Garmin Approach G6 Slim Golf GPS Review

It's Time to Get Serious About Your Golf Game

Garmin Approach G6

Fitting perfectly in the palm of your hand is the Garmin Approach G6. Garmin has redesigned the Approach to provide you with easy to access information on a large, bright touchscreen (the screen is glove friendly). The unit is more compact and much lighter with a built-in rechargeable battery. It is small enough to easily fit in your shirt or pants pocket. We're only just getting started when we talk about new features including over 25,000 worldwide courses will be pre-loaded with all future course additions and modifications being free. Advanced scorecard features, layup arcs, and golf club distances data will provide you with the information needed to shoot your best scores.

Garmin Approach G6 Quick Facts

Pre-Loaded with over 26,500 Courses Worldwide -- See Available Courses

No Charge for Future Course Additions and Updates. Garmin Periodically Releases Updates Throughout the Year

2.6" High Resolution, Transflective TFT Touchscreen

Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery (lasts up to 15 hours)

Weighs only 3.37 oz. -- Waterproof -- Touchscreen (glove friendly) -- USB Interface

2 Buttons for Instant Access to Green View, Digital Scorecard, and Shot Measure

What's In the Box - Approach G6, USB Cable, AC Adapter, Belt Clip, Manual

Key Features - Touch Targeting -- Manual Pin Positioning -- Course Preview -- Extensive Statistical Analysis -- Digital Scorecard (for up to 4 players) -- Save and Review Statistics both during round and on your computer -- Display of Layup Arcs -- List of Clubs with Average Distances -- Custom Input Points -- Shot Measure -- Green View -- Hole View

Garmin Approach G6

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Garmin Approach G6 Digital Scorecard Digital Scorecard

The Digital Scorecard will allow you to keep track of scores for up to 4 players. During the round you can manage or review an individual's score. After the match is complete, you can print out the scores from your computer. The G6 has scoring options that include Stroke Play, Match Play, Skins, and Stableford with adjustable handicaps.

Garmin Approach G6 Layup Arcs Layup Arcs

Maps on the Approach G6 high resolution screen will now display layup arcs. At a quick glance you will be able to determine accurate layup distances for yardages 100, 150, 200 and 250 if needed. This will save much time in situations where you are not able to shoot for the green. In addition to layup arcs, the screen to the right shows you the distance to the pin in upper right corner as well as distances to specific hazards.

Garmin Approach G6 Track Your Stats Track Your Stats

The Digital Scorecard allows the golfer the enhanced feature of stat tracking. You will be able to track your fairways hit, putts per round, and greens in regulation. These stats can be checked during the round or downloaded and printed out on your home computer.

Garmin Approach G6 Club Averages Club Averages

This is one of the most important features to take advantage of for lower scores. The G6 will allow you to continuously update and average the distance you hit each club in your bag. By knowing how far you hit each club, your decision making will improve tremendously. The player will have the option to custom name each of the clubs. If you use multiple drivers you will be able to distinguish between them.

Review Your Round Garmin Approach G6 Review Your Round

The Garmin G6 features the most statistical analysis of any current golf gps. Even more impressive, you can access these stats during your round. Very handy to look at during the turn to see areas for improvement. You will be able to see number of putts per hole, distances hit, fairways hit and missed to the left or right, clubs used, greens in regulation, distance traveled, and time to play.

Garmin Approach G6 Customized Distances Customized Distances

Another new feature from Garmin is the ability to create customized points on the course. You will be able to select, label, and save these points. You will most likely use this function on courses you are familiar with. There may be points on certain holes that are not mapped with distances. This will allow you to mark it on your unit for all future play.

The Design

This is basically Garmin's 2nd generation golf gps (the G5 & G3 came out together and share a design and the S1 is a watch). The Approach G6 is a total redesign into a slim contoured unit which is aimed at what Garmin refers to as better "playability". In other words, this is a true gps design for golf. While very rugged and functional, the G5 & G3 units were based on the handhelds for hiking and other similar activities. Now smaller, lighter, and more golf friendly, the G6 is still waterproof and tough enough for the rigors of the game. While smart phones have ushered in the era of touch screens, golf gps's are no exception. While on the course access to data for shotmaking needs to be quick and easy. The G6 now sports 2 instant access buttons. These buttons will display for you Green View, Shot Measure, and Digital Scorecard.

Lots of Preloaded Courses

Currently 26,500 and counting. That's how many worldwide courses will be pre-loaded on your unit. All your future course additions and updates are FREE. No extra subscription fees or hidden costs. The SkyCaddie units will currently cost you $60 a year for access to courses around the world. What a savings. There doesn't appear to be a rigid guideline, but Garmin typically does major updates for the courses throughout the year. In other words, when an update occurs it will usually add and update a significant number of golf courses. If you would like a course added or an error on a course needing correction, you can contact Garmin so they will include it in future updates.

Digital Scorecard and Statistics

The digital scorecard has evolved from merely totaling your score to storing and analyzing your scores and statistics for all aspects of your game. The enhanced stats include fairways hit, putts per round, and greens in regulation. Not only can you download and print this information from your home computer, you will be able to access them during your round. You can easily see trends which might be adjusted during your round. Keep track of strokes for up to 4 players. The Approach G6 has included new scoring options: Stroke Play, Stableford, Skins, and Match Play with adjustable handicaps.

Other New Features Worthy of an Upgrade?

If you own a golf gps and are considering upgrading, or you are in the market for your first unit, these features will certainly be worthy of consideration.

The touchscreen is glove-friendly. Most golfers wear a glove and aren't going to take it off each time you use the gps.

Internal Rechargeable Lithium Polymer Battery. Tremendous upgrade. Previous Approach models required AA batteries. Garmin estimates a full charge should last up to 15 hours under normal playing conditions.

Small, Lightweight, and Waterproof. You'll appreciate the small size and weight (only 3.37 oz) on cart path only days. You can easily slip it in your shirt or pants pocket while you hit. The screen (2.6″ diagonal) is large enough to display all the data and course graphics without being too small. If you desire a larger screen, check out SkyCaddie (3″ diagonal), Golf Buddy Platinum (3″ diagonal), and Garmin Approach G5 (3″ diagonal). The unit is also waterproof (IPX7).

Most every golf gps has the feature to measure how far you hit a shot. You hit your shot, press mark, walk to the ball, press mark again and your distance is displayed. With the G6 you designate which club you used for the shot. When you consistently use this feature for all your clubs the unit will calculate and display for you the average distance you hit each club. No longer do you have to write down your distances or try to memorize how far you hit your 4 iron. You can customize the names of your clubs that will be displayed. This is a handy function if you have multiple wedges or drivers.