Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This article may contain affiliate links for products I recommend. If you click a link and buy something I may receive some compensation. However, this does not change the price you would pay.
Major differences between the Golf Buddy WTX+ and Garmin Approach S20
The GolfBuddy WTX+ is a great golf GPS watch with a color touchscreen, hazard information and pedometer. It is a little cheaper than the Garmin Approach S20 but it does not have shot and club tracking or a digital scorecard like the Garmin S20 does and the battery life for the Garmin Approach S20 will last a round longer. Also with the Garmin S20, after downloading the Garmin app and syncing to Garmin connect, the shot tracking feature will map out the shot distance and where the ball landed so that you can get overhead views of all of your shots on a virtual golf course on your smartphone, tablet or desktop computer.
However, the Golf Buddy WTX does have a slim watch design that offers both golf GPS and smart watch features that you can wear on and off the course with Bluetooth capabilities to update software and sync courses through GolfBuddy Smartphone app. The WTX is also equipped with GolfBuddy advanced features to improve your game: full target and hazard information, dynamic green view, and pin placement. The Golf Buddy WTX golf watch has a fitness tracker that tracks steps, running, and cycling. It can also display smartphone notifications for your Android or Apple smartphone.
Even the best budget golf rangefinders from Blue Tees or Precision Pro will give you more accurate distances than the the Garmin S20 or GolfBuddy WTX.
The newly released Garmin Approach S62 golf watch is the newest Garmin golf GPS watch (released in January 2020). Both the Garmin S62 and S60 feature slope compensation and overhead 2D views of each hole but only the Garmin Approach S62 comes with a wrist-based heart rate monitor, wind speed and direction, and club recommendation feature.
Golf Buddy aim W10 vs Garmin Approach S20: Major differences between the Golf Buddy aim W10 and Garmin Approach S20
The main differences between the Golf Buddy aim W10 and Garmin Approach S20 are that only the S20 comes with shot tracking while only the aim W10 comes with green undulation. Green undulation displays the gradation of the slope of the green with blue and red colors. The blue color is for the lowest point of incline and red is for the highest. Other differences are that only the Garmin S20 comes with club tracking and sleep monitoring while the aim W10 has none of these features.
Features found in the Garmin S20 that are not found in the Golf Buddy aim W10
– Sleep monitor
– Automatic shot tracking
– Manual club tracking
– 15 hour battery life
Best Features of the Golf Buddy WTX+ and aim W10
– Display Size: 1.2″ (WTX+) vs 1.3″ (aim W10) (better than the Garmin S20 – 0.9″ x 0.9″)
– Display Resolution: 240 x 240 pixels (better than the Garmin S20 – 128 x 128 pixels)
– Simple and fast touch user interface
– Slim, lightweight design
– Zoom in/out function allows you to get a closer look around the green and hazards on the course (only found in the Golf Buddy aim W10)
– In-depth hole view with dual arc distance readings (only found in the Golf Buddy aim W10)
– Casting to GOLFBUDDY Smart App via Bluetooth
– Manual pin placement
– Digital scorecard (only found in the Golf Buddy aim W10 and Garmin S20)
– Automatic course and hole recognition
– Automatic course updates via Bluetooth with GOLFBUDDY Smart App
– Up to 13 hours of battery life in Golf Mode
– Pre-loaded with over 40,000 courses worldwide with free updates
– Green undulation (only found in the Golf Buddy aim W10)
– Course update via Bluetooth with GolfBuddy Smartphone app
– Notifications sync from your smartphone
– Pedometer activity tracker
– Hole layout view with current position of the player
– Distances to the front/center/back of the green from the golfer’s position
– Distances to hazards from the golfer’s position
– Dynamic Green View changes the shape of the green depending on your angle of approach with distance readings from the golfer’s position
– Manual shot distance measurement (the Garmin S20 will give you automatic shot distance calculations)
– Interchangeable outer screen allows for added personalization
– Activity tracking: pedometer & sedentary timer
– Dual green distances display
– USGA/R&A complaint – legal for handicap & tournament play
– Smartphone app – Bluetooth notification & Smartphone finder
– GolfBuddy App – allows you to connect your smartphone with any GolfBuddy Bluetooth enabled device. You can update your favorite golf courses with the latest course data on your GolfBuddy Bluetooth enabled device from any location (Internet and GPS satellite connection required) via Bluetooth and also search nearby golf courses. This app also comes with a pedometer that will track your steps, distances traveled, calories burned, and transforms this information into easy-to-read info graphics. You can also use your GolfBuddy App to find your GolfBuddy device (which needs to be connected via Bluetooth) within a close range by making the screen light up and the unit vibrate.
– Rechargeable lithium-ion battery: 8 hours in GPS mode
– Connectivity: USB PC Interface
– Size: 2.32”(H) × 1.65”(W) × 0.52”(D) (47.5 × 13.4 mm)
– Weight: 2.2oz / 62g
– Manufacturer’s Warranty: 1-Year
– Brand: GolfBuddy
– Country of Origin: Imported
– Water Resistance: Water resistant
Golf Buddy WTX+ vs aim W10 vs Garmin Approach S20 – Golf GPS Watch Comparison Chart
*Pre-mapped Hazards
*Color screen displays bunkers, water hazards, etc
*Touchscreen
*Dynamic Green View changes the shape of the green depending on your angle of approach with Move Flag option
*Activity Tracking features (including calories burned, distance traveled, step counter, automatic daily step goal)
*Preloaded activity profiles for running, walking, cycling
*Vibrating Smartphone Notifications
*Vibrating alarm
*Manual shot distance calculator
*Stat tracking (strokes, putts per round, greens and fairways hit)
*Time/Date/Alarm
*Pre-mapped Hazards
*Color screen displays bunkers, water hazards, etc
*Touchscreen
*Dynamic Green View changes the shape of the green depending on your angle of approach with Move Flag option
*Activity Tracking features (including calories burned, distance traveled, step counter, automatic daily step goal)
*Preloaded activity profiles for running, walking, cycling
*Vibrating Smartphone Notifications
*Vibrating alarm
*Manual shot distance calculator
*Stat tracking (strokes, putts per round, greens and fairways hit)
*Time/Date/Alarm
*Pre-mapped Hazards (displays distances to the front and back of the nearest hazard along the fairway for par 4 and 5 holes)
*Activity Tracking features (including the move bar inactivity alert, calories burned, distance traveled, sleep monitoring, step counter, automatic daily step goal)
*Dedicated Green View button with manual pin placement
*Smartphone Notification with audio tone alert
*Automatic or manual shot distance calculator
*Automatic shot detection and tracker
*Club tracking
*AutoShot round analyzer (tracks shots, measures distance and records shot locations for analysis online with Garmin Connect)
*Digital Scorecard (easily keeps track of your score throughout your round)
*Stat tracking (strokes, putts per round, greens in regulation and fairways hit)
*Time/Date/Alarm
*Battery life: up to 15 hours in GPS mode, up to 8 weeks in smartwatch mode
Weak Points (Missing Features in Each Watch)
*No slope adjusted distances
*No touch targeting
*No Heart Rate Monitoring
*No swing training features
*No shot detection or shot tracker
*No club tracking
*No club recommendation feature
*No digital scorecard for keeping track of your score throughout your round
*No countdown timer or stopwatch
*No slope adjusted distances
*No touch targeting
*No Heart Rate Monitoring
*No swing training features
*No shot detection or shot tracker
*No club tracking
*No club recommendation feature
*No digital scorecard for keeping track of your score throughout your round
*No countdown timer or stopwatch
*Black and White Display
*No Touchscreen
*No touch targeting
*No Heart Rate Monitoring
*No swing training features
*No Club Recommendation feature
*No vibrating feature for smartphone notifications or alarm
*No countdown timer or stopwatch
Display Size
1.2” (30.4 mm) diameter
1.2” (30.4 mm) diameter
0.9” x 0.9” (23 x 23 mm)
Display resolution
240 x 240 pixels
240 x 240 pixels
128 x 128 pixels
Product Dimensions (in inches)
2.32”(H) × 1.65”(W) × 0.52”(D) (47.5 × 13.4 mm)
2.32”(H) × 1.65”(W) × 0.52”(D) (47.5 × 13.4 mm)
1.5 x 0.4 x 1.9 in
37.4 x 47.6 x 11.3 mm
Weight (in ounces)
2.2 oz / 62g
2.2 oz / 62g
1.5 oz (42.2 g)
Hole View - Displays Current hole number; Distance to the back, middle and front of the green from the player's position; Par for the hole
Green View - Green View shows you the true shape and layout of greens so even if you have an obstructed view, you’ll know where to aim. Also you can touch the display and drag the pin or flag to position it to the days’ location where you see it for even more accurate yardage.
Yes
CourseView - Get full-color hole-by-hole details for more than 40,000 courses around the world. Preview doglegs, hazards and green shapes from wherever you are on the course, or even from the clubhouse.
Yes
Yes
No
Viewing Layup and Dogleg Distances - View a list of layup and dogleg distances for par 4 and 5 holes.
Yes
Yes
Smartphone Notifications - This feature will act as a wireless extension of your compatible smart device, displaying smart notifications, right on your watch. Never miss another important text, email or alert just because your smartphone is hidden somewhere in your bag. You can use Bluetooth technology to read that email or text you’ve been waiting for even if you are in the middle of the fairway.
Yes
Yes
Yes
AutoShot Round Analyzer with Garmin Connect - On the course, the AutoShot round analyzer tracks shots, measures distances for each club and records shot locations for post-round analysis on Garmin Connect. It automatically detects and records your shots along the fairway. Automatic shot detection works best when you make good contact with the ball. Your putts are not detected.
You can view the details for each round or analyze your cumulative stats over time or by club, and view your swing data. It's never been easier to track your progress and share it with friends. You can even save swing sessions for later review.
No
No
PinPointer blind shot assistance - Gives you a directional arrow to the green. Now you can know where to line up your shot, even if you are in the woods or deep in a trap.
No
No
No
Customized Target Distances - These watches already give you the distances to the front, back and center of the green, as well as distances to doglegs. This feature will allow you to input and save customizable yardage points — such as water hazards or bunkers — from anywhere on the course.
No
No
No
List of Hazard Distances - View the distances to the front and back of the nearest hazard along the fairway for par 4 and 5 holes. Hazards that affect shot selection are displayed individually or in groups to help you determine the distance to layup or carry. You can use the up or down button to view the other hazards for the current hole.
Yes
Yes
Digital Scorecard - Easily keeps track of your score throughout your round. When you’re done, you can save, review and even use the Garmin Connect Mobile fitness app with your smartphone to upload and share that great round with your golfing buddies online.
No
No
Handicap Scoring Options
Yes
Yes
Activity Tracking - Reminds you to stay active on or off the course with move bar alerts. Displays steps, calories burned, distance and time of day, plus it monitors hours of sleep. (includes Step Counter, Sleep Monitor, Calories Burned, Distance Traveled, etc.)
Yes
Yes
Heart Rate Monitor
No
No
No
SwingStrength - Allows you to compare how hard you swing with your normal full swing. This can be used on the driving range to practice consistency or on the course if you’re preparing to take a little off your shot.
Yes
Yes
Yes
TempoTraining - Conveys the ideal 3:1 upswing to downswing times with audible tones to which you can synchronize your swing. Re-synch your tempo on the driving range and even on the tee box.
Yes
Yes
Yes
Truswing Compatible - When paired, Garmin TruSwing golf swing sensor provides metrics to improve your swing consistency
Yes
Yes
Clock Features (includes time, date, GPS Time Sync, Automatic daylight saving time, Alarm clock, Sunrise/sunset times)
Yes
Yes
Yes
Multi-sport apps
Yes
Yes
No
QuickFit watch bands - change your stylish watch band without tools to match your activity
No
No
No
41,000+ Courses and Free Lifetime Updates - Before you play golf, you must wait until the device acquires satellite signals and calculates your location, which may take up to 30 to 60 seconds. Then you can select a course from the list. You will get access to more than 40,000 courses, free lifetime course updates and you will not have to pay any annual membership fees
Yes
Yes
Yes
Smartphone Notifications for incoming calls, texts and other alerts
