Trying to figure out how far it is to reach a dogleg? Tap the corner.
In addition to fixed targets like the green, you can measure to any spot on the map. This unlocks strategic options and insights.
S60’s PinPointer
Another useful targeting feature on the S60 is PinPointer, which acts like a blind shot compass. It provides a directional arrow telling you which way to hit when you can’t see the green.
Line up the arrow during your swing, and it will point you directly at the pin – even if you’re in the woods or stuck behind a hill or building.
Pinpointer helps you stay aggressive and go for greens even when blind. No need to punch out short.
Improving Approach Shots
With Touch Targeting and PinPointer, you can attack pins with precision from any lie.
Dial in carries over water, aim blind through trees, and commit to tucked pins using exact distances.
These tools lead to more greens in regulation and birdie opportunities. Your proximity will tighten up.
Bottom Line
The targeting and compass features exclusive to the S60 provide measurements and aiming assistance that most golfers only dream of. Expect to pull off bold and precise shots.
Tracking Your Ticker: Heart Rate Features
Monitoring your heart rate during a round provides insights into your health, fitness, and exertion levels. Unfortunately, neither watch has a built-in wrist-based heart rate monitor. However, the S60 is compatible with one external heart rate monitor from Garmin. You cannot use the s40 with any external heart rate monitors.
No Wrist-Based Heart Rate
Neither the Garmin S42 or S60 have optical heart rate sensors built into the watch to measure pulse from your wrist during activities.
You won’t get real-time heart rate data, heart rate zones, or calories burned based on heart rate when playing a round with either watch.
For golfers who want to track intensity and cardio effort, this is a limitation to consider.
S60 Compatibility
While the S42 cannot pair with any external heart rate monitor strap, the S60 is compatible with the HRM-Dual chest strap.
This provides real-time heart rate metrics when wearing the strap during your round or any activity.
You’ll get data like heart rate zones, intensity minutes, and calories burned. The HRM-Dual also unlocks advanced running dynamics when paired with the S60.
Improving Fitness and Health
Access to heart rate data allows golfers to monitor their exertion and cardio health. You can ensure you’re getting an effective workout while walking 18 holes.
Tracking intensity over time also helps motivate improvement in overall fitness. A healthier heart will lead to greater stamina and consistency swinging through long rounds.
Bottom Line
If heart rate tracking is important to your training and health goals, the Garmin S60 paired with the HRM-Dual strap is the way to go. The S42 lacks any heart rate capability.
Here is a draft section comparing the music playback capabilities of the Garmin S42 and S60 watches:
Teeing Off with Tunes: Music Control Features
Many golfers like to liven up their round with some motivational tunes playing in the cart or their earbuds. While neither watch has onboard music storage, they offer music control when paired to your smartphone.
No Onboard Music Storage
Unfortunately, neither the S42 or S60 have built-in storage for songs or a speaker to play music directly from the watch.
You won’t be able to load MP3s or playlists onto the watches like some of Garmin’s running watches and listen without your phone present.
For direct music playback, you’ll need your smartphone nearby.
Controlling Your Smartphone
Though they lack onboard storage, both watches allow remote music control when connected to your iOS or Android device via Bluetooth.
You can use the S42 or S60 to play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust volume on music playing from your paired phone.
This allows controlling your playlist and podcasts hands-free while keeping your phone tucked away safely in your bag or cart.
Focus and Motivation on the Course
Having quick access to your favorite tunes can provide a nice boost of energy and motivation during the round without being distracting.
The tempo of music has also been shown in studies to positively impact concentration and focus while performing tasks. This can translate into tighter shot-making.
Bottom Line
While the ability to store songs directly on the watches would be nice, both the S42 and S60 offer convenient hands-free control of music and audio playing from your paired smartphone when on the course.
Here is a draft section covering phone and messaging capabilities on the Garmin S42 and S60 watches:
Staying Connected on the Course
Golfers like to stay connected with updates from family, friends, and work even during a 4-hour round. Both Garmin watches allow you to send and receive messages right from your wrist when paired with your smartphone.
No Direct Calling
Since neither watch has a built-in speaker or microphone, you cannot use the S42 or S60 to directly make or receive phone calls.
To have a phone conversation from your watch, you’ll need to pull out your connected phone when a call comes in. The watches can only alert you to incoming calls.
For golfers who need to do business on the course, this may be an inconvenience. Portable Bluetooth earpieces could help if phone access is essential.
Messaging from Your Wrist
While you can’t chat on your wrist, both watches allow you to send and receive text messages when paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth.
You can read full message contents on the watch screen and quickly respond by selecting from a list of preset replies or by dictating a short message.
This allows communicating with the outside world without breaking focus on your game.
Stay in the Zone
Getting bombarded by trivial messages while trying to focus on your swing and shot strategy can certainly break your concentration.
But the ability to quickly glance at priority texts and respond can provide peace of mind so you can stay dialed into your round.
Bottom Line
While directly making calls from their wrist is not an option, golfers who need to stay connected can use the S42 or S60 to send and receive text messages and notifications without disrupting their game.
Here is a draft section covering the activity tracking features of the Garmin S42 and S60 watches:
Health Tracking for Better Rest and Recovery
In addition to hardcore golf stats, both the S42 and S60 provide daily health tracking to help improve fitness and monitor recovery.
Step Counting
Both watches use internal accelerometers to automatically count the number of steps you take each day, even when you’re not actively recording a workout.
This allows you to track your general activity levels to ensure you’re getting enough movement for cardiovascular health benefits.
Sleep Monitoring
At night, the watches can provide analysis of your sleep cycles and sleep quality based on movement data.
You’ll get metrics for light, deep, and REM sleep stages, along with total time slept. This helps identify restfulness and recovery overnight.
Improving Fitness and Rest
Staying active with plenty of steps and getting quality sleep are critical for golf performance and overall wellbeing.
Tracking these metrics motivates better daily habits. You can ensure adequate exertion and recovery to play at your peak.
Bottom Line
While not advanced training tools, the automatic step counting and sleep tracking on both the S42 and S60 provides helpful data for any health-conscious golfer.
Here is a draft section comparing the battery life of the Garmin S42 and S60 watches:
Staying Power: Comparing Battery Life
One key performance metric for any wearable is battery life. You don’t want your golf GPS watch dying mid-round. The S42 edges out the S60 when it comes to lasting power.
Battery Life in Smartwatch Mode
In smartwatch mode without using GPS, both watches are rated for an impressive 10 days of battery life.
This allows you to wear the S42 or S60 all day and night for over a week before needing to charge. Excellent longevity for everyday use away from the course.
Battery Life in GPS Mode
When you’re actively using the GPS functionality on the course, the S42 really pulls ahead.
It achieves a stellar 15 hours of golf mode from a single charge. This should easily get you through several rounds without worrying about the watch dying.
The S60 falls a bit short here with only 10 hours of rated GPS mode battery life. You may need to charge more diligently.
Why Battery Life Matters
Running out of juice mid-round is frustrating and can sabotage your score. Long battery life provides peace of mind.
It also improves convenience for travel when you may not have daily charging opportunities.
The S42’s longer run time reduces range anxiety. For avid golfers playing 36 holes in a day, it could be a difference-maker.
The Bottom Line
With 50% more GPS runtime, the Garmin S42 is the clear winner for golfers wanting maximum battery life to last through all-day events or multi-day trips.
Here is a draft section comparing the running features of the Garmin S42 and S60 watches:
Hitting the Road: Comparing Run Tracking
Maintaining cardiovascular fitness helps boost endurance and consistency for walking long rounds. The S42 and S60 offer profile modes and metrics to track running workouts both on and off the course.
Key Run Tracking Features
Both watches come preloaded with running activity profiles for road and treadmill workouts. Simply select the mode to begin recording a run.
You’ll get detailed GPS-based pace, distance, and time data to evaluate performance when running outdoors with either watch.
The watches are also foot pod capable – you can connect an optional external sensor to record cadence, stride length, and indoor run metrics when GPS is unavailable.
Improving Golf Fitness
Running is fantastic cross-training to build golf stamina and leg strength. It also promotes weight loss and cardiovascular health.
Tracking run metrics helps motivate improvement over time. You can fine-tune your training for pace and distance goals.
Intensity Monitoring
One advantage of the S60 is the ability to pair it with the HRM-Dual chest strap to view real-time heart rate data during runs.
This allows monitoring workout intensity and calories burned. The S42 does not support external heart rate sensors.
Bottom Line
For basic run tracking via GPS or foot pod, the S42 and S60 are equally equipped. But the S60 provides added metrics like heart rate when training with intensity.
Here is a draft section comparing the swimming features of the Garmin S42 and S60 watches:
Hitting the Pool: S60’s Swim Tracking Advantage
Swimming delivers a low-impact, full-body workout to build golf fitness. While the S42 lacks any swim tracking, the S60 shines with robust metrics for pool sessions.
S42 Provides No Swim Features
Unfortunately, the Garmin S42 does not offer any dedicated mode or metrics for swimming workouts.
You won’t get credit for pool laps or data like distance, stroke count, or pace. The S42 is not optimized for water activities.
S60 Swim Tracking In-Depth
The S60 comes preloaded with a pool swimming activity profile to enable tracking your time in the water.
When swimming laps, the S60 provides detailed metrics including:
- Pool lengths completed
- Total distance swam
- Pace per 100 yards or meters
- Stroke count per lap
- Swim efficiency using the SWOLF score
- Calories burned based on swim profile
You also get a rest timer for interval training. The S60 covers all the essential swim workout data.
Benefits of Swim Training
Swimming strengthens core muscles used during the golf swing. The low-impact nature also reduces injury risk.
Tracking your swim workouts provides motivation to improve endurance and form. It’s an ideal cross-training activity for golfers.
Bottom Line
For swimmers looking to mix up golf training, the Garmin S60’s detailed swim tracking metrics deliver invaluable feedback in the pool.
Here is a draft section comparing the cycling features of the Garmin S42 and S60 watches:
Pedal Power: Comparing Cycling Tracking
Biking delivers a great cardio workout to build golf stamina. The S42 and S60 offer profile modes and alerts to optimize indoor and outdoor cycling training.
Core Cycling Tracking Features
Both watches come equipped with indoor and outdoor biking activity profiles to track your rides.
When cycling with either watch, you’ll get speed, distance, and time metrics based on the GPS receiver or by connecting separate bike sensors.
The watches also allow setting up alerts to notify you when you hit specified goals for time, mileage, calories, or heart rate zones during a ride.
Adding External Sensors
For more advanced data like cadence and power, the S42 and S60 support connectivity to external bike sensors via ANT+ technology.
You can pair cycling speed and cadence sensors to capture in-depth metrics and performance insights.
Improving Bike Fitness
Tracking cycling workouts enables golfers to build lower body strength and increase lung capacity. This boosts endurance on the course.
The alert features help motivate pushing longer or harder during rides. Seeing performance data over time provides tangible feedback.
Bottom Line
When it comes to cycling profiles and tracking features, the Garmin S42 and S60 are virtually identical. Both offer excellent tools to monitor and improve your bike training.
Here is a draft section comparing the everyday watch features of the Garmin S42 and S60:
More Than Just Golf – All-Day Smart Features
In addition to hardcore golf tracking, the S42 and S60 provide essential features for everyday use as a fitness tracker and smartwatch. Both are equipped with convenient tools for daily life on and off the course.
Time, Calendar, and Alarm Features
The watches showcase time, date, and calendar views for quick access to scheduling. You also get handy options like stopwatch, countdown timer, and alarm clock functions.
These features help with general productivity and timing needs for activities beyond golf. No need to pull out your phone for a timer or alarm.
Weather Forecasts
Through the companion smartphone app, both the S42 and S60 can display current weather and forecasted conditions right on your wrist.
You’ll always know if rain is expected during your round or if high winds may impact club selection. Forecasts help prepare for variables.
Smart Notifications
When paired with your device, the watches enable viewing call, text, and app notifications, so you can stay connected even while wearing your Garmin all day.
You won’t miss important updates just because your phone is tucked away in your bag or pocket.
Bottom Line
With time tools and weather visibility, the Garmin S42 and S60 provide helpful utility for daily life. And notifications keep you looped in without eyeing your phone.
Here is a draft conclusion/final verdict section for the blog post:
The Final Take: S60 Earns the Win
After comparing the key specs and features of the Garmin S42 vs S60, the higher-priced S60 emerges as the superior golf watch for serious players looking to take their game to the next level.
S60 Justifies the Higher Cost
There’s no doubt you’ll pay a premium for the S60 compared to the more affordable S42. But the advanced accuracy, analysis, and adaptability of the S60 delivers tangible value.
Factor in the full-color touchscreen, more convenient hazard distance information, and longer battery life, and the S42 puts up a valiant fight. Yet the S60 wins out with robust enhancements that could potentially shave strokes off your handicap including slope-adjusted distances, touch targeting, and blind shot compass.
Who the S60 is Best Suited For
The S60 caters to golfers obsessed with accurate distance readings and optimizing every facet of their game. The extensive golf features and maps with overhead views of each hole will definitely shave strokes off your score.
It’s ideal for competitive golfers playing in tournaments or trying to reach the next skill plateau. The S60 provides tools to put a microscopic lens on your performance.
Casual players may be overwhelmed by the heaping mounds of data and analysis. The pared-down features of the S42 better suit recreational golfers with less intense number-crunching demands.
Key Advantages of the S60 Worth the Price
While both watches nail the basics, the S60 goes several steps further to justify the added expense for serious golfers. Key advantages include:
- PlaysLike distances that compensate for elevation
- Detailed full-color course maps with overhead views
- Touch targeting and blind shot guidance
- Preloaded activity profiles for multiple sports
For golfers seeking every possible edge to practice smarter and master course strategy, the S60 is the clear winner.
