Top 10 Best Handheld Golf GPS Devices 2023

Judging the right distances out on the golf course can be difficult.

Yardage markers are often pretty sparse and, unless you’re lucky enough to have your own caddy (we wish!), working out how far you’ve got left to the pin and how much club you need to avoid those dreaded bunkers can involve a fair amount of guess work.

That’s why we believe that having an accurate and up-to-date handheld GPS device every time you hit the course is a must.

Having immediate access to a reliable and precise rangefinder means you can take the guess work out of your game, because playing confident golf means playing good golf.

So here it is, our list of the 12 best handheld GPS devices. Perfect for every level of golfer.
Let’s get started!

THE TOP 3

Garmin G10

 

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Garmin G80

 

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Bushnell Phantom

 

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1. Garmin Approach G80 – All-in-one Premium GPS Golf Handheld Device

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The first GPS device on our list is the premium, all-in-one Garmin Approach G80. It’s the most advanced piece of kit we’ve featured and is more than just a rangefinder.

It has a 3.5” touchscreen that’s sunlight-readable and provides the most detailed images and flyovers of 41,000 golf courses, worldwide. Not only does the G80 calculate distances to all parts of the green and every hazard, but it also has unique touch technology that allows you to measure the distance to any point on the course—ideal for times you might need to layup or play a little more tactically.

The ‘PlaysLike’ feature means the G80 accounts for uphill and downhill lies, giving you only the most accurate yardages and the ‘PinPointer’ technology finds the pins when playing those awkward blind shots.

But like we said, the Approach G80 is more than just a rangefinder. In ‘Warmup’ mode it can give you feedback on things such as: ball speed, club head speed, tempo, and estimated distance, functioning as a launch monitor as well. So take it to the range or out into your garden and you’ll be able to check all the vital stats of your golf swing.

You can connect the G80 to your smartphone and keep up-to-date with all your most important notifications, and, if you want to connect with a network of golfers, you can sync the device to the Garmin app for free and compare scores and stats with fellow players from all across the world.

Pros

• Full colour, sunlight-readable touchscreen.
• Touch technology to measure yardage of any point on course.
• Warmup mode provides important swing information.

Cons

• Premium price.
• Larger than most handheld GPS devices.

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2. Bushnell Phantom Golf GPS

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First up is the Bushnell Phantom GPS. This handheld rangefinder will tell you the distance to the front, centre and back of the green, whilst also giving you up to four hazard distances per hole—perfect then for those courses that are scattered with bunkers and water hazards.

It’s got built-in magnetic technology which means you can stick it to anything metal on your golf bag or trolley, so you won’t have to keep it zipped away or loose in your pocket. The Phantom comes pre-loaded with 36,000 courses from 30 of the most popular golfing countries and the screen displays a 3D flyover of every hole on the course.

Pros

• Built-in magnet technology is great for mounting/easy access.
• Wireless updates available for all the latest courses.
• Interface is easy to understand.

Cons

• No colour display.
• No USB charging socket.

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3. Garmin Approach G10, Compact and Handheld Golf GPS with 1.3-inch Display

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The Approach G10 is probably going to be the best choice for most people looking for a simple hand held Golf GPS Device. It has a compact, sleek design to go with some of the best tech on the market. Like the best rangefinders, the G10 displays distances to all parts of the green and identifies the exact location of every hole’s sand and water hazards.

Garmin stand themselves apart from a lot of competitors with their high-sensitivity GPS trackers, making them one of the quickest loading rangefinders and most reliable judges of distance, even under the heaviest tree coverage.

The G10 comes with built-in stat tracking as well, so you can keep an eye on all the most important numbers from your round, including: Fairways hit, Greens in Regulation and Putts Per Round.

Pros

• Advanced high-sensitivity GPS tracking.
• Excellent Price
• Hazard detection, inc. water and sand.
• Built-in stat tracking technology.

Cons

• Price. Garmin a more expensive brand.
• No colour screen.

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4. GolfBuddy Voice 2 Golf GPS/Rangefinder

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The Voice 2 is the second-generation GPS device from GolfBuddy and it offers a slightly sleeker design and enhanced battery life to the original model.

Much like the original, the Voice 2 is has found its own niche in the market with its audio output. It’s like having your own caddy telling you the exact yardage to each pin. Just clip the device to your belt, bag, or even hat if you want a real personal address, and the GolfBuddy will give you all the most important distances.

It comes loaded with 38,000 courses (slightly more than most devices on this list) and is multilingual, making it a great choice for golfers worldwide.

Pros

• Unique audio output.
• Available with wrist strap, so can be used as watch.
• Compatible with great number of different courses.

Cons

• Doesn’t show hazards.
• Only available in one colour.

Get The Best Price On The Voice 2 Here:

5. Garmin Approach G30, Handheld Golf GPS with 2.3-inch Color Touchscreen Display

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The G30 Approach is one of the more expensive GPS devices in the Garmin range and stands itself apart from the G10 with its full colour, touchscreen display.

The touch screen is great for distance control, as it allows you touch the exact spot on the green that the pin’s been positioned on any day. The full colour course mapping is super helpful when it comes to figuring out where the fairway ends and the rough starts, as well as identifying any mischievous water hazards that might be out of plain sight.

You can connect the G30 to your smart phone too, so you’ll never miss an important call or message whilst out on the course.

Pros

• Advanced high-sensitivity GPS tracking.
• Full colour course mapping.
• Touch screen for precise pin positioning.

Cons

• Price. Garmin a more expensive brand.
• Not as many features as the G8 and G80 by Garmin.

Get The Best Price On The Garmin G30 Here:

6. GolfBuddy Voice GPS

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The original Voice GPS by GolfBuddy, providing a slightly cheaper alternative to the newer Voice 2. This, the older model, still fully warrants a place on our list, with the only major difference between the two versions coming in the way of battery length and the number of courses pre-loaded.

You’ll still have the unique audio output giving you your distances, and it’s really easy to clip onto your bag, trolley or golfing attire with its compact and lightweight design.

It’s got 35,000 (3000 less than the Voice 2) courses preloaded and can speak eight different languages. One of the first truly global golf GPS devices.

Pros

• Unique audio output.
• Available with wrist strap, so can be used as watch.
• Audio available in eight different languages.

Cons

• Shorter battery life than the GolfBuddy Voice 2.
• Doesn’t show hazards.

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7. Golf Buddy Voicex Easy-to-Use Smart Talking Golf GPS

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The final device from GolfBuddy on our list, and their most recent release: the Voicex. GolfBuddy have added a few missing pieces to the jigsaw with the Voicex, as it now warns you of all the course’s hazards and can be wirelessly synced with smart phones to keep up to date with all the latest course updates—two features the Voice and Voice 2 weren’t capable of doing.

The battery life is the longest in the GolfBuddy range at 14 hours—that’s well over two rounds (at least in theory anyway!). It’s compatible with over 38,000 golf courses and can speak to you in an impressive 11 different languages. Certainly the most complete GPS device by GolfBuddy but also the most expensive.

Pros

• Unique audio output.
• Hazard detection, inc. water and sand.
• Audio available in eleven different languages.

Cons

• Price. Most expensive in the GolfBuddy range.
• No colour screen.

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8. Bushnell Phantom (Black)Handheld Golf GPS

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The Bushnell Phantom ‘power bundle’ comes with a portable USB charger so you’ll never have to worry about your rangefinder running out of battery on the course. The accompanying 2200mAh mini charger doesn’t take up much space in your bag and can easily be clipped on to any loose tags.

As with most Bushnell GPS devices, the magnetic design means it’s really east to mount on your golf cart or bag, and it comes pre loaded with 36,000 courses. Although the interface itself provides a fairly basic view of the course, you can link the Phantom to your phone by downloading the Bushnell app for free. It gives you access to more advanced 3D flyovers of every hole on the course, so you can get a clearer picture of your round.

We especially like it in the black finish; it goes perfectly with most golf bags and trolleys.

Pros

• Built-in magnet technology is great for storage/easy access.
• Link to free Bushnell app for 3D maps.
• Extended battery life with accompanying charger.

Cons

• No colour screen.
• No additional features such as scorecard or stat tracking technology.

Get The Best Price On The Phantom Here:

9. Bushnell Neo Ghost Golf GPS

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The Neo Ghost is one of the earlier models from Bushnell and makes our list because of its simple design and easy-to-use interface. The screen will tell you the yardage to the front, back and centre of the green as well as the distances of four hazards per hole.

It fits perfectly in your hand and can easily be clipped to belts for easy access. A great choice for those looking for a relatively inexpensive and straightforward GPS device.

Although it doesn’t come with the mini charger like other Bushnell models, the Neo Ghost still has a great battery life and will outrun a lot of competitors, lasting as long as three rounds without needing charge.

Pros

• Interface is easy to understand.
• Hazard detection, inc. water & sand.
• Long battery life. Up to three rounds.

Cons

• No colour screen.
• Doesn’t have magnetic design like other Bushnell devices.

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10. IZZO Golf Swami 5000 Golf GPS Rangefinder

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The Swami 5000 by IZZO is a handheld rangefinder with a 2” full colour display. It comes with plenty of extra features as standard, making it one of the best value for money GPS devices on the market.

As you’d expect, the Swami 5000 measures yardages to all parts of the green (front, back and centre) but, quite uniquely, also gives you distances to the front and back of hazards and doglegs—meaning you’ll be better informed when it comes to taking on bunkers and water.

It’s the latest model from IZZO and comes with scorecard and shot measurement features built-in. It means you can track every shot and finally figure out which of your golfing buddies hits the longest drives!

Pros

• Full colour display.
• Measures yardages to front AND back of hazards.
• Built-in stat tracking features.

Cons

• Only compatible with 30,000 courses.
• Not as easy to mount on golf bag/trolley.

Get The Best Price On The Swami Here:

11. Garmin Approach G8 Golf Course GPS

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The Approach G8 by Garmin is one of the more luxury GPS devices on our list and has an impressive array of extra features to go with a slimline and sleek design. The 3” full colour, touch screen display is one of the largest and easiest to use, and you can even edit the size of the font for those slightly harder of sight.

The G8 gives you more than just distances and that’s what really stands it apart from most other rangefinders. Garmin’s advanced GPS tracking means every yardage accounts for the slightest of differences, including uphill and downhill lies, so you’ll have only the most accurate readings.

The ‘Pinpointer’ technology is unique to the G8 and assists you even when playing blind shots onto the green—it helps locate the pin when your vision is restricted. But perhaps our favourite feature is the ‘club advice’ technology. The G8 will recommend which club to use based on the yardage and your previous data, creating an authentic caddy experience every time you take to the course.

Pros

• Full colour, touch screen display.
• Advanced accuracy in measuring distances.
• Club advice technology for more consistent shot selection.

Cons

• Full colour, touch screen display.
• Advanced accuracy in measuring distances.
• Club advice technology for more consistent shot selection.

Get The Best Price On The G8 Here:

12. Garmin Approach G10 Golf GPS

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Yep, the G10 Approach again, but this time packaged with the Garmin lanyard carabiner & belt clip, so you can easily attach it to your trousers, bag or trolley.

The tech is exactly the same as mentioned earlier. It measures distances to all parts of the green and identifies the exact location of every hole’s sand and water hazards. And, of course, has Garmin’s high sensitivity GPS tracking for extra coverage amid the heaviest tree covering.

The addition of the lanyard makes it the easiest Garmin to carry with your clubs, just don’t expect the advanced technology that comes with the G8 or G80.

Pros

• Garmin lanyard makes it easy to carry during round.
• Advanced high-sensitivity GPS tracking.
• Hazard detection, inc. water and sand.

Cons

• Price. Garmin a more expensive brand.
• No colour screen.