Garmin Approach G80 Review

With so many golf GPS devices on the market, it was time for someone to raise the bar, and it's safe to say Garmin has done just that.

The new Garmin Approach G80 is a handheld golf GPS device that can also be used as a launch monitor. When this arrived at GolfMagic HQ, we were eager to get this down the driving range at Farleigh straight away to see just how good this device is. Check out our video review below...

The Garmin Approach G80 proved to be the best Garmin device GolfMagic has ever tested. The GPS worked as well as you expect any Garmin device to work. The colour touchscreen display is perfectly clear, very responsive and has everything you need to get your yardages as accurate as possible.

One of our favourite features of the GPS aspect of the G80 is pinpointing a spot on the hole to get your lay up yardage, something you typically don't get with GPS watches.

As useful as the GPS feature is, we were more excited about the launch monitor side of the G80. Shot data is a crucial part of your golf development and understanding your club and ball speeds makes practice a lot more interesting and more of a learning curve. Typical launch monitors from brands like Foresight Sports, Trackman and SkyTrak tend to be large devices that cost thousands. Yes they give you a lot more information than what the G80 can provide, but they tend to be more appropriate for golf professionals who use them when teaching lessons.

For your average golfer who just wants to learn a little more about their club speed, ball speed and swing tempo, the G80 is the perfect choice. You're not going to get the ball tracking lines linked up to an iPad or computer monitor like you can with the more expensive options, but if you don't want to break the bank then the G80 is spot on. Plus you're getting the GPS function as well which you wouldn't get with other launch monitors.

The distance practice games are a lot of fun as you can get competitive on the driving range with your friend, while also put in some good yardage practice.

VERDICT

The Garmin Approach G80 is easily the best Garmin device we have ever tested and possibly the best GPS device as well. The combination of a really premium GPS with a very useful and accurate launch monitor makes the G80 the perfect practice device. It's not the cheapest with an RRP of £449, but you get what you pay for and a typical launch monitor would cost you thousands. If you want to start learning more about your swing, then the G80 is a great way to do just that without breaking the bank. The fact that the device is so small as well makes the launch monitor even more appealing.