The Garmin Approach S40 is a mid-range GPS golf watch with most, but not all of Garmin’s golf technology.
The Garmin Approach S62 sits alongside the Garmin Marq Golfer as the best golf watch in Garmin’s product line-up at this point in time.
The goal of this post is to help you choose between the Approach S40 and the Approach S62. Let’s get stuck into the details.
Key Similarities - Garmin Approach S40 vs S62
Approach S40
Approach S62
Key Differences - Garmin Approach S40 vs S62
Approach S40
Approach S62
Golf Features Comparison - Garmin Approach S40 vs S62
| Garmin Approach S40 | Garmin Approach S62 |
|---|---|
| Pre-loaded with 41,000 Courses | Pre-loaded with 41,000 Courses |
| Yardage To Green (F, M, B) | Yardage To Green (F, M, B) |
| Yardage To Layups + Doglegs | Yardage To Layups + Doglegs |
| Measures Shot Distance Automatically | Measures Shot Distance Automatically |
| Digital Scorecard | Digital Scorecard |
| Custom Targets | Custom Targets |
| Stat Tracking | Stat Tracking |
| Garmin AutoShot | Garmin AutoShot |
| Automatic Course Updates | Automatic Course Updates |
| Green View With Manual Pin Placement | Green View With Manual Pin Placement |
| Hazards And Course Targets | Hazards And Course Targets |
| Handicap Scoring | Handicap Scoring |
| TruSwing Compatible | TruSwing Compatible |
| Round Timer | Round Timer |
| Automatic Club Tracking (Requires Accessory) | Automatic Club Tracking (Requires Accessory) |
| Full Vector Map | |
| Pin Pointer Directional Assistance To Blind Green | |
| Touch Targeting - Touch Target To See Distance | |
| Handicap Scoring | |
| SwingTempo | |
| Tempo Training | |
| Wind Speed And Direction | |
| Virtual Caddie |
Sports Mode Comparison - Approach S40 vs S62
| Garmin Approach S40 | Garmin Approach S62 |
|---|---|
| Indoor Running | Indoor Running |
| Outdoor Running | Outdoor Running |
| Indoor Cycling | Indoor Cycling |
| Outdoor Cycling | Outdoor Cycling |
| Pool Swimming | |
| Strength Training | |
| Cardio Training | |
| Elliptical Training | |
| Stair Stepping | |
| Indoor Rowing | |
| Walking | |
| Yoga | |
| Skiing | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Cross Country Skiing | |
| Stand Up Paddle Boarding | |
| Outdoor Rowing |
Main Reason To Choose The Approach S40
It's About 40% Cheaper
The price of each watch is subject to change, but if looking at the recommended selling price, the Approach S40 is literally 40% cheaper than the Approach S62.
If you’re on a tight budget, this could definitely be a dealbreaker.
It's A Good Looking Golf Watch
The Approach S40 is definitely one of the better looking golf watches available right now. It can easily double as an everyday watch.
The Approach S40 Has Solid Golf Features
Admittedly it’s not quite on the same level as the Approach S62, but the Approach S40 still gives you most of Garmin’s core golf features. It also comes loaded with 41,000 courses that update automatically, so you shouldn’t run into any hassles in this regard.
Main Reasons To Choose The Approach S62
It's A Better Fitness Tracker
The Garmin Approach S62 is comparable to the Garmin Vivoactive 4 from a fitness tracking perspective. It includes 24/7 activity tracking, sleep tracking and Garmin’s body battery score.
It's A Much Better Sports Watch
Aside from the additional golf features, the number of sports modes could be a deal breaker in this particular product battle. Where the Approach S40 is basically limited to running and cycling, the Approach S62 gives you access to almost all of Garmin’s best sports modes. The extra modes include:
- Pool Swimming
- Strength Training
- Cardio Training
- Elliptical Training
- Stair Stepping
- Indoor Rowing
- Outdoor Rowing
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Cross Country Skiing
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding
It's About As Good As A Golf Watch Can Be
The only rival to the Garmin Approach S62 is the Garmin Marq Golfer (which is effectively the same watch, made from significantly more expensive materials).
To put this into context, the Approach S62 is considerably better than it’s predecessor, the Appoach S60. Of the new features in the S62, these are arguably the most important.
Wind Speed and Direction – This is very difficult to judge on the course. With the S62, you can just turn to your wrist to better understand what’s happening in the sky.
Virtual Caddie – This features looks at how far you usually hit your clubs, and then factors in wind speed and direction to recommend a club. Let’s just say that the Approach S62 will develop a data driven understanding of how far you hit the ball over time. This can help produce better club suggestions than most human caddies. The only potential issue is your ego getting in the way of the data backed recommendations from your watch.
Pin Pointer – Hitting into a blind green is always a challenge. You just have to trust your instincts and let it fly. Unless you have the Approach S62 on your wrist, in which case you can get directional queues from your watch. For casual golf on tricky courses, this is a pretty cool feature to have.
Final Thoughts
We’ve taken a deep dive into the key similarities and the key differences between these two golf watches. If you’re still on the fence at this point, these final buying tips may help:
Go for the Garmin Approach S40 if:
- You’re on a tight budget
- You just need the main golf features
- You aren’t too phased about the other fitness and sports features of the watch
Go for the Garmin Approach S60 if:
- You want the better smartwatch overall
- You play other sports as well
- You want the better activity tracker
- You want all the golf features that Garmin has to offer