Do You Really Need a Golf Watch? How Hole19 Saves You Hundreds
Walk into any pro shop and you'll see them—sleek golf watches with price tags that make your wallet wince. Garmin Approach models hover around $400. Bushnell's latest offerings push $500. Premium shot-tracking systems like Shot Scope and Arccos can run you $600 or more when you factor in annual subscriptions.
But here's the question every golfer should ask before dropping that kind of cash: Do you really need a golf watch?
The short answer? Probably not—especially when the Hole19 Golf App delivers the same core features (and often better ones) for a fraction of the cost, or entirely for free! Whether you're using your smartphone or pairing Hole19 with your existing Apple Watch or Wear OS device, you're getting accurate GPS yardages, comprehensive shot tracking, and powerful performance stats—all without the premium price tag.
Let's break down what golf watches actually offer, what they cost, and why Hole19 is the smarter financial decision for most golfers looking to improve their game.
What Is a Golf Watch and Why Do Golfers Buy Them?
A golf watch is a wrist-worn device designed specifically for the golf course. It uses GPS technology to provide accurate yardages to greens, hazards, and layup zones. Most models also include scoring features, basic stat tracking, and some level of shot distance measurement.
Golf watches became popular because they offered convenience—no need to pull out your phone mid-swing or squint at a yardage book. You glance at your wrist, get your number, and play your shot. Simple.
Most golf watches include:
- GPS yardages to the front, middle, and back of the green
- Hazard distances for bunkers, water, and doglegs
- Scoring and stat tracking for fairways hit, greens in regulation, and putts
- Shot tracking (on higher-end models)
- Course downloads for thousands of courses worldwide
- Battery life designed for multiple rounds
Sounds great, right? And it is—if you're willing to pay $300 to $600 for that convenience.
Why Golf Watches Became Popular in the First Place
Before smartphones became ubiquitous, golf GPS devices—whether handheld units or watches—were the only reliable way to get accurate yardages without relying on course markers. They beat guessing, beat pacing it off, and beat squinting at a sprinkler head.
But times have changed. Your smartphone is more powerful than any golf watch on the market. And with apps like Hole19, your phone (or smartwatch) can do everything a dedicated golf watch does—and often does it better.
What do you actually need a golf watch for?
A golf watch provides GPS yardages, scoring, and shot tracking. However, most golfers don't need a dedicated device when smartphone apps like Hole19 deliver the same features—plus advanced stats, club recommendations, and handicap tracking—at a fraction of the cost.
Let's be honest: you don't need a golf watch. What you need is accurate information that helps you make better decisions on the course.
You need to know how far it is to the flag. You need to track your distances so you stop guessing which club to hit. You need to log your scores and analyze your stats so you know where to improve. You need tools that help you play smarter golf and lower your scores.
Hole19 gives you all of that—without requiring you to spend hundreds of dollars on a single-purpose device.
Here's why the traditional golf watch is becoming obsolete for most golfers.
The Real Cost of Golf Watches: What You're Paying For
Let's talk money. Because when you're considering a golf watch, you're not just paying for the hardware—you're often locking yourself into ongoing costs that add up fast.
Here's what you can expect to pay for popular golf watch models:
Garmin Approach S62: $499.99
Garmin Approach S42: $349.99
Bushnell iON Edge: $299.99
Shot Scope V3: $299.99 (plus annual subscription for advanced features)
Arccos Smart Sensors: $379.99 (plus $155.88 annual subscription)
TomTom Golfer 2: $249.99
Even on the "budget" end, you're looking at $250 minimum. For most golfers, that's the cost of several rounds of golf—or over 3 entire seasons of Hole19 Premium with money left over!
Many golf watches now require annual subscriptions to unlock their best features. Shot Scope charges around $50/year for advanced stats. Arccos runs about $156/year after your first year. Even brands that don't charge subscriptions often require paid course updates or additional downloads for international travel.
Add that up over three years and you're easily spending $600–$800 for a device that does less than your smartphone.
Hole19, on the other hand, offers a robust free version with all the essentials. Want to upgrade? Hole19 Premium is a one-time annual fee that's less than the cost of a single round at most courses—and it unlocks features that blow away what you'd get from a $500 golf watch.
How Hole19 Delivers the Same Performance—On Your Wrist or Phone
Let's get specific. What does Hole19 actually give you, and how does it stack up against a dedicated golf watch?
GPS Yardages to Front, Middle, and Back of Green
Hole19 provides pinpoint GPS accuracy for over 43,000 courses worldwide. You get yardages to the front, middle, and back of every green—plus distances to hazards, bunkers, and layup zones.
This is the core feature of any golf watch. Hole19 nails it.
Whether you're using your phone or your Apple Watch, you're getting the same reliable data that golfers pay $400+ for in a standalone device.
Shot Tracker: Know Your Distances for Every Club
Want to know how far you actually hit your 7-iron? Hole19's Shot Tracker does exactly that.
Tap 'Track Shot' before you hit, walk to your ball, and tap 'Stop.' The app logs the distance and club used. Over time, you build a complete profile of your club distances—so you stop guessing and start hitting the right club every time.
This is the same feature you'd get with a Garmin or Shot Scope watch—but with Hole19, it's built in and seamlessly integrated with your scoring and stats.
Log your score on every hole and Hole19 tracks your key performance metrics:
- Fairways hit
- Greens in regulation
- Putts per hole
- Scoring average
Your stats sync across devices, so whether you're on your phone, your smartwatch, or your desktop, you've got a complete picture of your game.
Most golf watches give you basic scoring. Hole19 gives you actionable insights that help you improve faster.
Here's where Hole19 really shines. If you already own an Apple Watch or Wear OS smartwatch, you can use Hole19's watch app to score, track shots, and view yardages—all from your wrist, with your phone tucked safely in your bag.
You're getting the exact experience of a dedicated golf watch, but you're using a device you already own. No extra $400 purchase. No single-purpose gadget sitting in a drawer during the off-season.
Hole19's watch scoring includes:
- GPS yardages
- Hole maps
- Score entry
- Shot tracking
- Seamless syncing with your phone
It's everything you'd get from a Garmin Approach—but you're not paying $500 for it.
One of Hole19 Premium's standout features is Club Recommendation. Based on your tracked distances and the shot ahead, the app suggests which club to hit in real time.
This isn't guesswork. It's data-driven decision-making that helps you play smarter golf and avoid costly mistakes. Most golf watches don't offer this level of intelligence—and if they do, it's locked behind a premium subscription.
With Hole19, it's part of the package.
Hole19 Premium Features That Outperform Most Golf Watches
Let's talk about what separates Hole19 Premium from the pack—and from most dedicated golf watches on the market.
Ever faced an uphill approach shot and wondered whether to club up? Plays Like Distances removes the guesswork.
This feature factors in elevation changes to give you the true playing distance. A 150-yard shot that's 20 feet uphill? Hole19 tells you to play it like 157 yards.
Most golf watches don't offer this. The ones that do charge a premium. Hole19 Premium includes it as standard.
Want to know where your game is leaking strokes? Advanced Performance Stats breaks down your performance across every category:
Driving accuracy and distance
Approach shot precision
Scrambling percentage
Putting stats by distance
You'll see trendlines, averages, and insights that show you exactly where to focus your practice. This level of analysis typically requires a $500+ device or an expensive third-party subscription.
With Hole19, it's built in.
Let Hole19 calculate your handicap automatically based on your saved rounds. The more you play, the more accurate it gets.
No need for separate GHIN services. No manual calculations. Just play, log your scores, and let the app do the work.
Distance Arcs overlay your shot distances directly onto the course map, helping you visualize layup zones, carry distances, and strategic targets.
It's like having a caddie who knows your game inside and out. And it's a feature most golf watches simply don't offer.
Hole19's HD Maps give you crystal-clear aerial views of every hole. You'll see hazards, doglegs, and green complexes with better clarity than most dedicated GPS devices.
Better visuals mean better decisions. And better decisions mean lower scores.
Join 4.8M+ golfers worldwide today. Download now!
Hole19 is the leading golf app for tracking scores, navigating courses with GPS precision, and unlocking performance insights.
Golf Watch vs. Smartphone App: The Honest Comparison
Let's address the elephant in the room. Yes, golf watches have some advantages. But are those advantages worth the extra cost?
Golf watches are accurate. But so is Hole19. Both use GPS satellite technology, and both deliver yardages within a few yards—which is more than accurate enough for club selection.
In real-world testing, there's no meaningful difference in accuracy between a $400 Garmin and Hole19 on your phone or smartwatch.
This is where golf watch advocates make their case: a dedicated device is always on your wrist, always ready, and doesn't require pulling out your phone.
Fair point. But if you're using Hole19 on an Apple Watch or Wear OS device, you're getting the exact same convenience. Glance at your wrist, get your yardage, play your shot.
The only difference? You didn't spend $400 on a device that only works on the golf course.
Golf watches are optimized for battery life and can usually last multiple rounds on a single charge.
Smartphones drain faster—especially with GPS running. But here's the thing: most modern phones easily last a full 18 holes, and if you're concerned, a portable charger solves the problem for $20.
If you're using a smartwatch, battery life is a non-issue. Most Apple Watches and Wear OS devices handle a round with battery to spare.
Golf watches are simple—designed for one thing and one thing only.
Hole19 is intuitive and streamlined. You're not digging through menus or fighting with settings. Open the app, start your round, and you're good to go.
Plus, because Hole19 runs on your phone or smartwatch, you've got the flexibility to check messages, take photos, or look up rules—all without carrying multiple devices.
The Smart Financial Decision: Why Hole19 Is the Better Investment
Let's do the math. Because when you compare Hole19 to a dedicated golf watch, the financial case is overwhelming.
By using Hole19 instead of buying a golf watch, you're saving $300 to $600 right out of the gate.
That's enough for:
10–20 rounds of golf
A new driver or set of wedges
Multiple seasons of Hole19 Premium
A weekend golf trip with your buddies
The choice is clear.
Many golf watches—especially shot-tracking models like Arccos—require annual subscriptions that can run $50 to $160 per year.
Hole19's free version includes GPS yardages, scoring, and basic stats—no subscription required.
Want more? Hole19 Premium is a one-time annual fee that's less than the cost of a single round at most courses. And it unlocks features that rival (or exceed) what you'd get from a $500 device.
Hole19 Premium costs less than a round at your local muni. For that price, you're getting:
- Plays Like Distances
- Advanced Stats
- Club Recommendation
- Shot Tracker on Watch
- Distance Arcs
- and much more!
Compare that to spending $400 on a watch that does less. It's a no-brainer.
Real Golfers, Real Results: How Hole19 Users Improve Their Game
Let's talk about impact. Because the real question isn't whether you need a golf watch—it's whether the tool you're using actually helps you improve.
Meet James, a 16-handicap golfer from the UK. He'd been stuck in the mid-90s for years, frustrated by inconsistent club selection and poor course management.
After downloading Hole19 and using the Shot Tracker feature for a month, James discovered he was overestimating his distances by 10–15 yards on every club. He adjusted his club selection, started hitting more greens, and broke 85 for the first time in his life.
His secret? Data. And Hole19 gave him the data he needed—without spending a dime on a golf watch.
Sarah, a 22-handicapper from California, used to panic on unfamiliar courses. She didn't know where hazards were, couldn't judge distances, and frequently made bad decisions off the tee.
After using Hole19's GPS Flyover and HD Maps, Sarah's course management improved dramatically. She stopped hitting into trouble, started playing smarter, and shaved five strokes off her average score in just two months.
The best part? She did it all with her phone and an Apple Watch—no $400 golf watch required.
When a Golf Watch Might Still Make Sense
Look, we're not here to tell you that golf watches are useless. For a small subset of golfers, they make sense.
If you're a serious golfer playing 100+ rounds annually, the convenience of a dedicated golf watch might justify the investment. At that volume, even marginal time savings add up.
But here's the thing: Hole19 on a smartwatch gives you the same convenience without the extra cost.
Some golfers want a device that does one thing and does it well—no distractions, no notifications, no extra features.
If that's you, a golf watch might be worth considering. But remember: Hole19 offers a "GPS Only" mode that strips away scoring and focuses solely on yardages. You're still not locked into a $400 purchase.
If you already own an Apple Watch or Wear OS device, there's zero reason to buy a dedicated golf watch. Just download Hole19, pair it with your watch, and you're done.
You're getting the same experience—without the redundant purchase.
How about you try Hole19 yourself?
Download the app today and give our free trial a spin. You'll notice instant improvements.
How to Use Hole19 to Lower Your Scores This Season
Let's get practical. Here's how to use Hole19 to start shooting lower scores immediately.
Use Shot Tracker on every approach shot, chip, and putt for at least five rounds. After those rounds, review your club distances and identify gaps.
If you're carrying your 7-iron 150 yards and your 8-iron 135 yards, you've got a 15-yard gap where you're guessing. Work on a knockdown 7-iron or a hard 8-iron to fill that space.
Check your Advanced Performance Stats to see where you're losing strokes. Are you missing fairways? Focus on driver accuracy. Missing greens from inside 150 yards? Hit more wedges at the range.
Hole19 shows you exactly where to improve—so you're not wasting time on the wrong things.
Log every round and let Hole19's Handicap Calculator do the work. Watching your handicap drop is motivating—and it gives you a clear benchmark for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golf Watches and Hole19
Hole19 uses the same GPS satellite technology as dedicated golf watches. In real-world testing, yardages are accurate within 2–3 yards—more than precise enough for club selection.
Hole19 includes over 43,000 courses worldwide. Chances are, your home course is already mapped. If not, the app lets you submit new course requests for quick addition.
If you're using Hole19 on a smartwatch, you can continue your round even if your phone dies. Scores and stats will sync once your phone is back online.
Final Verdict: Skip the Golf Watch, Download Hole19
Here's the bottom line: you don't need a $400 golf watch.
What you need is accurate yardages, reliable shot tracking, and powerful stats that help you play smarter golf. Hole19 delivers all of that—on your phone or smartwatch—for a fraction of the cost.
You'll save hundreds of dollars. You'll get better features. And you'll have the flexibility to use a device you already own, rather than investing in a single-purpose gadget that sits unused half the year.
Whether you're a beginner trying to break 100, a mid-handicapper chasing the 80s, or a serious golfer fine-tuning your game, Hole19 is your trusted partner on the course.
Download Hole19 today. Pair it with your Apple Watch or Wear OS device. Start tracking your shots, analyzing your stats, and making smarter decisions.
Your game—and your wallet—will thank you.
Max Harvey