Garmin's flagship golf GPS watch, the Approach S72, is on the way. Alongside a wide range of golf functions that support course management, it adds new swing metrics that can be measured at the driving range and during a round, a function for looking back at how heart rate relates to play during a round, and features that help with daily health and condition management, all aimed at helping golfers lower their scores and improve their performance.
The watch comes in two sizes, 47mm and 43mm. Pre-orders for the 47mm model open on October 15, 2026 (Thursday), with sales starting on October 22 (Thursday). The 43mm model is scheduled to go on sale in early November.
The Approach series is Garmin's lineup of golf GPS watches. Besides highly accurate GPS distance measurement and a wide range of course management features, the watches include functions that support recording and analyzing a golfer's play. They come with data for more than 43,000 courses worldwide and support strategic play through distance measurement, hazard information and shot analysis. The series is designed for a wide range of players aiming to lower their scores, from beginners to competition-minded golfers.
Product Overview
Pre-order start date: October 15, 2026 (Thursday)
Release date: Approach S72 47mm on October 22, 2026 (Thursday) / Approach S72 43mm in early November 2026
| Product | Size | Weight | Colors | Price (tax included) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approach S72 47mm | 47×47×13.5mm | 48g | Black / Red | ¥128,000 |
| Approach S72 47mm | 47×47×13.5mm | 48g | Fog Gray / Citron | ¥128,000 |
| Approach S72 43mm | 43×43×12.93mm | 41g | Pebble Gray / Heritage Bronze | ¥128,000 |
| Approach S72 43mm | 43×43×12.93mm | 41g | French Gray / Blush Pink | ¥128,000 |
Approach S72
New Features and Updates in the Approach S72
New Features That Support Golf Performance
Body data during golf: reviewing how heart rate relates to play
This is the first model in the Approach series to carry a 5th-generation optical heart rate monitor. It measures heart rate continuously, not only in daily life but also during a round, and after the round you can analyze how the changes in heart rate correlate with what happened in play.
New swing metrics measured on the watch
The watch measures hand speed, top position, transition angle, wrist rotation and more, both at the driving range and during a round. You can check the data in the Garmin Golf app to understand swing tendencies and consistency that are hard to see by feel alone, and use it as a clue for finding the cause of mistakes.
Driving Range activity (swing practice mode)
In addition to backswing time, downswing time and tempo, this activity mode measures and records the new swing metrics (top position and wrist rotation), helping you understand the quirks and consistency of your swing.
Green reading
Using Green Contour (green slope information) data, the watch shows the distance to the cup along with the direction and percentage of the slope, both left-right and uphill/downhill. Cues such as "uphill" and "breaks right" help you decide where to aim a putt.
※A paid subscription to the Garmin Golf app is required. The feature is available only at courses that support Green Contour.
Putting analysis
You can check advanced stats such as putt success rate, direction bias (how often you miss putts to the left or right) and speed bias (how often you miss by hitting putts too hard or too soft), broken down into nine slope patterns. The scorecard summary shows totals across multiple rounds, which helps you improve your performance on the green.
※A paid subscription to the Garmin Golf app is required. The feature is available only at courses that support Green Contour.
Aerial imagery
The whole hole can be viewed in real photographs. Seeing the actual terrain of the course supports strategic course management.
※A paid subscription to the Garmin Golf app is required.
From left: body data during golf, swing metrics, Driving Range activity, green reading, aerial imagery
Seamless From the Course to Everyday Life
Premium design
A lightweight titanium bezel and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens are used for the first time in the series. A new ComfortFit fabric band makes the watch comfortable to wear, so it can be worn seamlessly from the golf course to daily life.
Stronger health and condition management
With a 5th-generation optical heart rate monitor, the watch also supports the ECG app. It continuously records health data such as heart rate, sleep, Body Battery and stress level, supporting everything from daily health management to getting in shape for a golf day.
※The ECG app can be used with a compatible smartwatch (latest software version) and the Garmin Connect app (latest software version). The ECG app may not be available in some regions. Please check Garmin.com/ECG. The ECG app is not intended for use by people under 22. With the ECG app, a compatible smartwatch can generate an electrocardiogram similar to a Lead I ECG.
Built-in speaker and microphone
This is the first model in the series with a speaker and microphone. "Voice commands," which also work offline, let you call up various functions and start activities by voice. The watch also offers a "voice assistant" function for operating the voice assistant of a paired smartphone from the watch, and "voice memos" for recording audio.
LED flashlight
This is the first model in the series with a bright LED flashlight. Even in the dark, such as early in the morning, the light on your wrist can help you find your favorite ball marker in your bag.
Lost ball search timer
Under the Rules of Golf, the time allowed for searching for a lost ball during a competition is 3 minutes. If you start the search timer when you begin looking for the ball, it starts a 3-minute countdown and notifies you with a vibration when time is up.
Lost ball search timer
Other Golf Features of the Approach S72
Garmin AutoShot: Automatically records the shot position, club used and distance during a round, excluding putts. You can look back at the recorded data in the Garmin Golf app.
Virtual Caddie: Displays a recommended club based on wind direction and speed, elevation differences, past shot data and more, helping you choose a club that suits your play and the situation.
Green View: Shows the shape and layout of the green, and lets you adjust the pin position manually by touching the screen.
PinPointer: An assist function that shows the direction and distance to the pin even from places where the pin position cannot be seen. It can be turned off during competitions.
Touch Targeting (3-point distance measurement): Lets you check the distance from your current position to any point, and from any point to the pin.
Compatible with the club tracking sensors Approach CT10 and Approach CT1.
Can be linked with the laser rangefinder Approach Z10.
Green Contour support: Lets you check green slope information.
※A paid subscription to the Garmin Golf app is required.
Wind speed and direction display: Lets you check wind information for the area where the golf course is located.
※Pairing with the Garmin Golf app is required.
Yardage measurement (front/center/back).
Stats analysis, leaderboards and live scoring display in the Garmin Golf app.
Product Specifications
| Item | Approach S72 47mm | Approach S72 43mm |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 48g | 41g |
| Size | 47×47×13.5mm | 43×43×12.93mm |
| Display size | 1.4 inches (35.41mm diameter) | 1.3 inches (32.45mm diameter) |
| Band material | ComfortFit fabric band | ComfortFit fabric band |
| Bezel material | Titanium | Titanium |
| Display type | AMOLED (active-matrix organic EL) / touch panel | AMOLED (active-matrix organic EL) / touch panel |
| Display material | Sapphire crystal | Sapphire crystal |
| Resolution (pixels) | 454×454 | 416×416 |
| Operating time: smartwatch mode | Approx. 16 days | Approx. 10 days |
| Operating time: golf mode | Approx. 20 hours | Approx. 15 hours |
| Water resistance | 5ATM (50m water resistant) | 5ATM (50m water resistant) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth, ANT+, Wi-Fi |
| Internal memory | 64GB | 64GB |
| Satellite positioning | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/Michibiki (complementary signal) | GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/BeiDou/Michibiki (complementary signal) |
| Sensors | 5th-generation optical heart rate monitor, electronic compass, accelerometer, gyro sensor, etc. | 5th-generation optical heart rate monitor, electronic compass, accelerometer, gyro sensor, etc. |
| Life log functions | Heart rate, respiration rate, Body Battery, sleep monitoring, fitness age, stress level, calories burned, weekly exercise volume, blood oxygen tracking (※3), etc. | Heart rate, respiration rate, Body Battery, sleep monitoring, fitness age, stress level, calories burned, weekly exercise volume, blood oxygen tracking (※3), etc. |
| Sports functions | More than 80 types, including running, cycling, pool swimming, walking, strength training, skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, SUP, rowing, yoga, Pilates and breathwork | More than 80 types, including running, cycling, pool swimming, walking, strength training, skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, SUP, rowing, yoga, Pilates and breathwork |
| Map services | Golf courses, detailed Japan topographic maps (DKG maps) | Golf courses, detailed Japan topographic maps (DKG maps) |
| Smart functions | Notifications, Suica (※1), Garmin Pay (※2), weather information, music playback (supports downloading music data from Spotify®, Amazon Music, Deezer and others), etc. | Notifications, Suica (※1), Garmin Pay (※2), weather information, music playback (supports downloading music data from Spotify®, Amazon Music, Deezer and others), etc. |
| Standard accessories | USB-C charging cable (Type-B), product warranty | USB-C charging cable (Type-B), product warranty |
※1 "Suica" is a registered trademark of East Japan Railway Company.
※2 Pairing with a smartphone is required. The countries, payment networks and issuing banks currently supported can be checked at https://www.garmin.com/en-US/garminpay/banks/
※3 Measurements from blood oxygen tracking are not intended for medical use and are meant to be used only within the scope of general fitness and wellness.
For details, please see the product page.
https://www.garmin.co.jp/products/wearables/approach-s72-47-black/
※Prices, release timing and specifications in this article are subject to change without notice.
