Garmin Approach S50 vs S72: Is the Titanium Golf Watch Worth It

The short answer on Garmin Approach S50 vs S72: the S72 is worth the higher price if you specifically want a titanium bezel, a sapphire crystal lens, a choice of two case sizes and a built-in LED flashlight. If those four things don’t matter to you, the S50 has the same display type, the same water rating and the same listed battery life for a little over half the money.

This guide goes through what each listing states, where the two watches differ and where they match. The Approach S44 gets a section too, because some people weighing these two will find the cheapest of the three does enough.

Garmin Approach S50 vs S72 at a glance

The Garmin Approach S50 Smartwatch starts from RM1,779. The Garmin Approach S72 Smartwatch starts from RM3,449. That is RM1,670 between the two starting prices, and since “from” means the lowest variation, some options can cost more.

Three rows are identical: display type, water rating and battery life in smartwatch mode. Battery life during a GPS round is a separate figure and our listings don’t give it, so check Garmin’s spec sheet if you play long days or travel without a charger.

What the S72 adds for the higher price

Most of the difference is in materials. The S72 has a titanium bezel and a sapphire crystal lens, where the S50 uses anodized aluminum and Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Sapphire is generally chosen for scratch resistance, which is relevant on a watch that spends its life near clubs, bag zips and bunker sand.

The S72 also has a built-in LED flashlight, which the S50 listing does not mention. It is a small thing until you are loading the car before a dawn tee time or looking for a ball marker at the bottom of the bag.

Then there is the feature set. Garmin describes the S72 as a premium GPS golf smartwatch with “advanced wellness and on-course features”, and the S50 as a golf smartwatch with “on-course features and wellness tracking”. Our listings don’t itemise which tools sit on which watch. If one particular feature is the reason you are looking at the S72, confirm it on Garmin’s spec sheet for both models before you pay the difference.

Last, the S72 comes in 43 mm and 47 mm cases. The S50 comes in one size.

Where the S50 holds its own

The S50 has an AMOLED display with an optional always-on mode, a 5 ATM water rating and up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. The S72 listing gives the same three details, word for word. On the things you look at and rely on every day, the cheaper watch is not behind on paper.

It weighs 29 g with its ComfortFit nylon band, and the display is 1.2″ (30.4 mm) in diameter. The S72’s weight is not in our listing, so we can’t tell you which is lighter on the wrist. The product page and Garmin’s spec sheet are the places to check.

The S50 suits a golfer who wants GPS on the course, wellness tracking off it and an AMOLED screen, and who would rather not pay for case materials. The S72 suits someone who cares what the bezel and lens are made of, wants the flashlight, or needs a smaller or larger case than the standard one.

Sizes and colours you can pick

The S50 is listed in two colourways:

• Cream Gold Aluminum Bezel with Ivory ComfortFit Nylon Band
• Slate Aluminum Bezel with Black ComfortFit Nylon Band

The S72 has four, but each one is tied to a case size:

• 43 mm: Carbon Gray/Heritage Bronze DLC Titanium Bezel with Pebble Gray ComfortFit Fabric Band
• 43 mm: Soft Gold/Blush Pink Titanium Bezel with French Gray/Blush Pink ComfortFit Fabric Band
• 47 mm: Carbon Gray/Red DLC Titanium Bezel with Black ComfortFit Fabric Band
• 47 mm: Silver/Citron Titanium Bezel with Fog Gray/Citron ComfortFit Fabric Band

In practice you choose the size first, then pick between two colours. The red accent only comes on the 47 mm and the blush pink only on the 43 mm. If you want a model or colour that isn’t listed, you can ask us to buy it from a US store through our buy for me service.

Take the size decision seriously, because exchanges are only for items that arrive damaged. Measure a watch you already wear comfortably and compare it against 43 mm and 47 mm before you order.

If the S50 is already more than you need

The Garmin Approach S44 Smartwatch starts from RM1,369, which is RM410 under the S50’s starting price. It shares a lot with the S50: Corning Gorilla Glass 3, an anodized aluminum bezel, the same 1.2″ (30.4 mm) AMOLED display, 5 ATM and up to 10 days in smartwatch mode.

The differences are the band and the brief. The S44 has a silicone band and weighs 42 g against the S50’s 29 g. Its listing describes “essential on-course features” and leaves out the wellness tracking line that the S50 has. It comes as Silver Aluminum Bezel with Black Silicone Band or Silver Aluminum Bezel with Twilight Silicone Band.

If you want yardages on your wrist and little else, start there. If you plan to wear the watch all week, the S50’s lighter weight and nylon band are the argument for spending the extra RM410.

Price and how ordering works

Starting prices are from RM1,369 for the S44, from RM1,779 for the S50 and from RM3,449 for the S72. All three are preorders. We buy the watch new from the US brand store after you order, and estimated delivery is 30 calendar days, so keep that in mind if you want it for a particular golf trip.

You can pay in full or, where the product page offers it, pay a 50% deposit now and the balance later. Checkout shows when the balance is due for your country.

Delivery is free within Peninsular Malaysia. Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan pay RM21 per item, or nothing on orders over RM 2,200, which an S72 order clears on its own. Buyers in other countries see their shipping fee at checkout, and the shipping fees page explains how it works.

Returns are accepted within 30 days of delivery. A change-of-mind return must be in new condition, carries a 10% restocking fee, and the cost of shipping it back to the seller is deducted from your refund. If the watch is damaged when it arrives, report it with photos straight away. Full terms are on the refund and returns page.

The rest of the range is on our Garmin brand page, and general ordering questions are covered in the FAQ. You can also message us on WhatsApp at +1 603 440 9886.